David Pollard, photographer, and photo artist

Published by Leonardo Calcagno

Who are you:

My name is David Pollard, I’m an amateur photographer and photo-based artist.

Your current job:

I have been retired for several years; during my career, I was an Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy, a Landscape Architect, a town planner and most recently a manager in the Government of Canada’s public service.

Being retired permits me to dedicate more time to my photography and photo-based art. I am a contributor to Arcangel Images, a stock agency whose clients include book publishers, record labels, advertising and design agencies, and magazine publishers.

In which city are you located?

I currently live in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

A word to define what kind of worker you are:

“Persistent”. I spend countless hours self-learning via photography websites and on the web researching prospective purchases (for the house, my photography or whatever).

What tools are essential to your life (app, software, etc..)

I couldn’t work without my cameras and computer. I have had various cameras over the years but currently use an Olympus OMD E-M1, and an Olympus OMD E-M5 that has been converted to shoot infrared. For post processing, I start with Adobe Lightroom CC and finish in Adobe Photoshop CC utilizing various plugins by Google/Nik, Topaz Labs and On1 Software. I recently purchased an iPhone 7 Plus and have started shooting and processing with this smartphone.

What does your office space look like?

Generally cluttered but everything I need is within reach and I usually know where it is.

What kind of music do you listen when you are working?

Almost always I’m listening to one or another of the Golden Oldies stations found on Internet Radio. My favorites include most anything from the early 1960’s to the mid-1970’s with favorites being those from the “British Invasion”.

Do you have a way to organize your day to maximize your work?

Being retired my time is mostly my own so no fixed schedule except for things like grocery shopping. Time spent photographing is when the mood or opportunity strikes.

What tips would you give to improve productivity?

Be well organized and do the least liked tasks first (I tend to put off those I like least to the last moment – not the best approach).

You’re better than your colleagues to:

Not a consideration now; in the past, I would say my persistence when researching.

What is the best advice anyone has given you?

Make decisions and don’t be afraid of making mistakes.

What is your best tip for saving time?

Don’t overthink things, just get on with it.

What is your routine start and end of the day?

A quick check of email and world and local news before breakfast, an hour or so reading (mystery and science fiction) after, and then several hours on my computer post processing. I usually spend a couple of hours after supper watching television with my wife.