Rich66

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Rich66


This is one of those peaceful places I could sit all day, lost in a world of Eco! It provides great inspiration. The marsh along the greenway is home to so many aquatic animals. A thriving eco-system.


I love wildlife. And this black squirrel (yeah, I know it's brown) and his buddies were so curious when I went to a local park that they would come right up and feed out of your hand. Some would literally pose for the camera. How could you resist the cute face on this little guy?

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

Actually not very long at all. About 5 years. Introduced to world of digital photography and Flickr by my friend Jeanie's Pics, a great photographer in her own right. We started geocaching and then decided to bring our camera's along in the hunt for the caches. We were exposed to so many new areas of New England that we had to document what we saw: landscapes, animals, structures, etc.

2: Equipment you use?

Kodak Easy Share Z712 IS. Hoping Santa got my letter for an upgrade.

3: Mac or PC?

PC, though I've heard MAC really has it's advantages. An upgrade is possible in a few years. Hey, it took me until this year to buy an iPod and they've been around forever.

4: What inspires you?

Natural elements and the seasons. Luckily for me New England experiences all 4 seasons and provides an abundant source of different landscapes and wildlife. I receive alot of inspiration just viewing all of my Flickr friend's photos as well.

5: Preferred subject matter?

Wildlife, landscapes, waterfalls and rustic settings & structures. Every now and then I'll find something that doesn't fall into those categories which takes me out of my element. Those are kind of fun to capture too. What I try to do is bring a little bit of my world in New England to all of you.

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

Living in New England I have yet to see a moose in person. The only moose I see are those on the Moose Crossing signs. I would really love to get a shot of one of these elusive and majestic animals. Another animal I want to photograph is a river otter.

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

Myself. I'll take photos and look at them for a while before deciding it's good enough. Something within the frame has to jump out at me before I give myself the greenlight to upload it. As I mentioned above, just viewing other photos here on Flickr is a true inspiration. That allows me to self-critique the images I capture as well.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

None really. I use Picasa to touch up or crop images but basically that's it. Alot of trial and error.

9: Plans for the future?

To continue being inspired by the world around me and share what I see with you. I've recently had a photo published in our local paper and had 2 of them placed in a Town Calendar. Maybe someday I'll showcase some photos in an exhibition or something like that. I think it would be cool.

10: In one word, describe your photography.

How about a hyphenated word....Eco-Friendly.

Dani℮l

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Dani℮l


This is HDR. I really like the perspective here as well as the strong and dynamic sky. The very low viewpoint is a thing I use a lot in my photography…



This is not one of my newest but I’m still amazed by the way the elements of nature can shape a landscape like in this view. This shot was taken on one of the Dutch islands which are one of my top favourite places to shoot.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I’ve been interested in photography for a long time since I was young. But, until recent years, taking photos myself had been mostly limited to holidays and longer travels. Stumbling upon Flickr at the end of 2006, gave photography a new dimension for me. The possibility to share, view and discuss photos with people all around the world, made it much more interesting.

2: Equipment you use?
I use a Nikon D300 with a 10-24mm and a 18-200mm lens, both Nikon. I also own a 55mm micro ais and a 105mm ais, both old manual Nikon lenses from the 80’s, but visually they’re still crystal clear..
But my favourite lens is the 10-24mm and that has everything to do with my largest passion in photography (at least until now!), landscapes..


3: Mac or PC?
PC

4: What inspires you?
The physical world and the sky. Anyone who has a look into my stream will notice that the photo’s I post are mostly about landscapes. I love watching the world, travelling and moving through it and think about it while watching it. It inspires me and in my photo’s I am trying to reflect how I see it. And also it’s just another great reason to get out and explore the world!

5: Preferred subject matter?
Landscapes. To me there aren’t many things better to watch than a great landscape combined with a dramatic sky. The great thing about landscapes is that there is a endless variety of them around us! Even the same place or area can appear so incredibly different just by a change of light or weather. The photographer is another factor which determines how a landscape appears. That’s a reason for me to try to visit places around where I live more often, just to try to capture a different mood or view of that same spot.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
Spectacular lightning. That’s not an easy one, because here in the Netherlands we don’t get many chances during a normal year. I still haven’t been at the right spot at the right time with the right equipment.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
Lol....it might be a bit early to talk about my photography as being art…
I must admit that I’m not in doubt about it that often. For me the main purpose of a photo is that my eyes will be pleased by the result. It should be fun to watch.
But I have to admit that when many people like a photo, it will give my confidence about that photo being a good one a boost.
To make it short, when I am in doubt about I will always first ask girlfriend Lotte. To me it is important what she is thinking about my ‘art’.
For the rest I really appreciate advice coming from fellow Flickr members!



8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
No I haven’t done courses or anything like that. But just watching photo’s here on Flickr, reading about photography in magazines and on the Internet, is a good training by itself I think. and of course shooting photos as much as possible might be the best traning there is!


9: Plans for the future?
Keep on shooting and improve post processing skills!


10: In one word, describe your photography.
Wow this is really difficult.......
Well I might combine the words landscape and sensational into a new word: “Senscapetional”

Tracie Taylor Photography

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Tracie Taylor Photography

This image is probably the most meaningful image I've ever taken. My Dads hands are our pillar of strength. He holds us up. My mom is supported by those very hands and surrounded by our love. Each one of us held in Gods hands. Both my mom and dads hands are holding my three daughters hands. This was taken last year just days before my mom lost her battle with cancer. I still get emotional feeling this image.
Generations of faith.


I chose this one because it's one of my current faves. Its fun. Ask me again tomorrow and I'm sure it will be a different image. :)

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
Professionally, over 10 years. (I know what you all must be thinking, she must have started when she was like what, 10 years old???) LOL Okay, so maybe I’m the only one that thinks that! Yikes, I can’t be this old! Thank goodness for Botox!

2: Equipment you use?
Nikon D3 with nikon glass, Canon 5D's with canon glass and I just bought a new 1DS Marklll which I am excited about. Next I want to pick up a digital Leica. I've never shot a rangefinder so I'm looking forward to that. I have my 2nd shooters shooting my Canon bodies but I always have one canon and one Nikon on me for each wedding. (Minus Mike, he shoots whatever the heck he wants... He's a know it all. I kid him that I should be his 2nd shooter. :) I think my all time favorite lens is my Canons 85 1.2 it's pure magic.

3: Mac or PC?
LOL both (what can I say, I don't discriminate :)

4: What inspires you?
There are so many things that inspire me. I'm a true romantic at heart. Love inspires me. That's why I chose wedding photography as a career. Each wedding is such a blessing to be a part of. Surrounded by so much love and emotion. It's overwhelming, but in a very good way. I’m also big into the fashion industry so I try to bring that into my work. I love Flickr and that is a huge source of inspiration for me. I’m always checking out fellow photographers work and pushing the limits here and there. My 3 daughters are my daily inspiration, to say the least! You will find their faces plastered all throughout my websites and here on my Flickr stream.

5: Preferred subject matter?
Again, professionally weddings but I get so much joy from just documenting daily life. My family would probably be number one.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
Two things come to mind, childbirth and In my heart and soul I would love to do missionary work which would allow me to document the people in Namibia, which is one of the most desolate regions in Africa. I think I personally take so much of life for granted. It's one thing to know and hear about the world around us but to actually be involved and make a difference is something I feel passionately about. My mom always told me that the gift of receiving is actually the gift of giving.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
My kids actually keep me humbled. They are as honest as they come. Brutally at times. :) If I need a bit more depth other than "Mom that is weird...." I do in fact come here to Flickr. I have made so many close friends and I truly respect Flickr as a whole. Don't get me wrong I know how the game here can be played but if you take it down a notch, get real and come to Flickr asking for help, asking for advice, I find that the ones that take the time to be honest are the ones that I respect the most.


