Monday, December 22, 2008

Josh Sommers

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Josh Sommers

Golden Gate Panorama (Revised) by Josh Sommers
I don't usually take pictures of monuments, but this photo of the Golden Gate Bridge is one of my personal favorites. This photo truly represents a snapshot of the world through my eyes. :)

Leap of Faith by Josh Sommers
Many of my images involve a great deal of post production; compositing, masking, tweaking, warping, etc. But this image didn't require any of that. I like it for its simplicity. I also love when nothing goes right in a shoot, but you wind up with something better than what you were trying to achieve on accident, and this shot is a prime example of that. The flash misfired resulting in just my silhouette being captured, but in the end, this shot was better than any of the shots where the flash had fired.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

I got my first digital camera in 2003. It was a simple point and shoot and I only used it casually. I had a more advanced P&S after that, but again, I really only used it casually and not really in an artistic manner. But I really got involved in photography in November when I purchased my first (and so far only) DSLR, the Canon Rebel XTi. Photography has been my primary focus since then, well outside of work that is.

2: Equipment you use?

I shoot exclusively with my Digital Rebel XTi (although I'm patiently waiting for the 5D Mark II to come in on special order at my local camera shop!)

Lenses:
Canon 10-22mm lens
Canon 24-70mm f2.8 L
Canon 70-200 f4 L IS
Canon 50mm f2.8 Macro

Other Gear:
Manfrotto Carbon Fiber Tripod with Pistol Grip Ballhead
Nodal Ninja 3 Panoramic Tripod Head
Cokin Z Filter System
Cactus Wireless Radio Trigger
Canon Speedlight 430ex
2x Sunpak 383 flash
2x 150ws Studio Strobes
2x White Umbrellas
2x Silver Umbrellas
2x Gold Umbrellas
2x Softboxes

3: Mac or PC?
I began as a Mac user when I was 13, but at age 19 I had to make the conversion to PC because I was completing my bachelor's degree in CIS and it wasn't exactly a Mac friendly environment. So I made the switch to PC and I never looked back. Photoshop was the same on both so it didn't really matter to me. Now I prefer PC, but I'll always have a special place in my heart for Mac. :)

4: What inspires you?
Geeze, I don't know. What doesn't inspire me? Actually to tell the truth, one of my main sources for inspiration is the flickr community. I am inspired by the wonderful work I see from my fellow photographers and artists here on flickr, and the kind words, meaningful comments and positive energy that come from flickr are what keep me up late at night trying to finish my latest piece in time to post it before bed. I am also inspired by nature, and extreme weather. Also puppies. And sunsets.

5: Preferred subject matter?
A sunset at the beach after a storm.

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

A puppy playing at the beach, at sunset, after a storm. Also, bigfoot.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
My parents. Both of my parents are artists, and I'm very close to them, so when I'm feeling doubtful about my art, I confide in them, and they always help me snap out of it.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
No official training in Photoshop or Photography. Most of what I know about Photography I learned on flickr. I learned Photoshop the easy way: I got my hands on it when I was 13 and never let go. :)

9: Plans for the future?
Keep shooting, keep Photoshopping, keep expressing and most importantly, keep learning.

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

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