Tdot Shots Five Questions Interview with Toronto Creator and Photographer Jeff Chatten
It’s our pleasure to present the Five Questions interview with GTA cityscape photographer Jeff Chatten. Interview was conducted via email. Follow the artist: @beyondrealitymedia
The artist rolls around the city on a longboard, capturing and sharing a wide range of media. Jeff has a diverse portfolio with incredible urban and nature photography. For this interview we selected some favourites in the cityscape genre.
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Tdot Shots Five Questions Interview – Jeff Chatten
Who are you?
Even I’m not sure of this one.
But for what I do know, I am a Toronto Artist Born and raised and on the streets is where I spent most of my days. I am a proud to be a Gen Xer who shares this city with so many other exceptionally talented artist that makes my content creation so easy. I just need to scroll my feed for a minute and have enough inspiration to go shoot something. I find it funny how my comments on others work actually foreshadows my own.
How did you get into photography?
I am actually a videographer who graduated from film school back in 2000. A good friend of mine Carl Chalupa @room57 is a photographer and we used to do projects together. I was blown away with the possibilities of dealing with a single image and having the ability to make the perfect moment, I was jealous of his work. So, I went out and started doing it myself I felt such a feeling of Joy by having so much control. Something I never felt doing video. Photography became therapy for me. Which in its self-funny as a lot of my best work comes out when I am not happy. I do not even call my work photography. Just a bunch of daily snaps from my adventure.
What do you like to shoot and where?
I absolutely love nature and water is a running theme through a lot of my work. That being said I like to find beauty in everything, but how I do enjoy my time alone. As far as where. There is so much I have not seen; I would love the opportunity to pack by board and capture the world from it.
What gear do you use?
As little as possible as the more you have the more your back aches and the more shots you miss because you are wasting time setting your up. So, I better love it if it’s coming with me.
Coming from the land of video I am a Panasonic GH Shooter and I got to thank them so much for giving me a media Swiss Army Knife I hated the days I had to carry two cameras.
My iPhone has become my daily driver because the best camera is the one you have on you. Life happens, be ready for it.
I also carry a small LED light, Microphone, selfie stick cause I’m old and it’s hard to reach. And funny enough I still carry the Gorilla Pod.
Who are your favourite photographers?
Everybody because I see beauty in everything, and Pics are like fingerprints or snowflakes. Everyone is a little different and those who see things differently create the most amazing images and sadly these are not always seen.
I’ve been heavily inspired over the years by Carl Chalupa @room57 I would have never taken a snap if it was not for him. You cost me so much money.
Over the past 10 years I’ve been watching and artist grow ever since they got Canon’s Photographer to watch. I can definitely say he has inspired me and actually pushed me to become better by following his work. I would like to thank Argen Elezi @argenel for the inspiration.
Another one that deserves to be on the list even know this looks like I am being a fanboy……… Peter McKinnon @petermckinnon not only for his work, but for showing all of us you don’t have to settle you can do your own thing. If I only started watching him before I cut my hair off I never ever would have. So Jealous of those Golden locks.
How would you describe your style?
I call it Neurodivergent. But simply put, it will always continue to change as I am always distracted by the shiny things in life.
Do you have any advice for others?
Do it because you love it, so that way you never regret the time and effort you put into it. After all its not a hobby, it is a lifestyle. Also, Don’t Dream It, Be It
Thank you Jeff. We appreciate you contributing to this series!
Please support and follow the artist: @beyondrealitymedia
