Peter From Wellington

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Peter From Wellington

‘No Boat Ever Waited For Me’, is part of the quest to find the depth of a painting like experience in a digital medium. The title is from another tale, it has profound meaning in my life.


‘Just Like You, Once Upon a Time I Was a Beautiful Promise’, I like the surreal setting and twist to a rather deceptive order of things we commonly correlate in our heads. Our never-ending dream of green fields, gorgeous homes and forgiving skies.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

From the moment I can remember, since the smell of a leather case on my father’s old Kiev 4A would get me exited for no apparent reason. I learnt quickly to press the right buttons. Its beautiful shiny lens sucked in the blue skies, trees and meadows with butterflies on it. My family never looked better or happier than in my images. I got so good, dad had to promise me that one day he will put film in it.


2: Equipment you use?

Couple of Canons, PowerShot A550 and A710. Now I also have a Canon PowerShot SX1. When I can, I try to use my Nikon D200. It is bulkier and heavier, but faster to respond and operate. I have a couple of lenses for it, I always end up changing in the field under the most difficult conditions, just to make sure the local equipment cleaning service have a steady income in these challenging times.

3: Mac or PC?

PC exclusively.


4: What inspires you?

If I ever had any inspiration it would mostly come from paintings. I tried, at least on some of my images, to emulate this art form which has the uncanny ability to preserve the spiritual context of a subject by application of ink textures and to store its energy in each brushstroke. This is fascinating, hard to reproduce magic.


5: Preferred subject matter?

Nature. It can fill your heart with an indescribable sense of joy, freedom and belonging, while still keeping some puzzling and distant parts for itself, making you want to reveal them in one monumental display of colour and shape. It is also threatened, which makes me feel very protective towards it. Some of my images spell out this concern very clearly.


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

Portraits, people. There is no viable reason for the lack of faces revealing their stories in my album. I love humanity, my lens will have to acknowledge this one day and bring an entirely new quality to the gallery.


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

You probably remember some of your birthdays as a child; all those cakes, candles and colourful balloons. You may even recall a sight of a quiet kid in the corner, its legs dangling off a big wooden chair. That was me. A born loner, a bit better these days, I still have a habit of retreating into deeper places of my inner universe when times become difficult. Solitude may be better, or I simply don’t know any different.


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

None whatsoever. But I can read technical books like a novel. It helps. Imagine digesting some computer script before going to bed, and sleeping like a baby afterwards. I know it’s strange, so am I.


9: Plans for the future?

Not sure at the moment. In my reality, things come and go in long repetitive cycles. I’ve been here before and, at present struggling to stay in this creative incarnation. In the case I disappear from view it is certain I’ll be back someday, a bit more enthusiastic, slightly improved. If everything goes according to plan my photography will peak in one of my future lives.


10: In one word, describe your photography.

Emotional. Its impact on a viewer is everything. There are many dimensions of every artform but this one is very important, so closely tied to what we really are, our existence, our very purpose.

F-2

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER:F-2

Plunging Grape

One thing I have found a photographer needs is patience. I took around 300 - 500 images of a grape falling into water trying to get a shot like this and again and again it didn't work. Then everything came together for this image.

Salisbury Cathedral (West Front)

I tend to choose a subject and go back again and again capturing it in different kinds of light and different times of the day. This image is one such example. I spent a spring and summer going to Salisbury Cathedral taking images from all angles inside, using multiple exposures to produce HDR images. But this single RAW exposure is my favourite from that whole time, taken when towards the end of the summer. Again patience is needed to keep going back and searching for the best shot.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

I started doing photography seriously during 1994 using 35mm SLR cameras and medium format stuff. But since digital photography came along I have enjoyed that the most.

2: Equipment you use?

Canon. 5D and 20D, Canon Lens, Sigma 15mm fisheye, Manfrotto tripod.

3: Mac or PC?

PC

4: What inspires you?

Lots of things including my children, toys, trees & wildlife - I'm constantly searching for photo opportunities everywhere.

5: Preferred subject matter?

Anything which looks photogenic - I like to take images of lots of things including nature, buildings, people, even toy ducks.
.
6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.

Kingfisher. I don't take bird images as such, but I would love to take some images of a Kingfisher at some point, they are wonderful.

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

My wife.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

No formal qualifications, but I have studied photography principles a lot and done lots of training in Photoshop.

9: Plans for the future?

Keep learning about photography and hopefully take some great images.

10: In one word, describe your photography.

Patience.

[Kane]

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: [Kane]

In the deep end.

This shot is one of my all time faves, for many reasons, I've photographed this tree many times (in fact I have photographed almost everything here, lightning, stars, moonrise, sunset, sunrise) but on this day I was very lucky to capture some of the best rays I've seen. I was knee deep in water shooting this (which is not un-common


Cloud Explosion.

