We recently connected with Shane Smith and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shane, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
I think my optimism comes from having had a rather tumultuous childhood. My mom was a single mom and I grew up in a very low income household. Without going into too much detail about that, the first eighteen years of my life were a constant struggle. Now, when things get hard or aren’t going my way, I just take a moment to acknowledge that nothing is as bad as it could be and that I’m so fortunate to be where I am.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I create one of a kind Wet Plate Collodion images, utilizing the same process and equipment as used in the mid 19th century. So basically, all of those old images you see of Abraham Lincoln, I create those! They are more commonly referred to as Tintypes now. I mix and create my own chemistry in my lab and then using an old 8×10 box camera from the year 1862, I create archival portraits by ultimately burning a projected image via UV light into a coated plate of silver.
I have a mobile darkroom that I built and that’s how I’m able to create Tintype images all over the country.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think patience is key. It’s easy to want to set arbitrary deadlines for yourself, when sometimes things just take the time it takes. It’s okay to go backwards sometimes and take a second look at your plan and be honest with yourself about what’s actually necessary. Be open to things not going as planned and be true to yourself and your craft. As one of my professors once said to me: “If you try to make something for everyone, you’ll likely end up making nothing for nobody.”
Being a career Cinematographer and Science major, getting into Wet Plate Photography was a relatively easy adventure but I underestimated how much of what I do, would require a DIY approach. Working in a nearly 200 year old medium means that you can’t just walk into a store and grab what you need. I was forced to build and fabricate much of the essential equipment that I use. Perhaps paying more attention in wood shop back in high school would’ve saved me some headaches?
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
One challenge I’ve been facing is inadequate studio space. Commercial property in my community is very slim and very expensive. I have been in multiple spaces throughout my career and each one has it’s own unique crux. Finding an adequate space that allows me to create the images I love and that has the amenities needed to work; seems to be an ongoing battle.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.digitaldisenchantment.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/digital_disenchantment/
