Meet Anthony Friedkin | Fine Art Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony Friedkin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think all great artists challenge themselves to create bodies of work that involve risk taking. Whether it’s on a deeply personal level, exploring an emotion which is complicated and vulnerable to their soul, or a spiritual question that is mystical and perplexing, or exploring feelings about death, sex, religion or politics… It could also be on a technical level, something specific to their medium…the artist who is willing to go into these risky territories is one who will find significant rewards by being authentic with them. The work will reflect the dangerous journey they take, in an exciting and passionate way, one only they can express in their own individual expression and share with an audience. Throughout my life as an artist, I have attempted to be as honest as I can with myself and my work, where ever that voyage may lead.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I’m a Fine Art photographer. My work appears in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art in NYC, The J. Paul Getty Museum, LACMA and many other significant art institutions. I was a recipient of a National Endowment of the Arts grant. My photographs are in many respected private collections as well. I work in a classical way, photographing in black & white, using the tools of a camera and film. I process my own work in my darkroom and make my own exhibition prints. I started photographing as a child and have never stopped. I was working in the darkroom by age eleven. I use my camera as a means of personal discovery. My full frame black & white photographs explore the many mysteries of moments in time. “I believe in extraordinary photographs that draw you in and cannot be easily defined-celebrating perception and its many hidden layers of reality”. Photography is a unique visual art, one that has its own identity and one that I embrace passionately.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Los Angeles is a diverse city with so many incredible places to visit and experience. Everything from the Southern California coastal cities like Malibu and Santa Monica and Venice. with their beautiful beaches and piers to the Arts district in downtown Los Angeles where one can view magnificent murals and graffiti by local artists. We have great museums; the Getty in Brentwood, LACMA, the Museum of Contemporary art, the Holocaust Museum and the Autry Museum of the American West. We are the world’s capital of the entertainment business, Hollywood being a huge part of our identity. One can take the tours offered by Universal Studios as well as the Warner Bros. Studio tour. One can find great restaurants all over Los Angeles that offer world class cuisine.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The Tarrah Von Lintel gallery, Santa Monica, Ca, …Tarrah represents my Fine Art Photography here in Los Angeles,her gallery is located in Santa Monica-at Bergamot Station.

Website: Anthony Friedkin Photography.com

Youtube: Video interviews with me

Image Credits
all the photographs-NOTE except the color portrait of me which was taken by Stephanie Ramer -all the black & white photos were taken by Anthony Friedkin and the credit should read as such…Thank you