What is Photography?

What question does Erik pose to the audience?

     Is a photo that can't be taken with a camera photography?

What was Erik's first real passion?

     Drawing

What conception of photography did Erik previously hold?

     Erik used to feel that photography was merely a "right place, right time" kind of art, and that anyone could do it. He also had a misconception that photography ended when you pressed the trigger to capture the image.

How did this inspire him?

     This inspired him to create something where the process would start, not end, when he took the photo.

What "common goal" do Erik's photos have?

     Erik's photos have the common goal of retaining a level of realism, photorealism.

Define realism as used in this context.

     This type of realism, photorealism, brings multiple different realities together in one photo. Thus creating a sense of familiarity through the mind's ability to recognize the objects as real things. But the slight differences between what the mind knows to be real and what you are seeing, is what makes you stop and think.

What principles does he adhere to rather than to find a place?

     He follows three principles; The two images, that are being put together, must be taken from the same perspective and the two images must be taken in the same type of lighting.
     The third is that the connections must be seamless. making it impossible to tell how the composited image was put together.

How does he plan the photos?

     When planning a photo, he starts by sketching out his idea. Then he takes photos of the things he will need to bring his idea to life. Finally, he puts the pieces together.

What is his conclusion?

     His conclusion is that the only thing limiting photography is our imagination.