This shot is another fave, its a simple shot that just had to be taken, I was on holidays in New Zealand (where I'm from) and the subject is my father, I saw the shot in my head and I asked him to walk into the frame, and he did, and he held still for the 1sec exposure ;)

As a landscape photographer I'm always watching the clouds and this was a dream shot, wet sand, reflections........... what more does the shot need!

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

I bought my first camera, a Vivitar v2000 when I was about 14, I'm now 27, so that's about 13 years, I've only been shooting digital for about 2 years. I've always loved photography for as long as I can remember.


2: Equipment you use?

I'm currently using two digital cameras, a Canon 400D, and a Canon 50D. I have a range of lenes including the Canon 24-70 f/2.8 L and the Canon 70-200 f/4 L. I still use my Vivitar film body also. Most of my landscapes are shot using my Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6 lens. I use a cheap tripod, as I go through them too quickly.


3: Mac or PC?

PC, with Adobe Lightroom 2.3 and Photoshop 6.0


4: What inspires you?

The people I shoot with, and the ever changing environment around us.


5: Preferred subject matter?

Nature, funky trees and clouds, rays from the sun, and grass.


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

A moonbow, which is a rainbow at night, very rare, imagine a clear sky on the moon side and some rain/storm clouds on the other, usually a full moon is required.


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

Myself and my friends.


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

I'm not classically trained in anything, I shoot and learn, and then I re-shoot. I was a web developer some years ago, so I've always been able to apply my Photoshop skills in post production to improve my photography.


9: Plans for the future?

Continue to keep shooting landscapes, and weather events. I'd like to upgrade to a full frame camera some day.


10: In one word, describe your photography.

Nature.

Nyah74

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Nyah74


Landscape photography is not really my cup of tea, but I like the tranquility of this one.


This is precisely what I do with glass objects and light. I like to surprise people and make them take a second look to figure out what it is :)

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I've started taking photos 3 years ago when I took a photography course at the university. It was an elective course and I chose it just because I didn't have to take an another exam which requires memorising loads of useless stuff.

2: Equipment you use?
:))) I am not quite proud of revealing this, but then I am not a professional photographer and it’s my choice to carry a compact cam instead of a SLR/DSLR with loads of lenses and toys.
So, I have a Nikon Coolpix L4.

3: Mac or PC?
PC

4: What inspires you?
Red inspires me in all scales. Also geometry, building facades and cities…

5: Preferred subject matter?
I had periods… when I started taking photos, I was interested in playing with artificial light and shooting colourful objects. Glass ones especially. Then I started making abstract images out of building facades, lines and reflections... And nowadays, although it feels a little narcissistic, I take selfportraits as I’ve started 365days project about 4 months ago.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
Most certainly, Aurora Borealis (nothern lights).

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
Everyone’s life experience is different, so are our likes. That’s why I am the only judge to my art. If, I don’t like a photo at first glance, then it goes to bin before anyone sees it.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
Since I have a toy cam, I use Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop CS to process the images my cam creates, because that’s pretty much what it does instead of taking real photos :)

9: Plans for the future?
I wanted a pro cam, but now I know it wouldn’t make me happy, as I only want to snap the moment without thinking about if I am using the right lens, right exposure etc…I may get a better compact cam thou :)

10: In one word, describe your photography.
Chaos :)

Losy

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Losy

I love to use the natural sunlight, this is taken in my kitchen, behind the blinds... and use interesting 'models' to create a creative photo.


Here ..I was fascinated by the shadows and lights . As I have my pocket camera always with me, these kind of pics just 'happen' to me...or I was in a good mood for taking pics... :-)

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I used to work for an airline and on a flight to Tokio, I bought my first camera 'Asahi Pentax Spotmatic' ( back in 1972) and started to take pics on my trips, the usual 'tourist snaps'.....

2: Equipment you use?
now I use a 'Canon PowerShot SD850IS' most of the time, because I have it always with me and a "Canon EOS Rebel XTI'...I would love to have more time to go on 'real photo trips' with the Rebel... ! Work comes first


3: Mac or PC?
-PC

4: What inspires you?
light and shadows....art... arranging objects in a creative way and see the results which the sunlight creates... and always 'stripes'.... :-).... I had to stop creating 'stripe pics' in order not to be too 'one sided'....

5: Preferred subject matter?
playing with different 'household' items ... like eggs, strainers, mirrors and many other items which give interesting shadows...

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
people... I do not dare to direct my camera to their faces...

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
either it speaks to me or I discard it...

