Interview With Photographer Richard Jackoway
Congratulations to Richard Jackoway for earning his place as a Winner in the Monthly Art Award December 2024 Edition!
Who are you?
I’m Richard Jackoway, and I live on the picturesque Central Coast of California in the United States. I returned to photography last year after a brief 40-year hiatus while I worked as newspaper editor and communications executive. When I turned 65, I bought a used Nikon D5500 camera and have spent much of the past year shooting in and around coastal California. Much has changed in the photographic world since the 1980s. No more darkrooms. No more film. And don’t even get me started on trying to learn digital post-processing. But the core of what I learned about photography as a teenager is the same: understanding light, composition, and storytelling.
“King of the King Tides”
Photography
By Richard Jackoway
What inspired you to utilize photography as a medium?
I’ve always been fascinated by the ability of photography to freeze a moment in time in a way that not even our memories can. Each image offers a record of who we are and how we lived. For this reason, my favorite photos are irreproducible images – pelicans in flight, a wave crashing ashore, a candid moment of reflection. These are moments in time that won’t come again.
“Pop of Orange”
Photography
By Richard Jackoway
How would you describe your work?
I do what I like to call “beach street photography.” Life in coastal California is found on the beaches as much as in our cities. Our “streets” can be found on the sand or the surf. It’s here that we relax, play, compete, get married, and pause to watch the sunset. My art attempts to capture these moments that are simultaneously unique and universal.
“Standing Tall”
Photography
By Richard Jackoway
Can you discuss the inspiration and thought process behind your winning work?
I had been having a disappointing day when I came across Skater. It was Independence Day in the United States. The beach was filled with people celebrating, but a deep fog had descended on the coastline. I wasn’t finding much to shoot on this gray day. I went to shoot surfing and that was nearly impossible in the fog and relatively small surf. So, I was headed home when I saw Skater sitting on a bench. I had seen him from the side and that wasn’t a bad shot, but in a moment of inspiration I sprinted across the street to shoot him from behind. I loved his look, the way his arms rested on the bench, and his feet on his skateboard. He seemed to me to represent the quintessential California vibe. I waited for the cars and pedestrians to clear, hoping that he wouldn’t move. I was able to take a few frames before the scene changed.
“Skater Vibe”
Photography
By Richard Jackoway
What do you hope to communicate to an audience with your work?
As I mentioned, I am enamored with the irreproducible moment. I would like my images to communicate to an audience how fleeting all of our moments are. I have a photo called “A Dog and His Boy.” That moment won’t come again. But for that 1/1,000th of second they were in that exact time and place and with this image, in some real way, they always will be.
“Pelican Portrait”
Photography
By Richard Jackoway
Can you talk about your biggest learning experience during the process of creating your work?
Whenever I leave a beach after shooting surfing -- every single time -- I feel the urge to turn around and see what I’m missing. I don’t. I learned early on that when I turned around, I would see the shots that I’m not getting. A surfer will perform a spectacular trick on a wave that would seem much bigger than when I was there. What I learned from this is that you can’t get everything. Even while shooting, other surfers were on other beaches, and you aren’t getting those shots. The key is to make the most of where you are when you are there. Shoot a ton (digital frames are free!). Look for angles and compositions that you haven’t tried before. Be present and enjoy every minute.
“Kelp Surprise”
Photography
By Richard Jackoway
Can you discuss your biggest success since starting your artistic journey?
I’ve been fortunate to have my work recognized by a variety of galleries and competitions. That is a measure of success, and I am grateful for every one, including, of course, this one. But I would say my biggest success was finding my photographer’s eye again. That wasn’t a sure thing after 40 years away from the camera. I have found, though, as I go out with or without my camera in hand, I am seeing again as a photographer. I’m noticing the light, the patterns, the compositions that make images work.
“A Timely Gull”
Photography
By Richard Jackoway
Can you give us the best piece of advice you have ever heard/received?
“The camera is an instrument that teaches people to see without a camera.” This quote is from Depression-era photographer Dorothea Lange, whose iconic image “Migrant Mother” was taken just miles from where I live. Her incredible body of work is testament to the truth of her advice. The camera teaches you how to see. The images that work are where you focus on a single subject rather than take in the wide view of what our eyes see at any given moment.
“A Dog and His Boy”
Photography
By Richard Jackoway
As a winner, do you have any advice for artists who want to apply for awards, competitions, residencies, etc.?
I’ve judged a lot of journalism competitions in my life. They weren’t photographic competitions, but the primary takeaway is the same. In a room full of talented professionals, there will be a huge range of opinions about what’s good and what’s not. So don’t take a loss in a competition (or a win for that matter) too much to heart.
“Bench Umbrella”
Photography
By Richard Jackoway
What projects are you working on currently? Can you discuss them?
After shooting Skater Vibe, I fell in love with the sense of community around the beach bench and decided to make that my first series project, documenting life there. I returned over and over seeing what I could find. I have included a couple other images here and now have a dozen or so that I’m working up into the Beach Bench series.
“Bench Gull”
Photography
By Richard Jackoway
What is your dream project or piece that you hope to accomplish?
That’s a difficult question. There are so many options. I guess my dream would be to make a difference with my photography as Dorothea Lange did with hers. She showed the world what life was like for so many Americans during that difficult time, and it spurred politicians to create programs to help out. There are so many problems in the world that it’s often difficult to know which ones to focus on. I would love to find a problem to illuminate with my work that would spur people to make a difference.
“Bench Friends”
Photography
By Richard Jackoway
Lastly, I like to ask everyone what advice they would give to their fellow artists, what is your advice?
My advice, which is hardly unique to me, is to get out there. It’s easy to find reasons not to shoot. Life is busy and there will be many obligations and other interests that will get in the way. But if you’re an artist, if you have been given the talent and the ability to express yourself, then take every opportunity to do just that. Don’t let 40 years slip by.
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