Stefan Söderström

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER:Stefan Söderström


In this photo I like the composition. All the space above the cow really symbolize all the methane that cows produce, which in turn is a huge cause to climate change.


I wanted to include this one because it's one of my earlier photos. I think this photo is all about fun and joy. It makes me smile.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
As a kid I had a small pocket camera which I mostly used for taking holiday pictures of my family. I bought my first digital at the turn of the millennium. It was a great little camera with 3,2 megapixels. Around 2005-2006 I took my photography to a new level. I got a DSLR camera and started to make photos instead of taking photos. I was hooked.

2: Equipment you use?
I mostly use a Canon 400D with a simple canon 50mm/1,8 and a Sigma 17-70 zoom. I also have a sturdy Manfrotto tripod. I am not the guy that needs to have the best and the most fancy equipment. I think one can take great photos with almost whatever camera if it's used in the right way. I have recently started to experiment with an old medium format camera, Agfa Isola, and I love it. For many years I have been a big fan of polaroid. I really hope that the production of the film soon will continue. New lenses are on my wish-list. Sharp lenses make it all so much easier...still if used right.


3: Mac or PC?
PC.....but I think my next one will be a Mac because they are so stylish ;)



4: What inspires you?
Other photographers. Flickr-ists are truly a great inspiration. Thank you! I often get inspiration from things or places I see. I like philosophy and often find myself conteplating, anything, and that's when ideas usually pop up.


5: Preferred subject matter?
I like to include something living in my photos. I am not very interested in looking at photos of subjects that are static and that I can view in reality with my own eyes. As I said earlier I like to make photos. That also means I like to be in control of things like composition and color. Whenever a living subjet is in front of the lens, that exact picture wont exist at any other given moment.


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

The photo that I really think is perfect. I don't think that day will come, because I can always do it better.....and that gives me the energy to keep going.


7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
Everyone and no-one. There are as many opinions as there are people. Lastly I really have to confide in myself.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
I am totally self taught. Trial and error!

9: Plans for the future?
I have recently started off as a freelance photographer. I have been lucky and I think I already this summer can make a living from it. This will, of course, only be my day job. It's a way to earn money on something I enjoy doing and it gives me the opportunity to do what I really love doing on my spare time: art photography. At the moment I have my first solo exhibition running. I hope there will be many more in the future.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
Heartily

Amythyst Lake

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: amythyst_lake!


This one was an easy choice. I was visiting my boyfriend’s family in France last spring and the weather was unseasonably cold. On Easter Sunday it snowed. We all went for walk in the hills above town and the kids had their toboggans and skis. The snow was coming down pretty hard all afternoon and my camera got very wet! On the way back, all of a sudden, and in spite of the heavily falling snow, the sun just popped out from behind a cloud and created the most amazing light. My boyfriend and his son were deep in conversation sheltering under a tree waiting for everyone to catch up – and I grabbed this shot.


Finding a second picture was much harder. I finally chose this one because I took it in Boston, where I live, and because it is representative of the sort of thing that I enjoy doing. In the summer, the Charles River fills up with little sailboats from Community Boating and the MIT sailing club. If you’ve seen an image of the Boston skyline you’ve probably seen them, they are very photogenic. As the sun sets on the Cambridge side of the Charles it hits the downtown skyscrapers and bounces back across the river. I waited on a bridge for one of the boats to sail into the light and then I snapped it.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
On and off for a long time. My first camera was an Olympus OM10 which I bought in the late seventies. I was interested in drawing, and I thought that the camera would help me – but it turned me on to photography instead. I took many, many pictures with that camera, but after a while I put it to one side and got on with other things. Like many people, I got back on board when I bought my first digital camera (a Canon A540). The possibilities of digital were so exciting that I became hooked like never before.

2: Equipment you use?
I have a Nikon D80 with 18-200mm, 70-300mm (new!) and 50mm prime lenses and a Canon G9 for carrying around and for taking on bike rides etc. I also have a good lightweight tripod that I can sling over my shoulder. So much more is possible with a tripod.

