Today we’d like to introduce you to Jack Ludlam.
Jack, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Photography came into my life very organically. Growing up in Ohio I would occasionally bring a camera into the would as opposed to my bow or a fishing pole (the camera was my mom’s and was usually taken without permission). The images I made at the time often came back blurry and underexposed but I will never forget the excitement of receiving images back from those rolls of 35mm film. Later, I developed a love for the film medium while I was studying at Regis University in Denver. This reintroduction to film photography sparked my excitement and my want to create. Days and nights were spent in the darkroom, film was lost, scratched or ruined, college parties were skipped and replaced with a few solitary beers and time to develop and print from film. I took the lessons I learned from the people I admired growing up in Ohio (farmers, mechanics, welders, etc.) and applied them to my photographic process. I wanted to bring to light the beautiful yet harsh aspects of these work processes. To appreciate the true detail and quality of these people and their convictions I developed a workflow that was subtractive. Removing the clutter and surroundings left me with simple yet striking images. Images that encourage the viewer to lean in and appreciate the subject matter for what it is and for the stories and values that it may possess.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not always, haha. Making a living as an artist, or in my case a fine are photographer is difficult. When you turn your passion into a career, it can be a beautiful thing but it has its obvious downfalls. It’s a lot of pressure that you put on yourself when you step into that role. Pressure to constantly create, constantly sell, and constantly market yourself. When things aren’t going great, it can have a massive effect on your sense of self-worth. I have gotten better at processing those feelings over time but it is a constant challenge!
That being said, I wouldn’t change anything. I have been extremely lucky to be able to make a living making the work that is important to me. The fact that my work resonates with other people out there is just about the most flattering and humbling experience I have had. I can’t thank my friends and clients enough for that.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I would say I specialize in still life photography and object study photography. I would like to think that the way I create and process images has an aesthetic that is unique but that is for the viewer to decide! I shoot a lot of large formats and medium format film, but I also shoot quite a bit of medium format digital work as well. If I could shoot film all the time, I would but film ain’t cheap these days!
I am a very easily overwhelmed person for better or for worse. Because of that, I like simplicity in the artwork. I wanted to show the subject matter simply for what is was, not for the surroundings or the setting. By removing all subject matter, you are left with exactly what I intended to be appreciated and studied. Almost like specimens, if that makes sense. I enjoy photographing both natural and manmade subject matter but what really got me excited to become a photographer was focusing on anything to do with a tangible work process. If someone worked with their hands to create something of beauty and purpose then I wanted to photograph the people and tools that made that possible.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Lately, I have been starting to work on a project focused on fly fishing that I am very excited about! So if you or someone you know is a fly-fishing trout bum like I am feel free to follow along on social media! Thank you so much for taking the time to read a little bit about me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jackludlam.com
- Instagram: @jackludlam
Image Credits
Adam Bove Ezra Bram
