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Chuck Alaimo: Photographer

Chuck Alaimo got his start in photography during the early 1990s when he learned the fundamentals in black and white with a Pentax k-1000. Since then he has been shooting digital HDR-style images full of vibrant color and precise detail. Whether he’s capturing urban or natural landscapes, Alaimo’s photographs emphasize the movement and grand scale of a scene. In addition to his distinctive style Alaimo continues to experiment with new subjects and artistic methods. We spoke to Alaimo about these stylistic shifts and his plans for the upcoming year. Check out his work on Facebook at facebook.com/c.a.photog.

What has influenced your artwork recently?

Inspiration is a weird one for me. I just recently spent three days wandering the grounds of the Central Terminal. And the way that came about was, I woke up and felt the urge to shoot. So I packed up my gear and jumped in the car. It was mid-afternoon, so I was limited to shooting in the shade or indoors. After about an hour of driving and looking, I found myself on the East Side and said to myself, “It’s been about a year since I’ve shot at the Terminal. Why not head there?” And at that moment the path was clear—so clear, in fact, that I went back for two more days.

Many of my shoots develop from that same process—the desire to shoot followed by exploration. Sometimes I wonder at the end of the day if it’s the photography that makes or breaks it, or the adventure that lead to the photography.

Where do you see your style moving in the future?

While I do love HDR photography and still feel that there’s much to learn there, I sense in the immediate future a desire to work at night, doing exposures above 30 seconds. I would also like to embrace the natural world—landscapes and things not man-made. While I work well in the concrete jungle, I feel that putting myself out of my element can lead to interesting results. Also, I do tend to look at the urban world a little differently upon returning from nature, which can also lead to a different approach.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on selecting images for a show at space242 on Allen Street. This would be another collaborative effort with Phil Durgan, Sara Lusky Dinatale, and Frank Sander. I rather like the idea of working with other artists and would like to continue that trend.

On the other side of the business, I would very much like to expand my client base for things like portraits and weddings, even commercial work, while also expanding my client base for events. I don’t want to end up being one of those guys who had talent but couldn’t market themselves.

Which art events are you looking forward to this year?

I am very much looking forward to Music Is Art, where I will host my first official festival booth! And other than the opening at space242, I don’t have anything lined up yet. It’s been a busy year for me with art, so I am actually kind of looking forward to having the free time to consider what the next exhibit will be.