Any photographer can take a picture of what they see, but capturing the feelings in the moment requires a special kind of vision. Peter Gold has perfected this skill, creating photographs that go beyond the ordinary and turn each image into a visual story. I had the pleasure of interviewing Peter about his photography book, Visual Impressions, to gain insight into his creative process and explore the emotions behind his work.
Peter Gold, an acclaimed portrait, wedding, and commercial photographer, has been a prominent figure in the industry since 1972 when he founded Gold Photography in Alberta. In Visual Impressions, viewers are invited to journey through a collection of images that serve not only as art but as timeless snapshots of fleeting moments.
What inspired you to create this book?
"For years, or should I say more than a half-century, I have always used photography as a means of capturing the essence of the world around me.
Going through my archives of images, I realized that I search for powerful composition, light, colour and impact in subjects most people are oblivious about. I created this book to hopefully inspire other photographers to see the beauty in day-to-day situations.
I remember about 20 years ago, my wife and I were touring one of the Caribbean islands. I stopped our walk and began to photograph the intricate storefront wall that was composed of hundreds of odd-sized rocks cemented together - all done by hand. It must have taken days to complete. After photographing this wall up close, a few people asked what I was doing. I explained. Suddenly out came their cameras and they joined me. They didn't see the beauty until they had stopped and looked."
What does it mean to capture your feelings or emotions through photography, and how do you achieve that?
"I cannot paint the traditional way. So I paint with light. I photograph subjects that generate a feeling. Sometimes the quality of the light, the composition, the subject matter, all blend to create a mood. If you look at an old master's painting of a simple solitary horse and buggy riding off into the fog, it captures a mood. You don't have to see fine details or expressions on the people, but it creates the mood. That's what I look for. With some of my images, I use digital painting to enhance the feeling. Sometimes it's just accents of the image and sometimes it is overall except for the subject that I want to be the main focus."
Could you describe one of your favourite photographs from the book and share the emotions or intentions behind it?
"There are many of my favourite photographs in the book. One of them is on page 121 of a solo fisherman in a boat floating under a bridge. Very peaceful. Even though the image was created in Austin, Texas, it brings to mind my fishing days in Montreal as a teen."
Why do you think it's important for photographers to see their work in a printed format, such as a book or tangible print?
"I think it is important for photographers to see their work in finished form to fully appreciate the images they created. Just as listening to music today can bring you back to the first day you heard it, and how you felt that day. If the photograph triggered some reaction the day you created it, that same feeling will resurface every time you view it. In a digital version, it doesn't have the same impact."
Thank you Peter for taking the time to let me interview you on Visual Impressions.
Click here to purchase Visual Impressions.
Price: $84.87
Peter Gold has created award-winning portrait, wedding and commercial photography since 1972 when he established Gold Photography in Alberta. In the realm of photography, there are those who capture what they see, and then there are those who capture what they feel. Peter Gold belongs to the latter group. A master photographer with a keen eye for detail and a profound understanding of his subjects, Peter’s work transcends the boundaries of ordinary photography, transforming each frame into a visual narrative. www.goldphotography.com
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