Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Tanakawho

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER:Tanakawho


-- from tanakawho - (?)
This is one of the first photos from the time I began shooting super macro photos. I'm a point-and-shooter but have learned how to do shots like this with loupe thanks for one of my contacts, sakura*aya. Plants seeds always fascinate me & I'm quite pleased with this somewhat unique capture.


-- from tanakawho - (?)

The 2nd choice was really difficult. I love my sakura cat series, shots of some architectures...there are just too many(><).
So I've chosen the one with a rare subject for me. I'm so poor at taking a photo with people in it even if it's not a portrait. This was shot when I was going out of the Coneyisland station. When the view came into the sight, I almost reflectively took out my camera & clicked. I was rather surprised it came out this good(^_^;).

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I began taking photos a little more than 2 years ago. I have been all digital from the start. First purpose was to record some of my flower arrangements(my hobby). Then I found an article about Flickr in a newspaper and...the rest you may be able to guess. I got totally addicted.

2: Equipment you use?
Olympus X100→Olympus SP320→Olympus FE250
I use loupes to take super macro photos. Please read my profile about that.

3: Mac or PC?
PC

4: What inspires you?
Anything I feel interesting.

5: Preferred subject matter?
Animals, modern architecture, waterdrops...etc.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
Spectacular lightenings. I don't think my camera allows that but some day I'll get a DSLR and...

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
No one special. All the great photographers & their photos in Flickr will inspire me.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
Nothing. I'm self-taught or I'm a student of Flickr.


9: Plans for the future?
Well...I'm a publishing translator(mainly American mystery, horror, SF novels into Japanese) and hope to do the covers of the books I translate. Actually I have already realized it once(^_^;) but I want more.


10: In one word, describe your photography.
Variety?

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Extra Medium

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER:Extra Medium


-- from Extra Medium - (?)
I've always been a fan of fashion even though my talents lie more in landscape photography. While on travel earlier this year, I decided to try to blend the two worlds and hire a model to test some shots out in this beautiful valley surrounded by buttes. She was excellent at posing and we got a bunch of cool shots as the sun was setting.


-- from Extra Medium - (?)
I've always had a fascination with barns. Growing up in the LA suburbs we didn't have many around, so when I was in the middle of California and saw this barn at sunrise, I quickly backed onto the property, setup my tripod, got a few shots, and with a little HDR processing, got this shot. Sure trespassing is wrong, but my philosophy has always been, "Great shots don't come from following the rules"

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I remember taking my first photo the last day of high school (1992) and since then tried to always photograph the world around me. But only in the last 3 years have I really taken it seriously. Really unfortunate too because I've visited 25 countries, and really had no idea what I was doing.

2: Equipment you use?
I'm very fortunate to be able to use my father-in-law somewheretropical's Nikon equipment. He's been more than generous. He lets me use his D3, 300 2.8, 400 2.8 and just about everything else. Just recently I picked up the 85 1.4D and... oh.... the possibilities. I also have my eye on the new Tokina 11-16 to help further my landscape shots.

3: Mac or PC?
I've been using PC computers since 1986. I don't see myself changing anytime soon. I'm a unix systems engineer by trade, so I'm used to old school technology that brakes a lot.

4: What inspires you?
You know the photographers on Flickr inspire me the most. Coming on here every day and seeing the creative and beautiful images my peers create is more than enough inspiration for me to go out and try new things. I mean, where else would I have learned about tilt-shift miniature fakes and HDR?

5: Preferred subject matter?
I don't like babies. They don't listen well. That's the only thing I've had difficulty with. I honestly love shooting weddings because there is nothing more beautiful than a bride on her wedding day. I also really enjoy landscapes because it's just as difficult to shoot something popular (think Grand Canyon) when you have a dozen people taking the same shot, makes me think "what do I need to do in order to get something original here". I'm also getting into car photography and have really enjoyed the maternity shoots I've done recently too.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
I'd really like to get a media pass for a Laker game and sit behind the basket and shoot back there.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
I don't really know. I just keep looking and do more research. I do talk with a lot of people on here, and most of the time they're very generous with their thoughts and how to do things.

8: Qualifications/training in anything?
I am completely self-taught, with a lot of help from the people on here and my peers. Again, lots of research and practice.

9: Plans for the future?
I have a day job which I do pretty well at. I'd love to do photography full time, but not until it pays more than my day job. That might not happen for a while, so until then, I'm redesigning my website and always trying to shoot more, and shoot different things. I'm always up for a challenge.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
Strategy

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Cinema Cowgirl

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: CinemaCowgirl

A scene suggestive of so many possible storylines for me. And I can't help but love the rich golds. Taken with my Super Ikonta.

