Rachael Smith: Fine Art Photographer

By Aston Moss LPSNZ

CameraTalk recently had the opportunity to catch up with Rachael Smith, the driving force behind Rāhera Creative. Rachael runs workshops focussed on Fine Art Photography and Printing.

PSNZ was fortunate to have Rachael lead a workshop on the art and science of printing at the recent PSNZ CR Kennedy Awards Dinner. Thanks to the generous support of CR Kennedy, members who came to the dinner to celebrate achieving their honours were able to participate in the workshop.

A New Zealand native, originally from Te Puke but now dividing her time between Palmerston North and Auckland, Rachael has significant international experience under her belt, having lived in both the USA and in Asia but also having travelled through 30 different countries.

Rachael is highly qualified academically with a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Contemporary Art, and of course practically as well. Her work has seen her awarded an NZIPP Master of Photography with one gold bar, and she is an Ilford Master – one of only five women in the world who hold this distinction, and an Ilford Certified Printer.

Members who joined us in Hamilton for the workshop had the privilege of Rachael’s extensive knowledge and skills, in taking an image or developing an idea from capture and refinement through to life as a beautiful print.

Rachael, perhaps a few questions to help our readers get to know you a little better and to assist them to understand the alchemy that is print.

Q: How would you describe your photographic journey and if asked to identify some points, times that have been key to your growth as an artist, what would those be?

A: My photographic journey, yikes! I have always had a creative side, and I guess that has evolved in stages through maturity and life experience. When I was in my early 20s I started a signwriting business and worked with computer graphics and large-format print. Back then, I loved printing ̶ it fascinated me. Fast-forward to living overseas with a young family, all of the wonders of a strange environment and the way young children interact within it. My creative side grasped photography as a tool and ran with it. Skipping forward again, photography became a medium to voice through imagery an intensely difficult period of my life. Being able to “step away” from that environment, through making and processing images from it, gave me the ability to look at my situation from a more objective perspective. This was both cathartic and empowering. Creating an exhibition of large printed images was a way of bringing them back into the world in a format that I was in control of, but also a way for me to communicate all the emotions that I had been hiding.

Q: How would you describe the genres of photography that most inspire or satisfy you?

A: Eclectic and Diverse. I am fascinated by so many, I find the diversity of imagery available to us every day quite mind-blowing. I am drawn to images that push boundaries, prompt discussion or communicate in some way to the viewer. This is more important to me than technical skill. I feel that overthinking the technical can ruin a moment or steal the story away.

Q: Which photographers do you find particularly drawn to or inspired by?

A: This is another hard one. Again I have so many, in so many genres. To make this easier to answer I am going to limit myself to New Zealand photographers as we have such amazing homegrown talent. I find Marie Shannon’s art and skill as a visual communicator elegant, thought-provoking and fascinating. Photographic artists like Karolina Stus and Richard Wood I find inspirational. Both make very different styles of artwork, but both are constantly testing, pushing boundaries and experimenting within their practice – so much so that I look at what they create and think, ‘How the hell did they come up with that concept?’ I am also in awe of women like Meghan Maloney and Rachel Gillespie who are breaking ground in huge strides in the field of educational photographic adventures within New Zealand. Their tenacity and passion for what they do, and their ability to do it while raising a family, are outstanding.

Q: You work extensively with Ilford papers, and are an Ilford Master and an Ilford Certified Printer. What are the characteristics of Ilford papers that you find most attractive and make you want to use them?

A: I love printing. It was a natural progression for me to come back to the world of print once I began making photographs. I’ve been using Ilford papers exclusively for about seven years now. Throughout the entire Ilford range I achieve consistently great results, even with just the generic “canned” paper profiles. I love the large variety of paper options available from Ilford and I have printed on all of them (although new additions to the range are coming out all the time). I also love the more diverse Ilford products like the Ilford Creative Emulsion which can be used to create an inkjet receptive surface on any paper or fabric. It’s fantastic for me as I like to experiment with different ways to present images.

Q: For less experienced photographers, perhaps those starting out, what piece of advice would you share to help them on their journey?

A: Be part of a photographic community, whether it is your local camera club, PSNZ, NZIPP, an online group or a mixture of all of these (personally I prefer “in person” over online communities). Finding your “people” is such a powerful tool. I have learned so much, been encouraged, challenged, supported, have made lifelong friendships, and been on some amazing adventures because of this. It can be a little intimidating at first when you are new to things, don’t know anyone and begin to put yourself and your work out there. But once you put the effort in it will be rewarding. I wouldn’t be where I am now without my “NZIPP Family”.

Q: What’s the most common “Rookie” mistake you see made by photographers who would like to take an image through to print, but there’s something that makes it unsuitable or less than ideal to reproduce the way they ask?

A: I’m cracking up that you have used the term “Rookie” as that has been my Dad’s nickname for me since I was about 11, and I’m still learning things all the time. One of the most common issues I come across with print files is the aspect ratio and resizing an image. Often a print client will send me a file that is 3:2 ratio, and they ask me to print it as is but they specify a print size that is for example a 4:5 ratio, which won’t work without some form of cropping. Clients will also resize an image, but in a way that is destructive to the file, or pushing it beyond its capabilities.

...Rachael Smith: Fine Art Photographer

Q: What would be your top tip for readers wanting to produce a high-quality print from their chosen images?

A: Two things. If you are using an external print house then take the time to build a relationship with them. Find out how they prefer to receive files, sizing, format etc. Ask them if you need to do anything differently to get optimal results. Most print houses don’t have time to check each individual file, or they offer that as a premium service. Making sure you send the best file for their process can make a big difference.

If you are printing at home – create a printing routine. Calibrate, soft proof, use the correct paper profiles, or ideally create a custom profile for each paper you use. And triple-check your files for dust spots! Those little buggers turn up when you least expect them and are often more noticeable in print than on the screen.

Q: If we were to ask you to name one thing in your camera bag that you think is indispensable, what would that be?

A: This may sound lame but I always have to have a really good lens cloth with me. I can’t stand marks on my lenses, whether it is camera, phone or on my glasses. The other thing I always take along is the ability to adapt. I don’t like to carry much gear, and I find preconceived ideas about what a location may be like can ruin the ability to capture whatever beauty is handed to us. So, I always go with an open mind and the knowledge that, whatever I see, I have the ability to capture and communicate how it feels to me with whatever I have on hand.

Rachael, could you finish the following sentence for me with your own thoughts? Printing as an art form is:

A: Something we all should embrace. It’s intensely satisfying to hold an image that you have created.

Q: Do you have a favourite quote or saying, photography related, that you’d like to share with readers?

A: “The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.” Dorothea Lange

Q: Finally, what’s the best way for readers to get in touch with you if they are interested in joining you at a workshop or following your work?

A: Website, Insta, Vero, email ̶ all of the above, to help drive the sales funnel! My website is www.raheracreative. co.nz. My printing pricelist and file transfer platform are also there, under the “Print Service” tab.

Email address: rachael@raheracreative.co.nz

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raheraphotography

I am also on Vero as @raheracreative, although I am yet to post anything there. I’m still checking the platform out.

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