Meet self-taught photographer Beth Gilleon.
Beth has always liked cameras. In fact, one of her favorite things to have in her hands as a child was an old Sony video camera that used mini cartridges. She still has it in her closet, but doesn’t really use it much any more. Beth really developed her interest in photography about seven years ago with the purchase of an entry-level DSLR. She describes herself as introverted, and claims to never have been interviewed outside of when she was seeking employment. There’s one thing for sure about Beth, though: she’s happiest when she’s making something.
Beth shoots with a Nikon D3300 crop-frame DSLR. She purchased it in 2014, and has been using it ever since. We talked a little bit about equipment (my second-least favorite topic to discuss as a photographer), and she made little indication of shifting to more sophisticated equipment. “I know it now. It’s like an extension of me.”
In 2018, Beth’s photography took a big leap, when she completed a brief series of beginner photography classes, and learned how to use the settings of her camera to achieve desired effects. She also began to more clearly define her subject matter.
When I asked Beth what she likes to shoot, she replied, “anything that would hold still. If I’m on a road trip by myself, I will pull over for anything that looks interesting. I will shoot anything that catches my eye.” Her subject matter tends more towards the macabre, the dark, often including deteriorated structures and abandoned places. She also likes to include found objects, like an animal skeleton that she found on the side of the road in the Hocking Hills, while trying to catch a stray dog.
Beth’s mom is a very good sport, and has appeared in Beth’s work on multiple occasions as a model. One of Beth’s favorite shots of her was created from a prompt that she received from an online photo challenge in which she participates. The prompt was to create an image based on the line of a song. Being a Fleetwood Mac fan, she picked “Rhiannon,” and had her mother twirl on the bridge at Inniswood Metropark while they listened to the song.
When I asked Beth about who has influenced her as a photographer, her answers took us in interesting directions. “Most of the photographers who make me feel inspired are typically local people, or people who I’ve connected with online.” She expressed a definite interest in the work of illustrator Gerald Brom, and director/producer Tim Burton. She also noted the work of British fashion photographer Nigel Barker. “I don’t know that I hold onto a lot of names of people who inspire me; it’s mostly images and atmosphere, I guess.”
My favorite quote from self-taught photographer Beth Gilleon: “An overcast, rainy day makes me want to create all the art, all at once!”
Beth and I talked about other creative ventures. She says that no matter where she goes, she always has something to read, and something to write with. Once she self-published a short piece of erotica. When I asked her if her writing and photography ever informed each other or connected, she said no, that her brain doesn’t work like that.
On motivation for creating, and philosophy behind her work:
“I consider myself an observer and a maker. I’m a lot happier creating than consuming. I’m constantly telling my son to stop consuming and start making. As you come to the end of your life, if you’ve only consumed, then you’ve left nothing behind for somebody else to look at, and say, ‘hey, she was here;’ whereas, if I’ve got art in somebody else’s home that they like, or that their family likes, well, they’re like, ‘that person was here.’ I like that a lot.”