The Mosh Weekly #1

Spotlight Interview

An interview Jude Allen
IG: @jude_allen

Turning Skies and Landscapes into a Photographer’s Dream

Mosh: Thank you, Jude, for taking the time to join us at ‘The Mosh Weekly’. We are thrilled to have you.

Jude: Hey Mosh, thanks for having me.

Mosh: You are a self-taught photographer and artist based out of California. Your body of work is profoundly layered by aerial, astro, seascapes, landscape, and cityscape. At the beginning of our interview, can you please tell us more about yourself?

Jude: I’m a California native currently residing in San Francisco. I have always loved art, music, and anything creative.

Mosh: How did you get started with photography?

Jude: It all started for me around 9 years ago when I started taking photos of my friends skateboarding, so I had to learn my camera. Shortly after, I started doing astro and landscape photography, which is when I became obsessed.

Mosh: What is your core inspiration? Is there any other discipline that you’re passionate about and also that has a huge impact on your work?

Jude: My inspiration comes from many things, but what inspires me the most is to realize what I can do and to see how far I can push forward. I feel completely confident in what I am doing and also believe it is what I am supposed to be doing with my life.

Mosh: Do you have any people you look to for inspiration?

Jude: I guess working professional photographers, but more so people that just follow their dreams and do whatever it takes to make them a reality.

Mosh: What’s your to-do list before you go on a tour?

Jude: Make sure I have everything I need equipment-wise. Also, appropriate clothing. List of spots, maybe some ideas of creative shots I want to achieve.

Mosh: What are the softwares and apps you use to plan your photos before you go to those locations?

Jude: I use weather apps and webcams mostly. Also, I check moon and tides.

Mosh: The things that fascinate me most about your work are the use of natural lighting techniques, framing, and storytelling. How do you approach it?

Jude: Honestly, I don’t really think about it too much. I go to a spot and try to adapt to what the spot, shadows/light have to offer. Obviously, composition and exposure are important, but I’m not thinking too much about the edit until it’s actually time to edit.

Mosh: You have an amazing body of work from all around California, New York, Chicago, and Canada. After traveling to all these places and making all this amazing work, what are you up to now? What excites you to keep it going?

Jude: Thank you. Road trips are always refreshing and can also be tiring at the same time. What I’m up to now is to take it to a professional level outside of Instagram and become a working professional. What excites me most about photography is that I’m constantly progressing and learning new things.

Mosh: You’ve been able to amass a large following on Instagram. I’m sure that has led to many exciting opportunities. What do you like most about sharing your photos on Instagram?

Jude: The thing I love the most about Instagram is the feedback I get from my work. It amazes me to this day that I get to be creative, have people see my work, and as an added bonus, the response seems to be very positive.

Mosh: Instagram has changed a lot over time. It’s really hard to grow on Instagram nowadays. Do you think it’s still a good platform for upcoming new artists?

Jude: I do still think it is a good medium, but there are many other ways to get your work out there. I try not to worry too much about ratings but more to pay attention to how good your work is and how you can take it to the next level.

Mosh: What are your best photography advice on selecting location, composition, and editing?

Jude: That’s a loaded question... If something appeals to you, then go and shoot it. Even if it doesn’t appeal to you, go and shoot it. Get out of your comfort zone. As for composition, look at what others do that you look up to until you figure it out for yourself. Editing... well, try to learn as much as you can about the programs you use, then create your own style from there.

Mosh: What do you think about the best sources to learn photography on the internet or elsewhere? What are your go-to websites?

Jude: I don’t really have specific websites I use other than Google and YouTube. If I have a question, I search on it till I find the answer. Also, just shooting and editing all the time will definitely help.

Mosh: Last but not least, what’s something photography has taught you over the years?

Jude: Do what you love and never give up.

Mosh: Jude, we really appreciate you sharing incredible ideas with us. We would like to wish you very good luck for all of your upcoming great endeavors.

Jude: Thanks Mosh.

As we conclude our insightful conversation with Jude Allen, let's reflect on the key lessons his journey offers, each a testament to the power of passion, creativity, and continuous learning in the art of photography.

• Passion and Self-Learning: Jude is a self-taught photographer, emphasizing the power of self-directed learning and following one's passion. This underscores the idea that formal education isn't the only path to mastering a craft; passion, dedication, and self-education can also lead to success.

• Exploration and Experimentation: His journey started with photographing friends skateboarding and then expanded to astro and landscape photography. This progression shows the importance of exploration and experimentation in finding one's niche or preferred style.

• Inspiration and Confidence: Jude draws inspiration from various sources, notably from those who pursue their dreams relentlessly. His confidence in his work and belief that he is doing what he's meant to do is a crucial lesson in trusting one’s path and skills.

• Adaptability and Creativity: When discussing his approach to photography, Jude mentions adapting to the environment and not overthinking the process. This highlights the importance of being adaptable and creative in the moment, utilizing the natural elements present in the environment.

• Continuous Learning and Progression: Despite his success, Jude talks about constantly learning and progressing, indicating that mastery is an ongoing journey. The desire to take his work to a professional level outside of Instagram shows his ambition and commitment to growth.

• Community and Feedback: He values the feedback from his Instagram community, showing how important audience engagement and community building are for artists and creators.

• Changing Platforms and Adaptation: Jude acknowledges the changes in platforms like Instagram and advises not to focus solely on ratings but on improving the quality of work. This reflects the need for adaptability in an ever-changing digital landscape and the importance of focusing on one's art rather than external validation.

• Diverse Learning Resources: His use of Google and YouTube for learning and problem-solving underscores the value of utilizing diverse resources available on the internet for education and skill enhancement.

The interview with Jude Allen provides valuable insights into the journey of a self-taught artist, emphasizing passion, continuous learning, adaptability, and the importance of community and feedback in the creative process.