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
Hmmm in anything.. that is a broad question. I suppose an overall answer would be yes. However in this new digital age I am considered self taught. Before then, back in the film years (yes I know I am dating myself again.....) I do have a degree from CSULB. I was a Kindergarten teacher for many years before switching careers. If you want to go way back I also owned a retail Spa and Gazebo store and waited tables throughout college. I also worked the MAC counter at Nordstroms and was a neighborhood babysitter. :) Imagine all of that before my current age of 21. :)


9: Plans for the future?
Yep. I want the fairytale Happily Ever After......


10: In one word, describe your photography.
Courageous

Hoogen Imagery

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Hoogen Imagery

I try and look for the simplicity in a scene and even though there can be a lot going on, if it doesn’t help the image it shouldn’t be there. I’d like to think this image is an example of that thought process, lot’s to look at but all elements work together to strengthen the overall!


he image does all the talking really!

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

Over 20 years! Was a privilege discovering photography during the analogue days. The magic of the darkroom captivated me, as did waiting anxiously for my slide film to arrive, then projecting my images and seeing warts and all my work larger than life. Was a great way to learn!

2: Equipment you use?

Nikon in the analogue days, Nikon scanner to digitally archive my film and now digital Nikon to see and capture 'the world through my eyes' today.

3: Mac or PC?

Does it really matter, lol. Oh alrighty then, PC!

4: What inspires you?

Light, composition, balance and structure - and the ongoing lessons I try and learn in applying and not applying these elements in my work. I am also inspired by the many artists in all mediums, and from all era's whose work I try and learn from – ‘look around you, but also look at who came before you’.

5: Preferred subject matter?

I enjoy the landscape but my flickr stream in places is rather eclectic. I am trying to broaden my photographic palate but I will always come back to my early influences, which are nature, the landscape and the elusive quality light that happens from time to time.

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

Lightning! I've tried many times but just haven't got anything that I'm happy with.

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

I do rely heavily on my gut instinct and be damned all others, lol. But on flickr, my many friends and contacts are always a source of inspiration; criticism and support and bazpics, ambientlight and philpic are flickr contacts and friends that have, for many years, been a part of the growth of my work, whether it’s been their comments and encouragement or simply looking at their imagery.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

Mainly self taught.

The beauty of photography unlike being an accountant, lawyer, plumber or electrician where you need a piece of paper to operate, photography you can learn and develop your own way with or without formal training!


9: Plans for the future?

With the birth of my second son earlier this year my photography 'for pleasure' has taken a bit of a back seat. As things settle to some semblance of normality, and who knows if this will ever happen, lol, I'd like to keep pushing, developing - pardon the old skool photographic puns - but continue to learn and better my photographic skills


10: In one word, describe your photography.

Focused, lol – who wrote these questions?

I pride myself on my ability too ‘see’, a skill I’m still honing after many years. I hopefully present images that give the viewer a sense of my experience of capturing that special moment!

Will Gortoa

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Will Gortoa

I’m going to slightly cop out a little with the two photos. They are recent personal favourites, but I've always been intrigued by the inner machinations of Flickr's bizarrely named 'Interestingness' thingy, and these two currently sit at 1 and 2 respectively in that ranking. [Which, by definition, presumably means that if you don’t find either of these interesting, then, according to Flickr, you won’t find any of the others interesting either! : )]

This was almost an accident. I took a couple of images of the young girl running towards me in the fountain; the first full length, the second ‘accidentally’ chopping her face off at about eye level. When I processed them, though, removing her head entirely suddenly seemed to produce this ‘everyperson’ image. A wonderful accident.


Street photography is often all about timing. This is certainly one of those moments, where a fraction of a second before or after this image was taken would’ve negated its impact entirely.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

When I look back, I think I’ve always taken photographs [having bought my first Nikon SLR in my mid-teens] and seemingly possessed an eye for photography, to some degree. But I probably wasn’t really ‘captured’ by photography until I returned to college to study it full-time for a year in 1993/4 – on reflection, one of the happiest year’s of my life. Even then, though, during the next few years, circumstances dictated I had to allow that desire to drift. However, about a year ago, I embarked on a new photographic chapter, following the acquisition of a gorgeous DSLR camera and the passion has returned tenfold...

2: Equipment you use?

I always used Nikon gear and lenses in the analogue days. Currently, my digital set-up is fairly straightforward, though:

Nikon D300
Nikon Nikkor 18-200mm VR lens
Photoshop Elements 5

3: Mac or PC?

PC. [About to collapse under the weight of these new images!]

4: What inspires you?

Elliott Erwitt fundamentally provided the spark for my love of photography. I had been fumbling around in the creative wilderness, occasionally producing the odd memorable family or holiday image, buying into modern imagery in fairly sterile modern photography magazines, when I metaphorically bumped into Elliott Erwitt. Everything changed.

Since then, and certainly since joining Flickr, I’m increasingly inspired by the many quite extraordinary photographers that inhabit this network.

5: Preferred subject matter?

I admire many forms of photography, but my personal favourite is comfortably documentary, photojournalism and/or street photography; capturing those candid, decisive moments of everyday life.

However, on a recent deserted coastal holiday [due to the complete absence of people! : )], I experimented a little with more abstract landscape images; utilising textures [a processing technique that has recently crept into my street images, too.]

And I haven’t really even tried traditional portrait photography yet. [That is, where the person actually knows they’re having their portrait taken! : )]

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

Interesting question. Well, my profile introduction begins with: “…sparkly new Nikon D300 in hand, I’m about to embark on a new photographic voyage... I have no real idea where this may take me, or indeed, if time, tide and life will allow me the space to fully explore my renewed passion. And, I dare say, as I explore the medium again it might well result in a somewhat eclectic mix of imagery.” And, a year later, that feeling remains.

In simple terms, I’ve recaptured my photographic enthusiasm. So, my only desire now is that it continues to be this enjoyable.

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

To be honest, I’m fairly self-contained. I often work quite quickly* when editing images; occasionally producing up to 6/7 versions of a single image, before quickly deleting them all and keeping one favourite that relates to my gut instinct. Sometimes I’ll get stuck and ask my wife… uh, then keep the one she doesn’t like! : )

* The room I’m sat in actually doubles up as a traditional darkroom. [Rather pointlessly points to old enlarger gather dust in the corner.] I used to handprint all my own images. Anyone who’s done this will know it’s a magical [seeing the image slowly appear in the chemicals] yet very slow process. The speed of my work in Photoshop Elements seems to be a reaction almost, the antithesis of that.

In fact, if I had one criticism of Flickr, it might be that the vast majority of people – quite understandably – leave positive feedback. Which is great, too. But I think I would actually quite appreciate someone who might offer more challenging or constructive criticisms. Any applicants for this position can send a CV via email. Uh, but the pay is lousy! : )

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

Aside from that exceptionally memorable and rewarding one year of full-time study [Advanced Diploma in Photography and Audio Visual Studies], it’s largely been discovery by fumbling-around-in-the-dark experiences, really. [I think that might just be a metaphor for my entire life, actually! : )]

9: Plans for the future?

Mow the lawn, take the dog for a walk, uh, pay off the mortgage… Maybe become an adult? : ) Seriously, though… I’m happy to have rediscovered photography this past year or so, and I can only hope it continues to give me the pleasure that it has during that time. I’m definitely going to take some serious portraits one day, though. You see!

10: In one word, describe your photography.

One word… Blimey! [No, wait, that wasn’t it!] I mean, in someone with a tendency to waffle, that’s a real challenge! In a word…

Learning.

