A Conversation with Mike Ferreira ~ Capturing everyday moments on film
Introduce yourself, where you’re from/located and what type of photography you primarily shoot.
I’m Mike, a photographer based in the big small town of Denton, Texas. I primarily shoot medium format film and Fujifilm for digital, typically pointing my lens at anything that speaks to me. These days it’s mainly everyday life, the mundane, and candid street photography.
How did you get into your chosen medium? Do you remember the catalyst that influenced your decision to begin your journey?
I grew up in skateboard and music culture, where I initially grew my interest in cameras. I started off by filming skateboard videos in the early 2000s and photographing local shows, to finally migrating toward film. I am lucky to have a great local film photo shop (shout out Denton Camera Exchange) and my buddy and Owner of the shop kept recommending that I try film. I had enough of seeing how colorful film photos looked, and I wanted to slow down my process to clear my head when I wasn't shooting professionally. I gotta say, it did the trick - I've been hooked ever since!
Can you tell us a bit about your book "This is Denton" and what inspired it? How did you go about capturing the essence of the town through your photography?
To be honest, I didn't even expect to make a book at first. I moved to Denton from San Antonio in 2015 and at the time I had no gear because it had all been stolen - so making any work was an extreme afterthought.
In 2020, I had my first go with medium format film and got my feet wet with a Mamiya RB67 and started to really practice making better photos. Since it was right around lockdown, a lot of iconic local businesses started shutting down and I was determined to preserve as much of the town as I could. Covid or not, I realized Denton would eventually change its form - and the thought haunted me. A few "you should make a book" comments later and “This is Denton” was born.
** Book release “This is Denton”. A three year project from 2020-2023 which features the characteristic, mundane and historical essence of Denton - all shot on medium format film.
As a photographer working in a smaller town like Denton, how do you find inspiration and new subject matter to capture? Have you ever experienced creative block and if so, how do you overcome it?
You know, I thought I had experienced creative block before, but I really realized it when I started digging into the project; making a book is HARD. I even took a half year hiatus at one point. Never mind figuring out locations, it’s the factors like weather, cars blocking scenes, forgetting your cable release at home, running out of film, not liking a shot on a particular film stock and having to go back another time, the list goes on and on… These factors played a big part in those blocks as I truly had to think outside the realm of my plans almost constantly.
For locations, I had quite a few in my head that spoke to me the second I moved here. It was actually really neat getting to some spots I had my eye on for years and finally capturing them. Some of them came more naturally, others I really had to decide what would fit the project. I eventually made a HUGE list of spots in my notes and would take it with me as I drove or walked around town, crossing them off one by one to help me stay on track and fit time in for the project alongside being a dad and husband.
At the end of 2022 I got laid off from my day job as a web designer, so it was quite literally my job to make time for the last leg of the book. Feeling like I got everything I wanted and sequencing the images was a super tough one, though. I drove myself mad at times (ha!) When it came to making my last image for the project it was bittersweet and I even remember staying an extra 10 minutes just looking at the scene thinking “one day I’m going to miss this”, and I do.
Your work often features a strong sense of nostalgia and a focus on the beauty in everyday life. Can you share any artists who influenced this style in your work?
Honestly, I think this style has been in my back pocket for many years now without really knowing it. I mentioned having my gear stolen before, and as a young dad at the time I simply couldn’t afford any replacements, so I kept shooting, even if it was on a phone. I worked downtown as a valet and would be surrounded by incredible daily life scenes that inspired me so much, and I’d take a photo any chance I could.
For inspiration, I think I owe a lot to skateboard videos. I grew up watching Logic and 411 VHS tapes and would drown out to the absolute coolest b-roll, and funny montage clips. That, and watching Everybody Street a million times or digging into my collection of photography books at home. A few favorites would be Vivian Meier, Fred Herzog, Joel Meyerowitz, and Lars Tunbjörk.
Can you walk us through your current camera and film setup and what drew you to this particular combination? Do you prefer shooting with film over digital and if so, why?
My current main setup for film is a Mamiya RZ67 with 90mm Sekor Z. I have owned every model of the RB/RZ at this point and I just fell in love with the RZ. It has its quirks, but it feels like a third hand to me at this point.
For digital, I use a Fujifilm X-T2 and absolutely love it. It is by far the best tool in my bag to compliment film with. I couldn’t live without it and it’s been a major inspiration to making photos. When making the book I shot film like it was free, not being conscious about how many rolls I burned through whatsoever - which was really fun. However, now that it’s done and with the cost of film now, my fuji is absolutely critical to me consistently shooting.
When you're out taking photographs, what is your process for finding the right composition and framing your shot? Are there any particular techniques or approaches you use to achieve the look and feel you're after?
I don’t know if that’s just the Imposter Syndrome speaking or not but composition has always been my weak point, in my opinion. I see work from other photographers and am taken back on how smart people are, or how thought out compositions seem. For me, I think I really started to try and get better at this the last few years, really trying to test myself with every shot I make.
For example, shooting for the project I would spend a good 10-20 minutes at a scene just looking at it every which way I could just to walk away with something a little more thought out. Not in a stressful or pressured way at all, it was actually very fun doing this and I am very happy with a lot of the compositions.
As someone who has been working in photography for a while, how do you feel about the impact of social media on the industry? Do you think it has been overall positive or negative for photographers and their work?
I think it truly depends on which part of the industry you’re in because each avenue can be different, so I can only speak to adventure elopements, concerts, and film photography. In my experience, social media has been extremely beneficial to not only running the business side of things, but also connecting with people. I have made some amazing connections, friendships, and exposure through social media that I 100% wouldn’t without it. In those aspects, it’s positive.
What do you think are some of the benefits of having your work printed in physical form? Do you think it adds a level of permanence or importance to your work?
I remember the moment I first saw my work in print like it was yesterday. My first apartment in 2010 was extremely bland and when I got home one day my dad surprised me with a wall full of prints of photos I had taken - I’ll never forget that feeling. (Shoutout to pops for that one). It also just reminds me of going through those packs of prints you’d get back from the pharmacy lab back in the day. There is something about seeing a photo in its intended format that just changes your perspective on your work. I’ve even sold prints to people that had requested to purchase a certain photo from me and thinking “Really? That photo?” And then seeing it in print and it being my new favorite photo.
Photographs belong on paper, not screens. Print your work!
Finally, aside from photography, are there any other creative hobbies or interests that you enjoy pursuing? How do they influence or intersect with your photography work?
Aside from photo stuff I’m also a musician. I write and play guitar/drums when I can and go to shows. I’ve been doing that for as long as I’ve done photography, so roughly 15 years or so. Music is the perfect compliment to taking photos for me and each outlet inspires the other somehow. Oh, and most importantly being a dad. My girls are the biggest inspiration I could ever ask for.
Any final comments?
To this day I still forget to pull the dark slide, take an absolutely terrible exposure, or even not shoot at all.
I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve loaded my gear bag up, packed the car and driven around town for an hour and just driving home without even making a single photo. I learned to really listen to myself after the first major burnout I suffered in 2021, which was almost half a year of absolutely no shooting.
If you aren’t feeling it, don’t force it. Turn the car around, take that break, get into that side hobby, slow DOWN. Mental health should always be the forefront of anyone’s creative endeavors.
I learned the hard way, but I’m glad I did. It’s odd, but now I’m one of those “take your cameras everywhere, never miss a moment” people. Thankfully, I know how to spot a change if it ever comes and I think that is key to anyone pursuing any creative outlet.
All in all, keep it fun.
Be kind to yourself and everyone around you.