3: Mac or PC?
I love my Mac.

4: What inspires you?
The seasons, the weather and any kind of interesting light. I like to go on long walks alone with my camera. Usually I have some sort of objective in mind, but invariably my best shot will be of something else entirely. This is the fun part of photography for me – never knowing just what is out there to be found.

5: Preferred subject matter?
The outdoors, especially beaches, but I shoot wherever I happen to be. Shooting on vacation is fun, and it certainly gives you a fresh eye, but I believe that the best shots are to be had in a place you know well. I take a lot of pictures in my neighborhood. I also like reflections, shadows and silhouettes and semiabstract shots of buildings.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
So many things! Rain. A time exposure of a plane coming in to land at night. I’d like to attach my camera to my bike and get some motion shots. That’s three already. But what I’d really like is to inject a little bit more soul and a little bit more humor into my pictures.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
My boyfriend sometimes, but mainly I rely on myself.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
None. I’ve read plenty of books, mostly technical but I’ve learned most from studying other people’s work on Flickr (thank you everyone). I muddle along in Photoshop. I should be much more systematic about learning it – if I ever find time to take a course, it will probably be Photoshop.

9: Plans for the future?
To continue to enjoy myself, to try new things and to learn as much as I can.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
Uneven!

Licht~~~

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER:Licht~~~~
„...dreamscape...“


_____φ_____


1: How long have you been involved in photography?

Can‘t remember exactly, it was around 1954-55. My first camera was the Agfa Box, a simple 120-film roll camera. Then I got the Exakta Varex IIb - a brilliant 35mm SLr.
I was a member of our school photo group, we had our own darkroom. My mother wasn‘t really happy as I tried to build my first darkroom in our bathroom. Think my whole family suffered that time under my ambitious photo addiction.
Later I had the Rolleiflex 6008 (mediumsize) and the Leica M6.


2: Equipment you use?
Nikon D40, D60 and Fuji Finpix S5pro (which is almost the same as Nikon D200/D300) with Tamron 11-18mm, microNikkor 60mm, Carl Zeiss Planar T* 85mm,
further I preferre the Panasonic Lumix G1 and the Canon Powershot G9 for macro

3: Mac or PC?
PC

4: What inspires you?
Anselm Adams, the Flickr community, a fresh and sunny morning, any beauty of nature.

5: Preferred subject matter?
Infrared landscapes, colors, refractions in drops
.
6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
Portraits of very old persons.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
Flickr community is a brilliant neutral indicator.


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
No - i‘m a selfteached amateur.


9: Plans for the future?
Eventually digital Hasselblad, not sure about it.


10: In one word, describe your photography.
Childlike curiosity

March25 -Anna

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: March25-Anna

Levitation


Denim Blue


1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I think it happened in the very childhood - I’ve got this passion from my Father, who took wonderful pictures, collected books and photo albums, I could spend hours with him in the “lab” that was organized in our bathroom.
My first camera was Ljubitel-2, then some 35 mm cameras and I had a lot of fun experimenting with them, developing films myself.
After a long break, I felt I need to shoot again and purchased my first digital camera in 2007, since that moment I’ve been carrying it everywhere.

2: Equipment you use?
Nikon D80, Nikon AF-S 18-200mm 1/3.5-5.6 G ED VR, Nikon AF 50mm 1/1.8 D, Sigma 105mm 1/2.8 DG

3: Mac or PC?
Both, but in last months I’ve got addicted to iMac.

4: What inspires you?
Difficult to say...feelings, book, music, nice conversation or even heated debate...

5: Preferred subject matter?
I’ve never thought about it...just things I see and wish to share with others. I think my main professional background influences profoundly on my choice and helps a lot, but always light and emotions it evokes plays the main role.
Oscar Wilde said it better than anybody : “The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible”. We often forget about it.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
I am too spontaneous and just at the beginning, they are many :)

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
My best friend, guess who? Beatrice was “TWTME featured photographer” in May, 2008.
It is very important to have a straight-out “partner in crime”.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
I am a self-taught photographer, still learning something new with every shot. In photography i use Photoshop just for basic things.

