david chalk PHOTOGRAPHER / IMAGE MAKER

THE TRULY PERSONAL COMPUTER IS NOT A PC

Chalk finds it easy to imbue his computer imagery with the unmistakable personal imprint he's imposed on the other mediums in which he's worked. "I'm beginning a new series of images that incorporate old photographs, memorabilia, documents, pictures of my great grandfather, and objects from my past that have personal significance. Sometimes I may use something I've scanned in to the system, other times it will be a model I've rendered. Then perhaps a photo will come alive or a voice will drop in. One of my influences is trompe l'oeil painting--giving the illusion of reality. I like the idea of starting out with a scene--what's called a master shot in filmmaking jargon--and then being able move into that scene, explore its different elements."

Not surprisingly, when Chalk looks ahead to his future work, he sees animation. "I still love the printed page, and I always will. But it's natural to take these images I'm making and put them into motion, add audio, whatever. With this great software and Indigo2 Extreme, I have the power. My intention is to approach animation the way I've always approached other mediums. I'm not interested in trying to imitate what other people are doing, or producing what the market says it wants. I'm going to do it my way and then find a market for it. Still, if I wasn't going to do animation at all, I'd want to be working on this platform, absolutely. Time is money, and of the two, time is obviously the one you can never get more of."

Chalk looks around his vast loft workspace filled with photographs, prints, fascinating objects and antique toys. "There are infinite possibilities," he says, "and not enough hours in the day. If only I could use this system to invent an eighth day of the week."