Q&A WITH TORONTO-BASED PHOTOGRAPHER MEAGHAN OGILVIE
As this year our photography exhibition is virtual, Arta Gallery director/curator Fay Athari and the Arta Team has curated a series of artist Q&A to introduce all amazing photographers that are part of our Time Lost exhibition.
Today we are having a Q&A with an internationally recognized Photographer and visual artist Meaghan Ogilvie whose diverse artistic collaborations are often aimed at raising awareness about water conservation. She has specialized in underwater photography for the past twelve years and is sought after for her unique style, skillset and sense of adventure from collectors and clients. She has received numerous acclaimed awards and her work has been exhibited across North America and Europe.
Why did you choose to pursue a career as a photographer?
When I discovered National Geographic at age 10 I knew I wanted to be a photographer. My parents made a modest income and we never travelled, so the magazine’s images brought the world to me. It was very inspiring and transformative. I was drawn to the possibilities of travel
and being in nature as a career. Growing up I spent a lot of time outside in nature alone and with friends. It was an important part of where my happiness came from. This impacted my choice of using photography as a way to communicate our connection with nature today. I saw photography as a career where I could constantly learn, explore and evolve.
What is your favorite subject to photograph?
My focus has been on water for the past thirteen years. There is so much that I love about water. The complexity of it - subtle yet charming, strong yet calm. I love the rush of adrenaline before I dive into the ocean. I love that it challenges and humbles me. I love the different patterns on the surface and the unique landscapes beneath. I love how our bodies interact with it. I love how it
brings people together. I love that it never stands still and is constantly changing shape. It is the most beautiful subject to photograph.
What makes the good picture stand out from the average?
The most important element of a photo to me is its ability to evoke emotion. A great photograph tells a story, puts you in a particular moment in time and speaks to your emotions. A good picture stands out from the average if it can do all of the above.
Whose work has influenced you most?
Sebastião Salgado, Sally Mann, Zena Holloway
What type of cameras do you shoot with?
I shoot mostly with digital slrs underwater, but love shooting with manual film cameras as well.
What kind of tools do you use for post-processing?
Capture One, Photoshop
What is the most rewarding part of being a photographer for you?
There are many rewarding parts to being a photographer, but the most rewarding for me has been the opportunity to travel, learn and meet incredible people that I otherwise wouldn’t have without my connection to the work I do with water.
