Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Kiwi Gal

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER:Kiwi Gal

first of all let me just say that fave photos changes all the time depending on my mood however i will choose 1 portrait and 1 macro since those are the two areas that im most fond of :)


my most fave picture of my daughter currently (it changes all the time but she is my most fave subject) and my passion in photography started when she was born, she will always be my muse.

the birds brought seed & flowers & bits of brightly colored string & placed them in her hair while she slept so that she would remember the wild joy of spring when she finally awoke... by Kiwi_GaL

my love of macro started one and half year ago when i acquire my very first macro lens and this will continue to be my creative outlet.....I found it amazing how much a lot of things look so different under a macro lens....this snail (my daughter named him Gary) is one of the few creatures that i never would have thought can look so amazing until i saw him thru my macro lens.
Thinks about moving to someplace else where everything is different enough to be fun again. by Kiwi_GaL

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
started out when when daughter was born 4 years ago :)

2: Equipment you use?
Nikon D80 & Nikon D300 with the following lenses: Nikon 50mm/1.4, Nikon 85mm/1.8, Nikon 24-70/2.8, Sigma 105/2.8 macro, manual extension tubes & Nikon SB800 speedlight that i use once in a blue moon.

3: Mac or PC?
both....my love affair with Mac just started although i have a strong suspicion that im really a PC girl at heart :)

4: What inspires you?
the work of a lot of photographers here in flickr.

5: Preferred subject matter?
people, flowers, water droplets, feathers anything to do with portrait and macros.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
one of those fresh newborn shot where they are perfectly curled up or folded in a special way to get them to look so peaceful and angelic.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
my dear hubby and my friends in real live as well as here in flickr....their support have been so amazing.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
self taught in everything to do with photography.

9: Plans for the future?
to keep evolving, learning and growing in my passion for photography and someday i want to make a living out of my passion and do photography full time.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
uncover

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Xaomena

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER:Xaomena

Still life with the use of wide angle lens.
Pears and nuts by Xaomena

Still life by Xaomena


And then it was question time...
1 : How long have you been involved in photography?
1) I take pictures about 15 years, but mostly it was just a hobby for myself. I started seriosly to take my hobby about 3 years ago.

2 : Equipment you use?
2) Canon 30D with lenses Canon 24-105mm F4, Canon 50mm F1/4, Canon 100mm macro, lensbaby 2.0

3 : Mac or PC?
3) I use PC.

4 : What inspires you?
4) I love old masters paintings.

5 : Preferred subject matter?
5) Still life. Sometimes flowers, but mostly still life.

6 : Name of one thing you haven’t caught with the camera that you really want to capture?
6) I REALLY dream to take a picture of landscape of mountains with dramatic sky.

7 : When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
7) I have doubt about the artistic quality of my images most of the time, but it is just a hobby for me.

8 : Qualifications/training in anything? i.e Photoshop
8) I look a lot at the work of others and try to learn from them. I learn to use Photoshop from the internet.


9 : Plans for the future?
9) I hope I never lose my inspiration and energy to take pictures.

10 : In one word, describe your photography.
10) One word : to difficult for me.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Denis Collette

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER:Denis Collette...!!!
I’d choose two of my wild river reflections cause it seems that is what the Flickr addicted like … seems to be my signature…!!!

Rivière arc-en-ciel...!!!... My rainbow wild river...!!!
Rivière arc-en-ciel...!!! by Denis Collette...!!!

Le mélèze de ciel...!!!... The celestial larch...!!!
Le mélèze de ciel...!!! by Denis Collette...!!!

1 : How long have you been involved in photography?
Since May 1, 2006. But before… in the 70’s, I made some experiments in BW with my own laboratory for about two years. I’d bought the complete collection of Life magazine and I learned with that!

2 : Equipment you use?
From now … the new Canon 5D Mark III… but I’ve to wait to the spring to experiment the reflections in my wild river.
Since the last spring I used aCanon EOS 40D. Before I was addicted to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18…I sometimes used a Sony DSC-828, a Panasonic Lumix TZI magic for the close up and a Nikon FM2… a tank for the North Pole at -40C…!
For the lens… with the 40D I use a 17-85mm… for the Mark II… a 24-105mmm, a 70-300mm and a 50mm 1.4.

