Jarrett: The
second question is easy: I’m running really far behind in my
attempts to get Reservocation out on a monthly basis. I’m also
working full-time as a contractor for a small, NYC-based agency that
has the potential to do some really, nice work. Outside of that, I
have a few things that I need to get started on; my portfolio is top
priority right now and after that, I really want to start making some
coffee tables. A few years ago I spent a summer refinishing antiques
and building furniture. I really enjoyed seeing a finished piece and
aside from the fumes, it was a lot of fun. This will be the first
time I’ll attempt to create something from my own designs.
To answer the first question, I started working in print, trying to
get as many jobs as I could, just to build a portfolio. I even took
a job at a print shop that didn’t have — or want —
desktop computers. You haven’t lived until you’ve set
every line of text on a phototypesetter. It was really tedious but
eye-opening at the same time. I jumped around after that still focusing
on print until a friend (Greg O’Keeffe) offered me a job at
an interactive firm. After that I worked at Organic, RAW Interacitve,
and now, as I mentioned before, another small agency in Manhattan.
Jarrett: I'd like to back track and ask about you. Can you
tell us about yourself? How long have you been a photographer?
Jordan: I’m a 29-year-old artist and designer, I live
in Lambertville, New Jersey, a small town along the Delaware River.
I started doing graffiti back in the late ’80s, (though I have
stopped — those dogs can’t hunting anymore) went to art
school in Chicago, became involved in all sorts of different mediums,
freelanced, went to grad school, freelanced, worked for LucidCircus,
freelanced, and that’s where I’m at now. Freelancing and
still making art using whatever means and mediums I have at my disposal.
I have been taking photos since I got my first camera and did a skate
zine way, way, back in the day. I have been using photographic images
as a vehicle in my art ever since, although I have never really been
comfortable with the term photographer. I still have notions that
a photographer is some one like Ansel Adams or Harry Callahan. It’s
funny, cause I had this conversation with a, what I considered a “real”
photographer, he asked, “well do you use a camera? I said “yeah”
his reply was, “than you’re a fucking photographer, relax,”
he had a point, just do whatever you want, have fun, and don’t
get all caught up on the names, titles or terms.
Jarrett: I think it’s a safe bet to call you a photographer.
Jarrett: I was looking through your photographs with a friend
and they wanted to know what kind of equipment you were using? The
scans are very crisp.
Jordan: Hehehe, I pride myself on my crispiness, I use a Leica
Digilux and a Canon D60, both are digital and a lot or a little bit
of good ol’ Photoshop magic depending on the project. |