Uh, can I put the word ‘Always’ in front of that, too? ;-)

Eve Livesey

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Eve Livesey

So evocative of my migration to Spain – it has everything I’d not managed to capture before – light rays, long exposure on the water and it was a challenge – not having an ND filter and the light was sooo bright


Self-explanatory I think – double-trouble – double the fun and two of the best reasons to be living in Madrid – they light up my life

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
Since May 2006.


2: Equipment you use?
Nikon D80
Nikon 18-135mm F3.8-5.6 (for everyday) and Tamron 90mm F2.8 (for macros) lenses
Nikon Speedlight SB-800 Flash Unit
Bowen Gemini 250/250 Studio Lighting Kit
But the shutter is dying on my camera – so I’m saving up for a new one (well theoretically, but with the state of the economy I might be able to afford one in 5 years) and I have been known to borrow my husband’s equipment ;-)

3: Mac or PC?
PC and Photoshop CS2


4: What inspires you?
Other Flickr members and my Stepson (Warne) and Husband (Jim) - Fuzzbox and Fuzzbox’s Dad on Flickr – and not necessarily in that order ;-) I have also learned so much from my contacts (and I’m still learning)


5: Preferred subject matter?
My Grandchildren :-)
Seriously - don’t really have any – I just get a vague longing to shoot things when I haven’t done them for a while – especially landscapes, macros and modern architecture - so I go off and do them


6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
My youngest grandchild’s child :-)


7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
I have trouble with not having a ‘style’ and have discussed it with my husband – but to be truthful you just have to trust your own judgement in the end – it’s all about personal taste. I have had an enormous amount of help from my contacts over the years. They have put me right about composition, processing and controlling my camera etc and have and still do provide valuable feedback and critique. I try and set myself certain standards when it comes to sharpness etc but as for the rest – it’s all up for grabs. The thing is not to take it all toooo seriously – I love taking photos and I want it to be enjoyable


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
Not a one – all self-taught.
I first started taking photos on a family holiday in the Canadian Rockies. Warne and Jim jump out of the car – the most amazing view in front of us, mountains, lake, snow – so not wanting to be left out I ask ‘Can I have a go?’ Jim hands me his brand new Nikon D70 (never been used) with a smile (he loves me really). So I ask (quite logically I thought) ‘How do I set this thing up?’ A look of sheer incredulity passes between them and they reply in unison ‘Set it to Auto!!’ Still makes me laugh when I think about it, talk about ignorance is bliss - but seeing their results and mine made me determined to learn all I could!


9: Plans for the future?
To try and document the beauty of my ‘adopted’ country, Spain, and produce a book about each region, improve control over my camera and be able to process my photos in an appropriate manner to reproduce what I ‘saw’ when I took the photo (this may not vaguely resemble what was in front of me :-)


10: In one word, describe your photography.
Emotional
I hope that each and every photo will produce some kind of emotion in the viewer – whether that’s laughter, melancholy, tranquillity, awe (yeah right ;-) – whatever………..

Ian@NZflickr

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Ian@NZFlickr


In Prague early one cold autumn morning I had one of my best photography experiences ever. The sun rose behind the spires of the university and fog drifted off the river onto the Charles Bridge. After 80 minutes, when the sun went behind thicker clouds, I suddenly realised how cold I was but until then I had been too enchanted to notice.


Our youngest daughter was growing tired walking around a cathedral in Madrid and sat down right in a pool of stained glass light. Then my wife joined her and I had my picture.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I started using a Plastic Diana camera at primary school and started going to a camera club at high school and still go to one now.

2: Equipment you use?
Nikon for the last 30 years. Currently enjoying D700 full frame which allows me to use my fisheye lens I bought secondhand 20 years ago.

3: Mac or PC?
Bilingual but mostly PC these days.

4: What inspires you?
Usually the way the light lies.

5: Preferred subject matter?
Landscape, the sea, cities, people, birds... almost anything

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that
you REALLY want to capture.
It would be fun to take some aerobatics photos from one of the planes involved, at least in my imagination :-)


7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
These days I just post to Flickr. I have some commenters with well defined opinions.


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
Self taught


9: Plans for the future?
Photography will remain my favourite pastime


10: In one word, describe your photography.
Improving

**Krissy**

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: **Krissy**

This is a ridiculously beautiful Japanese Maple Tree and every time I see it, I find something more beautiful that the last. This is also my most viewed photo to date.


This is another of my favorites. I love a cityscape at night and this one has an interesting "spin" to it. Such a simple effect and I have not been able to replicate it again. City scape, reflections and night lights...what's not to love?


1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I took a little photography in college as part of my Journalism degree, but really started enjoying it about 3 years ago.

2: Equipment you use?
I use my Nikon all the time. I started 3 years ago with the D50 and in the last six months have graduated to the D80. I think my favorite lens is the Sigma 10-20.

3: Mac or PC?
PC for me!

4: What inspires you?
I find myself "framing" in everyday life. I am a great fan of the photos that just appear and just call to you. Some of my favorite shots are those that I see just driving down the road and jump out of the car and capture that moment. I get so much excitement from that kind of photographic spontaneity.


5: Preferred subject matter?
I really do enjoy a beautiful landscape or a gorgeous sunset. I also love the occasional lenticular cloud that passes over Mt. Hood from time to time. I also love a wonderful water reflection.


6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture?
I would love to be able to photograph the Northern Lights.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in? When I am in doubt, I usually sort out my thoughts in my head and figure out what I can do different to create the image that I had hoped for. I find photography to be very personal outlet and truly enjoy the solitude of my vision.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop?
A bit of college photography, rolling and developing my own 35 millimeter film. Such a tedious and time-consuming process, but well worth it! Hopefully, with the digital age, I will never have to stand in a pitch black room and roll 8 feet of un-developed film on a metal spool again!

9: Plans for the future?
.I would love to travel, not just because of the photographic opportunities, but also because there are many places I would love to see and experience in person! Also, maybe get into some portrait photography.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
Personal

{ Amy }

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: { Amy }

Often, I feel really proud of a photo when I first take it, then I improve and the photo doesn't seem so good, but this one, from may, is a case where I'm still really happy with it.



This one is very recent, and I was so happy with the processing I did on it. :)


1: How long have you been involved in photography?
About two and a half years. Seems like ages ago!

2: Equipment you use?
When I first started, we had a little point-and-shoot kodak, but it wasn't until we got a Canon 400D that I really got into photography. Now days I use a Canon 50D, mostly with my favourite lens; a 100mm f/2.8 Macro

3: Mac or PC?
PC. My brother's got a Mac, but I've never been particularly drawn to it.

4: What inspires you?
Ah...can i say "everything"? haha, no....I guess a lot of my inspiration comes from other photographers, looking at their photos often gives me ideas, things I want to try for myself...they almost never end up looking like I planned, but that's all part of it, right?

5: Preferred subject matter?
I'd have to say Nature. It's crazy how much joy you can get out of photographing a little daisy, or a poppy, or any of the other wonders that you can find in a common garden.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture?
You know those really cool long exposure shots of the ocean? yeah, I'd like to try those.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
My mum and my sisters, for sure. They're all interested in photography as well, so they help a lot. It's not that I struggle with liking my own work, it's more that I struggle with whether other people will like my work, most of the time I just need someone to tell me that it's okay, I'm doing the right thing, and no, that flower doesn't look like a cat playing the accordion while tap dancing. :p

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop?
Nope, I pretty much taught myself by fiddling around with a lot of different buttons and knobs, but my brothers helped me learn how to use photoshop. I am doing an online photography course at the moment too, so hopefully I'll learn a bit more about the technical side of it.

9: Plans for the future?
Finishing said photography course sometime in the next million years, finishing my 365day project and my 52week project, and taking a whole bunch of photos :)

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

Gert van Duinen

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Gert van Duinen

Wonderful Winter...