3 : Mac or PC?
Addicted to the Mac… I use an I Mac with the Intel technology.

4 : What inspires you?
The light… my wild river!

5 : Preferred subject matter?
Reflections in my wild river!

6 : Name of one thing you haven’t caught with the camera that you really want to capture?
With my camera nothing else… I still have a lot of things to experiment in my wild river…but as example in the future I want to experiment some textures on my reflections…!!!

7 : When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
My soulmate… she’s VP creation in our ad agency… she’s my muse since 41 years…!!! ☺

8 : Qualifications/training in anything? i.e Photoshop
I graduated as graphic designer in ’69… but I’d to leave the art direction in ’78 when my design studio became too big and be transformed in ad agency… administration became my work.

9 : Plans for the future?
Expositions, installations and books with poems maybe at the end of october.
That’s why I’d buy the 5D Mark II… I’ll have the possibility to experiment the big formats.

10 : In one word, describe your photography.
Impressionism

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Dyrk.Wyst

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Dyrk.Wyst

w a l D by Dyrk.Wyst
"I remember, that, when I saw these trees, I immediately knew how the picture should look like after processing. Everything was more or less ready in my mind."

last sun rays by Dyrk.Wyst
"I love this bridge. Its not far from where I live. When I was a child our family used to make excursions to this place. I was always fascinated. I was there at the right moment, just before the sun vanished behind the hills."

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

When I joined flickr almost 3 years ago it all started to become more and more serious. I suddenly had a task: I wanted to post one picture a day - and if possible - always something different: subject, colour, technique....

2: Equipment you use?

I have a Canon EOS 400 D and a Canon Ixus 70. Nothing else.

3: Mac or PC?

PC

4: What inspires you?

A lot of what I see on flickr inspires me. Of course many of my contacts are a constant inspiration and also a motivation to try something new.

5: Preferred subject matter?

Landscapes, nature in general. But I can be almost everything. I have to find it interesting.

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

The moon & landscapes at night. I also like to make portraits, but its hard to find suitable models.

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

I avoid having doubts about my art ;-)...luckily until now I really didn't encounter any serious doubts, but there are some good friends I could confide in.

8. Qualifications/training in anything?

Everything is self-taught. Some tricks and techniques I picked up in books and on the internet. It took me ages to figure certain things out in Photoshop.

9. Plans for the future?

I think some day I want to make an exhibition. The sooner, the better.

10: In one word, describe your photography

Vivid


AnneliesW

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: AnneliesW

"Choosing two photos was the hardest part of this interview!
I don't think they should be spoiled with words.
I'll leave your hearts to describe what you see!"
Today I painted my dream... by AnneliesW

Queen's Day by AnneliesW

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

My first analogue camera was a Zeiss Ikon. I got it when I was 14…that’s quite some time ago.
I really don’t think it was true “photography” as I just took random pictures.
When I was younger I even practiced with my father’s Kodak camera, a Six 20-Brownie:


In November 2005 I bought my first digital camera after using my daughter’s digital Sony camera for quite some time.
I was enthusiastic about it!
I chose to purchase an Olympus SP 500 UZ.
From that day on I became addicted to photography and the ‘art of observing’!
It means a lot to me.
So, I guess you could say it was late 2005 when I got involved in photography. ;-) It's a passion now!

2: Equipment you use?

* Olympus SP 500 UZ
** my body and my soul
*** my eyes
;-)

3: Mac or PC?

PC.

4: What inspires you?
I admire famous photographers like Annie Leibovitch and Martin Kers. What really inspires me is nature...and it makes me enjoy nature even more.
Many photographers on Flickr are very inspiring to me, too.
There is so much incredible talent here!!!

If English would have been my mother's tongue I might have described it in Ansel Adam's way:

“I believe in photography as one means of achieving an ultimate happiness and faith.
The quality of place, the reaction to immediate contact with earth and growing things that have a fugal relationship with mountains and sky, is essential to the integrity of our existence on this planet.”


5: Preferred subject matter?

