BEHIND THE LENS
WITH
JER DIMES
~~~
VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON
JER DIMES
~~~
VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON
METAL PULP AND PAPER: Hello Jer. Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions for Metal Pulp And Paper’s feature called Behind The Lens. We appreciate it.
Before we go any further, let’s first tell everyone what Behind The Lens is all about. This feature is about the person that’s behind the camera lens. All about that individual that captures that perfect fiery orange of the setting sun, finds a child jumping in a mud puddle in the pouring rain, or catches the moons glow in the water next to some snowcapped mountains. Or captures the rock guitarist jumping in the air during mid solo. It’s about finding that beauty in something that some might not take notice of in their everyday busy lifestyles. Behind The Lens will be a way to get to know a little more about the photographer and the work that they bring to everyone. A full 360 degrees around the camera.
So, let’s take off the lens cap, and go behind the click of the shutter and get to know more about you and your photography, shall we?
How long have you been a photographer and taking pictures?
JER DIMES: I got my first Camera in 2010 and dabbled here and there with music photography. Then in 2013 (When MIRP started) I started to get serious about music photography. In 2015 I decided to take portrait photography more serious as well.
MPAP: What first drew you to it? Was there an inspiration for picking up the camera and beginning that journey into the art of photography?
JER: I honestly have no idea what got me started. I just sort of wanted a camera and bought one.
MPAP: Now that you’ve been doing it for a while, what interests you the most about it? Is there a passion behind it for you at all?
JER: I have a huge passion for both music and portrait photography. My biggest interest is the challenge of always trying to get the perfect shot.
MPAP: Can you describe that moment, the experience, or even the emotion you felt when you knew that photography was something you just had to do?
JER: I finally found something where even on a bad day of doing photography/editing, it was still better than most other days at other jobs. I have no problem waking up early and working on pictures or staying up late to do the same.
MPAP: What do you like to photograph the most of? Do you have a favorite setting, scene, landscape, or any items that you like to capture? Or do you like to just take pictures of people, or perhaps a live music concerts now and then?
JER: I would have to say that my specialty in photography is definitely live music (concerts). I have worked very hard at that and I feel that it shows. Now I have been trying to improve on portrait and also sports photography. I can’t seem to just pick one thing to shoot.
MPAP: Is there anything out there that you try to avoid taking pictures of?
JER: I have always said I am willing to shoot whatever people are willing to pay me to shoot. So far, I haven’t found anything I won’t try to shoot at least once.
MPAP: When picking up the camera, it obviously took some time, along with some practice, to get the feel and hang of it of what you wanted to do or go with it? Maybe even a class or two was taken to learn more about it. Tell us what were some of the challenges you’ve encountered with taking pictures? What have been some of the difficulties you’ve experienced since first began, and maybe still happens to this day?
JER: My biggest challenge I have encountered was editing. I have never been a big fan of it. I prefer to get the right shot from the camera to try avoiding a lot of editing. That doesn’t mean I do not enjoy sitting down and having fun with editing now and then, but for the longest time I did have issues with it.
MPAP: On the other side of it having some difficulties, what are some of your favorite things about being a photographer you can tell us about? What have been some of your camera highlights so far that you can share with us also?
JER: My favorite thing is seeing my growth in it. I look back at pictures I took 2 years ago that I thought were amazing, and now I am like, eh…
MPAP: When someone sees the picture you’ve taken for the first time, whether it’s the new bride and groom, or a family member that just had a baby, what do you want someone to get out of it? Is there ever anything you’re trying to say within your pictures, a message deep in the pixels that makes it up?
JER: As cliché as it may be, I really enjoy capturing the moment.
MPAP: Is there an artist or another photographer out there that you admire and might have influenced you at all? What about their work do you love the most?
JER: Jeff Allen has been there the last few years to help me with anything I needed help with in photography. He has been doing this for a long time now, and he must see something in me if he is willing to help.
MPAP: Before we move on to talking about the pictures that you shared with us, are there any tips or advice that you would want to give yourself if you had to pick up the camera and start photography all over again?
JER: Never be afraid to think outside of the box.
MPAP: Now on to the pictures that you took and have shared with us here? Take us into each one of the pictures and tell us what they are about, and which one is your most favorite and why?
Amerakin Overdose promo was just a fun shoot and they had fire.
The two Korn ones are special because they have been my favorite band since I was a kid and now as an adult here I am taking their pictures.
The wedding picture was my first time being the main photographer at that wedding venue. I have shot there a few times as a second photographer or helped out as an assistant, but this was my first time as the lead photographer.
D Justice(dark clouds behind him) was a fun promo shoot I recently did.
In This Moment picture is just a really cool picture.
MPAP: Everyone has a different style or taste, whether it’s street photography, modeling, black & white, or nature, from your point of view what do you think makes a good picture?
JER: If I look at the picture and it makes me happy, then it is a good picture.
MPAP: After the camera is put down for the moment, for the day, or for the night, whether it’s for a day or a week at a time, what else do you like to do in your free time?
JER: Playing sports.
MPAP: Before we bring ‘Behind The Lens’ to a close, just one last question and we’ll wrap things up and put the lens cap back on. What would you want to say to someone that’s interested in taking pictures for the very first time?
JER: Don’t be afraid to fail. Practice makes perfect.
MPAP: On behalf of myself and Metal Pulp And Paper, I’d like to thank you, Jer, for being a part of this Behind The Lens feature. It was great getting to know you and your photos. We look forward to seeing what you will capture in the future and beyond. Please tell us where we can find your work or your photo galleries on the internet, and any social media that the readers can follow you on?