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
some years ago, I did a Photoshop 4 course


9: Plans for the future?
would love to have more time to do 'real' photography, take some lessons may be... or just go out more and do landscapes and nature.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
'Kitchen-corner-set-ups'! mostly... :-)

A Glimpse of the World

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: A Glimpse of the World

I chose this one despite the fact that it's in color, which is unusual for my documentary work. It's made in a largely Tibetan town called Yushu, in western China, and I like it as a piece of theater. There's a lot going on, and that's what I aspire to more an more in my street work, a dynamic element.


This one was shot in late March in Zambia, and strikes me as a very effective portrait. It's simple, but it speaks, somehow, through the direct gaze, the tones and the way the frame is used. Not to be too grandiose here, but I can feel a bit of Lisa's soul, and it feels good.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I've been involved in photography since my childhood. My father built a simple black and white darkroom for my brother and me when I was 10 or 11.

2: Equipment you use?
By this point, I've accumulated quite a bit of equipment, which I'll confess is a bit strange for someone who doesn't believe that gear is the heart of the matter.
The work that can be seen on my Flickr stream can be divided for the most part between my Rolleiflex and my Leica M8. I also own a Canon system built around the 5D Mark II and a host of vintage, manual focus lenses from a variety of manufacturers, especially Pentax and Olympus, that I've adapted for use with a Canon DSLR; a Konica Hexar RF; a Yashica Mat; a Rollei B35; a Holga; two Olympus OM4 Ts and an OM1; a Yashica Electro; many, many lenses; and several other cameras I scarcely use any more.

3: Mac or PC?
I own both Macs and PCs, but all of my photo work is done on Macs. For this purpose I currently use a recent vintage iMac with 8 gig of ram and multiple external hard drives.

4: What inspires you?
I am inspired by life. I've never, ever been bored. I love people. I appreciate the way that every photograph encapsulates and speaks to the transitory nature of all things. Every photograph is a unique document, and there is only one chance to make it, the moment you press the shutter. I am a journalist and a writer, and I think photography is the perfect complement to the written word. The one expresses what the other cannot. I love music, especially Jazz and Blues, and I find the best photography has musical qualities. It sings. It strikes chords. It has movements; a beat.

5: Preferred subject matter?
My subject is people. I love what's commonly called "street." I love portraiture, and I work hard at trying to say something through it. I love the nude. Finally, although I'm still new to it, I am becoming very fond of the landscape. After a few days in the countryside, though, I yearn to photograph people.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
I live in New York City, and as a lifelong Jazz aficionado, I want to shoot some of my surviving heroes in the business, as well as some of the younger figures coming along. I'd also like to do commissioned portraiture here and more nudes (after having done them intensively for a couple of years in China).

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
When I'm in doubt about my art, I sometimes revert to what I know best, rooting myself in an interesting place on the boulevard and working the street, or finding a subject to work portraits or nudes with, or alternatively, I might try some total departure. That's what landscape has been for me. I also sometimes shoot something as fixed and staid as dried flowers, or interiors, just to wipe the slate clean

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
I have no qualifications in anything, photo-wise. I'm not particularly skilled at Photoshop. My images are almost all un-cropped. Although I've had exhibitions on four continents, and sold a fair amount of work, I'm still best known as a writer. That's where I'm most "credentialed," still, and perhaps forever. Nothing wrong with that.

9: Plans for the future?
My immediate plans are to spend the summer in Shanghai, where I plan to put the finishing touches on a book project, Disappearing Shanghai. It's a portrait of the Old City there, which is being destroyed in order to make way for the World Expo next year, and to make way for China's modernist vision of its future.

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

Howard also has a website www.howardwfrench.net

Imaganovus

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Imagonovus

Eclipse at the Lighthouse

A moment and a unique opportunity to photograph. The March 3rd, 2007 lunar eclipse at the Arecibo Lighthouse, Puerto Rico.


Enjoy the Silence


1: How long have you been involved in photography?
My father was a painter and practised photography as a hobby as well as one of my older brothers. I've been practising photography as a hobby too for 30 years and as you can see in my photostream, I don't have a developed technique, shot whatever that is pleasing to my eyes and also like to experiment different things.

I've learned to develop b&w film as well to enlarge photographs in my own lab built in my home when I was 14. I worked for many years in a color processing lab, that gave me the opportunity to experiment with color, effects and multiple exposures on the same negative, now with digital photography and graphic software, it's much easier for editing, optimizing color and special effects.

I like to use photography as a way to express visions or places in my imagination. Michel Tcherevkoff, one of my favorite photographers said in an interview: "I use photography to create my own visuals. I don't record reality. I record what's in my mind, based upon what's out there. I have no problem pushing the envelope and making it look like a painting, an illustration, or any other word or medium that doesn't exist yet. It doesn't matter. It's not about the process; it’s about the result."

