About
My name is David Lari and I’m a semi-professional photographer.
My interest in art and photography started in my childhood. In my Junior High years, using our family Kodak 110 Pocket Instamatic camera I did some forced perspective work. I had as another of my hobbies, model building. So I suspended some models from fishing line and set up my camera angles to get shots of the Starship Enterprise flying over our house with my brother pointing at it.
Considering the primitive equipment, the results were pretty good. I certainly impressed my school classmates. (For those not familiar with “forced perspective” I suggest you google it. It’s the same technology that made hobbits look short in many scenes in the Lord of the Rings movies.)
My main problem as a kid was that my creativity and imagination were restricted by budget. We had a Super 8 film camera, but I had no money for film. Even my forced perspective shots were done in B/W to save money because at that time B/W processing was cheaper.
Eventually, I got access to an early microcomputer at school and (along with my best friend) went into computer programming. It was a hobby that would lead to a successful IT career. I had the money I needed, but not the time to pursue the arts due to all the other things I had going on in my life.
Now, I find myself making the time to pursue the arts again. After doing some modeling for artists and photographers, I have been inspired to pick up the camera again. I also have discovered that my long career in computers has given me an advantage when it comes to digital photography and the “digital darkroom”. The other great thing about digital photography is that you can learn by doing. It doesn’t cost you anything to snap shot after shot and try different settings until you get the results you desire. And the results are immediate. No more shooting a roll, running to the photo lab, waiting an hour, etc.
Another advantage I have in people photography is that my modeling has allowed me to work with several accomplished photographers which is always a learning experience. I can’t think of many quicker ways to learn a craft than by watching the pros at work. Also, my experience in front of the camera helps me work with models.
On this web site, I profile some of my work; blog about photography, art, and design; and maintain photo galleries (both private and public).
If you live in, or visit the Charlotte area, and share an interest in photography and modeling, feel free to connect with me by email. I’m always happy to meet folks interested in photography and/or modeling.