Because of my husband's passion for art, we often visit museums and galleries. I love taking pictures of art, so this is a passion for me as well. I often go for a walk or a cycling tour and enjoy taking nature photos along the way, too.

And here on Flickr I love pairing my images with literary quotes!

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

A lion in the wild! It would be my last photo, I'm afraid! ;-)
Well, I envy people who have cameras with all kinds of lenses...If I had a telephoto lens I would love to go out on a kingfisher hunt!

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

I often show my pictures to my husband! His creativity with painting and sculpture work is a passion for him. That's not always an advantage, because he often has a different point of view about photography. I think he has a keen sense and he helps with constructive critique.

8. Qualifications/training in anything?

I use Adobe Elements 4 and Adobe CS3, but I'm not an expert.
I’m mainly self-taught. I learn while I’m doing; trial and error.

I am an administrator for several Flickr groups.
Viewing the photos in the groups is a great learning tool for me and I learn new things each day!

9. Plans for the future?

I plan to become an amateur! ;-)
Nothing more, nothing less.
For me, photography is something that completely relaxes me and takes my mind off the most troublesome thoughts and worries.
Photography is the perfect outlet for my feelings…that’s the most important factor!

10: In one word, describe your photography

Diversity

Anne*°

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Anne*°

I had a very hard time choosing and I don’t consider these two photos my best, or my favorites.
I didn’t want to pick from my series that are already well known,
such as "Some little things with a blue shadow" and "My Black Notebook".
I think these two photos simply show how sensitive I am to light patterns,
as well as my interest for the ordinary things that are part of my daily life.

Le choix a été vraiment très difficile et je ne considère pas ces 2 photos
comme étant parmi les meilleures, ni comme mes préférées.
Je n'ai pas voulu choisir dans mes séries déjà bien connues
"Some little things with a blue shadow" et "My Black Notebook".
Je pense que ces deux photos montrent simplement ma sensibilité aux jeux de lumière
et mon intérêt pour les choses ordinaires qui peuplent mon environnement quotidien.

Airline by Anne*°

A new vision * 2 (series) by Anne*°

Vous trouverez une version française de cet interview à la suite de la version anglaise. Merci de votre visite.

And then it was question time.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?


I have always enjoyed taking pictures and always took many.
With the arrival in my life of digital photography in 2006, my relationship with photography evolved, even more so when I started on Flickr in 2007.
Being in contact with other people around the world who are passionate about photography made this interest grow tenfold...
so did the time I devote to photography (and to Flickr...)


2: Equipment you use?

Right now, I only use a fairly basic digital equipment :
- A small compact camera, the Canon Ixus 800 IS (also called Powershot SD 700 IS), which I like a lot and always have with me
- A Nikon D70 with a Nikkor AF-S 18-70 f:3,5 lens.
- I also have on loan an old Yashica Mat which I would like to use more and experiment with.

My dream would be to beef up this kit with some better lenses.


3: Mac or PC?

PC, with no strong feelings about it, and for a very basic use!

4: What inspires you?

- In my immediate surroundings, light and shadow patterns, textures,
transparencies, graphic patterns, simple or abstract shapes...
- But also the world as seen through the eyes of known or unknown artists, photographers and others.
There are so many talented and creative photographers that I meet on Flickr
and whose work inspires me every day and I thank them for that!

5: Preferred subject matter?

The small things of everyday life seen through the filter of abstraction
and/or minimalism.
I enjoy choosing a subject and taking the time to observe it from every angle,
in different lights and settings.

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


Another difficult choice to make!
I hesitate between a picture of molten lava and one of the midnight sun,
but if I could only take one original photo of the plane that takes me there,
I'd already be satisfied.



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


I am always doubting, questioning, experimenting.
Nothing is ever won or completed.
Doubt is the path that makes it possible to put one foot in front of the other,
and I find this path much more fascinating than some hypothetical finish line.
Each photo is a step which teaches me something for the next pictures.
With time, the way I look at my work matures.
Depending on the questions I ask myself, the opinion of some close friends can be precious and all exchanges around photography, be it on artistic or technical issues, help me progress and gain confidence.


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

I have zero training in photography nor in informatics.
I have no knowledge of Photoshop.
A few years in art school taught me how to observe things in a personal way.


