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………..