EudaldCJ

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: EudaldCJ!!


I took this photo near my hometown, in the Catalan Pyrenees. While I was standing with my camera in front of these horses they approached me forming this curious composition


Barcelona beach in a winter afternoon. I like this scene, I think it reflects quite well the mood of this beautiful part of the city.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I started taking it seriously about 6 years ago when I got my first digital camera.

2: Equipment you use?
Cameras:
Olympus E30
Olympus E400
Canon Ixus 40
Lenses:
Zuiko 14-54mm
Zuiko 14-42mm
Zuiko 40-150mm
Zuiko 35mm Macro
Manfrotto 190 XPROB Tripod

3: Mac or PC?
PC

4: What inspires you?
I understand making a photo involves three phases: the first one would be having the idea or “seeing” the situation that will make a good photo. In this phase the inspiration can come from watching a film, listening to a song, watching other people’s photos, sometimes it is just a particular situation that makes you click your camera.
The second phase would be the process of taking the photo, this part is more about technique than inspiration.
The third phase would the processing of the photo. In this phase the inspiration depends on my mood, sometimes the final work has no relation with my first idea when I took the photo. Sometimes I work on the same photo for several days and the results are completely different.
And of course Flickr, a great source of inspiration!

5: Preferred subject matter?
I think more about a light, a mood, a situation rather than a particular subject matter. I like the idea of capturing a special moment involving people. In this sense I love wandering about in Barcelona, with my camera, trying to capture the mood of the city as I feel it.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
I would really like to live with a community of people from a different culture for a period of time, trying to understand their way of living. Capturing this in photos is something that would very much fulfil me.

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

My Flickr friends, of course!

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
I am self-taught, I have learnt from books, from watching other people’s works and from making a lot of mistakes.

9: Plans for the future?
I will try to arrange some local exhibitions.
I would love to publish a book of photos concerning a topic, but this is more a dream than a plan 

10: In one word, describe your photography.
Moody?

Maguaphotos

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Maguaphotos


This is typical for the way i love to work. A scene of human behaviour, of tenderness and connection that also works on a metaphorical level.


This is one example of a great project of mine, a collection of photos taken at the city beach of my home town, Las Canteras on Gran Canaria, Spain. I plan to publish a book with this material. This photo especially shows one landmark of this beach, the auditorio Alfredo Kraus, which is a concert hall.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I have been involved in photography for most of my adult life since my late husband was an enthusiastic photographer from a famous family of photographers in Madrid, Spain. When my children were grown i had more time to pick up the camera myself.


2: Equipment you use?
I use different cameras, digital and analog.

3: Mac or PC?
PC


4: What inspires you?
My inspiration comes from the urge to express other forms or parts of my personality.


5: Preferred subject matter?
Doing social studies around human beings with my camera.


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


7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
With the people i love that are also involved in photography.


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

9: Plans for the future?
no

10: In one word, describe your photography.
photopainting

Åsta

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Åsta!!


I picked this one because it’s a picture I had in my head for years before finally getting the chance to shoot it.


The other picture only because it’s some of my later work.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
This is actually a hard question to answer as I’ve been on and off photography for about 20 years. However, for 15 of these years, I used the camera more as a sketchbook than a medium in itself. I think I can conclude that I really started photographing in 2006. That’s when I was introduced to Flickr – and by that also to the comments and interaction with you all. The pictures got a life on their own. I also discovered that photography was a relatively quick way to express myself and a fun way to discover other parts of my creativity. Suddenly I was hooked.

2: Equipment you use?
I’m not very focused on equipment, but I mainly shoot with a Nikon D40X. I’ve also got an Olympus Mju that I bring everywhere. Apart from that I’ve got very little stuff – I use whatever I have around, like DIY-lamps, torch lights etc. I recently got a ring flash that I look forward to trying out.

3: Mac or PC?
PC.

4: What inspires you?
Photography in itself inspires me. I’ll try to explain: I’ve got a fine arts education, but ran out of steam when it came to painting and printing. I completely stopped expressing myself visually. This stressed me and worried me quite a lot, as the visual language always has been such a big part of who I am. Then I started playing with photography and suddenly I got a new and different access to the creative part of me. It became fun to “speak pictures” again. As a result, I’m very determined on keeping photography as “just” a hobby with no demands - and to keep the bar low.
Also I love and get inspired by scavenger hunts. Getting a list to work with is like being dropped into an unfamiliar landscape. That means I see and discover ways to approach motives I’d never discover by on my own and challenge me to explore.

