An Image a Day: an Interview with @rantonerik
Editor’s Note: Originally published February 21, 2017. Updated November 11, 2021.
If you've tuned in to any of our #liveineverett posts, chances are you've seen photographer @rantonerik's posts on a regular basis. We were intrigued with this stranger's impeccable images of Everett, so we reached out for an interview so this stranger would become a friend.
We hope you enjoy getting to know Robert Anton-Erik and how he came to be debatably the best Instagramer of Everett.
You shoot really impressive photos on Instagram. Do you take photos for a living?
Thanks for the compliment! While I don't take photos for a living, I do work (in software development) for a leading image media company: Getty Images. Everyone at Getty is passionate about photography, which is one of the reasons I wanted to work there.
Where are you from?
I'm a Washington native, born in Moses Lake. I've lived most of my life in Idaho and Washington. Although when I was a child, my family lived in Kansas for a few years. I've lived in Everett since 2000.
How long have you been taking photos?
Most of my life. I started as a kid, in the 80s, when my parents gave me my first camera one Christmas—a Kodak Pocket Instamatic. In the 90s I learned black-and-white film development. In the 2000s I switched to digital.
I fell out of photography for many years, until I started getting interested in taking landscape photos on my iPhone when hiking and backpacking—I felt a strong desire to try to capture some of the great beauty of our state. Then last summer I decided I wanted to get a bit more serious, which led me to join Instagram and start sharing more.
What do you think is the most picturesque place in Everett to shoot photos
Probably the Everett Waterfront. There's many interesting things to photograph: The marina, beaches, piers and docks, the Port of Everett.
You're pretty active on Instagram. Is that your favorite place to share your photos?
I also post to Facebook, but Instagram is great because of its photography orientation, so I get more follower interaction and comments than on Facebook.
Favorite shot of Everett you've ever taken?
An evening long-exposure shot I made of the Port of Everett cranes that captured some amazing colors.
Favorite place in general to take photos (urban, nature, etc)?
Tough question—it changes frequently! I love trying to capture interesting, occasionally semi-abstract, shots in downtown, especially in alleys. The waterfront frequently calls to me. Lately I've been interested in the Snohomish and Skykomish Rivers. Basically I consider myself predominantly a landscape photographer, but I'm attracted to both urban and natural landscapes.
Are there any photographers that you're a fan of?
Of the well-known classic photographers, I'm a fan of Eugène Atget (for his "urban landscapes" of Paris), Ansel Adams (for his amazing landscapes, of course), and William Eggleston (for his use of color). On Instagram, I'm a fan of @jbmoorephoto, and @fpenta.
If you could only use one hashtag for the rest of your photo-taking life, what would it be?
#liveineverett of course! But seriously, probably #landscape.
Any advice for beginner photographers who want to improve their craft?
Learn how human visual perception works, i.e. what makes something visually appealing. A great way to do this is to study other visual arts such as drawing or painting.
Also, learn how human visual perception differs from what the camera "sees", so you can learn to understand and anticipate how and why photos don't match our direct experience.
What motivates/ inspires you to go out and shoot photos?
The amount of money I've spent on photo gear motivates me to use the gear so I feel like I'm getting my money's worth! Also, after joining Instagram I decided to set a goal to post an image a day, which helps motivate me to get out and shoot frequently. Getting 'likes' also motivates me!
What else should we know? Any last words?
Thanks for featuring me! It's very gratifying to know people enjoy my photos.
Thanks for the interview @rantonerik! If you'd like to follow Robert on Instagram, we're sure he wouldn't be opposed.
Live in Everett is a media outlet dedicated to reporting on the good things that happen in our city. We like to share about new restaurants, culture, events, and opportunities for civic engagement. Learn more about us here, and join us as we proudly wave the Everett flag.
