The lobby display of our main branch now features the fantastic photography of Corrine Prochazka. In the following interview, we as Corrine about her work, her life, and what makes a great photograph.
Franklin Twp Public Library: How long have you lived in the Somerset area?
Corrine Prochazka: I have lived in the Somerset area for thirty years.
FTPL: How long have you been interested in Photography? When did you decide to start taking pictures for yourself?
CP: I have been interested in photography, taking pictures, ever since I can remember. I always had a camera In my hand. I received my very own first camera when I was 10. I started taking pictures for myself when I was 17. I did not think too much of it at that time, that I had a real future in photography; I had other obligations, school, work, a social life. Off and on again with taking pictures in my 20s, I picked a camera up again in the late 80s early 90s and I have not stopped taking pictures since that time. It is my passion. I love it.
FTPL: Is there anything you wish you knew about photography when you started?
CP: I wanted to know everything about photography when I first started but I wish I had known what a great eye I had so I would have gotten started sooner.
FTPL: What is it that you are trying to capture in a photograph?
CP: For me it’s whatever I see that I think will make a beautiful image. There is nothing more exciting and gratifying than knowing I took a beautiful image and putting it out there for people to see. I want people to experience the beauty I see. I want to share that.
FTPL: What makes a great picture?
CP: There are many factors that go into creating a great image. To me those factors include: 1) The eye of the person behind the camera, 2) composition, and 3) light. There are other factors that are important, [but] those 3 are the important ones to me that help to make a great image.
FTPL: What other photographers, painters, and/or artists are your influences?
CP: There are so many gifted/talented photographers and artists out there, past and present. I do not base my work off of any one particular photographer or artist. I try to be as unique as possible with the images I take.
FTPL: What are your favorite photographs? What are your favorite among your own work?
CP: Among my own work: there is a picture of seashells, a picture of an incoming wave I named Goldrise, The Trail Taken (which I won two awards for in 2018 Franklin Township Trails Calendar Contest) and one I took of Voorhees Chapel.
FTPL: Much of your works features parks in the greater Central NJ area. Do you have a favorite park?
[Laughs] Yes, it seems that much of my works are based in the local parks around the area – that was not my intention. You will see me around Colonial Park in Franklin, and Donaldson Park in Highland Park. I love the tow path in back of Colonial Park and the Rose Garden there as well and I am also a water person; I love Donaldson Park. I love being by the river; that is where the Voorhees Chapel image was created.
FTPL: Do you have any advice for aspiring photographers?
CP: In general: if you have a dream, believe in yourself. I believe that if I can think it, it can happen. Then I do the work to make it happen.
There are many, many photographers out there, especially with the invention of the cell phone. Your success depends on believing in yourself, realizing the dream with the time spent and getting to where you see yourself in the dream. An hour a day towards anything involving your passion every day is 365 hours a year. Wow! 365 hours a year. You will be ready- as this was once said to me, and this applies to anyone at any age. You are not ever too old to start again, and to begin realizing (living) your dream.
FTPL: What is your next Project? What are you working on now?
My project for the future is to keep taking awesome images and for more displays, but my continuing and most important project right now is my education. I am in the process of earning my Associates Degree. I am a returning student at Middlesex [County] College in Edison. I am halfway through my curriculum of Media Arts-Professional Commercial Photography and I love it.
The library is always looking for artists, crafters, and collectors to feature on our art wall and in our display cases. For more information, please email events@franklintwp.org with a little about yourself and a link to your website or social media accounts. You can also attach samples of your work. Preference is given to residents of Franklin Township.
Thanks for reading!
George, FTPL
