Tamarra Kaida

Arizona State University - 1986

 

Cedric Lowmack, Tamarra Kaida, Bill Valentine, Phil Konomos, & Mark

Tamarra participating in our series "Photo Terrorism"

I was recently called out by someone 8,600 miles away and I am glad she did.



The Fine Art Photography faculty at Arizona State University during my time there was arguably one of the best groups of educators ever assembled in the field. Not to take away from Beaumont Newhall at the University of New Mexico (whom two of ASU’s professors had studied under) or the George Eastman House (where another two or three ASU professors had studied). The faculty at ASU had diverse backgrounds, varied opinions, some excelled making images, others excelled understanding and explaining the medium, some were great at both, and as a whole they provided the most incredible learning environment you could imagine.

In the past I have mentioned Bill Jay’s impact on me related to the history and understanding of the medium. I think I also noted how William Jenkins gave me some fantastic advice early on with my work, by suggesting I put a wide angle lens on my camera to make me get closer to my subject matter (to date probably the single most important piece of photo advice I ever received). But everyone there contributed to my development as a photographer. Eric Kronengold became my advisor when I got to ASU and really helped to guide me through the schedule. He also helped hone my darkroom skills (Something that Walt Girdner had started when I took his photography course at Pasadena City College). Jack Stuler showed me photography didn’t have to have any boundaries or limitations and although I don’t recall ever taking one of Jim Hajicek’s classes I have remained in contact with him over the years and consider him a friend and another valuable resource for my growth as a photographer. Luckily he and Eric continue to teach at ASU. The faculty at ASU was so connected that they brought in the most impressive list of lecturers you could imagine. A.D. Coleman, Mary Ellen Mark, Helmut Gernsheim, Chris Killip, and Van Deren Coke were just a few of the people I got to meet. One of my college/photography highlights was spending 20 minutes with Van Deren Coke in the Northlight gallery while he critiqued an exhibition of my prints and compared my work to that of Larry Clark.

With all these other people mentioned I now need to talk about Tamarra Kaida. I studied under Tamarra more than anyone else. It was in her class I began and continued my Pasadena Police Department series. Tamarra has since retired from teaching and moved to paradise (Bali) which happens to be 8,600 miles away from Southern California.

Tamarra continues to photograph and explore life which she did throughout her time in Arizona. I reconnected with her recently after a European gallery contacted me trying to track her down. We caught up on each others lives and work and in the process she read my blog and saw my post documenting some of my photographic education mileposts and noticed I hadn’t mentioned her contribution. She casually called me on it in an e-mail, I thought about it, and was glad she brought it up because she should be recognized for her contributions. This post will highlight her impact on me not only as a photographer but as a person.

I think because I studied with Tamarra so much that her impact was more like a parent’s impact on a child. Think about it, most of us probably don’t have many definitive moments with our parents where they impart a unique singular point of wisdom. Or if there was one we may not remember it.  Our parents shape us over time. The good parents help guide their children to develop in a direction the child ultimately chooses and facilitates their children in finding their own paths in life. Tamarra did this for me both as a person and as a photographer. In retrospect I think she got me to ask myself the right questions to help me figure out where I was going. She encouraged me to think on my own and express myself in the ways which were best for me. She didn’t try to mold me in to the type of photographer she was or get me to adopt all her views on life. She just wanted me to grow in to the best photographer and person I could be and she helped me figure out how to chose which roads to go down.

Tamarra would not hesitate to be completely open and honest with critique of my work and that helped teach me to be able to do the same thing. I think it is fair to say she helped me learn how to step outside of myself when considering my own work which is one of the hardest things for a photographer to do.  She, Bill Jay, and Bill Jenkins probably taught me the most about how to look at photographs.

Again I am thankful Tamarra mentioned that ever so subtly because it allowed me the opportunity to take stock of my past and start to envision the future some more. The teacher continues to help educate the student. Tamarra Kaida had as much influence on my development as a Photographer as anyone else. She is a dear friend who I tried to catch up with on every visit back to Arizona before she moved to paradise. We had so many talks about life as well as photography and thinking about this now has reminded me what a great influence she has been.

I would encourage you to visit her site and experience her images. Tamarra has produced a number of books recently including Signs of Faith which I find very interesting because I am intrigued with roadside memorials and monuments myself.  I would encourage you to follow the link and view it as well as the rest of the books she has out now on Blurb. 

Thanks again Tamarra for your impact on my career and life and for continuing to help me learn.  This post was a good exercise for me, by revisiting the past it has helped me refocus on the future.