This is my way to use photography too, it doesn't matter how I got there, what matter is the result, how people react seeing my images.

2: Equipment you use?
Canon 40D
Canon BP-E2N Battery Grip
Canon 10-20 mm
Canon 24-105mm L
Canon 100-400mm L
Canon 530 EX II Flash
Slik Pro-330EZ Tripod

3: Mac or PC?
PC, and with all its problems, I'll stay with PC

4: What inspires you?
Light, shadows, clouds, weather, lines, curves, magazine ads, TV ads, painting, others people photos.


5: Preferred subject matter?
Nature, especially the open spaces, trees, clouds and the moon.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
It's difficult to name just one. For me it will be action shots, portraits (You almost don't see people in my pictures) and remote places like Machu Picchu in Perú, Pulpit Rock in Norway or Torres del Paine in Chile to name a few.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
I mainly rely on myself or in flickr community.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
I use Paint Shop Pro and I'm totally self taught. One learn something new everyday, and I've learned a lot watching pictures of other people. Many people have asked me before, for example, on how I touch up my photos to look like they look. I answer that I use four tools that you can't find in any graphic editor:
Patience, Practice, Desire and Observation.

9: Plans for the future?
Photography is just a hobby and I like to continue to enjoy it as a hobby, to try new things and to learn as much as I can.


10: In one word, describe your photography.
Bold

Lightspectral

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Lightspectral





1: How long have you been involved in photography?
Photography has been a passion since childhood. My father was a great teacher... he is an enginear – but his dream was to be a photographer. So he passed on his dream and passion to me. I never studied photography – it is all selftaught.

2: Equipment you use?
Canon 50D. My preferred lenses: Canon 100mmf/2.8 and I love the Canon 50mm f/1.4

3: Mac or PC?
I use a Mac (with Photoshop and Lightroom)

4: What inspires you? .
My inspiration: beauty, light, colours... to make the unnoticed seen, show how you can find beauty in even the smallest details of nature.

5: Preferred subject matter?
My preferred subject. Nature.. for the time being plants. I love portrait photography as well – human and animal.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture
High speed photography of water dripping into water or some other liquid. Must be lots of fun capturing the water sculptures.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
I ask my flickr friend Werner (poetry and truth).

8: Qualifications/training in anything?
none – besides all the books I have read about.... and the lessons Werner (P&T) has given me.

9: Plans for the future?
I am currently designing books... And my next plan in photography: I live almost next to the river Rhine – this is going to be my next project.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
Lightspectrals (it is all about the colours of the light)

Dog Ma

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER:Dog Ma


This was taken on a rainy day. Dark and dreary out, so that's the kind of natural light that came into the photo from the window on the left. I love shooting still lifes. And I'm a HUGe fan of adding texture to the picture to turn it into digital art.


This little tree silhouette was taken down the Jersey shore in March. It was a little boring so I made a texture, then added the photo OVER the texture. Then added the moon and birds. This one was fun to make. I usually add texture to the photo, not the other way around. Each way produces a uniquely different result.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I've been seriously into photography for 2 years.

2: Equipment you use?
I use a Nikon D700 and an assortment of lenses, but most use the Nikkor 50mm f1.4, Sigma 105mm macro f2.8 and Nikon 20mm f2.8.

3: Mac or PC?
I'm a Mac user. I LOVE this computer!! I have a desktop and laptop. Both pretty new.

4: What inspires you?
Flickr has been a huge inspiration for me. I love looking at all the beautiful work people put up on their streams. Such amazing talent on this site!! I am awed by what others can do with a camera and a computer. When I see something that intrigues me (i.e.- HDR, texture and now photo manipulation)... I set out to learn how to do it.

5: Preferred subject matter?
Mostly I shoot flowers and dogs. I have a petsitting business, so I see dogs all day long. My clients seem to like the pics of their dogs and it's turned into a little side business. But flowers are my favorite subject. I don't need to bribe them to sit still and I love color!! Nature is where my heart lies..
.
6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture
. ACTION shots!! I have a really hard time capturing motion. Not sure if it's my focus or settings, but I keep trying...

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
That would be my sister, Taryn. She shoots professional with her husband and is a really good judge on what's good or still needs work. She has taught me so much over the last two years. From the very basics to layering with texture. She is my Photography Rock and my photoshop genius!


8: Qualifications/training in anything?
ie: Photoshop Nope. No formal training, but like I said above, talking to my sister over the phone has really helped my photoshop skills. Although, I've only scratched the surface with what PS is capable of doing.


9: Plans for the future?
I have two showings booked so far. The first one is in July 2009 and the second is Feb. 2010. I hope it goes well.


10: In one word, describe your photography.
Passionate

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