Slimdandy

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Slimdandy!!


This image of an agave plant in my garden was taken in the late afternoon with the sun slightly diffused by clouds. In photoshop, I was able to come close to replicating my warm toned silver gelatin prints by using the color balance sliders on the desaturated image. Then, using a black layer and layer mask, I was able to deepen the blacks.


This image is almost completely drawn in photoshop using one texture. The only photographic element in the image is the car. The rest is illustrated. This is a relatively new direction for me.

1. How long have you been involved in photography?

My mother gave me a German rangefinder when I was nine years old. That thoughtful gift led to a childhood hobby, which led to photography classes in high school and college, which led to graduate work at California Institute of the Arts.
Everything seems to be connected. I became a professional photographer for nearly 30 years and now I teach photography at a local Community College. My mother’s gift just keeps on giving.


2. Equipment you use ?


Right now I’m shooting film with a Leica M-6 ( Yes, still using a German rangefinder). I shoot digitally with an Olympus E-500. I scan my film with a Nikon Super Coolscan 4000 and I make prints on an Epson Stylus Photo 2000P.
I would like to upgrade my printer in the near future.


3. Mac or PC?

Mac

4. What inspires you?



I’m inspired by life in general. For me, it’s all about the light. I look for those situations where the light is expressing itself in a unique and wonderful way.
I am deeply inspired by my beginning photography students. A beginner’s mind is a powerful creative force.

5. Preferred subject matter?



I like to photograph nature, especially in my garden.
I love to shoot ancient ruins that have not been overrun by tourist.


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



The Inca ruins at Machu Picchu are on my bucket list.

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




I go within to stillness, meditation, contemplation and visioning.
That may sound trite to some, but it works for me. All the answers are there.


8. Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop




I have an MFA in Art and Design. About ten years ago I took a year long course in computer graphics that included some instruction in Photoshop. However, most of what I’ve learned about Photoshop has been through experimentation; trial and error.

9. Plans for the future?




I plan to continue teaching photography and sharing my work on Flickr.


10. In one word, describe your photography.

Luminous.

Jeff Dyck

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Jeff Dyck!!


This shot is reminiscent of the kind of photos I have been trying to shoot for years. I've made several trips to the "4-Corners" area and can't wait to return.


This is a more recent shot and is representative of the direction my photography has been going of late. I put a lot of work into getting this shot and I'm very pleased with the result (although if I were to split hairs, I would love to have had the bird's tail in a different position - next time...)

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

About 25 years and change. My parents gave me a Pentax K1000 for my birthday when I was 14 or 15 and I have been hooked since.


2: Equipment you use?

Most of the shots you'll see on Flickr photostream were shot with either a Canon 5DII or a G10, but I am actually relatively new to digital photography - the 5DII was my first digital SLR (purchased in spring 2009). From the mid 90's until quite recently I was very focussed on large format film photography - I still shoot a lot of sheet film in a variety of formats from 4x5 to 11x14. I also have a couple Hasselblads and medium format Fuji rangefinders in the quiver but they don't see much action these days. Horses for courses.


3: Mac or PC?

PC


4: What inspires you?

The natural world. Beautiful light. New places.


5: Preferred subject matter?

I spent many years shooting a lot of landscape photography, but recently I've taken a great interest in wildlife and avian photography. This is really a result of some lifestyle changes. I made a work related moved a few years ago from the northern coast of British Columbia to (very flat) northwestern Ontario - while the boreal forest has a beauty of it's own, one doesn't have to look far to find a huge variety of birds and abundant wild animals - the grand landscapes seem a little harder to come by...


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

More than things, what I still really want to capture are places - I could fill pages with the places I'd like to visit and photograph. If I had to name a thing - an Ivory-billed Woodpecker.


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

No one really. I rarely have doubts.


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

Nope...


9: Plans for the future?

I've been without a darkroom since my move to Dryden. I recently purchased a very good scanner and a fluid mounting set-up - my winter project this year will be starting to scan my way through 15 years of accumulated sheet film.


10: In one word, describe your photography.

f64-ish?