In the course of the interview, I posed several inquiries to Mr. Winters, eagerly anticipating his insightful responses.
NW: First and foremost, Who are you and what do you do?
DW: Dan Winters. I am a photographer, a director, an illustrator and a model builder.
NW: Why do you do what you do?
DW: I’ve always been interesting in making as well as story telling. These pursuits cover those bases.
NW: Were you born an artist or made an artist?
DW: I don’t believe anyone is born an artist. As we are the sum total of our experiences, artistic voice will emerge. It requires hard work. It may come easier to some but in my case focussing on art since childhood is I’m sure a contributing factor.
NW: What role does the artist have in society?
DW: Art plays myriad roles in society. I think art that holds a mirror to society is functioning at the highest level. Photography and film would be at the top of that list in my opinion.
NW: Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it?
DW: My life is anything but lonely. I love what I do and have many people in my life. My wife and I are best friends and basically joined at the hip.
NW: Do you create to understand or do you express what you have already learned? Or is it some combination of both?
DW: In creating one hopes for revelation from the results. The process is about discovery and one hopes that a better understanding of the way things work is attained.
NW: Describe a real-life situation that inspired you.
DW: I recently sat hospice with a dear friend. He was very compromised in the end and when he left his body I was deeply moved.
NW: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
DW: Jay Maisel once said” if you want to become a better photographer, become a more interesting person.
NW: Why photography?
DW: As photographers we require a subject, something or someone to put in front of our camera. We must find it out in the world. It’s a medium that allows for adventure.