9: Plans for the future?

To enjoy everyday beauty.
To learn, to look, to experiment, to observe, to photograph.
To meet other photographers and collaborate with them,
as I did (and do) with Yves* for the YA! projects.
To acquire some basic skills in image processing,
if only to be able to erase traces of dust on the sensor! ;0)
To publish one of my photo albums.



10: In one word, describe your photography.
“Observation" ... and if I may add a second one, I’ll say “poetry”.



********************************************

1: Depuis combien de temps vous intéressez-vous à la photographie?

J'aime prendre des photos depuis toujours. J'en ai toujours pris beaucoup.
L'arrivée du digital dans ma vie en 2006 a fait évoluer ma façon d'aborder la photographie,
et encore plus mon arrivée sur le site Flickr en 2007.
Le contact avec des passionnés du monde entier a encore décuplé cet intérêt .........
et le temps que j'y passe!

2: Quel équipement utilisez-vous?

Actuellement j'utilise uniquement un matériel digital relativement basique:
- Un petit compact Canon Ixus 800 IS (appelé aussi Powershot SD 700 IS)
que j'aime beaucoup et qui ne me quitte jamais
- Un Nikon D70 avec objectif Nikkor AF-S 18-70 f:3,5.
- J'ai également en prêt un ancien Yashica Mat pour lequel j'aimerais trouver un peu de temps
et faire quelques expérimentations.

Mon rêve serait d'étoffer un peu ce matériel avec quelques objectifs plus performants.

3: Mac ou PC?

PC sans grande conviction et avec une utilisation très élémentaire!

4: Qu'est-ce qui vous inspire?

- Dans mon environnement proche, les jeux de lumière et d'ombres, les textures,
les transparences, les graphismes, les formes simples ou abstraites ...
- Mais aussi le monde vu par les yeux d'artistes reconnus ou non, photographes ou non.
Il y a tant de photographes talentueux et créatifs que je rencontre sur Flickr
et dont le travail m'émerveille et m'inspire chaque jour et je les en remercie!

5: Votre sujet préféré?

Les petites choses de la vie quotidienne vues à travers le filtre
de l'abstraction et / ou du minimalisme.
J'aime choisir un sujet et prendre le temps de l'observer sous tous ses angles,
dans des lumières et des situations variées.

6: Nommer une chose que vous n'avez pas encore photographié
et que vous aimeriez VRAIMENT prendre.


Encore un choix bien difficile à faire!
J'hésite entre une photo de lave en fusion et une du soleil de minuit,
mais si je pouvais seulement faire une photo originale de l'avion
qui m'y emmènera, je serais déjà satisfaite!


7: Quand vous avez des doutes sur votre art, à qui vous confiez-vous?

Je suis en permanence dans le doute, le questionnement, l'expérimentation.
Rien n'est jamais acquis ni abouti.
Le doute, c'est le chemin qui permet de mettre un pied devant l'autre
et ce chemin me passionne beaucoup plus qu'une éventuelle ligne d'arrivée.
Chaque photo est une étape qui m'apprend quelque chose pour aborder les suivantes.
Le temps m'aide aussi à mûrir le regard que je porte sur ce que je fais.
Selon les questions que je me pose, l'avis de certains amis proches m'est précieux
et tout échange concernant la photo, que ce soit dans le domaine artistique ou technique,
m'aide à avancer et à prendre confiance.


8: Des qualifications ou formations particulières? Photoshop?

Je n'ai aucune formation ni en photographie, ni en informatique.
Je ne connais rien à Photoshop.
Quelques années dans une école d'Art
m'ont appris à observer les choses avec un regard personnel.

9: Des plans pour le futur?

Profiter de la beauté de chaque jour.
Apprendre, regarder, expérimenter, observer, photographier.
Rencontrer d'autres photographes et créer des collaborations
comme je l'ai déjà fait avec Yves dans les projets YA!
Acquérir quelques rudiments en traitement d'image,
ne fût-ce que pour pouvoir effacer les traces de poussières de capteur! ;o)
Publier l'un ou l'autre album de mes photos



10: Décrivez en un mot votre style de photographie

Observation ... et si je peux en ajouter un second, je joins : poétique