5: Preferred subject matter?
I don’t think I’ve got a preferred subject matter. To me it’s not about the whats , but it’s all about the hows. My “baby” is composition.

6: Name one thing you haven’t caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
Most of the time we’re talking about moments I missed. The expression in someone’s face, the body language of the man on the bus, the light outside just now, the way the chocolate sauce was running down the ice cream I just had for dessert... Unfortunately I don’t know what I really want to capture until it’s gone. From this, maybe it’s obvious that I’d love to get better at street photography and shooting action pictures. I find it hard to recognize, compose and execute pictures where the motives are there for only a split second. I’d love to master this.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
I’m so fortunate that I’ve got a bunch of Flickr friends whom I can ask. It wouldn’t be fair naming them. By not mentioning anyone, no one will be forgotten. They know who they are. I also have real life family and friends giving me valuable reactions to my work. Sometimes I leave a comment under my picture, asking what people think about this or that. I’ve found that so many Flickr members are amazingly generous sharing their view and expertise. I learn a lot from this. Thank you!

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
I’ve got an education in fine arts and in teaching design and fine arts. I think this gives me a somewhat different view on pictures and photography – especially when it comes to composition. I highly recommend photographers not only to look at photography books, but also to explore the fine arts section in the library to learn about the endless number of composition tools. There are so much more than the rule of two thirds or the golden section!
I’m autodidact when it comes to the basics of Photoshop. I pick up a bit here and there, and firmly believe in learning by doing. Youtube has become a fantastic learning arena which I use frequently. I also like Scott Kelby’s books on PS because he’s so direct on solving problems in photography.

9: Plans for the future?
I’ve had a very busy life the last couple of years. Hopefully I’ll get the chance to do more photography. I also plan to stay a dilettante.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
Exploring

Marc Do

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Marc do!!

The Smallest

I saw this little girl jumping while she was trying to clean up the blackboard but when I took my camera she had already finished. So I said to her : "look, you forgot to clean there". She jumped again and she even didn't notice I was taking a picture of her.

Observatory

I was strolling on a road and I saw this guy with a heavy tripod and a big camera trying to catch the perfect reflections of the sky in a pound. I thought he would have noticed me if I stopped walking so I shot him while I kept going.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

I began with analogic black and white in 1989 (dark room, printing...), color in 1994 and digital in 2004 with the birth of my daughter.

2: Equipment you use?

Small cameras, lenses and tripod, not even a flash - I like to travel light :
Canon EOS 300D & 350 D
Canon 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8
Sigma 10mm Fisheye f/2.8
Tripod Carena MCB-2Q

3: Mac or PC?

Mac

4: What inspires you?

I was first inspired by paintings, movies, even litterature and poetry. Nowadays, photography on Flickr is my main inspiration. For instance before visiting a new country or a new city I usually look at the tags related to them. Flickr is for me like a modern library.

5: Preferred subject matter?

Anything that moves or looks different of what it should be. First of all people. I began with street photography and now I like every kind of subject, I'm quite open-minded. But even if I appreciate beautiful landscapes they seem to me empty without a human presence or craft works. I need a story which makes me think more than "WOW..."

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

There are many things I regret not to have caught, but as a paradox I remember them perfectly, as if my memory had shot them. These virtual pictures are now a part of me, they are in my mind forever.

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

I'm always in doubt but I think this is the secret to improve yourself.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

No Photoshop, no HDR, no textures... even if I love some of those "artificial" images and I consider them as pieces of art. According to me, "natural" shots can lead to dream or spirituality as well but you simply need to wait much longer to catch them. We got all our lifetime to take pictures...

9: Plans for the future?

Continue seeking the perfect composition for my pictures and for my music (some of my songs can be heard if you wish on www.myspace.com/marcdo ).
Also I would like to publish a book about children and improve my serie about the Eiffel Tower.

10: In one word, describe your photography.

Alive !

Aumbody Images

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Aumbody Images!!


Sunset Surfing by Nicole
This photo was taken after a wonderful day taking photos and travelling along the Great Ocean Road in Australia. We stumbled onto this beautifully quiet beach on a warm and still autumn day. Shot after shot we gasped at the beauty that was before us, It was one of those moments when you knew you had captured what you were hoping to.


