Interview: Meghan Roshak
OCTOBER 2021 ● INTERVIEWS
Hi, Meghan! I've been a huge fan of your work for quite some time now and am so thrilled to finally be able to discuss and showcase some of it here in Y35 Mag. If I'm remembering correctly, I think I first caught wind of your art when it popped up on my Instagram feed (@mroshakphotography). I saw a beautifully composed shot of a basketball hoop just off to the side of some bridge (or maybe someone shared it to their story). The court was covered in snow and I was drawn to the colors in the image. From there, your adventures capturing abandoned churches, theaters, and schools around Detroit captivated me – your eye seems to have a knack for drawing beauty out of forgotten, desolate, and decaying scenes and environments. For those of you who aren't familiar with Meghan's work, please do yourselves a favor and go check it out as soon as you can! We've chosen to feature an assortment of her work with film, but she has a wild collection of compelling photographs on social media captured with digital cameras as well. Anyway, let's get to some questions!
Let's start with the basics. How did you first find your love for photography and what keeps you motivated to keep shooting and developing your craft nowadays?
It first started when I found my grandfather’s Minolta SRT202 in my basement. Around that time, I was in search of something that would help me engage with the outside world every day. Having a camera in my hand motivated me to move beyond my walls and connect with new places and people. I’ve suffered from anxiety practically my whole life. Having a camera functions as a sort of protection, a buffer that gives me a reason to be somewhere. It helps me move through an environment with purpose when I might otherwise feel out of place. Years later, my camera has become a part of me, as essential as my own name.
As I mentioned in the introductory paragraph, you're also very much involved with digital photography. What can you tell us about the differences in your approaches with film vs. digital? How do you use one or the other to your advantage? Are there specific things about film that you enjoy more than digital and vice versa?
I actually started with a film camera and didn’t pick up digital until later. The times I reach for digital are when I’m going somewhere that I need the versatility of a zoom lens and the ability to change my ISO on the fly. Digital gives you absolute liberty. From the raw files, you can do practically anything – not just editing, but composite photography lets you do world-bending things. Despite this freedom, digital can’t compete with my love and preference for the nobility of film. I can’t put my finger on what drives this preference. I don’t know if it’s the slight friction when pulling the film advance lever, or the lack of rushing to my camera’s photo gallery to check my work, or that each frame counts with film. I have to put more thought into it. Film can also be hard, and that makes it fun for me. Lastly, trying different film cameras, learning how they work, and discovering the history behind them is a fun process all on its own.
When it comes to your photographic pursuits with film, what are some of your favorite practices? Do you have any favorite stocks, cameras, or techniques?
I often find myself searching for leading lines. Any unique way to frame things and reflections. As for my favorite cameras, I’m always testing out new cameras, dissecting how they work differently, and seeing how I like them. The Minolta SRT202 holds a special place since it was the first camera I picked up. Recently, I’ve come to love the Olympus OM-2. It’s relatively small and lightweight, but you are still able to use a wide range of lenses.
Going back a little bit, who is or what are your biggest inspirations? What influences you as an artist?
One of my biggest inspirations was my Uncle Hedwig who always takes beautiful photographs all over the world. The stunning photographs he hung around his house were so amazing that I could sit and look at them for hours. His passion for photography inspired me the most. As I got older and began to travel and use social media for photography more often, I became inspired by the amazing people I met and the wonderful places I visited.
I'd love to discuss your affection for shooting in abandoned places. Can you elaborate on this passion of yours and what it entails? What is it about these scenes that draws you in? What makes them so mesmerizing in your opinion?
From a young age, architecture always intrigued me. When exploring abandoned places, oftentimes the locations have interesting architecture, like an old Spanish Baroque style school or Classical Revival-style bank or a gothic style church. In addition to the architecture, there are often ties to important historic events, which always fascinates me. I think I’m most drawn to the abandoned portions because these places are less accessible and generally go unseen by the public. Capturing, documenting, and sharing the beauty behind the gradual decay of old, man-made structures is not only something I love to do, but, because most people would otherwise never see these corners of the world, it’s something I consider important.
Aside from these deserted places and themes, what's the photography scene like out in Detroit? Are you involved with any projects or exhibitions? Tell us all about those!
There is obviously the street photography side of being in Detroit and the city is an exciting, ever-changing metropolis with a bustling nightlife and a unique mix of cultures. You have a mingling of new and old architecture, all sorts of cars driving through the city, oftentimes classic old cars that are rarely seen anywhere else. There’s a unique Detroit bikelife, which is always so fun to witness. Just outside the city, there are all sorts of hidden nature spots and great lake views. During September, I was actually part of my first exhibition show called Composing Detroit. It was amazing to bring together 14 artists from Detroit in a restored 1920’s warehouse to display our work and make new connections.
Okay, just to throw some fun curveballs at you, I've got two somewhat lighthearted and hypothetical questions for you. Number one: Let's imagine you're about to be magically transported to a randomly selected location anywhere in the world. If you could only bring one camera and one film stock with you, what would your choices be? Is there anywhere you'd be crossing your fingers for to get transported to?
Since it’s a camera I already know how to use, I'd probably say my Olympus OM-2 and Kodak Portra 160 or Ilford HP5. At the moment, I’d love to be able to visit Iceland. While I’m often found photographing abandoned places, I truly do love photographing landscapes, so feel free to transport me to Iceland, the Faroe Islands, or Namibia!
Alright, second offbeat question: You've just been given the opportunity to go out and pictorially document anything in the world for some major publication. What are the key thematic elements you try to home in on? What is it that you feel needs to be expressed to the world? Are there any real-life events or stories you would be particularly interested in covering, should this hypothetical scenario actually fall into your lap?
Something definitely outside my normal stuff. I'm thinking I would love to home in on documenting my surroundings. I don't have a single event or story in mind that I would particularly be interested in. However, I would love to explore the world to give a voice to the unheard. I would like to bring awareness to the struggles around the world that are otherwise overlooked or ignored. I have also always loved animals, so maybe photographing animals around the world, especially those we need to protect.
Now that we've got those out of the way, what are some things you'd like to develop when it comes to your photography? Are there any techniques you'd like to strengthen or practice more rigorously? What about unfamiliar waters – are there any new photographic ventures or styles you wish to expand upon in order to broaden your repertoire?
I would really like to practice documentary photography more rigorously. I also want to learn how to portray more of a story through my photographs. Creating a story through photographs can make them more memorable and helps create images that hold greater value to me as the photographer. Storytelling through photographs evokes more emotion in the viewer, adding more meaning to each individual photograph, which I think could be beneficial to my work.
I always enjoy getting other photographers' takes on this one as it varies from artist to artist: There are lots of different reasons why people choose to create art. Maybe it's to document the world around us. Maybe it's to inspire others. Maybe it's to express oneself in ways that are easier to convey through pictures – or maybe it's something else entirely. What do you find most satisfying about photography? What is it for you?
What I find most satisfying about photography is that it helps me focus externally. Rather than getting caught up in the thoughts racing through my mind or the everyday hustle and bustle, I'm able to calm my mind and just create something.
Finally, tell us a little bit about yourself outside of photography? Who are you and what are you all about?
I’m currently going to school for civil engineering and might go back for architecture after I graduate, depending on where I end up. I’d love to work on buildings one day, both designing and building. Other than that, I love to travel. My mom is from Belgium. I attribute my love for travel and yearning to explore new places and different cultures to the special family trips we’ve shared since I was young.
This interview was featured in Y35 Mag Issue No. 10. To see all of the photographs Meghan chose to present, check it out here.