Photographer Dennis Kendal Hall
speaks with Mark Sean Orr
speaks with Mark Sean Orr
anyone else in your family artistic and what was your childhood like in general? camera when I was a child and teen-ager. My Father, who was at war when I was born, returned from World War II, shell-shocked and schizophrenic. He spent most of his life in and out of Veteran Hospitals. He was very intelligent and creative. Toward the end of his life we finally became friends. Jerry Hall divorced Ann E. Hall when I was eight years old. My Mother had a nervous breakdown and shock treatment was administered. She was never the same. Since there was no normalcy at home, I grew up fast. Whatever my Mother did, she did well. My Mother was supportive in her fashion. My Father was very critical regarding everything that I attempted. In general, my childhood was rather horrific but I was rebellious. I joined a Mexican street gang, spending as little time as possible at home. You've stated that you started taking photographs in 1966. How old were you at that time and what drew you to photography. What were some of your first photographs taken of and why? I was twenty-two years old when I decided to make creative photographic images. I found it compatible with my rapid mental process. My first images were of trees and tree bark studies. I had to start somewhere so I chose to make images of trees for my first course at the San Francisco State College Extension Center on Powell Street. My first experiences photographing were in Buena Vista Park, near the Haight/Ashbury in San Francisco. In a short time I gravitated towards making images of individuals. I consider myself a People Person. What type of camera(s) do you use. Do you have a preference between film and digital and what advantages do you think each medium has? In the past I have used medium format cameras to make portraits of people. I have used the Bronica, Rolleiflex SL66 and the Rolleiflex Twin Lens cameras. I now utilize 35MM SLR and the Rolleiflex Twin Lens cameras. Although I have used digital cameras, I do not own one. The instant gratification of the Digital Age does not impress me. The current digital cameras are too easy. I appreciate the challenge and mystery in creating and developing an image. Imogen Cunningham referred to 35 MM cameras as 'idiot boxes.' I just cannot imagine what she would say about today's cameras! Although I first used computers for creative expression in 1987 and still do, I prefer and enjoy all of the meditative steps associated with the negative process. It is still Magic! Your portrait shots are amazing.....how do you choose your subjects? Are these people that you know or just random people (referring to the San Francisco photos in particular) or is it a mix of both? Choosing individuals to make portraits is haphazard and sometimes very difficult. Since I have never charged a fee to make portraits might have had a great influence on their results. The subjects are individuals that I befriended or strangers that were accessible at the time. I select individuals that look intelligent or have something in their face and presence that I wish to capture. I feel that People who ask me to make a portrait can be very difficult especially if they have nothing to say or are insecure within themselves! I enjoy making portraits of individuals who know who they are. Later, in Imogen Cunningham's life, she stated that she only use people as ectoplasm to fill her photographic-frame! I love the photograph you took of comedian Paula Poundstone. How did that come about and what was it like? Do you have conversations and get to know your subjects? At a street fair on Haight Street, I walked up to Paula Poundstone and asked if I could make her portrait. She said yes. Paula appeared to be a real person and I would have enjoyed chatting with her. Since she was a featured part of the event we only exchanged smiles as I made the images. I thanked her. I see or feel no difference in photographing celebrated individuals from others. We are all Human Beings. In the early 1970's you worked with famous photographer Imogen Cunningham. It's fascinating to me that she was born in the 19th century (1883) and worked up until her death in 1976. She had an amazing career working with others in the profession like Ansel Adams, Dorothea Lange and Minor White. Cunningham was also a co-founder of the photography group f/64, the group of talented photographers created to define photography as an art form by a simple and direct presentation through purely photographic methods. What was that relationship like? Was it intimidating taking photos of Cunningham and what did you learn from her about photography...life? I first met Imogen Cunningham at the University of California Extension in San Francisco. I was attending my second photography class given my Fred Padula. For an exhibit of our best images Fred Padula asked Imogen to choose the the photographs for the exhibit that was to subsequently hung in the hallways of the school. Each student presented six photographs illustrating their best work. Imogen approached my six images and chose all of them. Later on, she ended up taking only three of the images stating ' I have to be fair.' About a year passed . One day I met her on Castro Street in San Francisco with Ruth Azawa, the sculptor. I related our first meeting the year before. We chatted and she gave me her card and asked that I call her. A few days later, I did. I visited Imogen several times and we discussed everything. We became friends. Our friendship was 'Harold and Maud' ish! 