Photographer Interview:
Dorrell Bradford
BIO
Dorrell Bradford is an American photographer, born and raised in South Phoenix, Arizona. He documents places and spaces in which you wouldn’t expect interesting aspects to arise, finding unique viewpoints and quiet moments of pause and wonder. While the scenery Dorrell photographs may seem like average landscape or inner city locations - he finds the angle that sets a cinematic perspective leaving the viewer thinking twice about what they could see in their daily life, if they were to take a second and look. Often his work of city vs landscape displays hard juxtaposition when viewed in tandem, but with a closer study it’s clear something seems the same across his shots. Dorrell brings the scene to life.
Tell us a little about yourself? Where you’re from, where you’re based now?
I’m from South Phoenix, Arizona. Growing up, my father was a bass player so I spent most of my teenage years playing music, drums and piano. Then I got a Korg 01/W and I started making beats and recording music. I also was invested in sports, mainly football.
In 2009, while I was attending Arizona State University, my friend Isaiah, Iva and I started our company Ashton Alexander. We would photograph and film local events and artists in Phoenix. During this time is when I found out about Madbury Club, Live at the Loft (by Tone), Levi Maestro, 13th Witness, Street Etiquette, and Basis NY (Chris Albo). Inspired by what was brewing in NYC, a couple years later, Iva and I moved to New York. As time went on, a lot of these people became good friends.
I currently reside in Arizona with Iva and our 3 year old daughter Aya.
How long have you been shooting for?
10 years
Did you buy your first camera or was it a gift?
It was gifted to me by my father, who had it passed down to him by my grandmother.
Any specific subjects you gravitate towards while planning a shoot?
I gravitate towards the core elements of design from big cities to the wilderness.
What camera would you want to be your last?
I never thought about my last camera. But I wouldn’t mind if in my old age I’d be in shape to hike into the desert with an 8 X 10 large format.
How has your photography changed over the years?
I don’t think of it as change as much as I see it as a continuous growth in my interests and new discoveries.
Do you prefer digital or analog? Why?
Analog, because texture and color.
Fave film stock? Why?
Fuji pro400h, it seems to have more vivid colors.
Candid or posed? Flash or no flash? Why?
I don’t have a particular preference over which one, it all depends on what the moment calls for.
Is there any particular element of shooting you’d like to tackle or explore?
Documentary and architecture
What about architecture fascinates you?
Architecture and its interplay with the surrounding environment both visually and functionally fascinates me.
“The process of discovering my images, it’s become meditative, exciting, and connects me to my childhood of exploring.”
You put a series of books out regarding corners. What is it about corners that intrigues you? Does it have a deeper metaphorical meaning?
I began photographing corners because of how ambiguous the corners are when you view them in a two dimensional medium, in my case photography. After looking into euclidean space and particularly Jacob Lawrence’s Migration Series at the MoMa, it reassured me that the corner is indeed an interesting subject. I began to understand how foundational this is to our interaction with our environment and how the corner is the keystone of our existence. Realizing the sense of play, and ambiguity between flatness and dimension, I was inspired to do a visual translation of space using a wire hanger and colored paper, which became my first book, “Corner Sculpture'' 2016. The book displayed one sculpture, made from a wire hanger, being shown standing on all of its 6 sides, in 10 different photos. Each photo displayed the sculpture within a space of various three color combinations representative of a corner. I also have an ongoing corner series which I have been working on since 2014, that I will one day release as “The Book of Corners”.
Would you say you have a consistent style of shooting? (Regarding specific lighting, location or subjects, or regardless of those things)?
Over the years, I’ve worked to develop a consistency in my practice of exploring my environment and uncovering moments of pause and wonder. My photos tend to be on locations some define as mundane or dull.
When it comes to photography, what moves you?
The process of discovering my images, it’s become meditative, exciting, and connects me to my childhood of exploring.
What would you like people to take away from your work?
I hope to relay a moment of pause and wonder, and raise a greater appreciation for our environment.
Interview by 35s & 45s
2.26.2021