9: Plans for the future?
I’d like to realise some ideas I am working on.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
diagnosis

Sistereden2

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER:Sistereden2

Orchha * Early morning

One of my favourite shots of a wonderful country, India. A timeless view of the magic city of Orccha, by the Betwa river in the soft light of early morning. Almost a biblical scene.

Paris in March

I love the city where I live : Paris. Most of my parisian pics are pedestrians (the series “people around the corner”). Maybe there are illustrations, a kind of modest tribute to a great book “Le piéton de Paris” from the poet Leon-Paul Fargue.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I’ve been seriously involved in photography about 4 years ago when I got my 350D Canon. I love travelling around foreign countries far from Europe, I’m specially attracted to Asian countries.

2: Equipment you use?
I use Canon 40 D with 2 main lenses 17-55 mm and EF 24-105 mm. The major problem is that it takes a lots of space so I always to carry a PowerShot G9 in my bag (just in case inspiration comes).

3: Mac or PC?
I’m working on a PC laptop but I am very tempted to switch it with one of the new IMac

4: What inspires you?
What inspires me in the first place is the pleasure to discover a new country, a new city but I also like to go back to places that I have already seen or that I know by heart.
Then, I could say that photography is for me a way to meet and to get closer to people, I feel no longer myself when I have a chance to catch a glimpse of their lives.
To conclude, Flickr is a daily source of inspiration. I am amazed by the creativity of all these talented photographers.

5: Preferred subject matter?
What I like most is to shoot people in the streets, expressive faces, figures that humanizes a place.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
Everything that needs long exposure, I don’t like to use tripods, I prefer to shoot with instinct.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
Usually I don’t confide in anyone. I think that my best adviser is Time. I could be thrilled by a picture and then I can come to the conclusion that it’s not worth it. But I’m thankful for the support and the comments of Flick members

8: Qualifications/training in anything?
I am a self-taught photographer. I use Photoshop program, and try to improve myself with the help of tutorials that you can find on the web.

9: Plans for the future?
Many more travellings around the world and long walks in Paris and maybe a Blurb book on my indian trips.


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

David Foster Nass

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER:David Foster Nass

Evolutionary Tendency



Sometimes it snows in April


1: How long have you been involved in photography?

Five years ago my best friend ceded a Sony Cybershot to me. I was hooked on immediately.

2: Equipment you use?

Two eyes that don't always tell me what they see and a Panasonic Lumix FZ50.

3: Mac or PC?

My first computer was a Schneider CPC 6128 in 1987. I stick to PCs since then. But that's not an ideologic matter to me - just the power of habit.

4: What inspires you?

Music, a good red wine, all of you great photographers out there and my wonderful wife.

5: Preferred subject matter?

I'm cross over, but especially interested in odd signs, profound streetart, surveillance cameras and the lonesome & melancholic.

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

Earth viewed from space.

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

I'm always full of doubt and nobody can ease this feeling.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

100% autodidact.

9: Plans for the future?

Fame, fortune and rock 'n' roll.

10: In one word, describe your photography.

Themeaningoflife.

Paul Grand

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER:Paul Grand


This is my current favorite, its a breakthrough picture for me, its when texturing finally clicked and I finished with something I was half proud of.
I've already talked about it in my Blog, if anyone is interested in the making of this image


The Mannequin Lighthouse is one of my most popular images, so who am I to argue?
I also wrote about it in my blog. It was done a few years ago, but still holds its own, even though I no longer use TTV's as they tend to cause many printing problems.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

I did extra photography during the evenings whilst at art college, I didn't specialise because finally, whilst doing very well in the subject, I found B/W photography in those days was too limiting for me.
Then, when high quality digital photography and manipulation came about just a few years ago, I jumped at the chance to get back in there!
To answer the question, I recently sold an old College B/W photograph to a magazine and it was featured on the front cover. so, I guess it took over 20 years?