-- from CinemaCowgirl - (?)

I just love the atmosphere here, and how the light washes out what were once extraordinarily lush colors. Also taken with my Super Ikonta

-- from CinemaCowgirl - (?)

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I've been taking pictures since I was about 5 years old, but I only seriously started getting involved with photography about 3-4 years ago. I'm a visual being, and after I stopped working on filmmaking, I needed something to fill the creative void, and a way to express myself. Photography is definitely my primary passion now.

2: Equipment you use?
When I'm shooting digital, I'm almost always using my Nikon D300. A few of my favorite lenses are my buttery smooth Nikkor 85mm f/1.4, my always reliable Nikkor 50mm f/1.8, and my workhorse, the Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8.
I have a collection of older film cameras, but I most often shoot with my Zeiss Super Ikonta IV when using film. I also love using my Polaroid sx-70 and 600SE cameras.

3: Mac or PC?
I used PC for years, but switched over to Mac when I started working on films some years ago. Mac is definitely my computer of choice now for all of my photography work.

4: What inspires you?
I'm inspired by many things - films (of all ages and genres), books of all kind, the work of other photographers, musicians and artists, people-watching, my dreams and fantasies, conversations, visiting new places, light, shadows, empty spaces, found objects, science, history... the list goes on and on.

5: Preferred subject matter?
I gravitate towards shooting things that to me, are rich in history or dripping with atmosphere or suggestions of narratives. Ideally, I try to find a way to build on what I already see, by adding my own dramatic lighting or using a subject that suits a certain scene or can interact with particular objects to enhance an imagined plot or atmosphere. I'm addicted to light (even as a subject). Sometimes I seek out good light first and foremost and then build a scene or story around it.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
I can't think of one particular thing or moment that I've always wanted to capture that I haven't yet. A large percentage of my photography revolves around arranged/planned shoots, and I have an endless list of ideas that I have yet to execute. I hope I always have enough ideas where there's something I'm aching to shoot that I haven't gotten around to yet!

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
I tend to be a very private person (despite what some of my photography might suggest.) I definitely go through phases where I have doubts or insecurities about my art, or my ideas, or my direction, but I'm not quick to reveal those feelings. I do, however, have a very small handful of close family members and friends who I confide in when I'm truly hitting my head against the wall. Ultimately it's just nice to have people you trust who will listen when you're hoping to be heard.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
All of my official training is in filmmaking. Generally speaking, I'm self-taught as a photographer and photo editor (though I think my filmmaking skills have definitely helped me in many ways).

9: Plans for the future?
I would love to find a way to work on my photography full time. Currently, I work a day job and do my personal shooting and freelance work on the side. Making the transition to doing photography work full time seems like a gigantic leap at the moment (NYC certainly isn't a cheap place to live!), but that's my long term goal. I have a couple of lengthy personal projects I'd like to start work on (one of those being a multi-media project), and I want to arrange a gallery show of some sort featuring those projects in the future. I've also contemplated trying to put together a gallery show featuring the work of a couple handfuls of local NYC flickrites.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
Evocative.

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Genevieve Van Doren

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER:Genevieve van Doren


-- from genevieve van doren - (?)
I like this one because i try something new for me and i was satisfaite from the results...hahaha !!!


-- from genevieve van doren - (?)
And here i was learning about texture,and this lemon plant is crowning in my livingroom...

1. How long have you been involved in photography?
Since i was a child I loved photographie !!! but at this time it was not usual,and when i have my first camera it was a very,very small one from KODAK...the photos where thumbnails,but it was not a toy...it was a real one !!!

2: Equipment you use?
A KODAK Easyshare Z710 and a Xenar Wide Angle Lens 0.7X55mm.

3: Mac or PC?
PC

4: What inspires you?
Everything from nature...and Beauty...

5: Preferred subject matter?
Trees and landscapes...and people when they dont know it !!!

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
Something extraordinary that i dont expect...


7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
Then i look at the big masters of Arts in books and musea,and i wait for one day or 2,and start again with enthousiasme and new energie !!!

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
Yes photoshop,and i look to the other friends in Flickr,and try to learn from the technic,sometimes i ask how they do it...


9: Plans for the future?
Of course i have plans...to get better and better,and enjoy it every day !!!

10: In one word, describe your photography.
One word...Joy !!!