Meet Rich Dunoff | Photographer and educator

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

Hi Rich, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
Throughout my career I frequently faced rejection. Usually these rejections left me somewhat depressed but with a renewed interest in getting better at my craft. I had friends and contacts who spoke with and urged me to continue. I think it is important to have a network of people that are honest and supportive. I sought out those people with a critical eye and fortunately found them.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Shooting landscape is what I enjoy the most, the light and the interplay of shadows and highlights add drama and feeling to the images. I head out with the idea of discovering and very little preconception of what I will see and then showing my audience what I found. That sense of discovery is what keeps me shooting.

My work is about how I experience the environment. My best work is often shot while others are inside trying to avoid inclement conditions.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live on the East Coast near Philadelphia. When people visit from out of town I usually take them to the Philadelphia Art Musuem, take them on a walking tour of Olde City (the historic district) and then take them out for a Hoagie or Philadelphia Cheesesteak. Trips to Reading terminal for lunch would be another trip in town and then dinner in China Town. Philadelphia is a great food town so lots of good food would be the key to the trip.

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?
While in college I had a photography instructor at Temple University, Ed Trayes who introduced me to the work of others that have been the inspirations for my work. A good friend of mine Ross Watson owned a camera store in my local area and at the beginning of my career he gave me a job in his store with the caveat that I take advantage of the studio and darkroom after hours. I took great advantage of these offerings.

I was fortunate to meet many of my photo hereos, and many of them gave me inspiration and advice.

Website: http://richdunoff.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richdunoff/

Other: https://www.flickr.com/photos/57521128@N03/