Douglas Ross

More of my work on www.dougrossart.com

I am a painter and sculptor who has been using a camera all my life to gather visual reference. Twelve years ago I began to use my camera as an art making tool and along with some very simple software to make mythic and surreal images. I work in close collaboration with the men and women that I photograph. To get the best work, I feel that both photographer and model need to actively participate in the making of the work. For me collaboration means making images informed by a model's personality, interests and life experiences. I'm interested in creating a contemporary mythic iconography that looks at life's most important aspects: birth, love, betrayal, triumph over adversity, mystery, growth, grief, wonder, ecstacy and death. I'm interested in working towards a model's strengths, whatever they may be: presence, movement, expression, body language, imagination, style etc. Wherever possible, I prefer to start with a few hours of exploration and a (paid) test shoot. If sufficiently exciting common ground is found in this initial session, I usual aim to work with someone several times within a fairly short period to "rehearse", improvise and innovate until we create a small body of imaginative and stunning work.

I do not believe in asking models to work for free. I will always book a minimum three hour shoot and pay for travel expenses. When finished artwork is ready, I will always provide a fine art print to the model. When work is published, I will provide a copy of the book or magazine to the model. What I hope for in return is a genuine interest in making meaningful and beautiful work and the commitment that goes with that.

I have photographed over 70 men and women from 20 nationalities. I am always open to interesting proposals from both within Ireland and abroad. International collaborations can work very successfully if there is a commitment to exchanging ideas by internet and phone in advance of the shoot.

The work that we will produce together is for exhibition in art galleries and museums (currently mainly in Italy and North America), art publications and art/photography websites.