When did you know you wanted to be a photographer?

I’m not sure that I could honestly say that I ever actually aspired to be a photographer.  From a young age, it just always felt natural to have a camera in my hand.  Some of my earliest memories involve clandestine missions to liberate my mother’s Kodak Instamatic from her purse.  Occasionally, I was lucky enough to find the camera loaded with a fresh roll of film!! Whether it had film or not, I ran around snapping shots of anything and everything.  That spark and passion still burns to this day.

Photo by Al Dixon

Who are the photographers and artists that have had the greatest influence on you and why?

I’ve had the great pleasure to meet, work with, and become friends with numerous photographers that I look up to and admire.  First and foremost, would be Darwin Wiggett & Samantha Chrysanthou.  Working with them I developed a newfound appreciation for the artist merit of a photograph, and how that can transform a good image into a great image.  In addition, their open and genuine interest and desire to help others with their photographic endeavors is truly infectious.  I’m also a big fan of Peter Carroll.  His images have such a simple elegance about them that I feel can only be achieved when one is completely open to, and connected with, that moment in time.  My good friend Drew May, a very talented visual storyteller, continues to inspire me with his dedication, persistence, and passion.  I credit my dear friend, the late Roy McLaughlin, as the one that gave me the final ‘push’ to start offering workshops to share my knowledge with others.  He was a frequent sidekick on many of my photo journeys and helped foster my desire to help others in their photographic endeavors.

Photo by Al Dixon

What is the inspiration behind your photographs?

The majority of my work focuses on rural life and the natural world.  This stems in part from my upbringing on my grandfather’s farm.  As a youngster I had a front row seat for the dedication, work ethic, and pioneering spirit that had supported many of the local family farms for several generations.  With the demise of many of these small family farms, I strive to honor and celebrate this declining way of life.

“Fargo” Photo by Al Dixon

What was the most unique person or place you’ve photographed?

Actually, I would have to say mine was a project I was involved with.  It was a collaboration between the Stony Plain Photo Club and the Parkland Poets, combining the two mediums.  It involved the groups each selecting (10) works to exchange with the other.  Each group then generated new works based off of the works they received.  This resulted in the Photo Club receiving (10) poems that they then went and created (10) images that were inspired by the poetry.  The Parkland Poets received (10) images that they then created (10) new poems inspired by those images.  The (20) resulting photo and poetry pairings were then combined into a single work, with each contributor receiving a copy of the completed piece.

“Reflections in Blue” Photo by Al Dixon

What advice do you have for aspiring photographers?

If you want to improve your photography, I feel that it’s important to share your work.  The feedback can be instrumental in advancing your photographic endeavors.  The trick comes in finding that fine line between improving your photography but not swaying you from your artistic vision.

If you could have any superpower, which would you choose?

Being someone that is much more comfortable observing the world around him, I would have to pick invisibility.

“Ol’ Homestead” Photo by Al Dixon

Where is your favorite travel destination?

In all honesty, at this point my favorite destination would be anyplace that I can take my camera.  There are several destinations that occupy my ‘bucket list’.  These include the Faroe Islands, Iceland, UK, and the Oregon coast.

When you’re not photographing, what are your favorite hobbies?

I’m a very avid reader, however, I must confess to becoming addicted to audiobooks.  There’s just something about being able to enjoy a great ‘read’ while on the road.

“McCormick” Photo by Al Dixon

What do you most enjoy about being a part of InFocus Photo?

To me, there is a sense of community surrounding the exhibition.  Getting to meet so many different photographers of all different genres is amazing.  The exposure gained by the photographers is fantastsic.

Where can people find you online?

Website:               www.aldixonphotography.com

Facebook:           @AlDixonPhotography

Instagram:          @Al_D_Photo

Twitter:               @Al_D_Photo

“Frozen Glow” Photo by Al Dixon