This image doesn't necessarily mean something to me, but turning a most mundane photo into an extraordinary scenery is perhaps one of the strengths I hear often from those who viewed my work. I guess this image perfectly illustrates how I can go about insane during post, turning a nearby scene into a perfect Christmas card we would send to our friends and family. Ssst, we actually did :)



Punt van Reide I

This image means a lot to me. It's one from a series I made at a very unique place in the utmost Northeastern part of the Netherlands. I love this part of Holland that I was literally drawn to on a summer evening. Honestly, this was my first serious attempt to document a place solely with photographic perfection in mind, thus without any extraordinary post production techniques involved.



1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I have never been seriously involved into photography. I consider myself being an image creator.

2: Equipment you use?
Nikon D300, Tokina ultra-wides, Manfrotto 190B + ballhead, remote shutter release, MagLites®, ND110, IR-720 and a thermos of regular Douwe Egberts coffee, black no sugar please.

3: Mac or PC?
PC's, can't think of something better and more flexible. I'm hooked.

4: What inspires you?
Mainly shipyards around the early 20th Century and Dutch 17th century landscape painters. In particular those from the Dutch Golden Age, like the expressive landscapes from Jacob van Ruisdael, the rough seas from Ludolf Bakhuizen and maritime paintings from Simon de Vlieger and Abraham Storck.

5: Preferred subject matter?
Landscapes, shipyards, lakes and harsh weather conditions.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture?
A big fat typhoon endangering ships on a billowing sea "-).

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
Peers who know they have grounded critique.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop?
I'm a trained graphics designer with a self-taught specialty in logo and corporate identity design. Throughout the years I received numerous diploma's and certificates, ranging from advanced Photoshop & Illustrator to Flash and typographic design. Thankfully I'm still learning today.

9: Plans for the future?
Too much to handle in one lifetime. But yes, I'd like to have more purpose behind my photography and image editing efforts. Perhaps through assignments and new opportunities.

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

thePhotoZoo

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: The PhotoZoo





1: How long have you been involved in photography?

i'm a self taught photographer. i've been involved with photography for about three years.

2: Equipment you use?

i started out with a canon point and shoot. then to a canon rebel. now i use the canon 40d.

3: Mac or PC?

PC. but i would LOVE a mac.

4: What inspires you?

music and poetry mainly inspire me. i can hear a lyric from a song, or a line from a poem and instantly get a picture in my head. it's amazing. i love it when a photo is able to be translated from head through my lens.

5: Preferred subject matter?

i love anything and everything. i love people. i love to story tell through my photos. i started off with nature, because nature is so patient with you. but love to do portraits.

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

i would love to travel and capture beautiful landscapes and mountains.

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

there is another person on flickr that i confide in. she is amazing, and often struggles with the same issues i do. she always makes me feel better.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

no qualifications. no training. i actually use picnik to process my photos. i find photoshop to be too difficult for me.

9: Plans for the future?

no plans for the future. just taking it one day at a time.

10: In one word, describe your photography.

whimsical

JLM Photo

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: JLMPhoto


"Backlit Chicks" -- This was one of my first digital captures. I was
actually shooting other nesting birds when I noticed these feeding
egrets behind me, mostly backlit but with deep shade further behind them. I got exactly two shots off before the light changed. I used my first digital SLR, a Nikon D70, with my then-new Nikon 80-400mm VR zoom lens, shooting in RAW format, to take the shot.


1. Polly Want Some Bokeh?, 2. Captive, 3. Small Fall Fall, 4. A Small Feast, 5. Yosemite Falls by Moonlight, 6. Snowy Egret, 7. Lone Sentinel at Sunset, 8. Past
Perfect, 9. Fields of Green, 10. Pink Water Lilly on Black Water, 11. Raven Cliff Trail Falls, 12. Channel-Billed Toucan

"A Mixed Bag" -- I hope this isn't too much of a cop out, but I'm
terrible at picking favorites so I'm cheating here. This image is a
collage of images I posted last New Years' Eve and represents some of my favorites posted on Flickr during the previous year. The links belowthe collage will let you view the originals in you want to see them larger.

And then it was question time
1: How long have you been involved in photography?

I've been a weekend hobbyist for about 18 years, with some long gaps in there when I wasn't very active. After a somewhat difficult and traumatic(!) transition to digital, I've found that the new technologyhas actually reinvigorated my interest in photography.

2: Equipment you use?

I have always used Nikon equipment. I currently shoot with a Nikon D300 body and I have a half-dozen or so Nikon lenses, including a 12-24mm wide angle zoom, a 24-70 f2.8 zoom, an 80-200 f2.8 zoom (my all-time favorite lens), an 80-400 VR zoom and a 105mm macro. I also ALWAYS use a tripod, which many consider a hindrance, but it grounds me, helps me compose better and definitely helps me produce sharper images. Oh, and I've never seen a new camera-carrying system that I didn't have to try - vests, shoulder bags, fanny packs, rolling bags, back packs, utility belts -- you name it, I've tried it! I'm beginning to think that a personal Sherpa is the only solution.

3: Mac or PC?

PC for sure, but I use an Apple Cinema Display monitor so I guess I have a foot in both worlds.

4: What inspires you?

The natural world. And some unnatural things as well. Wait, that doesn't sound quite right. I think I'll stick with "the natural world." Final answer.


5: Preferred subject matter?

Nature, especially landscapes and wildlife. Lately I've rekindled an interest in macro work. I also enjoy photographing historical and abandoned structures. The only thing I don't really like to shoot is people. I admire good documentary and people photographers and enjoy seeing their work, but I learned early on that I have no talent for that. I've twice temporarily lost my sanity and shot weddings for friends, but I now understand there is medication for that so hopefully it won't ever happen again!

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

I have a "life list" of places and things I want to photograph but I'm confident I will never be able to do them all. High on that list right now are the Galapagos Islands, the Svalbard Archipelago and the landscapes of Tuscany.

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

I NEVER end up with a photograph that I am completely satisfied with and I ALWAYS have doubts about my photography. For me, photography is very personal and I tend to be my own harshest critic. I do, however, get plenty of inspiration from others (especially here on Flickr) and I always appreciate constructive feedback. One thing I've learned over the years, though, is that if you shoot to please others you will do yourself a real disservice (unless, of course, someone is paying you for your services, in which case it is your job to please others!).

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

I have taken a few photography classes or one-day seminars over the years, but consider myself largely self taught. I use Lightroom and Photoshop, but consider myself a real novice at both. Someday I'm going to learn how to use them more proficiently, but for now I'd rather spend more time taking pictures and less time in front of a computer screen.

9: Plans for the future?

I enjoy traveling and searching out great photographic
opportunities.

10: In one word, describe your photography.

Striving. As in always striving to be a better photographer.

PetiteChose

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: PetiteChose


the dreamer

this is a dream I have often : being light !
no seriously, I've been to Thailand in May, and I fell in love with the elephants. They were so happy in the water that I thought about an image like this...

The kids

a couple of kittens in their Sunday clothes. A classic, and so French !!!
I like this image because they still make me smile when i see how elegant they are... a real kitten in that sort of clothes. It won't last a minute !

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

Since I was a child I've liked photographs. When I was younger I was taking photos during the holidays. Then « the disease » became more serious !

2: Equipment you use?

I’ve got an old Panasonic bridge-DMCfz30. I’m dreaming for a better camera…

3: Mac or PC?

A Mac. What else ?:-)

4: What inspires you?

Mainly animals and antique things. But I also love taking photos of « real life » when I visit a country. My work is mainly with animals because I think they have so many expressions and they allow me to use imagination, creating personnages with them.