JER: https://www.facebook.com/dimesmusicalphoto/
https://www.facebook.com/MIRP411/
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©metalpulpandpaper
Before we go any further, let’s first tell everyone what Behind The Lens is all about. This feature is about the person that’s behind the camera lens. All about that individual that captures that perfect fiery orange of the setting sun, finds a child jumping in a mud puddle in the pouring rain, or catches the moons glow in the water next to some snowcapped mountains. Or captures the rock guitarist jumping in the air during mid solo. It’s about finding that beauty in something that some might not take notice of in their everyday busy lifestyles. Behind The Lens will be a way to get to know a little more about the photographer and the work that they bring to everyone. A full 360 degrees around the camera.
So, let’s take off the lens cap, and go behind the click of the shutter and get to know more about you and your photography, shall we?
How long have you been a photographer and taking pictures?
JER DIMES: I got my first Camera in 2010 and dabbled here and there with music photography. Then in 2013 (When MIRP started) I started to get serious about music photography. In 2015 I decided to take portrait photography more serious as well.
MPAP: What first drew you to it? Was there an inspiration for picking up the camera and beginning that journey into the art of photography?
JER: I honestly have no idea what got me started. I just sort of wanted a camera and bought one.
MPAP: Now that you’ve been doing it for a while, what interests you the most about it? Is there a passion behind it for you at all?
JER: I have a huge passion for both music and portrait photography. My biggest interest is the challenge of always trying to get the perfect shot.
MPAP: Can you describe that moment, the experience, or even the emotion you felt when you knew that photography was something you just had to do?
JER: I finally found something where even on a bad day of doing photography/editing, it was still better than most other days at other jobs. I have no problem waking up early and working on pictures or staying up late to do the same.
MPAP: What do you like to photograph the most of? Do you have a favorite setting, scene, landscape, or any items that you like to capture? Or do you like to just take pictures of people, or perhaps a live music concerts now and then?
JER: I would have to say that my specialty in photography is definitely live music (concerts). I have worked very hard at that and I feel that it shows. Now I have been trying to improve on portrait and also sports photography. I can’t seem to just pick one thing to shoot.
MPAP: Is there anything out there that you try to avoid taking pictures of?
JER: I have always said I am willing to shoot whatever people are willing to pay me to shoot. So far, I haven’t found anything I won’t try to shoot at least once.
MPAP: When picking up the camera, it obviously took some time, along with some practice, to get the feel and hang of it of what you wanted to do or go with it? Maybe even a class or two was taken to learn more about it. Tell us what were some of the challenges you’ve encountered with taking pictures? What have been some of the difficulties you’ve experienced since first began, and maybe still happens to this day?
JER: My biggest challenge I have encountered was editing. I have never been a big fan of it. I prefer to get the right shot from the camera to try avoiding a lot of editing. That doesn’t mean I do not enjoy sitting down and having fun with editing now and then, but for the longest time I did have issues with it.
MPAP: On the other side of it having some difficulties, what are some of your favorite things about being a photographer you can tell us about? What have been some of your camera highlights so far that you can share with us also?
JER: My favorite thing is seeing my growth in it. I look back at pictures I took 2 years ago that I thought were amazing, and now I am like, eh…
MPAP: When someone sees the picture you’ve taken for the first time, whether it’s the new bride and groom, or a family member that just had a baby, what do you want someone to get out of it? Is there ever anything you’re trying to say within your pictures, a message deep in the pixels that makes it up?
JER: As cliché as it may be, I really enjoy capturing the moment.
MPAP: Is there an artist or another photographer out there that you admire and might have influenced you at all? What about their work do you love the most?
JER: Jeff Allen has been there the last few years to help me with anything I needed help with in photography. He has been doing this for a long time now, and he must see something in me if he is willing to help.
MPAP: Before we move on to talking about the pictures that you shared with us, are there any tips or advice that you would want to give yourself if you had to pick up the camera and start photography all over again?
JER: Never be afraid to think outside of the box.
MPAP: Now on to the pictures that you took and have shared with us here? Take us into each one of the pictures and tell us what they are about, and which one is your most favorite and why?
Amerakin Overdose promo was just a fun shoot and they had fire.
The two Korn ones are special because they have been my favorite band since I was a kid and now as an adult here I am taking their pictures.
The wedding picture was my first time being the main photographer at that wedding venue. I have shot there a few times as a second photographer or helped out as an assistant, but this was my first time as the lead photographer.
D Justice(dark clouds behind him) was a fun promo shoot I recently did.
In This Moment picture is just a really cool picture.
MPAP: Everyone has a different style or taste, whether it’s street photography, modeling, black & white, or nature, from your point of view what do you think makes a good picture?
JER: If I look at the picture and it makes me happy, then it is a good picture.
MPAP: After the camera is put down for the moment, for the day, or for the night, whether it’s for a day or a week at a time, what else do you like to do in your free time?
JER: Playing sports.
MPAP: Before we bring ‘Behind The Lens’ to a close, just one last question and we’ll wrap things up and put the lens cap back on. What would you want to say to someone that’s interested in taking pictures for the very first time?
JER: Don’t be afraid to fail. Practice makes perfect.
MPAP: On behalf of myself and Metal Pulp And Paper, I’d like to thank you, Jer, for being a part of this Behind The Lens feature. It was great getting to know you and your photos. We look forward to seeing what you will capture in the future and beyond. Please tell us where we can find your work or your photo galleries on the internet, and any social media that the readers can follow you on?
JER: https://www.facebook.com/dimesmusicalphoto/
https://www.facebook.com/MIRP411/
©metalpulpandpaper