Leviathor

Getting to Antelope Canyon at the right time of day will reward the visitor with spectacular light pillars. This particular spot is the most photogenic, which is evident from the line of photographers recording the event in another of my images.

I'd never understood the attraction of Mono Lake--and visiting it the evening prior to the above exposure increased my doubt of this place. There are probably countless images of the various structures near the South Tufa Reserve, and I figured why should I add another drop to the endless sea of similar images? Well, I woke up early so the light would best serve me, and did it ever. This image not only bolstered my love of the Sierras, but the wild dynamic of light from pre-dawn to just after sunrise was amazing, helping me understand the draw of this area.

And then it was question time!!

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
1. I bought my first SLR in December of 2005. Prior to that I had very limited contact with photography, a Powershot P&S for a couple years was about it.

2: Equipment you use?
A Canon 20D with various red-ring glass. My favorite "walk arounds" are the 70-200 f/2.8L IS and 17-40 f/4L. A 100mm macro for stuff that's really small, a 400mm super-telephoto for things that are far away, and a 50mm prime for things that I can get to. 550EX w/ Omnibounce. Bogen-Manfrotto tripod and head. Lowepro and Pelican for storage. For printing I use an Epson Stylus Photo 2200.

3: Mac or PC?
PC.

4: What inspires you?
The quest for that "perfect exposure".

5: Preferred subject matter?
I really enjoy natural scenes: Landscape and wildlife. However, I'm trying to settle into portraiture and wedding photography.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
An emotive image.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
Someone honest, like a goon who will tell me if something is completely worthless or uninspiring. My mother, who has a degree in art, is very helpful when she's not sugar-coating her replies. My girlfriend has a pretty keen sense for what looks good and what doesn't.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
Qualifications in photography? An understanding of light due to a degree in physics and work with lasers. Photoshop? Playing around--aka: self-educated.

9: Plans for the future?
I would love to open a studio and gallery, making enough money during the studio on-season to vacation and travel over the off-season. Completing a higher degree in physics is also plan; I love research and contributing to the field.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
Understanding. I love to understand what I'm shooting, and try to convey that whenever possible.

Klsanderson

The resource image for this was one of the first photographs I took after getting a digital camera. The calla lilies were for a friend, who had just had a baby (part of the incentive for me getting the camera… must have baby pictures!) and I decided to shoot them against a black background. It was literally the first “good” photograph I’d ever taken… looking at the LCD, rather than through the viewfinder was a revelation “I can SEE!!”


I’m very fond of this image right now, because it came into being as I was unpacking boxes moving into my new apartment. I found a box of old old snapshots I’d taken while teaching and traveling in the late 1970’s (a terrible picture of this poor taxidermied bird… at the time, I was actually aiming at the whole bird!). Combined with an Italian fresco (the hat) and foxtail ferns (shot in Santa Barbara on vacation).

Memories and mementos combine, and lead to unexpected, unplanned results… and I love the process of not knowing where I’m going until I’m there.

Interview with Klsanderson

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I’ve been pointing a digital camera at things for about 3 years.
I’ve been using photographs as inspiration for choreography, theater and teaching for 30 years.
I’ve been “on a roll” and having a wonderful time making digital images, since I started “flickr-ing” just over a year ago – (trying not to be an addict… one does need to sleep occasionally!)

2: Equipment you use?
Camera: Canon G3 – I shoot almost everything in RAW, so I can correct or drastically alter an image in RAW, while keeping the original intact
graphics tablet Wacom Intuos2
Epson Stylus PhotoRX500 scanner (all-in-one)
My images for the most part, use photography as one element in work created with layers of textures, found objects, collaged with scanned images, or manipulated in Photoshop (CS2), or any combination of these.

3: Mac or PC?
Oh yes indeed Mac (ever since my first MacSE and Photoshop 5.0!)