Stillness by Mark
This was taken on holiday in Noosa, Australia. We often would go to the river to witness some of the most beautiful sunsets. This is one of our favourite locations to take photos and especially long exposures and to marvel at the beauty and different face that nature shows us each time. The colour and glass like river (and we got some stars too) elicits a beautiful mood.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

It grew out of a desire to create what we were experiencing in nature and travel. It was after a holiday in 2002 when we really started to take photos in a new way being more aware of composition and light. Our photos seemed to improve dramatically and with a new digital camera that enabled us to play around with different techniques and styles we could learn in a more cost effective way.


2: Equipment you use?

Canon 30D

Lenses:
Tamron 28-75 2.8
Tokina 12-24mm 4
Tamron 90mm 1:1
Canon 50mm 1.4
Tamron 70-300
Canon 580 exii & 430ex flashes (strobes)
Various Cokin filters
Manfrotto Tripod and head

3: Mac or PC?

PC


4: What inspires you?

In landscapes I am always searching and attempting to capture a feeling/emotion and an elusive stillness or sense of space. This may be portrayed through colour, light or a line or sense of space or a reflection that I try to achieve in my landscape/seascapes.
In portraits I am trying to capture a moment, an aspect of that which animates us all and an essence of Spirit. I am yet to combine my desire to capture a portrait against a landscape and combine my two truest inspirations.
The photography on flickr continues to inspire me to try new things or to look at things in a new light. The range and influences on flickr is truly immense and never ceases to amaze us we are amongst some great talent.


5: Preferred subject matter?

Landscapes/Seascapes particularly the golden light prior to sunset and the colour of sunsets set against a beach is my preferred subject..
For Mark the details of seeing things anew in his macros and when the tripod comes out after dark in the city is when some of his best work emerges.
Also our beautiful son as always.

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

The perfect silent landscape
The perfect expression/character that depicts my son’s nature.


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

Each other

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

Self taught Photography and Photoshop


9: Plans for the future?

Continue to seek the perfect light, line and expression.
I would love to create shots incorporating textures and of course to continue to take shots of my very photogenic son.


10: In one word, describe your photography.

Evolving.

Helle-Belle

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Helle Belle!!


The first picture is taken last in 2008 when I went to Norway on summer vacation. I spent one day in Oslo and after seeing a picture of the Oslo Opera House here on Flickr it was the only thing I really HAD to see. Unfortunately. I had no idea how to find it - I had a guide book from the library back home, but it was so old that the new opera house didn't appear in it.
But on my way back to the car, I decided to walk along the water - and there it was! This is one of many pictures from the roof of the building, but it's my definite favourite.


The second picture is taken on a foggy Sunday morning. When I got up that day, I saw the fog outside my window, grabbed my camera and went for a walk around the lake in my town.
I love the feeling I get of when I walk around in the fog. It's like being all alone in a magical world - until I meet other people, like this man feeding the birds. I love the way the gulls light up the picture and create movement in a otherwise dull picture.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
The first time I used a SLR was in 1996 when I took a
photography course. Since then I’ve been hooked, but after
I joined Flickr my passion for photography has grown.
I bought my first DSLR in July 2007.
I’ve always been a creative person and I’ve been
drawing and painting since I was a little girl, so
photography has been a natural part of my development.

2: Equipment you use?
Canon EOS 5D Mark II, and a Canon EOS 400D and my cameraphone, Sony Ericsson C901 Green Heart, as backup.

Lenses:
Canon 24-70 mm f/2.8
Canon 50 mm f/1.4
Canon 70-300 mm f/4-5.6
Sigma 10-20 mm f/4-5.6

Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod
Various filters (polarizing, UV, ND8 and Close-up lenses)
Macro extension tube

I also have several old analogue cameras that I’m
planning to test some day


3: Mac or PC?
MAC! I’ve always used a Mac at home, but at work I’ve
usually had to use PCs

4: What inspires you?
Everything!
There’s so many thing that inspires me. Music, books,
movies, other photographers, friends, flickr etc. etc.

