*Elle*

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: *Elle*


-- from *Elle* - (?)
Myanmar 2007


-- from *Elle* - (?)
Deadvlei - Namib desert 1999

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
Since I’ve been 13.
I started travelling some years later, taking photographs has been a way to recall at home the emotions got around the world.

2: Equipment you use?
My equipment: I started with a Rolleiflex, than I passed to Nikon –cameras, the 1.st has been the FE2. My 1st digital-camera was the Sony DSC-F828, wich I bought 2004, I bought it very doubtfully. Since February I use the Nikon D200 whit
Nikon Lens Series E 28mm 1:2.8,
Nikon Lens Series E 50mm 1:1,
AF Nikkor 35-70 1:3.3-4.5,
AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1:2.8,
AF Nikkor ED 80-200mm 1:2.8 D,
AF-S Nikkor 18-70mm 1:3.5-4.5 G ED
AF Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4-5.6 G

3: Mac or PC?

4: What inspires you?
I’m fascinated and inspired by the light in all its appearances, and all that’s creating emotions. It could be the glance of a child or the petals, the landscape of a desert or architecture, the light in the sky through the clouds. I love details.

5: Preferred subject matter?
All the situations when light sculptors, touches or strokes a surfaces, persons, things, the landscape, the clouds. Only recently I also use the wide-angle lens which I did not like earlier. I preferred the tele-photo lens.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
I would like to “freeze” drops at the very moment they touch the water-surface. I did not manage till now, but to be sincere I did not try seriously.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
For technical issues I ask someone (also in Flickr) or I search in books or magazines. What concerns my photos I send to Flickr, those I like. Sometimes I’m surprised for pictures I consider success I expected; on the other hand pictures I judge average are appreciated more than meant. Someone gives very good advices, I appreciate them very much. I am convinced Flickr has also this mission: help to see with more eyes and from different angles of view.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
I did not attend courses and I read little about photographie. I ever followed my feeling, my istinct, my heart. I see for improvement (I feel the need of it) I must learn a lot and I’m moving. To say it with Henri Cartier Bresson, I will be able to use head & heart. Since I’ve joined Flickr (February 2006) I got to know Photoshop and I’m learning to use it with the support of books.

9: Plans for the future?
I will learn to use better Photoshop to improve my creativity. I feel I can express it also in the treatment of the pictures, but I will underline that the basis must be a good shot. Treatment I compare to a womans make-up wich must emphasizen her natural beauty and should not alter her or make her ugly.

10: In one word, describe your photography
For me taking photos is catch, keep and donate EMOTIONS. Without this “ingredient” every picture is flat, this adiction is basic. With photography I can give a shape to my emotions and one of my biggest pleasures is to share them.

Rod Monkey

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Rod Monkey



-- from Rod Monkey - (?)
Look Sharp
My most popular image with over 700 faves - he's a street performer taken at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. There are quite a few shots of this guy (Chris Green) on Flickr. He's very photogenic obviously, so it would have been difficult to take a bad shot of him, but I think I have the definitive image, for two reasons - the composition and the sepia conversion, which very surprisingly I don't think anybody else tried. As soon as I saw him on the street I knew exactly what the final image would look like. This was voted TWTME Photo Of the Year which was a huge compliment - thanks to all who voted for it and faved it.


-- from Rod Monkey - (?)
Luksfera Radiator
Very different to Look Sharp in that the subject matter on the face of it is so unlikely - if somebody had told me that a pic of an old radiator would end up with 300 faves I would have just laughed. I love the fact that such a 'boring' subject has done so well, and that it showcases the whole creative process - conceiving the image in my head, composing and taking the shot, and the post-processing which really adds something special.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

For about 30 years now (so I started aged 4...ahem :) Like many, my interest has been totally re-invigorated by the digital revolution. I know the purists will sneer, but there's no way I could go back to a darkroom now - I love the immediacy and endless possibilities that today's technology allows.

2: Equipment you use?

Canon EOS 5D with Canon EF IS USM 24-105 and 70-300 zoom lenses - a fabulous camera and two very versatile lenses. I also recently bought an Elinchrom D-Lite2 home studio kit which I'm having loads of fun with, never really having done any portrait work before.

3: Mac or PC?

Currently a PC, but have been seduced by a sleek, shiny, sexy 24 inch iMac which I hope to be drooling over on my desk within a few weeks.

4: What inspires you?

The vast range of hugely talented photographers on Flickr - the amazing shots they take and the wonderful feedback & encouragement they give you. Aaw shucks...group hug!

5: Preferred subject matter?

My stream has a fair range of subjects - landscapes, studio portraits, street shots etc, but my favourite subject would have to be architecture. I love buildings with strong lines, bold colours, repeating patterns and dramatic perspectives.

