---

CLICK HERE TO VIEW A GALLERY OF MARC'S IMAGES

---

All images © Marc Krutiak

Bodega Bay Study 6

Marc Krutiak is an accomplished photographer based in Boston who works entirely in black-and-white and sepia tones inspired by his environment. He says his three loves in life are his wife Deborah, surfing and photography. 10% of the proceeds from his print sales go to the Surfrider Foundation, and he is a member of Photoworkshop.com.


Double Exposure: How did you initially become interested in photography?

Marc Krutiak: As long as I remember, I've had a camera in my hand, mostly making snapshots with my grandfather on our fishing trips and family vacations.  Those early images and memories, I truly cherish.  Although he wasn't a photographer, he was a painter, and always encouraged me to be creative.


DE: Your beautiful, moody black-and-white images remind me of Michael Kenna's photographs. Have you been influenced by his work?

MK: Most definitely.  When I saw my first photograph by Mr. Kenna, I was hooked.  His work gives me the sense of solitude and being alone in a vast space. I've always looked for that solitude in my own life and hope to bring the same sense to my own work.  Hiroshi Sugimoto, with his beautiful, simplistic seascapes and strong architectural images have also been a great influence on me.


DE: In your biography on your website, you mention that you love surfing and the environment. Tell me a little bit about the Surfrider Foundation, to which you donate a portion of your print sales.

MK: Here is their mission statement: "The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's oceans, waves and beaches for all people, through conservation, activism, research and education."  My firm belief is that many global challenges and illnesses we face can be directly linked to environmental conditions. Surfers have often been the "Mine Canaries" for ocean quality, many of whom get sick as a direct result of surfing in polluted water.  We all should be doing what we can to reverse the damage we have done to the planet.  Those who don't belive in climate change or that we have no impact on the environment just don't get it.  There are many great organizations, all doing great work, but Surfrider is more personal to me, and I've been a member for the last 10 years.

Rye Breakwater

DE: You are also a member of Photoworkshop.com. Has this membership benefited your image-making?

MK: I remember one of the first images I saw upon joining was taken with a Holga camera by Bea Friedli, and I thought that there is some really great work being done here.  There have been opportunities to contact other photographers and the level of warmth and approachability has been wonderful.   On many occasions I find myself using the features of Photoworkshop.com like the Canon Digital Learning Center, which is full of great tips and ideas.  My history with Photoworkshop.com has been more of an observer rather than a participant.  I've always been uncomfortable with giving critiques.  Telling a photographer what I would do if it was me isn't something I like to do.  But inspiration here is all around.


DE: Do you make your living primarily from being a professional photographer? If not, what else do you do?

MK: Although I've done very well with print sales over the last year or so, I have a day job.  I'm a Graduate Gemologist and work for one of the most well-known luxury jewelers in the world.  For about 20 years now I've been working with jewelry, but it's what I do, not who I am.  Photography is something I would love to do for a living, but for now I'm happy with the way my career is progressing.


DE: Do you have any special projects coming up in the future?

MK: In October, I'll be visiting Southern California, where I used to live, for vacation and to continue a project on the surfing lifestyle.  Next year, I'll be photographing on the Amalfi Coast, a place I've wanted to visit for years.  I've also been working on a project for some time that highlights the human impact on our coastlines.  However, it's a project that seems to have no end at the moment.

Arc de Triomphe Study 2

The most exciting project I have going on currently is that I've been working with a master printmaker here in New York with platinum printing.  Soon, I'll be offering a limited number of handmade platinum prints. I've always been fascinated with platinum printing, but personally don't have the facilities to properly dispose of the chemicals involved.  It took a long time to locate a printmaker that shared the same environmental concerns that I have.   


DE: To whom do you sell your images? Any commercial clients?

MK: Currently, my clients are private collectors. However, I'm open to commercial interests.  This biggest hurdle for me with regards to commercial installations is image size.  Most clients I've spoken with so far want large prints, three to four feet in size.  Although, I've printed a few 30x30-inch images, I don't have much interest in printing at this size.  I've always viewed photography as a more intimate experience.


DE: What photo equipment do you use currently?

MK: I'm fully digital now and recently sold my view camera and my medium-format camera.  I don't like to lug around a lot of equipment, so I use a Canon full-frame digital camera with one lens, five different filters, a tripod, no flash, and no special lighting.  I print my 8x8 and 13x13-inch images myself on my ultrachrome printer.  I like to experiment with different fine-art papers and was pretty hot on Moab papers for a while, but I'm printing on Sliver Rag mostly now.  The control that Adobe Photoshop gives photographers is fantastic.  It allows me to work on one part of the image while leaving the rest untouched.  The only issue I have with digital is the lack of grain.  I've been experimenting with software that simulates many different types of film grain, and it's been working well so far. 


To see more work by Marc Krutiak, visit http://photoworkshop.com/bv/view/kmanz or www.marckrutiak.com

---

CLICK HERE TO SEE A GALLERY OF MARC'S IMAGES

---

Let us know if you found this article useful, and tell us what kinds of articles you'd like to see in upcoming issues. Send your comments and ideas to Lynne Eodice.