4: What inspires you?
Oh, now that’s a big question.
short answer… coffee (strong), and music (eclectic). Both set my imagination off and running.
longer (but incomplete) answer… I look/listen to what’s around me, and something ‘clicks’, that idea or object nudges something else into outline… and then it’s a scavenger hunt through memory, boxes, cellars, old photos, dictionaries, whatever comes to hand… like working out a puzzle, “does this fit… this, this, this?”
A stroll through my contacts’ images (and their “favorites”) will always give me a jump start… it is impossible not to be inspired and bouyed by so much energy, innovation, variety, and WOW-factor-creative-artistry-and-insights.

5: Preferred subject matter?
Objects. Light. Textures. Old things. Photographs.The things around the house, big and small. Theater of Friends… playing dress up. Anything that will hold still (I’m not so very adept at things that move). I usually use a tripod (not so very adept at steady hand).
And I get out and about to shoot on vacation a couple of times a year… then I’ll shoot anything!!

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
Two things, really… crows in flight, or strutting about, up close and personal.
And portraits… a great portrait takes so much more photographic “chops” than I have right now (but I’m learning, trying, aspiring).

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
I wrangle my friends (and I have great friends) to come over for a look… not so much “what should I do?” but “what do you see?”.

I used to gain wonderful insight into my choreography and theater work through feedback from audiences (“feeling” the audience during performance, and from articulate feedback after). Flickr feels like a dream-audience, an audience of respected friends, peers, mentors, fans, gadflies, gurus, cohorts, critics, and delightful strangers… I learn sooooo much from comments and correspondence.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
Formal training in choreography, theater and costuming.
But none in photography or Photoshop. I’m ‘self-taught’. I’ve always been nerdy… I love Photoshop books, I read manuals, linger over tutorials. And I experiment… I mean after all, it’s not like I’m going to blow the house up experimenting with chemicals… it’s just pixels! (bear in mind, I have infinite respect for those who have the skills to make an image appear out of light, air, paper, and chemistry… it’s just beyond my ken).

9: Plans for the future?
I’m just moving to a larger apartment with a third floor room that I will be able to leave set up with costumes, props, drapes, lights etc… in the Spring I’ll be able to do more “set up” images, and to shoot my friends!

10: In one word, describe your photography.
Imagery

Bazpics

Beach Storm

Beach storm was taken at a beach near
the township of Robe in sth aust. I sat for about an hour
and watched this beautiful approaching storm and captured
this image

Master Of The Dawn

Master of the dawn was taken near Sale in
Gippsland - Victoria. I was traveling on a day trip looking
for photo opportunities and stumbled upon this lord of the
rings looking tree. Hope these shots are ok for you.

Interview With BAZPICS!

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
11 years

2: Equipment you use?
Canon eos 5d and 10d. For landscapes i use a canon 17
- 40mm an for weddings and portraiture i mainly use a canon
24 - 105mm lens.

3: Mac or PC?
PC

4: What inspires you?
Creation

5: Preferred subject matter?
landscapes / seascapes and people

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
The spectacle of lightning

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
my three photographic work friends

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
no initial qualifications as such. I have medium
skills in photoshop and was taught skills i know from my
three work friends.

9: Plans for the future?
To pursue a full time career with my wedding and
portrait photography and have my own studio

10: In one word, describe your photography.
Inspirational

Bratan

Confrontation:
Paris is my home city and I have a passion for it. I make photos here for very long time. 15 years ago, I liked to photograph old inside yards, and especially doors and windows. It is because I like very graphic pics and architecture. I also like very much night shots because Paris is the city of lights.




Stairways to Heaven:
I have a passion for manipulated images. I discovered photoshop few month ago. I shoot a lot of different images and subjects and mix them. I like fantasy very much and always try to find new ideas. I also have a lot of fun when doing funny photomontages.


INTERVIEW WITH BRATAN!

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

More than 25 years!


2: Equipment you use?

Nikon D80 + 18-200 mm VR


3: Mac or PC?

PC


4: What inspires you?

forms and colors


5: Preferred subject matter?

Architecture and photomontage


6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.

Macro


7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?

My friends


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

photoshop, Vue (3D)


9: Plans for the future?

Learn more software


10: In one word, describe your photography.

Fantasy