'Harold and Maude' is an early 1970's film by Hal Ashby featuring Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort. The first time I asked if I could make a portrait of her I was intimidated to the point of under-exposing the negatives two or three stops! My exposures of Imogen improved over the years. I did not have any grandparents. Imogen was the perfect grand-mother! I learned many intangibles from Imogen. She always championed me which was sometimes embarrassing. Imogen always listened to my advice, stating 'you are dead right' on many occasions. Many of your photos were taken in the 1970's in the Haight Ashbury, San Francisco area. Were you a part of that scene and what was that like? Any interesting stories from that time period and that area? Can you tell us about some of the people and places you photographed in The Haight? Although I made many portraits of hippie types, I never actually made photographs in the Haight/Ashbury District. I really was not accepted by the so-called Hippie Movement. Reasons being my hair was not long enough and I didn't smell natural enough! I tend to avoid movements. I was employed at the United States Post Office as a window clerk. What other areas of the world have you been to and photographed? Do you have a favorite place and a favorite subject? I have traveled to London, Paris, Rome, Milan, Venice, Vienna, Prague, Berlin and Copenhagen. I believe that I have made my most expressive and telling images on my home terrain. Europe is like a picture post card. My two favorite photos of yours are the elderly couple in the park and the brothers looking out the truck window. How did those shots come about and are they favorites of yours? To me..it doesn't get any better than those two photos.....ever. The image of the elderly couple in the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park: The images resulted while using a borrowed 35MM camera and occurred by being there at the time it was happening. It tells a story. Regarding the brothers peering out of the rear window of an automobile: I had recently viewed 'Isadora,' a film by Karl Reis and there was a scene of Isadora Duncan's angelic children waving good-bye to her through the back window of their chauffeured automobile. Shortly after the children plunged through a bridge and drowned in Seine River. The images in the film were powerful and I certainly remember them. Where has your work been exhibited and what types of projects have you done involving photography? After being Imogen Cunningham's assistant during her 'famous period,' I realized that I was not seriously interest in the fame game. That decision set me free. I did what I wanted to do. I have always considered myself an amateur rather then a professional photographer. I still am in love with photography. I have participated in several exhibits. My first exhibit was requested from me in 1968 at the Coffee Cantata on Union Street in San Francisco. It consisted mainly of trees as subject matter. I have participated in many college class exhibits. I have produced four photographic exhibits: 'Execusion At American Flats' in 1990. It took place in Storey County, Nevada two and fifty miles from San Jose, California . 'Electric Images' with Eileen McGarvey was at the DeAnza student gallery in Cupertino, California and featured cibachromes of early digital images. 'Celebrating Four Decades In Photography' at the Leger Gallery in Davenport, Iowa in 2007. The video can be viewed on Ovation TV under FINEINK under My Vidoes. 'Appropiations...then some' occurred in 2009. Some of the images can be viewed on Ovation TV under FINEINK. under My Photographs, currently on page forty-seven. Favorite photographer? I admire two photographers: Frederick H. Evens and Edward Weston for their clarity and purity. Are you working on any projects now? Still taking photos...and how often? I have several projects in gestating. Everyone tell me that I have had an interesting Life and I should write about it. There is so much gossip out there already. I have always wanted to write a factual and truthful book/play regarding my relationship of assistant to a master. For years I have been looking for a collaborator/writer/musician to assist me in crating a musical play on Imogen Cunningham's life in photography. I believe the