Customer Gallery | Ashley Sebok - "Wonder Where All The Time Went" Images with the Leica Q April 06 2016
Come check out our new Leica Store Miami Customer Gallery exhibit by Ashley Sebok. Ashley has been studying photography since high school. A lover of analog photography, she jumped into the digital world with a Leica Q. Since then her Leica is always at her side. The official gallery reception and opening for Ashley's collection of work "Wonder Where All The Time Went" will be Saturday April 23rd, 2016 from 6pm - 7pm.
We sat down with Ashley and asked her a few questions about her work and how the Leica Q has impacted her photography.
Q: How do you like working with the Leica Q?
A: I really enjoy working with the Q. I was so used to shooting analog and wanted to make the transition to digital, but felt intimidated by the digital world and all the ever-evolving techniques and skills it requires. Purchasing a Leica has made that transition smooth and not as painful as I thought it would be, even the body of the camera weighs and feels the same of that of my old film SLRs. I am still getting to know the camera, but so far I’m extremely happy with the quality and excited to learn more.
Q: Do you generally prefer to photograph landscapes or people? Why?
A: I enjoy photographing people the most. I like walking around a neighborhood and deciding how to approach a subject. Sometimes I start a conversation and based on that interaction I’ll ask them if I can take their photo. If they agree, we talk some more, maybe walk around, then find a good set up. When people get comfortable they begin to ask me if they can pose like this or that and then it becomes a kind of collaboration. Like the woman sitting on the abandoned church pews, she explained, “I wasn’t always this way, I used to work at Burdines on commission and get paid the big bucks”! So I guess that’s why I do it, because it’s a way to work with other people and I’m also genuinely intrigued by the stories of others. And hopefully that resonates in the photo.
Q: Do you have a favorite focal length for your photography?
A: 50mm, but most recently 28mm because of the Q!
Q: What (or who) inspires you most in photography?
A: Photography’s ability to literally freeze a real-time moment at that instant. Moments are ever freezing in the mind. When I watch a film for example, it is hard for me to keep up with the moving images because I’m always lagging behind. I see and get into images slowly and while film doesn’t, still photography allows me the space to develop the unfolding narrative at my own pace.
Q: Leica has a special place in the world of photography. What does your Leica mean to you?
A: Quality. I remember taking my first photo class at Miami-Dade College in high school and I was trying to figure which camera to buy/ what brand to stick by (till the death) (it almost feels like it’s that big of a commitment… apparently you’re either a Nikon or Canon person). Leica always seemed so unattainable and honestly a bit intimidating. But I saved up and finally was able to buy one. So when I look at my Q, in all it’s glory and sleekness, I want to protect it but also take advantage of it as much as I can… because it took me so long to get my hands on one.
Q: What do you plan to photograph next? Do you have any upcoming trips or photo adventures?
A: I’m adventuring up to Orange City for my birthday to visit the Florida Blue Springs. I’m sure there will be plenty of photo opportunities. But besides that, right now I bring my camera with me everywhere. I really want to get to know the Q as much as possible, so that at any instant I can get it to do exactly what I want it to and those moments aren’t lost due to unpreparedness.
