Rebecca Handler

1. Where are you from and where are you living right now?

My whole family has urban roots, coming from New York City and the various boroughs. After I was born, my family decided to relocate to New England to seek a quieter upbringing for me.I currently reside in a coastal town of Connecticut, only about an hour from New York city.

2. Does the place you live in affect your art and practice?

The place I live holds tremendous weight in influencing my work, and my overall identity as an artist. Growing up, especially in my late teens, I spent most of my free time taking advantage of my vicinity to New York City. I often feel that I live in between worlds. Many days were spent jumping on a train, and trading the quiet of Connecticut in for the electric rush of the urban jungle. I believe spending so much time in New York city is what sparked my love of photography. I enjoyed observing the fast-paced rhythm, but was specifically interested in photographing quiet places within the heart of the city. I began photographing museums, or views from the top of buildings where you can make out the fuzzy skyline melting into a sunset. These were places of refuge, in which people such as myself could go to distance themselves from the hustle and chaos. This became a theme in my work. I really like to capture images where the viewer is able to slow down, and feel a sense of disconnect from the rush of daily life.

3. How does being a female photographer influence your work? Do you encounter any challenges in your practice related to that?

Being a female photographer has influenced my work by giving me a sense of empowerment. Prior to picking up a camera myself, I actually spent a lot of time in front of the lens. I modeled for various editorials, clothing, and other projects. During this time, I faced the challenge of being absorbed in an industry where women are objectified, and sometimes left to feel that they were just shells; nothing more than their bodies. By picking up a camera myself, I was able to break those bonds, and give myself a voice.  I enjoyed the freedom of creating images that had no basis in gender whatsoever. I am simply photographing humans, environments, emotions, and how all three things intertwine.

4. Do you want to share something about your body of work? What are you working on right now?

My body of work is actually composed mostly of shots from a disposable camera! As I began to explore film photography more, I eventually started working with a 35mm Yashica t4. I love the experimental factor of film, and the grainy quality of disposables. Often times I soak film canisters in things like red wine or lemon juice in order to play around with colors. You never know completely how it will turn out. Sometimes it creates psychedelic colors, which help me create a surreal and dreamy tone to my photographs.

5. How do you get inspiration? Who do you admire?

As of right now, I’m going through a tough time in my life. 2 years back I got struck down with a mystery illness that was thought to be Lyme disease and Mono. Despite treatment, I have been unable to return to my previous health. I have been left with debilitating fatigue, which has proven to be a challenge, and an inspiration to my photography. I want to experiment more with creating a series of what it feels like to live in a world tainted by severe chronic fatigue. I’m not sure what exactly that will look like yet.

I am constantly looking to find new photographers for inspiration. Just recently I was inspired by a photographer named Phil Elverum, who used film to capture Mount Eeerie in a really powerful, melancholy way.  I really love the grainy quality of his photos, and how he experiments with light and double exposure.

6. Do you shoot mostly color or black and white? Why?

I don’t really like to box myself into shooting in just one style or color. I mostly shoot in color, but if the mood calls for it, I think black and white can be a powerful way to set a mood or tone.

Follow her work here: http://www.rebeccahandler.com/