I started my journey in photography in 2000 with black and white film (35mm up to 4x5) and training in the Ansel Adams zone system. I have long since switched to digital (but miss the long quiet hours in the darkroom and seeing that image come through in the developer tray).

I try to capture something magical in my photographs, it could be a facial expression, or something that others pass by that I somehow see differently, and of course beautiful light. I have spent years studying and learning to manipulate light—a never-ending and rewarding process.

I'm grateful for my teachers who seem to have been there at just the right time. They have included Peter Faulkner and Kirk Jalbert (b&w processing, zone system), Kevin Focht (fashion and studio), Scott Stulberg (headshots and natural light), Richard Radstone (studio lighting) and Pierre Chiha (portraiture).

Formats:

I work almost entirely in digital but will use 120 black and white hand processed film and prints upon request.

Lighting:

For outside shots, I use natural light with reflectors and diffusers and/or flash. In the studio I use strobes and hot lights.

Processing:

I hand process all black and white film. Prints are custom printed on fiber paper, then toned in selenium. Digital photographs are printed off site.

Kathryn Costello
Photographer