history of the medium must be remembered accurately and honestly. If anyone is interested, please contact DKH at fineinkdkh@yahoo.com. What advice would you give to young photographers today who are just starting their journey? In your final product, the question that should be asked by all who attempt to create visual images is: Is the image effective? Is it what you really want to state? I have always considered myself a scientist with a camera. I am open to the accidental and the term ' What If...' in making photographic images. I never idolize or imitate others. I do not censor myself or others. I find it takes years to understand and become enlightened with some of the photographs I have created in the distant past. All image makers must have a knowledge of the history of the photographic medium. One must be passionate and curious in their endeavors. Several beginning photographers who have exposed a few rolls of digital or negative images often ask me to see their work. The first questions they ask are how big should I make them and how much should I charge? Although Andy Warhol stated Art is whatever you can get away with, I usually reply to their queries with I do not see anything in your images to blow up or sell. One word that describes your photography? Honest. In Dennis Kendal Hall's biography.....how would you like to see your life and career summed up in one paragraph? I have always been a conundrum. People will write what they will write. I would like to think some of my images will be preserved. If I chose to sum up my Life and Career I would prefer use an image not a paragraph. Imogen Cunningham created in 1972. It is untitled. The photograph is a 4" X 5" black and white Polaroid P/N print. It consists of me lying across two tables on my back eyes gazing upwards. It was based on a dream I had that I related to Imogen. I suppose the image will never be published because it was my idea and not hers. Imogen Cunningham always believed giving credit to other people's ideas expressed in images. Where can people see your work? At my place of residence. For the virtual experience: http://community.ovationtv.com/FINEINK or do a web search under Dennis Kendal Hall. Anything you'd like to add? Not quite! Why do you show your photographs under the term FINEINK? In 1978, I coined the word FINE INK. to represent a lithographic printing business. About eight years ago, I coined the word ART MOUTH which is going to be a gallery in the large attic at my residence in Rock Island, Illinois. Thank you Dennis for doing this interview for my website. I really appreciate it. I look forward to seeing more of your work! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Mark Orr Interview with Dennis Kendal Hall December 14, 2010 - January 5, 2011® Permissions for photos on this page given by Dennis Kendal Hall and the Imogen Cunningham Trust. 2011® |
| ~ COPYRIGHT INFORMATION~ All photographs on this page used by permission of Dennis Kendal Hall. All information published on this site is protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed or published without written permission from Collectors World Online. Collectorsworldonline.com ®2006-2007-2008-2009-2010-2011 Mark Orr® |
ON THE BUS
SAN FRANCISCO 1973
Photo by FINEINK®
SAN FRANCISCO 1973
Photo by FINEINK®
RUPAUL
SAN FRANCISCO 1993
Photo by FINEINK®
SAN FRANCISCO 1993
Photo by FINEINK®
| IMOGEN CUNNINGHAM (1883-1976) SAN FRANCISCO 1974 Photo by FINEINK® |
| PAULA POUNDSTONE SMILING 1990 Photo by FINEINK® |
PORTAIT OF RICHARD RUSSELL .
SAN FRANCISCO 1968
Photo by FINEINK®
SAN FRANCISCO 1968
Photo by FINEINK®
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| PAULA POUNDTONE 1990 Photo by FINEINK® |
| DENNIS' DREAM 1972 Photo taken of Dennis Kendal Hall by Imogen Cunningham.® MOMA Collection in NYC. |
| IN THE JAPANESE TEA GARDEN SAN FRANCISCO 1968 Photo by FINEINK® |
| BROTHERS 1973 by FINEINK® |
| Interview with Photographer Dennis Kendal Hall by Mark Sean Orr - January 5, 2011® |
| Wow..what a wonderful experience!!! I love the photo 'Brothers'1973. ~Rebecca Broad |
| DKH's work has so much feeling to it. Great interview Mark! ~Elsa Marie Santoro |
| Fascinating interview, thank you Mark, thank you Dennis. ~Bob Batchelor |
Music:
Modest Moussorgsky's "Pictures At An Exhibition".
Modest Moussorgsky's "Pictures At An Exhibition".
| Congratulations to you both on a very fine interview. I enjoyed it and have a great deal of respect for you two's works. Marion L. Brown |
| Excellent again. Your skill as an interviewer is matched by your excellent choice of subjects. ~Ed Pearson |
| Mark so pleased you posted this. Imogen Cunningham and Julia Margaret Cameron are my two favourite photographers. ~Max Craig |
Dennis is a wonderful
photographer who had a
fascinating life.You should
write that book Mark.
Great interview!
~Pam Choate
photographer who had a
fascinating life.You should
write that book Mark.
Great interview!
~Pam Choate
