The Sinful Works of Guitar Doug

by Chuck Foster
January 2009

The Relationship Guitar Doug and I have developed over the past two years has probably been as aggravating as it has beneficial. This feature alone has been as much of a thorn in my side as has any other moment with Doug. I’m sure he will admit the same about me after this issue is finally completed. In all honesty, though, it was my invitation that found him on the cover, not his request. His photography over the last year has improved greatly with god-speed. I felt it would be to The Sinner’s benefit to feature him this month, even with what troubles I knew might lie ahead.

Having been a camera nut since a child, he admits that his newfound interest in photography has much to do with the purchase of a new camera, a 2008 Cannon Rebel XSI 12.4 mega-pixel. One could argue the acquirement of such a fine camera makes the purchaser about as much of a professional photographer as it does a sixteen-year-old with a 1963 Watson Roadster an Indy Race car diver, but it isn’t a bad place to start, either. Experience and constantly challenging one’s self is the path to professionalism, and Doug is certainly not a stranger of this road.

I asked Doug who had influenced his photography the most this past year, his answer was hardly surprising. “Most of my influences are local photographers, many of whom have been featured in The Sinner. RJB, Mike Rhine, Nate Manning, Donald Holman, Matt The Photographer and Dr. Steve are all people whose work I admire and learn from by just following everything they produce.” When I asked about photographers known abroad, Doug speaks of Alice Wheeler, who photographed him and his friend Eddie for an article in The Stranger a few years back. Wheeler is also known for shooting celebrities such as Kurt Cobain and Bill Clinton, not to mention having her work featured at The Henry Art Gallery in 2005 and numerous other galleries across the country. Mostly Doug accredits his time spent with RJB, that “weaseling” his way onto several complicated shoots with Rob has been a crash course in the field, knowledge he could never have learned in any photography course.

As a local photographer, I asked Doug what had been the most fulfilling part of this gig for him? “The most fulfilling aspect of my work is dealing with local performers and bands who actually use my work for promotion. When I see a band like The Spittin’ Cobra’s or Neon Nights use my photography on the band’s official website, it blows my mind.” When it comes to Doug’s future, I asked where he would like to see himself in the next year, and then five years? “I know for sure that my work will continue during the next year, but where it will be five years from now is anyone’s guess. I mean, two years ago I never would have even thought I would be a music writer, and sure as hell never would have thought I would be talking about photography in a magazine interview. My life is too unusual to plan, so who knows where I will be five years from now.”

I finished by asking Doug if he had any last words. As expected, he had more than a few. “I only would like to thank you for featuring me this month, the many photographers I have worked with over the last two years, the bands I work with who trust me enough to invite me to all sorts of personal events to photograph them, and all the beautiful woman who have been involved with my work as models. All these folks make me look much better than I really am, and I owe these pros a debt of gratitude. As far as advice goes, I would only say to do what you feel your called to do at any given time in your life. Never listen to naysayers but only your own instincts and inner voice. Really, you have all the answers you need as an artist built in already. Nobody outside you can bring them to the surface. If you’re an artist, be an artist. If your a musician, be a musician.”

If you’re not already a friend of Guitar Doug’s on MySpace (www.myspace.com/guitardoug), you can do so there and find several other intriguing images of his. If nothing more, it’s a trip well spent to read entertaining blogs, nightlife recaps and general underground bullshit and a bit of gossip now and then.