Brandon Ruffin is an Oakland based, multidisciplinary artist, best known for his visual storytelling in the mediums of photography and film under the moniker Ruff Draft.
Brandon attributes his style of storytelling to the exploration of identity as well as how identity influences the movements and cultures of people within society. Brandon uses the physical properties of contrasting light, color, and subject matter to create unique juxtapositions that will yield evocative narratives surrounding the human experience.
Brandon’s goal is to allow his work to serve as a mirror in which people can observe themselves and dissect the idea of who we are and why, as well as who we can be. These questions are ones that drive Brandon and have been the fuel in his artistic explorations as he explores his own identity and potential.
In 2020 Brandon was accepted into the FujiFilm X-Photographer program where he stayed while completing numerous works until 2022
In 2023 Brandon became an official Leica USA Ambassador as well as having a body of experimental portraiture work showcased in the “This Must Be The Place” exhibition curated and hosted at the Leica Gallery San Francisco.
In 2023 Brandon wrote and directed “Faded Requiem” which was awarded “Best Narrative Drama” by the San Francisco International Film Awards. Brandon also served as 1st AD for the short film “Strength” which won “Best Narrative Drama” at the San Francisco Black Film Festival.
Brandon currently works on a research team in the field of Computational Photography at Google, pushing the capabilities of AI, machine learning, and traditional photography. Brandon has had an active role in developing the Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel 8, and Pixel 9.
Brandon has given lectures at multiple academic institutions as well as given instructional workshops for tech leaders such as Google, Apple, and VSCO.
Brandon is a contributor for publications such as Rolling Stone, New York Times, and the San Francisco Chronicle.
He has risen as a prominent community builder in the photography world as founding member of OAKSPC (Oakland Street Photography Club) and Cameras and Coffee Club which has collaborated with Leica, Photoville, Sammy’s Camera, and Color Of Coffee.
Brandon is currently a contributing editor for the San Francisco based photography publication Pamplemousse Magazine as well as on the Board of Directors for the non-profit Pamplemousse Projects.
We are thrilled to welcome Brandon to the APA SF Board of Directors!
Check out Brandon's work by visiting his website or instragram.