5: Preferred subject matter?

Surrealism

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that

you REALLY want to capture.

It’s difficult to say… In fact I take the camera with me and then, I take photos… it could be anything, but nothing I dream of.

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

Paul. He’s my best friend, he knows me by heart and… he’s a super artist with a great eye and a severe sense of criticism !

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

I use photoshop which I learnt with Paul, and later through online tutorials and some books.

I use it every day and I still discover hidden possibilities. It’s an endless pleasure to use.


9: Plans for the future?

I would love to have more of my work published in the industry and why not make a book!

I will have another photographic exhibition in west France (Nantes) at the end of this year. This is the main thing for now.


10: In one word, describe your photography.

Awwwwww !

Helenabraga

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Helenabraga

Um artista__________my father


Happy Saturday!


1: How long have you been involved in photography?

I was born in a home of photographers: my parents. The marvels of the world outside came to me in black and white photos… this is how I learned to see nature, the beauty, the interesting things. My father used to go on trips all over the countryside of Brazil in the fifties, sixties, seventies… He brought animals, landscapes, houses, people and their lives to us. He is both a photographer and a painter and when he was 22 years old he founded the Plastic Arts Society in his city – one of the founders.
He also designed some tools, cameras too. My father was a creator, an inventor, and my mother fell deeply in love for him.
I learned to photograph without photometers, because he wanted to develop my sensitivity for lighting… And I agree with him, he was right… I love the light, and its opposite, the shadows. It´s from the shadows that the light is born, or it is noted. During my childhood and my college days, when I was in Medical School, there was a laboratory in my house, and we, my brothers and I, used to do black and white photography. All the chemical solutions were developed by my father, with the best results.
Then I began my professional life as a doctor, soon got married and had children, and my job and family took all the time, so the photography became just a dream for the future… I didn’t have any spare time, I worked a lot, even on Saturdays and Sundays!
Now, my future has arrived!


2: Equipment you use?
I use :

Camera Canon XSi

Lenses: Canon 50 mm, 1.8
Canon 70 – 300 mm IS
Canon 28-135mm IS, f 3,5 – 5,6
Canon 10-22mm
Sigma 105mm, 2.8
UV filters Hoya and Tiffen
PL filters Hoya and Tiffen
Extension tubes Canon
Close-up Hoya +1, +2, +4
Tripod and Monopod Manfrotto
Flash EF-500 DG Sigma ST

Camera Canon G9

3: Mac or PC?

PC.

4: What inspires you?

The light and the beauty inspire me. The eternal light-shadow duet is a fascination for me, they give shape and volume to all things, and colors to life. I´m a nature lover, and since my childhood I’ve been seeking for the light, I love the beauty. Then, I photograph nature. Flowers and fruits are inspiration and passion. The flowers are the perfection…I love them. I like landscapes too, and I walk over the world looking for lakes, mountains, canyons and rivers. Another passion is the sea and its mysteries, the deep waters, the waves… Very attractive and dreamy. Poetry lives in nature. The desire for beauty and photography inspire me to travel, to go to places that could be near or far from my city… I go on holidays, or I dream about it. The pleasure to visit a new city, an unknown place is wonderful… I feel like a child, I experience great happiness.
I´m inspired also in many members of Flickr, where I’ve made great friends and met excellent photographers.


When I was a Medical student, I liked to do microphotography. This is a very interesting world, cells and tissues are amazing, the colors and shapes are stunning.

5: Preferred subject matter?

I prefer: macro photography and landscapes.

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

The submarine world… A great dream.

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

I confide in my brother, Renato Braga, and some friends.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

Curso de Extensão em Fotografia Ambiental, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul.
I´ve also taken some workshops in still life, Photoshop, Lightroom, etc.

9: Plans for the future?

I want to improve my photography and travel throughout the world, seeking for beauty and poetry. This is my life…

10: In one word, describe your photography.
One word? - PASSION!

Vili.Ingi

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Villi ingi

Solitude

In 2006 me and my girlfriend were on a vacation in Croatia on the island of Brac. We were having a nice day on the beach walking along the coastline when I noticed this girl standing on a rock quite close to the ocean she stood there and didn't move and she seemed so lonely. I had fallen some distance behind my girlfriend that was walking ahead of me so I only took this one photo of the girl as I walked by, I never saw her face. I rushed to catch up with my girlfriend and we had walked some distance when I looked back and the girl was still standing there.

Months afterwards I finally decided what I wanted to do with the photo and the end result is what you see here. I made the picture from the emotion I was getting from it. I put in the black background and the shaft of light and it just felt somehow right that way.

Oil Study

This image is from my earliest macro session. It has a special place among my work as this was the first time I discovered whole new worlds to explore through macro photography.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

Since the summer of 2006 when the ad agency I work at decided to buy a digital SLR camera for work related projects. While using the camera for work I quickly realized that digital photography offered a new and exciting outlet to express myself as an artist and the rest is pictorial history :)


2: Equipment you use?
Canon EOS 40D

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4

Canon MP-E65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM

Canon Speedlite 580EX

Canon Macro Twin Lite Flash MT-24EX

Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod with 322RC2 Grip-Action Ballhead


For developing my images I mainly use Photoshop CS3 and Lightroom 2.0. I also use Lightroom for organizing my images. One of the most important tools I use is the Wacom Intuos3 pen tablet which is just fantastic when it comes to editing and working with images in a computer environment. The fact is that after I started using the pen tablet I rarely touch the mouse anymore as the pen tablet offers in my opinion a far more natural and precise interface with the computers workspace and software.

3: Mac or PC?

Certified Mac addict.


4: What inspires you?

How photography has given me a new way of looking at....well everything and then capturing it. You get to discover the world around you all over again. Also that ideas born in our imagination can become visuals that convey a story or invoke feelings in a viewer.


5: Preferred subject matter?

Things that are not always visible with the naked eye. 


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

Well, I´d really like the chance to photograph a polar bear in it´s natural environment. I was in Scoresby Sund on the East Coast of Greenland for a week back in April. There had been a lot of Polar bear acitvity and sightings in the area just prior to my arrival and even on the day I arrived two bears (mother and cub) were spotted close to our cabin but they had left by the time I got there. But the whole week I was there not one bear made an apperance - guess they were camera shy :) 


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

Myself. If in doubt I will walk away from what i´m doing, reboot my mind and come back to it later.
That usually does the trick....but it can sometimes take a while. I have dozens of projects patiently waiting my return.



8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

I studied art & graphic design and I work as a graphic designer so I have a good relationship with the whole Adobe family but I mostly hang out with Ps, Lr and Ai.



9: Plans for the future?

No plans just dreams. If I was photographing professionally I´m sure I´d have plans for the future but for now at least I still like to dream.


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

Justbelightful

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Justbelightful

the path to the dream

In this image, early morning steam rises as hot geothermal waters pour into the cool Yellowstone Lake. The wooden path leads from the dim twilight into the promise of a glorious dawn. I chose this image because it feels to me like an invitation, somehow appropriate at the start of an interview.

Impressionist Collage

This is a collage made from images I created using a panning technique I’ve been using for the last year or so. I always wanted to be a painter, and it was with great excitement I discovered I could do so with a camera. Long exposures allow the colors and shapes to blur together in a painterly way as I move the camera as if it were a paintbrush. I like the impressionist and abstract effects I can create with this.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

I've been actively making photographs for about 3 years. However, photography’s been a part of my life from childhood. My father, a blue-collar worker supporting 8 children, would spend late nights in the darkroom making pictures after everyone went to bed. We would have weekly slideshows of his work with the family gathered around, during which he would critique his own work, discuss possible crops, and choose images for competitions in his camera club. I finally picked up a camera in the 1980’s and started to do my own photography, and because of the early exposure, I kind of just knew what to do. I dabbled for a few years then, but it wasn’t until the digital revolution that my interest in the art blossomed. What made me more serious about photography was a trip I made to Iceland in 2006 – with a very limited point and shoot camera I am embarrassed now to admit – and the place just blew my mind with its visual earthly wonders. I got a new camera when I got back (have since upgraded a few times), joined Flickr, and have been learning and developing my craft since.

