Orange Dawn, the concert image for Tafelmusik meets Tchaikovsky (Sept 19-22)
In keeping with our 2019/20 Season theme of “old meets new” we are thrilled to share the work of some of Canada’s and the world’s most exciting contemporary artists as part of our season campaign.
These stunning images were chosen to complement both the season theme and the theme of each individual concert. We chatted with Dave Sandford, the photographer behind the image for Tafelmusik meets Tchaikovsky.
Tafelmusik: Tell us a little about yourself, and how you started in your field of art?
Dave Sandford: Born and raised in London, Ontario. About 30 minutes north of Lake Erie. I started photography at the young age of nine when I told my father I wanted to be a hunter. Instead of handing me a gun, he handed me a camera and said to shoot the animals with this instead.
37 years later the only thing I’ve ever shot with is a camera. My dad has been instrumental in my career, both my parents have always been my biggest supporters. I did a four-year photography degree at Ryerson University in Toronto and started working in the field immediately after I completed school.
TM: Tell us more about the artwork featured in our season campaign and your concept behind it. What was your process while creating it?
DS: The artwork featured in this season’s campaign was a result of my passion for the water. A large portion of my body of work comes from shooting in both the oceans and lakes, including many of the animals that call these areas home. I have always been fascinated with the power of the Great Lakes and waves. This particular project was something I had my eye on for a while but wasn’t able to tackle it the way I had envisioned until about 2015 when I finally had the gear I needed to capture Lake Erie the way I wanted to. During the autumn months the Great Lakes can transform into a wickedly wild mess of water. The storm season on the Lakes is the only time to capture the lake showing off all its power. The number of days to do this are few and far between, I have to study the wind, water, and waves in order to make sure I am there to capitalize on these rare moments. While most enjoy going to the lake when it’s a beautiful, warm, sunny day. I however have to wait until the temperatures begin to drop, the skies become a little gloomier and near level one hurricane winds begin to develop. It’s a game of patience and perseverance.
TM: Tafelmusik’s 2019/20 season theme is “Old Meets New.” How do you feel your art fits with this theme?
DS: In meeting the theme of “Old meets New” I feel ties in well with this piece as the Great Lakes have been around for thousands of years, however it wasn’t until 2015 that it was pointed out to me nobody has ever photographed the Great Lakes quite like the way I have captured them. To think that something ’new’ has been captured in this day in age, of a subject that has been right in front of our eyes since humans first settled in the Great Lakes region is a little surreal. However, the more and more folks dug into it the more this work was brought to the forefront for being such a fresh new way the Great Lakes have been captured.
TM: What is your favourite music to listen to when making art? Doesn’t have to be classical!
DS: I am a huge fan of music. It plays a massive part in my everyday life. While the core of what I listen to comes from growing up in an era where I listened to a lot of rock in the 80’s and alternative rock into the 90s and beyond I do love all kinds of music. When I am out shooting I just want the sounds of nature and my subjects to surround me. However when I have retuned home and sit down to process I find I listen to two types of music for the most part. Often times I am inspired by some of the slower, melodic and heavier tones of some of the alternative bands I listen to. The other genre of music I often select as my processing music is old school jazz from the 1920’s – 1940’s. I’m not sure where this influence came from in my life but it has always been there. I’ve been a fan of jazz since I was a kid. My musical selections at the time of editing are often dictated by my mood, and the mood of my surroundings at the time.
TM: What shows or exhibitions are you dying to see? Is there an artist or organization you’d encourage our followers to explore?
DS: A show I have always wanted to see is the Wildlife Photographer of the Year run by the Natural History Museum in the UK. Very recently, this year’s show was on loan to the Maritime Museum in Sydney, Australia where I was able to attend. It was an incredible show which was very inspirational and motivation for me to finally enter my own works instead of just talking about it each year. Being a photographer we all have those who’s work we look up to and admire, Paul Nicklen is one of those photographers, I have yet to set foot inside his gallery in NYC, this is a gallery very high on my radar. Paul’s photography and conservation work are big influences for myself.
When I am in Australia, it is always a pleasure to drop into the gallery of one of my favourite photographers and inspirations, photographer Warren Keelan’s gallery in Wollongong, Australia. Located just an hour south of Sydney, The Warren Keelan Gallery if full of inspiring ocean art images created with the unique style and vision of Warren. He see’s the ocean differently than most. A true inspiration.
TM: Best advice I've been given?
DS: The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given comes from my parents. They have always said to me, “Find something you love to do. Do that, and you will never work a day in your life.” They couldn’t have said anything more truthful. Being a professional photographer and having the opportunity to go see so many areas of this planet so few get to go to, to photograph subjects most people only ever see on tv and in magazines is a dream come true. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m truly fortunate to do what I love for a living and thank my parents on the regular for their direction, support and inspiration.
See more of Dave's photography at davesandfordphotos.com, or follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Join us for Tafelmusik meets Tchaikovsky from September 19–22, 2019 at Koerner Hall. BUY TICKETS