David Coyle — juliewang

In the quiet of the early morning, what might one encounter? What does the still, unawakened world inspire us to seek? For David Coyle, whose muse often awaits him in the first light of day, the early hours mark the beginning of a journey that encapsulates the essence of his creative spirit.

David photographs capture an eerie and abandoned atmosphere, evoking feelings of loss and disconnection, all while bathed in a sublime and moody tone. Within obscure, small towns, remote locations, amid wet weather and silence, his work strikes a delicate balance between the familiar and the uncanny. This allows viewers to tap into a collective nostalgia for places they’ve never been, and through this, we witness the beauty of the everyday from a new perspective.

In this interview, we will delve deeper into his unique artistic journey, the influences that have shaped his work, and the powerful message he hopes to convey through his evocative photography. Photography may seem like a passion to many, but for some, it is a life-saving skill, a medium through which we can appreciate the stories of others, gain fresh perspective, and find solace in the beauty of the world.

1. Your work predominantly features black and white photography, particularly showcasing small town landscapes. What drew you to this aesthetic choice of black and white, and how does it contribute to the atmosphere of your photographs?

Black and white has been a fairly recent aesthetic choice for me. My intent for my images is to create a quiet, meditative, and almost dreamlike atmosphere and I believe that black and white gives me the best opportunity to accomplish that.

2. The landscapes you capture seem to lose some of their recognizable aspects due to the lack of color and moody blurry. What do you hope viewers experience when looking at these images, and what message or feeling are you trying to convey through the absence of color?

My hope is that people viewing my work find something that resonates with them in a way that makes them want to slow down and really take the image in. I also feel that when I was shooting in color, I relied heavily upon color being almost the primary subject. With black and white, I want to really highlight and focus on what has caught my attention.

3. Many of your photos feature rainy, moody, and blurred elements. Are these primarily a reflection of the weather conditions, or do they hold a deeper meaning or intention in your work?

I’m definitely drawn to moody weather, and I feel that there is deeper meaning at play. Photography is a meditative process for me which has allowed for a lot of self reflection. I’ve battled with alcoholism over the years and I know that my internal dialogue and feelings from that experience show up in my images. This is definitely evident in my project Yesterday You Said Tomorrow, which is a visual narrative of my feelings and emotions leading up to quitting drinking. I’m currently 15 months sober so I’m seeing more peaceful and calming images lately.

4. Your work often appears to be a collection of random shots, yet there's an underlying sense that you are seeking something within them. Can you elaborate on what you're searching for through your photography?

Great question. I found photography almost three years ago while looking for a new creative outlet. It has quickly grown to so much more and has very much become a passion of mine. It is a practice that I am fully engaged in and I’m grateful it has become part of my life. I don’t necessarily feel like I’m searching for anything through photography, but rather I’m interested in seeing what reveals itself through my images.

5. It's evident that your photography features various recurring elements like motels, foggy nights, empty roads, less energetic farm animals, and lonely birds. Do you intentionally seek to establish a connection or narrative among these elements in your photographs, and if so, what is the overarching story you aim to convey through them?

Initially no, but over time, I have found that this is absolutely what I’m drawn to. I think there’s a few things at play here. Being an only child, dealing with some lingering issues from my past, my battle with alcohol, being a bit of an introvert. I believe that these things show up in my work in different ways. I also prefer to shoot early in the morning and appreciate the solitude.

6. Your website showcases various photo projects that appear to be distinct bodies of work. Can you share your experience and insights into how you approach and develop these projects, from concept inception to the final presentation of your work?

I’ve found that I have to let projects or ideas for projects happen on their own time. At this point, I’d say that Yesterday You Said Tomorrow is my only true project. It’s such a personal and meaningful project to me and I feel it’s really come together. I’ve grouped my other work based upon location for now and will let those images find their way into a project over time. I have a few ideas for projects and am starting the process of grouping images together. I think the title of the work is extremely important and that helps guide me in selecting the images and creating the overall vibe of the project that I’m looking for.

7. Over time, have you developed a specific style or signature approach to your photography, and if so, how would you describe it?

I think that since a majority of my shooting happens very early in the morning, my work for the foreseeable future will have a similar aesthetic. I’m very much along for the ride in this journey and I’m excited to see how my style evolves over time. I find the work of Todd Hido, Michael Kenna, and Jungjin Lee all very inspiring so I feel like they have some subconscious influence in my images.

8. How do you view photography as a means to express your thoughts and emotions and connect with your audience or the world at large or address any inner conflicts?

Photography has become a tool for me for living an examined life. I’ve put in a lot of work over the past few years to address the inner conflicts that had been weighing on me and photography has been a cathartic part of the process. I make work that I love and I think it’s wonderful if it resonates with others, as well.

9. In your opinion, what's the most significant message or emotion you hope your viewers take away from your photographs?

I think it would be amazing if viewing my work made someone want to take action in their own life. For instance, if someone is dealing with some personal struggle and after seeing Yesterday You Said Tomorrow, they decided to take that first step in addressing whatever issue it is they’re dealing with.

10. Looking ahead, do you have any specific goals or aspirations for your photography in the future?

I would love to see my work on view in a gallery and in book form. I was recently announced as a finalist and juror’s pick for the LensCulture 2023 Emerging Talent award so I’m hoping to build some momentum off of that. Overall, I love photography and I’m grateful to be on this journey. I’m going to continue to make pictures regardless of the outcome.

Thanks David and please find more his works @dcoyle

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