We may talk about how the imagery of a decade is constructed, one that will make future generations look back with nostalgia as they seek to imagine how was it like to live in that period. We shall focus on today: more exactly on New York in order to tell you about Tan Camera. Kimi Selfridge, the Brooklyn based photographer behind the blog, Tan Camera, creates images which seem to want to capture a teenager's sentiment, always dreaming of a past golden time while adding that modern and contemporary feel to them.
As we travelled together by subway from Manhattan to Bushwick a few days after Thanksgiving, I could almost hear the Clueless soundtrack. You could say that it has worked out well so far.
I’ve always been creative and very visually driven. My first foray into art was mixed media collaging as a child, which is something I still do to this day. I’m planning to share some of my finished collages very soon.
Julie Verhoeven is definitely my favorite visual artist, she has a great understanding of balance, color, texture, shape and scale. I’m inspired by various things, but I never attribute any one thing to dictating my aesthetic. I just do,wear and create what I like. It comes from a very authentic and guttural place for me. Last year someone asked me whether my upbringing in Miami was the reason I use color in my work; it may be true, but I've never been conscious about it, still haven’t.
Photography and styling are two of the most natural things to me. I started shooting when I was just a kid, and instead of “counting sheep” to go to bed at night, I would style outfits in my head. It reached a point in my early 20’s when I knew I had to develop my creativity and morph it into a career, so I quit my freelance assistant jobs in the art and fashion world and started to really develop and hone my craft.
I’d say I’m more subconsciously influenced by Miami and NYC, not so much by California. I don’t seek out for inspiration, nor do I use intentional references in my work. I just create what I would like to look at.
I love film in general, and instant film is an extension of that love. There is that one of a kind element about instant film, it’s so immediate and always has imperfections that add to its beauty. I also love vintage clothing, my favorite eras for clothing are the late ‘70s, early ‘80s, and mid ‘90s, sometimes with a hint of the ‘60s.
Above all I want my multiple exposures to evoke a feeling, emotion and reaction within the viewer.
I do notice that when I share photographs of women opposed to men, they usually get more love. It’s an observation I’ve made, but it doesn’t affect my work or how I choose to share it.
I appreciate the Internet for what it is: a malleable platform for sharing. I think social media and blogging can be very useful for artists to share their own vision through their work, and I believe I have benefitted from doing so.
I’m currently styling a feature film, as well as always shooting for my lifelong portrait photography project which can be viewed at Tan Camera. I’m also still in the planning phase of my upcoming clothing and accessories line.