5: Preferred subject matter?
It used to be landscapes, but I’ve kept on challenging
myself so I could grow as a photographer. By now I’d have
to say that I don’t have a preferred subject matter, I
take pictures of the things that catch my eye. The phrase
“the world through my eyes” does actually fit perfectly.
Photography is a kind of therapy to me. It gets me out in
the world and helps me to live in the present. Some times,
when I have a bad day, I go for a walk in the forest or on
the beach and as soon as I start taking pictures, I start
feeling better.


6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera thatyou REALLY want to capture.
I can’t think of one specific thing, but I would like to
take better portraits.


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
I have studied Interactive Media Design at Designskolen Kolding, which means that I have some training in various computer programs. But I’m normally the type of person who learns by doing and I guess I have a good instinct for motifs and compositions.


9: Plans for the future?
No specific plans, but I dream about exhibiting my work and I would love to get the chance to travel more and capture other parts of the world.

10: In one word, describe your photography
melancholic

My Baby Mia

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: My Baby Mia!!

~ 1909 or 2009 doesn't meter...or it does...??

It suppose to be busy day, I went out to make street shots. Fog.Than I saw this women standing.. I thought she was waiting for bus. Two buses had past, she was still there. I take more than ten shots. She didn't move. Different scene of people changed as in movie. She was waiting for someone. That is story from the life. Inspiration

~ Few steps to Haven from My Way of Seeing ~

Close to the port is industrial zone, I go often to shoot. There are a few buildings and houses still not abandon. This was one of them. Ugly, yellow house but evidently with few families living in. Light was almost gone, when I get idea how beautiful view can have people living in. I upgraded it in love story with view and enter in "haven".
Few hand made textures on the top, that's it!

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I am involved in art whole my life, but photography I started 2006 when I get Olympus Camedia C-5500 Zoom. I opened Flickr account and started posting. Soon I changed my view of using camera as tool for capturing friends and family portraits.
I try use it as a brush to express my ideas.

2: Equipment you use?
-Olympus E-330 with lenses 14-45mm, 1:3.5-5.6 and 40-150mm, 1:3.5-4.5
-Lensebabies
-Tripod
-Photoshop
-Good pair of shoes
-Imagination

3: Mac or PC?
Mac forever!

4: What inspires you?
Love, dreams, moment to not forget, "les choses de la vie", music, politic, people, stories, light, night, city, some smell from past, memories.....everything

5: Preferred subject matter?
People, city, nature in my surrealistic way of seeing.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
Can it be Paris, Amazon, Africa [dunes, desert]?

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


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
Two years ago I find groups on Flickr as T4L where I find wonderful instructions for Photoshop. Few people from Flickr helped me "how to".
My "teachers" thank you very much.
Every new knowledge involves me to experiment.
Find how is joy.
For me photography and editing are discoveries, adventures as part of life using imagination to realize ideas. You like to reach the aim but enjoy every moment on the way.

9: Plans for the future?
Dark room, film, printing! Experiment!


10: In one word, describe your photography.
Expressive.
[messages
"Way of seeing"
passion
stories
??????]

Janey Kay

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Janey Kay


This one because it was one of my first people photos and it was a special evening for the star of the photo ...


And this one because it embodies Paris for me ... and although there's a lot wrong with it, it inspired me to do a lot of other photos afterwards ...

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

As a child I liked to seek out beautiful landscapes but the photos never represented what I saw. For a long time I even gave up holidays snaps because I was so disappointed. In 2005 I got my first digital P&S, in 2006 I bought my first DSLR and moved to Paris (great inspiration!) and at the end of 2007 I discovered Flickr thanks to a work colleague. And thanks to Flickr I discovered that people don't only take holiday photos or family snaps. What a revelation!


2: Equipment you use?

Currently a Nikon D80 (though I'm lusting after a D300 right now...) and my Canon Powershot G9 which I try to have with me all the time.


3: Mac or PC?
PC

4: What inspires you?
That is a difficult question! Other photographers here on Flickr without a doubt ... and well, light I think. If I see beautiful natural light I want to find something to photograph in that light.


5: Preferred subject matter?
I'm never bored if I have a camera with me ... I like reflections & shadows, movement, people, perspective, emotions, minimalism ... and the thousands of variations of the sky!


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

My target this year is to take more photos of people ... to capture more of the range of human emotions.
As for a thing? There's just so much ... I could say a better photo of my favourite bridge in Paris ... finding a unique viewpoint of the Eiffel Tower ... or finding the ultimate lonely tree in a field! The world is so big with so many opportunities!

