5Q4 > A fine art photographer

Aaron Bellette, 23, launched his first solo photography exhibition this past November.
The exhibition, called “Moving still,” formed part of Aaron’s assessment for his Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) at the University of Newcastle. Aaron is currently a sessional lecturer at Avondale College. Consulting editor Brenton Stacey talks to him about photography, inspiration and what it means to be moving still.  

1 Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. When you read you begin with A-B-C. When you shoot you begin . . . where and when? > On a working holiday in Tasmania in 2005. I took photos of the landscape while on weekend hikes with dad. He’d just completed a short course in photography.

2 So, your father provided the personal inspiration. What about artistic inspiration? >The work of German artist Uta Barth brings to life the mundane.

3 “Moving still.” Explain. >I wanted to move outside of my own insulation to capture glimpses of an alternative view. We become more insular with age by subconsciously filtering information we deem unnecessary. Our perception becomes constrained. To overcome this, I’ve challenged the perception of the mundane being both invisible and uninteresting by glorifying and renewing its lustre.

4 Your photographs explore motion blur. Great
phrase. How do you create motion blur? > I use only in-camera effects—a pan or zoom burst with slow shutter speeds and low ISO ratings. I literally become one with the camera.

5 I need one tip to pass onto other
photographers. > I’ve got two: one, shoot as much as you can; and, two, find one person who can serve a critic and a fan.

6 I know this is 5Q4 but can I ask
one more question?> Yes

7 D’oh! This is now a seventh question: what
type of camera do you use? > A Canon EOS 5D.