Continuing our series “From the Good Earth” rfotofolio is pleased to share the work of Diane Yudelson. 

Would you please tell us a little about yourself?

I’ve been an artist since I was a child and have worked in related fields such as performing arts and the fashion industry.  I then pursued an academic career, married and raised two children. In 2009 I decided to return to my artistic roots and I have dedicated myself to photographic artistry.  I am currently an internationally exhibited fine art photographer.

How did you get started in photography?

Although I have always enjoyed photography, my passion in the field began when I discovered that, in addition to being a wonderful means of documentation, photography can be used as a fine art medium.

Did your family and childhood affect your decision to become an artist? 

As the third of four children in my family, I was considered to be the “talented one.”  If there was a creative outlet at my disposal I was completely onboard, always choosing to paint, draw, sew, sing and perform.  By providing approval and support of my artist curiosity and predilections, I believe that my parents played a pivotal role in the journey that has led me to today’s destination of fine art photographic artist.

Which photographers’ or other artists’ work do you admire?

My mentors are all the eclectic artists who have preceded me. In particular, a few favorite artists of mine are: Magritte, Rousseau, Degas and Duchamp. I have honored these artists and more in my two series “Fusions” and “Monarchs in Art.” In these two series I have utilized stylistic elements of the artists who were important contributors to their artistic movements, “monarchs” of their medium, while interpreting the subject matter and creating an image truly representative of my own modern artistic style.

And what about their work inspires you?

Eclectic artists are innovative and avant-garde. They inspire me on many levels. I love to decipher the aspects of their inventive point of view which communicates the essence of their artistic style across media and genres.

In your mind what makes a great photograph?

A great photograph is one that evokes emotion that continues to resonate across time.

What challenges do you face as a photographer?

My greatest challenges these days stem from budgetary restraints. I have numerous ideas and projects that I must put aside currently due to lack of funds for equipment or traveling.

How do you overcome a creative block?

I suffer from the opposite affliction: too many ideas and not enough time.

What subjects were you first drawn to?

I was first drawn to subjects from the natural world, birds, wildlife and environmental elements, and then to the candid behaviors of people in their private environments.

How do you go about planning a shoot?

Depending on the type of photography I am working on, from advertising to wildlife, the approaches are very different. When planning an advertising shoot my first step is conceptual. What is the subject and what am I trying to convey about it? I then come up with a slogan and determine the steps necessary to achieve my desired effect. I will then organize equipment and props, as well as secure models and locations. When preparing to shoot wildlife I scout out habitats, study the behavior of the animal, chose a time of day with the optimal light, arrive early and wait as long as it takes to capture what I feel is expressive with regard to that particular animal’s behavior.

Would you tell us about your workspace?

As much as I enjoy shooting a great photograph, I love the experience of creating a fine art piece from the original image. This experience can take minutes or days and you will find me at home sitting at my six-foot long rubber tree table desk, gazing at my large computer monitor, accompanied by my image bank and an active imagination. Most of the time I prefer to work in quiet solitude, but occasionally I pick music that will help provide a nuance to the art piece. For instance, when creating my image “Magritte’s Monarch,” I listened to the soundtracks of “Amelie” and “Paris, Paris.”

How does photography affect the way you see the world?

When I view inspirational photos, the experience provides me with a glimpse into the mind’s eye of someone else’s perspective of the world. The affect on me is to being forth a deeper understanding of the interconnections we all share as humans.

Thank you Dianne for sharing your work with us. To learn more about the work of Dianne Yudleson please visit her site at, Dianne Yudleson.