2: Equipment you use?
I am currently photographing with a Nikon D90. My lenses are the Nikon 18-200 for general use, Tokina 12-24 for wide angles, and Nikon 105mm for macro. I also have a couple of old manual/non metering lenses from the film days that I use occasionally. I develop my pictures with Apple’s Aperture and Photoshop CS4, with Noise Ninja, Nik plugins ,and Photomatix for their special uses. The respectable Canon G9 is my pocket camera.

These are my tools, but I believe the person who said, “The most important piece of equipment is the user.” I always try to keep my eyes open and my imagination sharp. That’s key.

3: Mac or PC?
I love my Mac. But I’m not a snob about it. : )

4: What inspires you?

Patterns, forms, shapes, golden light, a sense of movement in something that is still, the earth and its amazing forms…I also enjoy looking at other people’s images and learn a great deal from them.


5: Preferred subject matter?

Most of my images are of the natural world – landscapes, plants, rocks, water, sky. I especially love abstract patterns, the repetition of forms, finding and framing pleasing visual designs. Anything with great light is hard to resist. For my “impressionist” photo-paintings, I tend to go for scenes with strong shapes and contrasts. But it helps in this and all other image-making to photograph something I feel especially moved by.


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

I would really like to see and photograph the Northern Lights. Someday I’ll go back to Iceland with a “real” camera and try my luck.

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

I still discuss photography with my father, who is 89 and unable to get around much. I bring my laptop (the ultimate portable darkroom!) to his bedside and he gives me great feedback and advice. I am also fortunate to have an encouraging boyfriend who happens to be an awesome (and very knowledgeable) nature photographer.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

Like I said, I learned a lot by osmosis growing up. A couple years ago, I took a photoshop class. (Okay, I’ll admit it: I’m dating the teacher now! That’s helped my education for sure.) Also, although this may sound strange, I think the modern dance training I’ve done has helped me a lot with my photography: I’ve studied improvisational dance, which develops the ability to be intensely aware of the present moment and the immediate physical reality…and it builds the ability to respond fluidly and imaginatively to these things. I can click into that same mental place when I am photographing, and it helps me with “the art of seeing.” I also notice I compose more by feeling than thinking – it’s like I feel in my body if an image is all lined up right or not. I think being a body-aware person helps that.

9: Plans for the future?
I’m not planning to quit my day job as an elementary school teacher any time soon, but I hope to prepare enough prints to have my own show in the not-to-distant future. I still have bare walls in my apartment, so I better get cracking.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
Artistic

NaPix -- Hmong Life

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER:Na Pix -Hmong Life

Generations -- Hmong Great Grandmother

At over 90, Giang Thi Khu was content spending her last days surrounded be her children, grandkids and great grandchildren. So, my Hmong daughter, and I went to visit her in Then Tho village, 70 km away from Sapa.

The Black Hmong are the 3rd largest minority in Vietnam with nearly 900,000 people. In the Sapa region there are about 35,000 Black Hmong residing in the surrounding 17 villages and they account for about 50% of the area population. Most reside at an altitude of 1,600 – 1,700 meters above sea level in this stunningly beautiful region they call “the city above the clouds”. The Hmong started migrating to Vietnam from China in the last 300 years.
In this region about half the Hmong are Catholic and half animistic. They live of the land growing rice and corn and they all believe in the spirits

Hmong Mom

A young mother, (16) with her newly born in Hao Thao village, 6 km from Sapa.
And pls. don’t make your ‘value’ judgment about the age. Unlike Westerners at 16, Hmong are not kids at this age. They have been raising their younger siblings since 6 or 7, they know how to grow all the food they need, build shelter, make there own clothing, cook and tend to the household animals. Even more, they were always involved in all aspects of life and death and have extensive knowledge about natural medicine. They are always surrounded by family and friends and raising children is done by the whole family and community. So try to remember this and don’t enforce your values on others.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
It’s been a life long love affair. Had a brownie box camera at age 10 and at 13 got a second hand Leica G range finder camera that stayed with me for many years.

2: Equipment you use?
From that brownie box camera, through the years, I’ve had them all. All the Nikon rage cameras and lenses, a’la the ‘Blow up’ movie and the many Polaroids. My fave was the SX-70, what a piece of art. And a couple of Hasselblad I still have. So I’m not one to talk about equipments. Today I use digital and always have a point’n’shoot, Canons, that I have on me. I call them PHD cameras – Push Here Dummy :)

As been said before, the most important piece of equipment you need is just several inches behind the viewfinder.

3: Mac or PC?
PC

4: What inspires you?
From my profile -- "My portrait and people photos are journalistic in style and strive to communicate reality. Recording the fabric of life, I try to portray human dignity and the world we live in with honesty, respect, simplicity and compassion. Making that emotional connection that results, for a brief time, in people sharing there inner soul, is what I strive for. It is an emotional process that works both ways. "

With my images I attempt to portray the essence of life as I see it. With a simple, fresh, and some times raw, observation of how things really are.


5: Preferred subject matter?
People, emotions, spirits and the magical quality of light.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
It’s not a ‘thing’ it’s a feeling… see #4 above


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
Studied photography at NYU in the 70’s.
Photoshop is a learning process. PS is like the brain, most people only use 2% of it. But digital imaging is certainly not about SOOC, it’s always have to be worked on, even for perfect exposure. It’s the nature of the beast.


9: Plans for the future
working now on completing a five year book project about the Black Hmong in Northern Vietnam.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
People

Moocatmoocat

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Moocatmoocat

time for a swim in the fountain

I'm always trying to capture familiar tourist sites in a new way. A group of kids enjoying a night swim in Swann Fountain gave me the opportunity to get a unique photo. The boy's wonderful body language makes him appear entranced and leads the eye into the photo, and the light on the water ties the whole composition together.

trick of the tail

Since I've been working on improving my action photos, I am really pleased with how this turned out. The timing, exposure, shutter speed and a lot of luck created this scene of a tiger creating water art with her tail.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
When I was younger, I liked to take photos but never had the patience required by film: by the time I got the photos developed, I'd completely forgotten everything about the shot and so never learned anything! About 5 years ago I got my first digital, a p&s Sony w50, and pushed that camera to its limits before finally getting a dSLR

2: Equipment you use?
Sony A700. I like the Sonys because they have the 'steady-shot” vibration reduction built into the body so I don't have to buy VR lenses.. I don't have great hands but always shoot hand-held so this is a big selling point. Also I like the backline of relatively inexpensive but sharp Minolta lenses. The majority of the time I use a Tamron 28-300. For a cheap ultrazoom it is surprisingly sharp and great as an all-day lens. I love my Domke bag–tough, comfortable, and it looks nothing like a camera bag.

3: Mac or PC?
I work with PCs all day so of course that's what I use at home.

4: What inspires you?
Unusual lighting or an uncommon perspective.
If I can capture a commonly photographed scene in a light that makes it distinctive or captivating, or from a perspective that makes it so, I feel I've achieved something.
Rene Lalique's amazing creations inspires me to try to use light with photography the way he was able to do with glass.

