Interview with Robert Eckert, Rio Grande Sun, Espanola NM

Bob:  Do you have an artistic or photographic philosophy?

Jane: I believe a photograph is a representation of truth and should not be manipulated through the use of photoshop other than for minimal technical improvements such as exposure, white balance and clarity.   The photographer as a creative artist does select his or her subject, quality of light, depth of field and so forth.  However, I want the integrity of my images to remain in tact. 

Bob:  Are there any artists who have greatly influenced you or your work? If so, please tell me who and how.

Jane: Laura Gilpin is one of my favorite photographer.  I became acquainted with her work when I worked as an archeologist for the School of American Research (later, School of Advanced Research).  I was privileged to meet her in the later years of her life and to hear her talk about photography and the Navajo people and culture.  I believe her work is truthful.  She knew the Navajo people well and portrayed their way of life with empathy and compassion.   

I also admire the photography of Norman Mauskoph, Miguel Gandert, David Noble and Don Usner who photograph New Mexico with sensitivity, knowledge and compassion.

Bob: In terms of process, where do your ideas come from?

Jane: In terms of process, my ideas are derived from my world travels in the early 1960’s when I traveled solo around the world for a year and a half.  I was fascinated and moved by diversity especially as I experienced it in third world countries.  After returning to the United States, I obtained a masters degree in anthropology and later a doctorate in clinical psychology with the goal of working with multicultural populations.  I have worked in Native American Communities, with veterans, in prisons, rural school districts and with asylum seekers.  These experience are integrated into the ideas I pursue in my photography such as human rights, respect for diversity and compassion for the human condition.

Bob: Give me a bit of personal history, please.

Jane: I grew up in New York and moved to New Mexico in 1975 with my two sons who were 5 and 6 at the time.  I restored a 100 year old abandoned adobe hacienda to create a home for my children. After they were grown, I built a contemporary home in Glorieta where I lived in the middle of the national forest for 14 years.  In the solitude of the my Glorieta home and the beauty of the environment, I became more creative, writing poetry and turning to my camera to express my thoughts and feelings. As an archeologist I worked for The School of American Research, (now School of Advanced Research) and the National Park Service.  I returned to school in 1984 and received a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Denver.  In addition to my two sons, I have two grandsons who bring much pleasure to my life. 

Bob: What kind of satisfaction do you get from creating a strong photo? 

Jane: I am never quite satisfied that I have created a strong photo and am always looking for  ways to improve an image.  My satisfaction comes when others are engaged with my work, understand the message I am trying to convey and think critically about the issues I raise.  For example, I showed the Enduring Traditions exhibit in Farmington, NM in February 2019.  I was told that school children from the community made field trips to see it and instructors at the college assigned writing assignments about the exhibit. Engagement with the community is more satisfying to me than a strong photo.  

Bob: What do you feel the role of the photographer is in society?  

Jane: The role of the photographer is to show the truth in emotionally compelling ways. It is the role of the photographer to encourage critical thinking and to inspire a desire and willingness to become involved in the concerns of our time.

Bob: What makes a successful photograph in your opinion?

Jane: A successful photograph is technically sound, compelling in subject matter and emotionally engaging.  It is not necessarily pretty, although it may be, and it is not trite.  A successful photograph offers the viewer an opportunity to experience something new and to think critically about it.  A successful photograph achieves a balance between documentary photography on the one hand and fine art photography on the other.  That is what I strive for.  

Bob: Is there a life event that influenced your photography?

Jane: There is no particular life event that influenced my photography.  However, my travels when I was a young woman inspired me to find ways to share my experiences. As a result of  my professional work as an anthropologist and clinical psychologist, my values and beliefs matured, and I wanted to advocate for human rights, respect for diversity and compassion for the human condition through photography and short pieces of writing.  

In 05/2018 I closed my psychology practice, an event that has offered me the opportunity,  for the first time in my life, to devote time and energy to creative endeavors. 

Bob: Tell me a bit about your technique?

Jane: Although I learned about technique from my father when I was growing up, I am basically a self taught photographer.  I have never studied art or photography in the traditional sense.  My technique is based on many trials and much error, online tutorials, occasional workshops, feedback from friends and colleagues and studying the work of other photographers in books and exhibits

I have one camera, a mirrorless Fujifilm X T2 with a 18-55 mm lens as well as a fixed 35 mm lens.  I import my images into lightroom and conduct an initial review to eliminate images that are not worth keeping.  I rate the remaining images for future use on my webpage, in exhibits or in contest submissions. 

Bob: What made you choose the genre you are in?

Jane: I chose photography and writing as my genres because I had a father who was a photographer and writer.  I guess you might say photography is in my blood.  

Bob: What is the hardest part about creating a successful photograph?

Jane: The hardest part about creating a successful photograph is being tough with myself about what is or is not a good image.  It is easy to like an image because I had a good time making it. Perhaps I over came a difficult obstacle to obtain the image and just can’t let go of it.   

Bob: What do you feel makes your work unique?

Jane: I feel my life and professional experiences make my work unique.  I am quick to see humanity in a face or the beauty and interest in the world around me. As a psychologist for the last 30+ years, I  am able to establish rapport and engage with others to achieve very personal images. 

Bob: Why do you photograph?

Jane: Photography is really fun, and I enjoy it.  More importantly, I want to advocate through this genre for the concerns that are important to me and are related to my work as an anthropologist and clinical psychologist.  These concerns are for human rights, respect for diversity and the human condition.

I am searching for a more focused direction for my photography, one that provides a trajectory towards my advocacy goals.