An interview with Summer HS Sara Macel
It was a busy Fall for Summer Hot Shot Sara Macel. A participant in the d.u.m.b.o arts festival through The Rider Project, her work was seen in two group shows in October, all while continuing to make new work––and it doesn’t seem like she’ll be getting a break anytime soon. Sara’s work is to be included in Kiss & Tell curated by Kate Menconeri at The Center for Photography at Woodstock opening later this month. Keep it up Sara!
Where were you born, where were you bred?
Born and bred in Spring, Texas – a stone’s throw outside of Houston.
Current place of residence? Brooklyn
Age? 25
How do you pay the bills?
I’m a photo production assistant and I do my own photography on the side.
What’s your formal background (if any) in photography?
I studied photography at NYU where I learned almost everything I know and had some really amazing teachers. But the best way to learn technique is just by trial and error. After school, I worked as Bruce Davidson’s assistant for 2 years and he taught me all kinds of nifty tricks.
What artist drove you to make the work you do? Who inspires you now?
Being from the south and a color photographer, William Eggleston is a definite hero. I love Stephen Shore, Joel Sternfeld, and Alec Soth. Christian Patterson is great and other young photogs I know inspire me to keep at it. But most of my inspiration comes from music and books and my personal life.
What camera do you use? Is it always with you?
I mostly shoot with a Mamiya 7II, but I prefer using the RZ for portraits. I’m looking to make the jump to 4×5 in the near future.
How would you sum up your photographic process from start to finish?
I’m an old-timer in the sense that I sort of like bulky equipment and film and printing your own c-prints in the darkroom with weird little cut-out dodging tools.
Do you shoot with a plan or on a whim?
I try to have a general plan or project idea, even if it is just a song that I’ll listen to over and over while I’m wandering around looking for something to shoot. There’s a Big Star song that really inspired the project I’m working on now.
What images are superglued into your mind for all eternity?
I find old family photos of my parents and grandparents when they were my age a little haunting. And then, there’s Joel Sternfeld’s photo of the beached sperm whales; Davidson’s Brooklyn Gang; Robert Frank’s elevator girl from The Americans; Alec Soth’s photo of Johnny Cash’s boyhood home just floored me when I first saw it. There’s just so many.
“Elevator - Miami Beach” from Robert Frank’s The Americans
What piece of equipment do you fetishize the most and/or what is your guiltiest tech pleasure?
I’m a total camera nerd. I am currently lusting for a cherry wood 4×5 Wista- and not because it is the best 4×5 but just because is so damn pretty. And 8×10 is just the cat’s pajamas.
What are your loftiest goals?
Just to shoot and wander around and have some nice folks like the photos and want to buy them so I can keep on wandering around.
Do you have any other talents, hobbies, or favorite pastimes?
I like to knit. I can make beer bread from scratch. I won a trophy for pantomime in the 7th grade, but I don’t think that really qualifies as a talent. That’s really more of my ace card up the sleeve whenever I get into discussions about embarrassments from adolescence.
Any big plans for 2007?
I have a show opening at the Center of Photography in Woodstock in late January. I’m thinking of doing a road trip through Texas with my best friend in March. And my sister is getting married in July. Beyond that, just to find some time to make a couple nice photos.
If you had to choose only one film to watch for the rest of time what would it be?
Big Lebowski.
Name three songs that would be on your soundtrack?
“Say Something Nice to Sarah� - Ernest Tubb
“These Days� - Nico
“Deep in Your Waters� - Sonny Oaks
“Days� - The Kinks
“Everyoneâ€? - >Van Morrison…Okay, I’ll stop now.
Favorite director/composer/author/artist/musician/etc?
Director- Billy Wilder
Author- Salinger and Steinbeck
Artist- Edward Hopper
Musician- Sam Cooke
What are your favorite websites/blogs?
NYTimes.com, Tiny Vices, Conscientious, Modish, HopStop is a Godsend.
City you would most like to escape to?
Every day when I leave for work I wish someone would drive up and say “Hop in, we’re going to Memphis.�
What do you look for in a mate?
A goof, a rascal, a good time, a Scrabble opponent, a shared love for aquatic animals (or at least the ability to find my love for them bearable), a bookworm, and a handsome devil.
If you had to choose any object/service to be branded with your name, what would it?
If I could put a copyright on my homemade Chex Mix I would.
How do you spoil yourself?
Bubble baths with my rubber ducky.
Favorite beverage of choice?
Unsweetened iced tea or whiskey when I wanna get messy.
New Year’s resolution?
No more whiskey (not really).