2: Equipment you use?
Sony alpha 350.
I've been using the combined 18 -70 kit lens and I'm just upgrading to a new "vacation lens" - an all round, wide angle to zoom lens.
I'm also on the market for a nice strong wide angle. (offers?)
The great thing about the Sony Alpha is the back tilting, upwards or downwards LCD screen, I always use it to shoot from the hip, it fools people and helps to keep them relaxed,
because as soon as I lift it to my eye, (being tall doesn't help) everybody runs or scowls. I really like it just for that, plus its 14 + Megapixels!

3: Mac or PC?
Just changed over to Mac last summer, I have a 24" Imac with an upgraded powerful ram card.
So far, I'm very happy with it. I could never go back, Just the HD screen alone knocks spots off the old PC. When I use the old PC these days, I feel like I have gone back about 10 years into the past,
everything seems so dated and clunky in the PC format. Sorry, PC diehards! :-/

4: What inspires you?
Normal things like raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, but no, really, great light, deep blue skies, interesting locations.
The golden hour in an ancient Mediterranean graveyard, that really does it for me!:-)
I started out with a cheap plastic Dianna camera in a dark sooty Yorkshire graveyard aged 14-15. And here I am, still lurking about them in other countries!
I'm also naturally inspired by my flickr contacts images, I'd love to list them all but it would be too long:-(

5: Preferred subject matter?
Coming from a depressing northern "Rustbelt City" and escaping to London as soon as I could, I go for classical painterly subjects and antique stone buildings, I despise industrial red brick and I'm not too fond of cheap modern buildings and structures like the ghastly new wind turbines that despoil our ancient landscapes, which I wished were all sited off-shore.
I do however admire the huge and magnificent and very useful nearby Millau Viaduct designed by a fellow Yorkshireman, Norman Foster (and partners).

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
A tornado? Failing that I'd love to capture an erupting volcano, from a safe distance of course, with the red hot larva flows, visit Pompeii, do the pyramids and perhaps Easter island and the Galapagos islands, etc,etc

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
Easy, I confide in Jill aka Borealnz and Martine aka Petite Chose mostly. They are both experts at what they do, and I admire artists who really know their own pigeon.


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
I'm self taught in Photoshop, or rather, both Martine and I discovered it together.
At College I graduated at distinction level in Fine Art.


9: Plans for the future?
Lots of travel, and I'm off to Thailand next week!:-)
I'd like to sell much more and try to make a living from my images..


10: In one word, describe your photography.
Its not for me to say, but perhaps... 'Illustrative'?

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.



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.


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

Xaomena

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER:Xaomena

Still life with the use of wide angle lens.





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.

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...!!!


Le mélèze de ciel...!!!... The celestial larch...!!!


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

Dyrk.Wyst

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: 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."


"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!"




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.





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

S0ulsurfing

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: sOulsurfing

"Could have picked any of 500 really, but i chose two that meant something to me personally."

This one represents all the fun times i've had playing silly games with my family at the bay and keeps that moment forever alive


and this one because i think that it sums up my occasionally dumb approach to photography and life, i got hypnotized by the beauty and forgot about the possible consequences :)



1: How long have you been involved in photography?

Forever and only recently... :) I used to see photography more as a means of recording a scene for reference in my paintings, and as inspirations for designs, slowly over the years, it grew on me as an art form, and I think it was probably the shots from my travels in Peru that I first felt were interesting enough to be viewed in their own right. But it was really when I joined Flickr (almost 3 years ago now) that the bug properly took hold and once I got my first DSLR I was lost forever. The downside of this could be seen as that i haven't painted anything in the last few years, but i'm sure photography is just part of the total journey, and doesn't mean anything is over yet



2: Equipment you use?

Canon 400d with the standard 18-55mm, Sigma 10-20mm, Sigma 70-300mm, Lensbaby 2, Lowepro slingshot bag, and a few COKIN z-pro filters for my wide angle lens.


3: Mac or PC?


This was the year i was finally stepped into the light and got a mac, using the 24" imac and my Wacom A3 tablet is what i dreamt of all those years I spent being frustrated on slow clunky PC's.



4: What inspires you?

