ABOUT
Hi, my name is Darren Ellis and I’m a photographer focused on urban and rural scapes. Backwards Drifting is where I feature this work, sell limited prints and artwork, and will provide resources about my practices.
A Quick Story
My relationship with photography began with my father who has spent a lifetime capturing the world around him. I recall many moments of him hunched over some detail or asking strangers for their portrait. It was embarrassing then, but years later I found myself doing the same thing. I had caught the bug.
Today, my style and drive to shoot is influenced by those times, just as my subjects of choice are influenced by my youth in Arizona. I spent a lot of my time outdoors observing the natural world, playing on the hot suburban asphalt, and riding my skateboard over concrete paths and alleys of endless strip malls. Those moments and scenes continue to reverberate and appear in my work.
Over the years my gear has ranged from toy film cameras, to early digital compacts, to a DSLR, to the iPhone, to the mirrorless systems I use today. What I gained from my self-lessons and mostly fixed-lens path is a focus on spontaneity, determination, creative approach, and composition. These are things I want to bring here and share.
I hope you find something you like and consider subscribing to my email list. Thanks for your time!
Yeah, yeah this is out of focus. I didn't take it :)
Features
Narrative Photography
Downtown Arts Collective
Orlando, FL
SEPT 20th - OCT 31st - 2018
Photo Shoot: 2018
Black Box Gallery
Portland, OR
SEPT 1 - 20th - 2018
Third-Shifters: Art That Comes Alive At Night
The Martin
Chicago, IL
SEPT 21 - 23rd - 2018
Lomo LC-A - The Greatest Camera of All Time
Published by Lomographic Society (2008)
ISBN 10: 3902217162
ISBN 13: 9783902217165
Holga Lomography - The World Through A Plastic Lens
Published by Lomographic Society (2006)
ISBN-10: 3902217065
ISBN-13: 978-3902217066
My Gear
Fujifilm GFX 50S
This is my latest addition to my camera family. It's a beast of a camera both in size and output, but I absolutely love it.
Fujifilm X100F
I can't say enough good things about this fixed lens, mirrorless camera. It's been a trusted go-to for day and night work for almost 3 years.
Sony A7iii
This camera always surprises me with its ability to shoot handheld in low light situations. With its in body stabilization and a quick 35mm/f1.4 lens it's my default when the tripod can't come along.
Ricoh GR
The most compact of my camera's. I like to use this one like I used my Lomo LCA: Spontaneous, artful compositions. When I turn on the hi-contrast B&W effect I feel like Daido Moriyama.
Lenses
I've primarily used fixed lens systems so this is an area I need to expand.
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FUJIFILM GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR
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Sony Distagon T* FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA
Tripods
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Gitzo GT2532 Mountaineer series 2 with series 1 center ball head
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3 Legged Thing Punks - Travis
Toy cameras
These don't get used too often these days but I keep them around just in case.
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Blackbird Fly
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Holga
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Kodak Brownie
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Lomo Fisheye
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Lomo Instant Wide
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Lomo La Sardina
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Lomo LC-A & LC-A+
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Lomo Pop 9
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Lomo Super Sampler