Photographers Biography

Dale 'Dawk' Mc Farlane

 

 

Dawk was first 'smitten' by the 'photo-bug'(year- 1956) in photography while attending local phoenix, Arizona , North high.

He finished three years of black and white courses, from novice-intermediate-advanced , with 'best' in his class.

When no 'digital' realm existed, the B-W courses were a great basis for moving on to 'color'- later in his life.

As a ten year old, Dawk collected 'rocks' from the desert, joined gem-mineral clubs, and later (in his teens) developed into a Master jeweler - gem cutter , designer ,'old-world-style', apprenticeship for eight years in the local Scottsdale art community. Dawk also moved - on to owning his own retail Gallery-Designer jeweler store, in Lake Tahoe Nevada. As an expert mineral -gem appraiser , dawk continued to use photography to record appraisals , and shoot (close-up)mineral specimens for collectors. These 'close-up' techniques, later came into play-regarding his concept.

The discovery of dawk's current concept, was actually made while creating designer 'cartoon' jewelry pieces, which were photographed, and later evolved-developed into the current graphic display, here on Pixiport.

Dawk's collage images were first made 'by hand', and without a computer, but later, he used 'digital' Photoshop techniques for better creative options.

Artists statement; "this project was-and… IS one marvelous 'scavenger-hunt', searching for the next…'rock' which would photograph well enough for the accumulation (in the thousands) of more images. No simple matter ,this required (seven years) of searching , involving much experimentation, and many images are(still) not complete for months + years. Several of my lifetime skills were involved, and I actually prospected-bought-traded-bartered-finagled-borrowed-begged, for 'rocks' which were sometimes rare, or unique-with collector ( friends ) often donating the photographic 'use' of their museum quality specimens .It's ironic that my favorite pro , ' Parker' often shoots large 'rock' formations, as his subjects, and' tramps' all over the world-searching for more, but …MY 'rocks' can oddly produce a similar scenic image. Furthermore, I am coming from such an 'outsider' and unique perspective, which continues to offer an endless Supply of possibilities, yet we all know there are (just) so many 'big-rock' formations- available to 'shoot'. Using (only) direct sunlight, I attempt to facilitate 'criteria' in the most sincere manner . keeping the concept perspective 'natural', with gems and minerals , also allow many 'educational' and teaching scenarios, regarding my images. I plan to publish my own book about this new concept , and further explain my techniques .I've written a complete story outline for the book-movie, with many of my characters-and backgrounds for (animation) , titled ; The adventures of DR. DAWK and the Clones of Stone. Dawk