I find inspiration everywhere around me in the natural world, i'm lucky enough to work for myself and I have a flexible approach to the working day so i let the constantly changing english weather and light be my daily inspiration.

I'm also inspired and fascinated by the work of others, I love the vintage photographs in old auction catalogues, and because my passion for photography has most recently fueled by Flickr, I'm constantly inspired by the people around me in this place.

There are many superb artists out there, and I genuinely find my contacts list inspiring every single day I look at it, I cant list everyone here without sounding like Richard Attenborough at the Oscars ceremony, but these are a few that came to mind:

The breath-taking water photography of Morgan
Incredible technique of Extra Medium (proving HDR doesn't have to be garish)
Magical light of Fotonstudio
The incredible still-lifes of Kevsyd (i think he's actually one of the old masters with a time-machine, just look at his use of light)
Haunting beauty of Adele's recent texture work
ecstaticist for the endless fascination he provides and the diversity of his work
Philipe for his amazing landscapes, pretty much the best i've seen on flickr
Leschick for her constant invention and pretend grumpiness
kayodeok for his pursuit of technical perfection (and memories of London)
The imagination of all at the DOI group, especially the admins, this group has probably been the biggest inspiration of all.





5: Preferred subject matter?

As soon as i think I have one, i want to go out and try something different, but i always return to the landscape and more specifically the meeting of land and sea and the life that lives in the small places between them. It was always my favourite subject to paint and i try to catch the beauty of changing light there whenever i can.



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


I think it might just be impossible, but one day i'd like to capture that feeling you get in the magical few seconds when you lose yourself in the beauty of a breaking wave in the special light of a winters morning when even the numbing cold cant touch you.



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

Myself, i trust my instincts and try not to be afraid of making mistakes.

or i ask Flickr... i'm often wrong about what works and what doesn't, and i like it when people are honest enough to tell me.




8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

Pretty much self taught with photography, i keep trying out different stuff until i like it or it works.



9: Plans for the future?



Mainly to keep enjoying it and learning the technical bits to let me truly capture what i see. As i've learnt the basics, I've found it enhances the way I look at the world so i'm intrigued to see how much more there is to learn. Of course it would be nice for the 'fine art photography' to pay the bills, but that seems a long way off, and I want to keep learning and retain an open mind about where it might end up rather than get set in my ways too early. I like to think of it as doing my apprenticeship right now, so maybe that will result in holding exhibitions, but as I found them the least enjoyable part of being a painter, I'm wary of taking that route.



10: In one word, describe your photography.


evolving

Josh Sommers

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Josh Sommers


I don't usually take pictures of monuments, but this photo of the Golden Gate Bridge is one of my personal favorites. This photo truly represents a snapshot of the world through my eyes. :)


Many of my images involve a great deal of post production; compositing, masking, tweaking, warping, etc. But this image didn't require any of that. I like it for its simplicity. I also love when nothing goes right in a shoot, but you wind up with something better than what you were trying to achieve on accident, and this shot is a prime example of that. The flash misfired resulting in just my silhouette being captured, but in the end, this shot was better than any of the shots where the flash had fired.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

I got my first digital camera in 2003. It was a simple point and shoot and I only used it casually. I had a more advanced P&S after that, but again, I really only used it casually and not really in an artistic manner. But I really got involved in photography in November when I purchased my first (and so far only) DSLR, the Canon Rebel XTi. Photography has been my primary focus since then, well outside of work that is.

2: Equipment you use?

I shoot exclusively with my Digital Rebel XTi (although I'm patiently waiting for the 5D Mark II to come in on special order at my local camera shop!)

