Audio By Carbonatix
Mixmaster presents “100 Creatives,” in which we feature cultural entrepreneurs of Dallas in random order.
You’ve seen his photography. Justin Terveen takes stunning pictures of the Dallas skyline. He’s got a knack for recognizing the opportune moment to capture an image and the drive to climb to the best vantage point no matter how high. He’s given Dallas residents a new perspective on their hometown and his images have introduced the city to the rest of the world, even sending us to the top of USA Today’s Best International Skyline reader’s poll. He’s the photographer we look to on an unusually foggy day or when lightning appears to strike the Bank of America building. He’s documented our sunrises and the glorious sunsets and everything between. Which is why you might be surprised to hear that he picked up a camera for the first time just 10 years ago.
When did you first pick up a camera?
Late 2004. Borrowed a buddy’s little digital number and it was on from there.
Beyond the general rules of photography, do you have a personal rule for what makes a good photo?
Does it move you? It’s an instantaneous thing. It’s either there, or it’s not. You can feel it in your gut.
What makes a photographer successful? Further, do you consider yourself successful?
I suppose it all depends on how you define success. If we’re talking about business, then making a connection with the people is key. Artistically speaking, it’s about personal fulfillment and advancing your abilities. I’ve both failed and succeeded in either aspect through the years. I never really set out to succeed at anything, so as long as the bills are paid I’m happy.
Any tricks of the trade you would share with young photographers?
Be relentless in what you do. Take risks. Let go of everything in life but your work. Pour every ounce of yourself into that camera and someone will notice. Cue up on what the public wants to see and focus on it. From a technical standpoint, your post game has to be strong. You will never advance as a professional if your attention to detail is lacking. Sharing is caring, and kindness comes back.
Is there something special about Dallas and its skyline that keeps you coming back to it as a subject?
I think it probably links back to my childhood. I remember being totally hooked after visiting Reunion Tower. And there’s always been something about the (possibly cliche) postcard view of the skyline over a flooded Trinity. The way deep blues and reds reflect off of Bank of America and the Hyatt at sunset. We’ve all seen the old 35mm image in Google searches. Aside from 1980s nostalgia, Dallas is just unique. Aesthetically speaking, the skyline is spaced nicely, has good shape, placement, colors, textures, etc. She’s a pretty gal. Day or night.
Other than Dallas, what’s the prettiest thing/place you’ve ever shot?
White Sands, New Mexico. They’re not kidding with that whole “Land of Enchantment” schtick.
Is there ever a day you don’t spend with your camera?
Not really. It’s something you almost feel obligated to have on your person at all times. There’s no such thing as vacation anymore. It’s just a photo trip somewhere other than Dallas.
100 Creatives:
100. Theater Mastermind Matt Posey
99. Comedy Queen Amanda Austin
98. Deep Ellum Enterpriser Brandon Castillo
97. Humanitarian Artist Willie Baronet
96. Funny Man Paul Varghese
95. Painting Provocateur Art Peña
94. Magic Man Trigg Watson
93. Enigmatic Musician George Quartz
92. Artistic Luminary Joshua King
91. Inventive Director Rene Moreno
90. Color Mavens Marianne Newsom and Sunny Sliger
89. Literary Lion Thea Temple
88. Movie Maestro Eric Steele
87. Storytelling Dynamo Nicole Stewart
86. Collaborative Artist Ryder Richards
85. Party Planning Print maker Raymond Butler
84. Avant-gardist Publisher Javier Valadez
83. Movie Nerd James Wallace
82. Artistic Tastemakers Elissa & Erin Stafford
81. Pioneering Arts Advocates Mark Lowry & Michael Warner
80. Imaginative Director Jeremy Bartel
79. Behind-the-Scenes Teacher Rachel Hull
78. Kaleidoscopic Artist Taylor “Effin” Cleveland
77. Filmmaker & Environmentalist Michael Cain
76. Music Activist Salim Nourallah
75. Underground Entrepreneur Daniel Yanez
74. Original Talent Celia Eberle
73. Comic Artist Aaron Aryanpur
72. Classical Thespian Raphael Parry
71. Dance Captain Valerie Shelton Tabor
70. Underground Culture Mainstay Karen X. Minzer
69. Effervescent Gallerist Brandy Michele Adams
68. Birthday Party Enthusiast Paige Chenault
67. Community Architect Monica Diodati
66. Intrepid Publisher Will Evans
65. Writerly Wit Noa Gavin
64. Maverick Artist Roberto Munguia
63. Fresh Perspective Kelsey Leigh Ervi
62. Virtuosic Violinist Nathan Olson
61. Open Classical’s Dynamic Duo Mark Landson & Patricia Yakesch
60. Rising Talent Michelle Rawlings
59. Adventurous Filmmaker Toby Halbrooks
58. Man of Mystery Edward Ruiz
57. Inquisitive Sculptor Val Curry
56. Offbeat Intellect Thomas Riccio
55. Doers and Makers Shannon Driscoll & Kayli House Cusick
54. Performance Pioneer Katherine Owens
53. Experimental Filmmaker and Video Artist Mike Morris
52. Flowering Fashioner Lucy Dang
51. Insightful Artist Stephen Lapthisophon
50. Dallas Arts District
49. Farmer’s Market Localvore Sarah Perry
48. Technological Painter John Pomara
47. Progressive Playmakers Christopher Carlos & Tina Parker
46. Purposive Chef Chad Houser
45. Absorbing Artist Jeff Gibbons
44. Artistic Integrator Erica Felicella
43. Multi-talented Director Tre Garrett
42. Anachronistic Musician Matt Tolentino
41. Emerging Veteran Actor Van Quattro
40. Festival Orchestrator Anna Sophia van Zweden
39. Literary Framer Karen Weiner
38. Man Behind the Music Gavin Mulloy
37. The Godfather of Dallas Art Frank Campagna
36. Rising Star Adam A. Anderson
35. Artist Organizer Heyd Fontenot
34. Music Innovator Stefan Gonzalez
33. Triple Threat Giovanni Valderas
32. Cultural Connector Lauren Cross
31. Critical Artist Thor Johnson
30. Delicate Touch Margaret Meehan
29. Fashion Forward Charles Smith II
28. Dedicated Artist Carolyn Sortor
27. Political Cyber Banksy Wylie H Dallas
26. Dance Preserver Lisa Mesa Rogers
25. Rob ‘Ain’t No Creative Like A Bow-Tie-Wearing Creative’ Shearer
24. Scholar of the Stage Susan Sargeant
