Joits

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Joits!


photographing people who i don't know out in public is something that i don't think i'm very good at. its something i try to work on but i'm always a bit nervous about people's reactions when they see you taking their shot. for this one, i was presented with this scenario and i am glad i managed to capture this moment. it's a photo that i sometimes am amazed that it was me who took the shot. the response i've gotten from the community on Flickr was amazing and overwhelming, especially when it was featured on Flickr's blog




i am a huge fan of cosplay. i am constantly amazed by the level of skill and dedication that these fans have in order to re-create their favorite anime, video game, or pop culture character(s) at anime expos or comic cons. it's also a challenge to try and get good shots at what can be a chaotic environment with hundreds of people in the background, other photographers jostling beside you, in front of you, etc to get their own shot. despite having to deal with all those issues, it's worth it when you are able to get shots like this. i loved the make up and the intensity of her eyes with the red contacts.

1 Tell us a little about yourself
I was born in the Philippines, but was raised in Zambia, Africa. I attended boarding school in the UK while still living in Zambia, and then eventually emigrated to the United States. I currently work for LA County and use that to fund my obsession with trying to experience life through my lens.

2: How long have you been involved in photography?
I think I got serious about photography when I bought my first DSLR from a friend in the spring of 06. I never took any classes, but I considered Flickr, the interwebs, and the many Flickrmeets I"ve attended as my class.

3: Equipment you use?
I currently use a Nikon D300. Lenses include: Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II, Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G, Nikon 35mm f/1.8G, Nikon 60mm f/2.8D, Nikon 50mm f/1.8D, Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8. I also use a Nikon SB-900 flash.

4 Who or what inspires you?
The friends that I've made as a result of the many Flickrmeets I've been to. I'm amazed that people I've met on a website have become my closest friends today. I am constantly amazed by their talents whenever they upload photos to Flickr. Not only are they great photographers, they are some of the best people I've ever gotten to meet. I've had fun going on photo adventures with them and I look forward to more of them in the future!

5: Preferred subject matter?
While I love taking long exposures, or doing travel photography, I think I really love attending events like Anime Expo, Comic Con, etc. Cosplay photography is something I find tremendously fun and challenging at the same time and it never gets old because the cosplayers keep on making amazing costumes!


6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
I've always wanted to capture lightning! Living in SoCal makes that a bit difficult because we don't really get a lot of lightning storms here. But I'm hoping that one day I will be in another part of the world and have the opportunity to capture this powerful, but beautiful natural phenomenon... safely of course.

7 If you weren’t a photographer would you have another artistic pursuit? If so what?
Other than photography, the only other endeavour I pursued that I considered artistic was learning the guitar. I don't know if I would have pursued it more had I not discovered photography but that's the only thing I can think of!


8: Do you have any advice for someone just starting their photography journey?
Just go out and shoot! In the beginning when I started, I would shoot everything I saw. I would go on Flickr, look at photos and make it my "homework" to try and take photos similar to what I saw. Eventually you will learn what your style is or what you like to take. I think learning through books and reading websites can be helpful, but I think you learn more when you are actually out there and experiencing different photographic situations... and it's more fun too!


9: Plans for the future?
Nothing specific, just to keep having fun with photography. I really believe that my life changed for the better when I took this as a hobby. I hope to be able to meet more fellow photographers and to experience new things, visit new places and capture it all on my camera.


10: In one word, describe your photography.
Adventurous. I had trouble with this one... so I asked a friend to help me out and that's what she came up with. Thanks SoupyB!