Lenses:
Canon 10-22mm lens
Canon 24-70mm f2.8 L
Canon 70-200 f4 L IS
Canon 50mm f2.8 Macro

Other Gear:
Manfrotto Carbon Fiber Tripod with Pistol Grip Ballhead
Nodal Ninja 3 Panoramic Tripod Head
Cokin Z Filter System
Cactus Wireless Radio Trigger
Canon Speedlight 430ex
2x Sunpak 383 flash
2x 150ws Studio Strobes
2x White Umbrellas
2x Silver Umbrellas
2x Gold Umbrellas
2x Softboxes

3: Mac or PC?
I began as a Mac user when I was 13, but at age 19 I had to make the conversion to PC because I was completing my bachelor's degree in CIS and it wasn't exactly a Mac friendly environment. So I made the switch to PC and I never looked back. Photoshop was the same on both so it didn't really matter to me. Now I prefer PC, but I'll always have a special place in my heart for Mac. :)

4: What inspires you?
Geeze, I don't know. What doesn't inspire me? Actually to tell the truth, one of my main sources for inspiration is the flickr community. I am inspired by the wonderful work I see from my fellow photographers and artists here on flickr, and the kind words, meaningful comments and positive energy that come from flickr are what keep me up late at night trying to finish my latest piece in time to post it before bed. I am also inspired by nature, and extreme weather. Also puppies. And sunsets.

5: Preferred subject matter?
A sunset at the beach after a storm.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that
you REALLY want to capture.
A puppy playing at the beach, at sunset, after a storm. Also, bigfoot.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
My parents. Both of my parents are artists, and I'm very close to them, so when I'm feeling doubtful about my art, I confide in them, and they always help me snap out of it.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
No official training in Photoshop or Photography. Most of what I know about Photography I learned on flickr. I learned Photoshop the easy way: I got my hands on it when I was 13 and never let go. :)

9: Plans for the future?
Keep shooting, keep Photoshopping, keep expressing and most importantly, keep learning.

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

MikonT

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: MikonT






1: How long have you been involved in photography?
Behind the camera for 2 years. Along side of the camera as an art director, longer than I care to admit.

2: Equipment you use?
I use Nikon. Here's the list:
Nikon D300
Nikon D200
10-20mm 4.5 - 5.6 Sigma zoom
17-55mm, f2.8 Nikon zoom
80-200mm, f2.8 Nikon zoom
50mm, f1.8 Nikon prime
Lensbaby 2.0
#4 ND filter
Circular Polarizer
Manfroto Tripod (pan head)

3: Mac or PC?
MAC G5 Tower, Duel 1.8 GHz processors, PowerPC
(yeah, it's an older one but it moves along ok for now).
Photoshop CS3
Photomatix Pro

What inspires you?
Looking at, what I consider to be exceptional art, in whatever form it takes (photography, painting, etc). There is quite enough talent here on Flickr, so I need not go too far to find inspiration.

5: Preferred subject matter?
Well if you look at my stream it's kind of all over the place, but I'd have to say the majority is Valley Forge, its living history and landscape.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
Gee there are so many (I don't get away much). How about wildlife in some remote portion of the planet, on an early misty morning, with columns of light streaming through the trees. Yeah, like that will happen.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
My wife and children. They give me honest answers. Sometimes it's their silence that helps the most.

Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
I have no training in any software at all. I have always learned by looking, listening, asking questions and experimenting. I've been doing it for a good while. I started on a 512K MAC Plus. State of the art!!

9: Plans for the future?
No real plans -- just put one foot in front of the other, walk down life's path, enjoy the view and be happy in the process. I know, borrrr-ing! Snore.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
Personal

Totomai

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Totomai

Fantasy

This is my favorite candid shot. Taken during a street parade in Kawasaki, Japan. I thought I captured the mood, the colors and the composition the way I imagined it.

Vocation

Aside from the fact that I am fascinated with monks, my favorite photography subject is “From Behind” shots. I find it more intriguing and dramatic to visualize what’s on the other side. This was taken in Bangkok, Thailand.

1) How long have you been involved in photography?

I think I got interested in photography around 2006, if my memory is correct.

2) Equipment you use?

I started with Casey, my Casio EX-Z40 point and shoot camera.
A year after I had Nikki, my Nikon D80. My lenses are 18-200mm VR, 50mm 1.8f and 105mm 2.8f

3) Mac or PC?

Its PC for me.

4) What inspires you?

Anything. Anyone. Anywhere. I always believe that there are uniqueness in each particular subject waiting to be discovered and captured.

