Interview
Christopher Paul Brown
United States
Christopher Paul Brown is an amazing self-taught photographer who uses polarities to imbue synchronicity, serendipity, and surprise into his masterpieces.
1 Can you introduce yourself and talk about how you got into photography?
Over the course of 1971 to 1976 I experienced a dozen LSD trips. These opened me up to the use of alchemy in creating music, films, and paintings. In 1977 I was attending film school and discovering many excellent artist of photography. I researched cameras and came up with the Contax 35mm camera with a Zeiss lens. I bought one at the end of that year and began carrying it everywhere. In 1979 I created a darkroom in my home. I used this camera exclusively until 1998 when I bought a Mamiya RZ67, a medium format camera. With this camera I transitioned to color film and continued to use it until 2013 when I began playing with digital cameras and more expansive Photoshop manipulations.
2 Where did you study photography?
While I have a BA in film and majored in music for number of years I am largely self taught in even these arenas. Certainly I have never had a photography course or workshop. I did buy and read many books on darkroom techniques.
3 Do you remember your first shot? What was it?
My most memorable shot from my first roll of film was a shot of a young man on Wabash. While the background was in focus the man's face had moved during the shot. I discovered the beauty of exploring the edges of what a camera can do. I later discovered Lartigue and played with this more.
4 What equipment do you use?
A Canon OES 5Ds digital camera with a Sigma 35mm lens. I also use a radio controlled remote flash for some of my work. And Photoshop CS6.
5 What do you hope to achieve?
I want the discovery/creations I've uncovered to be seen. I want the alchemical process to be understood.
6 What compliment inspired/touched you the most?
Anyone who has loved something they've seen and told me so has both touched and inspired me. My work/play wants to be seen and I support that want in them.
7 What inspires your unique storytelling?
This question takes me back to LSD. Human multidimensionality made manifest.
8 What THREE (3) words describe your photography style?
Multidimensional. Unconscious. Surreal.
9 Congratulations! As the winner of the MUSE Photography Awards, what does it mean for you and your team to receive this distinction?
It means wider exposure and another notch on my resume.
10 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2021 MUSE Photography Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
My landscape work represents a minority of what I do and is therefor less public. The landscape category at the 2021 Muse Awards just spoke to me. Landscape photography tends to be realistic oriented, but it seemed to me that Muse could grok my alternate approach to landscape and nature.
11 How has winning an award developed your career?
To early to tell.
12 Name 1-3 photographers who have inspired you.
Lartigue and George Tice,
13 What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out, by a mentor or your role model?
Certainly I enjoyed some mentoring in my music and film training. I was nearly 23 when I started into photography. I would say I simply went my own way.
14 What advice would you give someone who would like to become a photographer today?
Forget about trying. Just play and play some more. Play is the best way to learn and the best way to invite alchemy and its wonderful outcomes: surprise, synchronicity and serendipity.
15 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Passion. I love to play with light and imagery. Parting words of wisdom: drill down deep and get past the 10,000 hour mark.
16 How do you stay in that space of being receptive to new information and knowledge?
New information and knowledge that knocks on my door again and again and again will get my attention. For example: when I discover via play a new technique I do not write it down. I seek to forget it and have the delight of discovering it via play once more. After a few times I can't forget it anymore and it becomes an arrow in my quiver. Play and discovery trumps deliberate acquisition.
17 Anything else you would like to add to the interview?
Thank you, MUSE Photography Awards.