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

No particular subject matter, although a studio session with Scarlett Johansson wouldn't be too shabby :) I still haven't taken a photo that I'm completely happy with, so I guess what I really want is to finally get something that ticks all the boxes, if that's possible.


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

I've made a number of great contacts through Flickr and I often ask for opinions on cropping, processing etc. Two long-standing Flickr buddies whose work and opinions I really respect are Ohsoabnormal (Caroline) and Bukutgirl (Liz). I also introduced one of my best friends to Flickr and he's now very active (Kenny Maths), although his stuff is rubbish and I wouldn't listen to anything he says :)

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

Self-taught in Photoshop (I would highly recommend Scott Kelby's excellent PS books for very readable, practical advice). I also went on a photo holiday to the American South West with Nigel Turner, a pro landscape photographer, which was excellent. He really made me think about what I was trying to achieve with the image I was taking, and also totally changed my attitude to quality. I post very infrequently and would much rather have a small stream of (hopefully) quality images than one with loads of filler.


9: Plans for the future?

Travel more, photograph more, age less.


10: In one word, describe your photography

Improving.

Fotonstudio

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Fotonstudio

This is life......

-- from fotonstudio - (?)
My favorite subject matter is portraiture, and this image, for me, resumes what a good portrait must have... a real/natural expression, feelings, a life behind or/and ahead and a look from and to the subject's soul.

ManojoTextured, SpecialEdition.

-- from fotonstudio - (?)
This a special edition for The World Trough My Eyes, I just wanted to thank all the admins for chosing me as the featured photographer of the week. This image was originally taken for the cover of a book of the University of Huelva. It mainly represents what I want to express with my Photographs ..... Respect, Diversity, Originality and specially Freedom of Expression. It was my first success here in flickr and one of my favorite images ever, that's why I chose it to be here. Thank You Very Much.

P.S maybe you want to see the original image, here's the link...
www.flickr.com/photos/fotonstudio/307787745/

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

Since I was 6 years old. I got my first camera as a present and it was then when I discovered that what I wanted to do in my life was learning how to use that magic box. That means many, many, many years ago ;-)

2: Equipment you use?

My beautiful and powerful Mamiya 645, my old but still great Canon New F1, my wonderful Canon Eos1, my Konica/Minolta Dynax 5D and my little jewel, my Canon PowerShot A640, always with me.

3: Mac or PC?

I love Macs but I have to use both. Mac for graphics, images and creative activities, Pc's for internet and communications... but have a good antivirus!!

4: What inspires you?

The light, the moment, a face, a smile, a look, a backlight, a movement, a beach ...... all that and many more things.....

5: Preferred subject matter?

People, faces, backlights, beach shots... and actors.

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

An Earth view from the Moon.... but it may take a long time to do that, so I'd rather say that would love to photograph the yanomami indians in Amazonas or the Noubas in Sudan... if they're still alive :_____)

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

In some special friends, but usually I don't ask, it's my work and if I'm wrong it's just my fault, I assume that.


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

I studied Fashion Photography and Portraiture, Cinematography, Photoshop, DreamWeaver, Macromedia Flash, etc... I love computers!


9: Plans for the future?

Actually I'm bulding my new web site with my works, hope it will be online very soon... and to keep on learning, everyday, here in flickr and everywhere.


10: In one word, describe your photography.

It's a word that many of my friends, contacts, visitors and customers use, ..... Colourful.

Mykl Mabalay

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Mykl Mabalay


-- from mykl mabalay - (?)
This was taken during the 'Cenakulo' in Cainta, Philippines. During the Lenten Season, devotees reenact the Passion of Christ and remember his ultimate sacrifice. Religion plays an important role in the Filipino culture and it is not uncommon to see this practice in different provinces.


-- from mykl mabalay - (?)
I have to say that this is one of my most intense images. The kid's stare, the leaves, the drop of water, all work together to grab the viewers' attention. I shot this image together with some close friends in Pagsanjan, Laguna, Philippines.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
The photography bug bit me last February 2006 only. I wanted to learn how to shoot portraits a few months before my son, Lorenzo, was born.

2: Equipment you use?
I use either a Canon Powershot S3 IS or a Canon 350D with a 24-70mm L lens for most of my photos.

3: Mac or PC?
I currently use a PC for post-processing my photos but I'm willing to try out a Mac one of these days.

4: What inspires you?
My family, friends, and the beautiful people of the Philippines.

5: Preferred subject matter?
People and emotions

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
It's my dream to shoot the different tribal groups in the Philippines, from Luzon to Mindanao.


7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
My wife is my biggest supporter and she is also my worst critic.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
I enrolled in a number of photography workshops when I was just starting out in photography. It was important for me to learn the fundamentals properly. However, the most important skills that led to my growth in this hobby were things that I learned from friends who share the same interest.

9: Plans for the future?
To continue to learn and enjoy photography as a hobby

10: In one word, describe your photography.
Emotive