5: Preferred subject matter?
My hometown, Philadelphia. I like to show the charming, quirky things about the city–a whimsical architectural detail, the quiet alleys, the parks.
Animals, especially hippos, are wonderful to photograph. It's challenging to try to capture the 'personality' of an animal.
Travel is endlessly inspiring–there are so many wonderful places and scenes! One of the best things about our recent visit to Iran was sharing my photos with other westerners who are unfamiliar with the country its marvelous historical and architectural sites and many wonderful people.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
A charging hippo! But that would have to be with a REALLY long lens!

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
My husband is not a photographer, so he is a very good source of how a non-'photo geek ' reacts to a photo. My friend ChrisinPhilly5448 is my best photo buddy–we often end up taking almost the identical shot without realizing it and then can compare our versions and visions.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
Totally self-taught. I use Corel Paintshop Pro XI–it's less expensive than Photoshop, easy to use and pretty powerful. I think it gives me an edge as I can achieve subtle effects using PSP that most people aren't familiar with–they can't tell when I've processed a photo.


9: Plans for the future
I want to go to South Africa and photograph the wild animals. Visiting Jessica, the wonderful tame hippo, and swimming with her are tops on my list.
I want to get an ultra-telephoto lens too and am trying to decide which one will be best hand-held (Since I like to shoot from different heights and POVs I find a tripod too restrictive.) Maybe the Tamron 200-500.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
No. I can't do this.
Ok, I'll try:
Imperfect?

Netream

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Netream


It's a spiral stairway in a public library in Amsterdam. I was tipped of about the library, so I went on a photo-safari there. When I was inside I saw this stairwell. It was hard to reach it, it was somewhat hidden away in the back of the building. But it was worthwhile. And yes, I did some editing, but it was already beautiful.


This is the reflection of a fountain/artwork somewhere in Nijmegen (where I live). I only needed to bring out the blue a bit. Just a very nice
fountain. And I had luck with the dark and cloudy sky.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

For as long as I can remember, really. My father was into photography and had a dark room in the attic. When I was about 12 I got my first camera (an Olympus trip, an excellent camera), soon after that I bought my first SLR (a Nikon Nikkormat). I shot black and white and did my own processing. I shot black and white until about ten years ago, when my interest waned. Working in a darkroom was intense, time-consuming and gave very few satisfying results. Thank God for digital photography - it gave me a big boost!

2: Equipment you use?

I began with Nikon and sticked to it. Excellent stuff, although I'm sure Canon isn't bad either. But Nikon really rocks! I have a D300, with a 17-55 2.8 lens, which cost me a fortune but turned out to be worth every penny - fast and sharp. I also have a 50 mm 1.8 for portraits and lowlight.

3: Mac or PC?

PC, unfortunately. Works very well, but lacks the user-friendliness and sex-appeal of a Mac. I do have an iPod and an iPhone though!

4: What inspires you?

I like to look at reality, but with a twist. Sometimes a detail, sometimes a different angle, extra saturation or contrast. I find it very hard to shoot people (photographically that is), and studio-work doesn't appeal to me.
Flickr really gave my photography a boost. I love looking at other peoples work as it really inspires me. And of course I really like it when people like my work :-)

5: Preferred subject matter?

Architecture, stairwells, colours, form-repetition, contrasts. In general the thin line between abstract and reality.
I am the sole administrator of the group über-spesh (http://www.flickr.com/groups/uber-spesh/) where I collect photo's that I really like (and no, I don't post there myself). I hope to bring good photographers in contact there.

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

There are plenty of places to go to, all over the world, where I would love to shoot. Bilbao, Sydney. But I find it also very challenging to take a beautiful photo of a well known place nearby.
Oh, and sure, I would love to be able to do portraits.

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

I have one very good friend, who has an awesome eye. I trust his judgement completely. I'll make him my manager and get famous, one day.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

Nope. Completely taught everything myself. Takes a bit longer, but is much better, I think.
Nowadays internet is a big help. I subscribed to Matt Kloskowski's Photoshop Killer Tips podcast. That turned out to be very helpful!

9: Plans for the future?

I would like to do some exhibitions, and make more Blurb-books (I have one out: www.blurb.com/my/book/detail/666991).
Oh, and I'm gonna get famous and rich.

10: In one word, describe your photography.

Über-spesh.

Rick Elkins

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Rick Elkins


One of a recently shot series of candid ballet photos taken backstage. I found the expressions of the dancers as they watched the other dancers perform to be quite a show.


Taken on a beach in Pondicherry, on the Bay of Bengal. When I saw them, they instantly reminded of an early Picasso painting of an acrobat family.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

I took a course in b&w photography during the summer after I graduated college and bought a little Rollei 35mm, I remember transferring the film to a metal developing canister while sitting on the floor with a blanket over me as a makeshift darkroom! It was completely dark under that blanket (I had to work by feel) and very hot, as it was July. I enjoyed learning darkroom printing techniques like burning and dodging, but never did it again after that.

I didn't get serious about photography until about three years ago. That's when I got my first digital SLR, a Nikon D80. That's when I began really thinking about the photos I took.

2: Equipment you use?

I recently upgraded to a Nikon D700, and I'm happy I did. Obviously especially good for low-light! With it, I got a Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8, a 70-200mm f/2.8, and a teleconverter for extended range. I already had a prime 50mm f/1.4 and I'll probably get the 14-24 at some later date, unless Nikon introduces an updated version first. The rest of my lenses I've sold or put aside. And I'm a new fan of ThinkTank bags, I have two different kinds now.

3: Mac or PC?

A no-brainer, I'm a longtime Mac user, since the early 1990s. For any kind of graphic use, there's no comparison, and so far, for security reasons, too. And Apple's engineering and aesthetics are elegant and they just work better then a PC!

4: What inspires you?

More often, things not related to photography. I've always believed inspiration from mediums different from the one you're currently working in is more likely to produce something more arresting, more original. I started as a painter, and that influences my styles and work habits.

5: Preferred subject matter?

I love to include people in my shots when possible. They make a shot much more challenging, but more rewarding. The depth of meaning the inclusion of a person can add to even, say, a landscape makes the extra effort well worthwhile for me.
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6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that
you REALLY want to capture.

I'd REALLY like to shoot an alien spacecraft making a landing on Earth. That's what I remind myself will probably happen any day I leave the house without a camera, and that kind of thought helps motivates me to grab one to bring along. But I don't like to use the word "capture", it seems to imply that one has just grabbed something that was already there and waiting, I prefer to think of the process as making photographs, not taking photographs.

What I want to work on are more photographs that have been planned in advance, most of my shots on Flickr are candid. I love the challenge of candid photography, but there are so many images in my head that could only be accomplished if planned. I need to work more with models and I need to learn how to use artificial light, I just bought an SB900 and some Lastolite lighting equipment toward that end...

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

People who don't have any training or experience with photography can bring an unbiased eye to a photograph, so I like getting their opinion, but people who are emersed in photography have their own special insights to offer. Hmmm, combine those two groups and I guess I've just described the entire human race.


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

I'm self-taught, so I sometimes bring unorthodox methods to solving problems. As for Photoshop, I had to teach myself to use it in the early 1990s for my work as as art director. Photoshop can be a blessing or a curse, far more people ruin their photographs using Photoshop then improve them, but used judiciously, it is a godsend. Sadly I am sometimes overdo it, please yell at me when you see me do that.

9: Plans for the future?

I'm working to learn much more, and hopefully improve the craft, and elevate the material.


10: In one word, describe your photography.

Tryingtoalwaysgetbetter.

Bec Thomas Photography

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Bec Thomas Photography


Passing Between is water coming through an old seawall, my husband thinks it should be called Dancing Fairies.


Reaching High is one of the shots my kids deceided I was insane because I kept crouching down and looking up at the trees on a trail we were walking.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I was around 10 when my grandmother got me a little 110 camera. I always wanted to play with her camera, pictures always fascinated me. So I guess you can say I’ve always been involved with photography.