5) Preferred subject matter?

From Behind Shots. I’m a coward, lol. But seriously, I really like taking shots from behind. For me, it tells a lot and could spark off the imagination of the viewer.

Candid and Portrait Shots. I am trying different approaches on these two subjects. Its only recently I got interested on these. I hope I can improve with regards to these.

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

This is a tricky one. But since I am in Japan now, I think, the Diamond Fuji phenomenon. It’s a rare phenomenon that’s happening twice a year only.

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

My friends give an advice or two if I ask for some. And I appreciate every suggested idea. But at the end of the day, I am still the one who will assess and finalize my work of art.

8) Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

Zero training when it comes to photography. Though I am trying to learn via trial and error processes.

9) Plans for the future?

I will never stop clicking my camera as long as I can see subjects worth capturing. I won’t be trading this hobby of mine to anything as this is my only solace when stress and other work-related anxieties come my way, lol.

10) In one word, describe your photography.

Poetic

i.anton

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER:i.anton

Do you believe in fairies?....


recapturing time


1: How long have you been involved in photography?
since July 2006

2: Equipment you use?
Canon 350

3: Mac or PC?
PC

4: What inspires you?
The work of other photographers. Also what i don't see around me.

5: Preferred subject matter?
central-European cities, bokeh, anything under window light, snow, airplanes
.
6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
real falling snow

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
no one

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
self -taught

9: Plans for the future?
none that i can think of.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
unruly, undisciplined.

Nightphotographer

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER:Nightphotographer


-- from NightPhotographer - (?)


-- from NightPhotographer - (?)

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
Since four years.

2: Equipment you use?
Nikon D300 and Nikkor 24-70mm.

3: Mac or PC?
PC

4: What inspires you?
Pictures of other photographers.

5: Preferred subject matter?
Colorful urban abstracts.
.
6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
People in desert landscapes.

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

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
No, I am an overall amateur…

9: Plans for the future?
More street shots and shots of people.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
A different kind of view on everyday objects

Jaime M

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Jaime M


-- from jaime m - (?)
An old one. I was very happy because it was included in the book "24 hours of Flickr". I think it was the first time I saw a picture from me published in a book.


-- from jaime m - (?)
A new one. Squared format, strong processing, movement, blur ... constants in my last images.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

Compulsively, trying to learn and to get good images, since January of 2006. More or less since my entry in Flickr.

2: Equipment you use?

A Canon 400D with two lenses, a canon 50mm f/1.8 and a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, and a Canon 430 EX flash. As a complement, a Ricoh Caplio GX100 wich is always in my bag or my pocket. I use the Canon at home and in special events but I usually take my pictures with the Ricoh.

3: Mac or PC?

I've always been a PC user. I'm a computer engineer and I like to configure my computer by myself. But I bought recently a new computer and I was seriously tempted to buy a Mac because lately I only use the computer at home to process my pictures and Internet. Maybe my next computer will be a Mac

4: What inspires you?

Mainly the work of other photographers. I use to leaf through photography magazines and books trying to find sources of inspiration, and of course talented photographers in Flickr or other internet sites.

5: Preferred subject matter?

Portraits. People. Children are my preferred subjects. My daughters and occasionally their friends. They feel quite comfortable in front of a camera and I love to capture their expressions, their movement... sometimes spontaneously, and sometimes they agree to pose to me.

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

Usually, when a picture really impress me, I analyse the reason and I try to put it into practise in the future. Obviously it is difficult to get something similar, but sometimes I get interesting results.

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

My wife is the person I usually ask for advice if I doubt about a picture. Time is also a good adviser. Sometimes after working for a while on a picture I'm not sure about the result. The best is forget about it and watch it with different eyes sometime later.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

Nothing related to photography. Just self-learning.

9: Plans for the future?

My plan is to pass from the virtual exhibition in Flickr to the real exhibitions in public places. Now I have some pictures been exhibited in a restaurant at the place where I live as a first experience, and I made a commitment for a new exhibition in a different place at a the beginning of 2009.

10: In one word, describe your photography.

Simplicity