2: Equipment you use?
I hate this question because I really have just too much equipment to list. Suffice it to say that an inventory sheet would be required to answer this question.

3: Mac or PC?
I use PC; I build my own to the specs I require.

4: What inspires you?
Inspiration is like the wind, it comes, it goes, and it pops up when it isn’t terribly convinient. I love the outdoors and that is where I do find most of my inspiration. Fog is one of my favorite conditions to shoot in; I’ve always loved fog and the light works completely different in fog then in any other situation. Shooting in fog is like having the entire world turned into a huge light box, there just isn’t anything that compares to it.

5: Preferred subject matter?
Nature is my preferred subject matter, shooting B&W gives you the ability to show a side of nature people often over look and take for granted, those are the details I like to capture.
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6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
A picture is a single moment in time that will never come again, so there are lots of moments I have not yet captured that I will want to. Penguins in Antarctica, rivers in China, sheep in Wales, and a Coco De Mar in the Seychelles all are things that I might yet capture and who knows what else my take my fancy.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
My husband and friends

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
I’m an antidisestablishmentarianist so I haven’t gone to do formal training, I even homeschool my kids. I have learned from other photographers, through my own research, and experience.


9: Plans for the future?
More photos, more shows, remodel my studio, and so on!


10: In one word, describe your photography.
Classic

Peter From Wellington

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Peter From Wellington

‘No Boat Ever Waited For Me’, is part of the quest to find the depth of a painting like experience in a digital medium. The title is from another tale, it has profound meaning in my life.


‘Just Like You, Once Upon a Time I Was a Beautiful Promise’, I like the surreal setting and twist to a rather deceptive order of things we commonly correlate in our heads. Our never-ending dream of green fields, gorgeous homes and forgiving skies.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

From the moment I can remember, since the smell of a leather case on my father’s old Kiev 4A would get me exited for no apparent reason. I learnt quickly to press the right buttons. Its beautiful shiny lens sucked in the blue skies, trees and meadows with butterflies on it. My family never looked better or happier than in my images. I got so good, dad had to promise me that one day he will put film in it.


2: Equipment you use?

Couple of Canons, PowerShot A550 and A710. Now I also have a Canon PowerShot SX1. When I can, I try to use my Nikon D200. It is bulkier and heavier, but faster to respond and operate. I have a couple of lenses for it, I always end up changing in the field under the most difficult conditions, just to make sure the local equipment cleaning service have a steady income in these challenging times.

3: Mac or PC?

PC exclusively.


4: What inspires you?

If I ever had any inspiration it would mostly come from paintings. I tried, at least on some of my images, to emulate this art form which has the uncanny ability to preserve the spiritual context of a subject by application of ink textures and to store its energy in each brushstroke. This is fascinating, hard to reproduce magic.


5: Preferred subject matter?

Nature. It can fill your heart with an indescribable sense of joy, freedom and belonging, while still keeping some puzzling and distant parts for itself, making you want to reveal them in one monumental display of colour and shape. It is also threatened, which makes me feel very protective towards it. Some of my images spell out this concern very clearly.


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

Portraits, people. There is no viable reason for the lack of faces revealing their stories in my album. I love humanity, my lens will have to acknowledge this one day and bring an entirely new quality to the gallery.


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

You probably remember some of your birthdays as a child; all those cakes, candles and colourful balloons. You may even recall a sight of a quiet kid in the corner, its legs dangling off a big wooden chair. That was me. A born loner, a bit better these days, I still have a habit of retreating into deeper places of my inner universe when times become difficult. Solitude may be better, or I simply don’t know any different.


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

None whatsoever. But I can read technical books like a novel. It helps. Imagine digesting some computer script before going to bed, and sleeping like a baby afterwards. I know it’s strange, so am I.


9: Plans for the future?

Not sure at the moment. In my reality, things come and go in long repetitive cycles. I’ve been here before and, at present struggling to stay in this creative incarnation. In the case I disappear from view it is certain I’ll be back someday, a bit more enthusiastic, slightly improved. If everything goes according to plan my photography will peak in one of my future lives.


10: In one word, describe your photography.

Emotional. Its impact on a viewer is everything. There are many dimensions of every artform but this one is very important, so closely tied to what we really are, our existence, our very purpose.

F-2

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER:F-2

Plunging Grape

One thing I have found a photographer needs is patience. I took around 300 - 500 images of a grape falling into water trying to get a shot like this and again and again it didn't work. Then everything came together for this image.

Salisbury Cathedral (West Front)

I tend to choose a subject and go back again and again capturing it in different kinds of light and different times of the day. This image is one such example. I spent a spring and summer going to Salisbury Cathedral taking images from all angles inside, using multiple exposures to produce HDR images. But this single RAW exposure is my favourite from that whole time, taken when towards the end of the summer. Again patience is needed to keep going back and searching for the best shot.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

I started doing photography seriously during 1994 using 35mm SLR cameras and medium format stuff. But since digital photography came along I have enjoyed that the most.

2: Equipment you use?

Canon. 5D and 20D, Canon Lens, Sigma 15mm fisheye, Manfrotto tripod.

3: Mac or PC?

PC

4: What inspires you?

Lots of things including my children, toys, trees & wildlife - I'm constantly searching for photo opportunities everywhere.

5: Preferred subject matter?

Anything which looks photogenic - I like to take images of lots of things including nature, buildings, people, even toy ducks.
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6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.

Kingfisher. I don't take bird images as such, but I would love to take some images of a Kingfisher at some point, they are wonderful.

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

My wife.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

No formal qualifications, but I have studied photography principles a lot and done lots of training in Photoshop.

9: Plans for the future?

Keep learning about photography and hopefully take some great images.

10: In one word, describe your photography.

Patience.

[Kane]

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: [Kane]

In the deep end.

This shot is one of my all time faves, for many reasons, I've photographed this tree many times (in fact I have photographed almost everything here, lightning, stars, moonrise, sunset, sunrise) but on this day I was very lucky to capture some of the best rays I've seen. I was knee deep in water shooting this (which is not un-common


Cloud Explosion.

This shot is another fave, its a simple shot that just had to be taken, I was on holidays in New Zealand (where I'm from) and the subject is my father, I saw the shot in my head and I asked him to walk into the frame, and he did, and he held still for the 1sec exposure ;)

As a landscape photographer I'm always watching the clouds and this was a dream shot, wet sand, reflections........... what more does the shot need!

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

I bought my first camera, a Vivitar v2000 when I was about 14, I'm now 27, so that's about 13 years, I've only been shooting digital for about 2 years. I've always loved photography for as long as I can remember.


2: Equipment you use?

I'm currently using two digital cameras, a Canon 400D, and a Canon 50D. I have a range of lenes including the Canon 24-70 f/2.8 L and the Canon 70-200 f/4 L. I still use my Vivitar film body also. Most of my landscapes are shot using my Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6 lens. I use a cheap tripod, as I go through them too quickly.


3: Mac or PC?

PC, with Adobe Lightroom 2.3 and Photoshop 6.0


4: What inspires you?

The people I shoot with, and the ever changing environment around us.


5: Preferred subject matter?

Nature, funky trees and clouds, rays from the sun, and grass.


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

A moonbow, which is a rainbow at night, very rare, imagine a clear sky on the moon side and some rain/storm clouds on the other, usually a full moon is required.


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

Myself and my friends.


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

I'm not classically trained in anything, I shoot and learn, and then I re-shoot. I was a web developer some years ago, so I've always been able to apply my Photoshop skills in post production to improve my photography.


9: Plans for the future?

Continue to keep shooting landscapes, and weather events. I'd like to upgrade to a full frame camera some day.


10: In one word, describe your photography.

Nature.