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
I'm always in doubt ... and I just wait to see what people here on Flickr say and then think about that next time ... I do like to receive constructive comments here and I can choose to remember them or forget them depending on how useful they are to me and what I am looking to achieve!


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
No qualifications or training, but I do learn a lot from my friends in Paris at Balades Parisiennes - a group set up a year ago where I've met some very nice and talented people during our Paris photowalks.

9: Plans for the future?
Just to keep improving my skills especially in comopsition and also to learn properly how to use my tripod!

10: In one word, describe your photography
Varied!

hhsc/Greg (Greg Adams)

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: hhsc/Greg (Greg Adams)


"Heading Home"
I have changed planes at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport numerous times and whenever I have an extra half hour I head for the walkway between United's Terminals B and C where I took this photo. Amazing lines, lights, neon, silhouettes, reflections... Two words... "Eye Candy"!


"Reflections of Empires Past"
Just after midnight on Red Square in Moscow it all becomes magical... The street sweeping truck passes back and forth washing down the cobblestones, leaving amazing reflections for the photographer who is quick enough to get the shot before the truck makes it's next pass...

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
About three years. I'm a scientist at a Cancer Center in Philadelphia and I am very fortunate to be able to travel a lot to meetings. I found myself in some amazing places and started brining a camera to capture them.

2: Equipment you use?
This past summer I got a Sony Alpha 700 - an amazing camera (though it shows its weaknesses in low light situations). My old camera was a Konica Minolta 5D which was wearing out (I take a lot of photos!). I primarily use two lenses, a Tamron 17-50 mm 1:2.8 9 (I love this lens!) and a Minolta 75-300 mm 1:4.5. Just got a Sony 50 mm 1:1.8 that I'm looking forward to playing with.

3: Mac or PC?
Without a question, Mac!

4: What inspires you?
Travel to new places, particularly those that are somewhat untouched by time or the homogenization of modern culture.

5: Preferred subject matter?
Light and Shadows, old buildings, random people in the street... However, I find that that dusk and dawn around bodies of water are just amazing, especially when there are people and silhouettes...

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
I'd love to take sunrise and sunset photos of Yosemite. What an inspiring place (and my last name is Adams after all...)

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
My wife. I have some colorblindness in the green range and I tend to be nervous when I try to bring out the colors in a photo using Photoshop.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
None. I use Photoshop for work a bit, but really have only scratched the surface.

9: Plans for the future?
To try to fit some photo outings into my crazy work schedule.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
"Opportunistic"

Latyrx

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Latyrx

What would featured photographer spot be without a self portrait? ;)


This is one of my favorite shots :)

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I have been photographing for about a year now.

2: Equipment you use?
Gear:
Nikon D90
Velbon Sherpa Pro CF-635 tripod + Velbon QHD-71Q
Nikon SB-600
Lenses:
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Sigma 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6
Sigma 18-50mm Macro f/2.8
Sigma 70mm Macro f/2.8
Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR
Software:
Adobe Photoshop CS4

3: Mac or PC?
I use both. I have a Macbook Pro to take with me when I leave home. I do prefer my Dual-screen PC over it tho. :)

4: What inspires you?
Just about anything: movies, music, nature and of course other photos.

5: Preferred subject matter?
I love to shoot at night in the darkness. :)

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
Hmm tough one, but I would love to capture nice landscape with lightning. :)

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
When in doubt I ask my brother and my girlfriend to tell me if it's rubbish or not. I also post photos first for my friends to check and ask for their opinions. :)

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
I'm graphic designer, I have used Photoshop for about two years now. Had two years school for graphic designing and only one course of photographing, but I fell in love with it.

9: Plans for the future?
I live one day at time, but I would love to be a successful photographer some day.. :)

10: In one word, describe your photography.
Moody

Rich66

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Rich66


This is one of those peaceful places I could sit all day, lost in a world of Eco! It provides great inspiration. The marsh along the greenway is home to so many aquatic animals. A thriving eco-system.


I love wildlife. And this black squirrel (yeah, I know it's brown) and his buddies were so curious when I went to a local park that they would come right up and feed out of your hand. Some would literally pose for the camera. How could you resist the cute face on this little guy?

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

Actually not very long at all. About 5 years. Introduced to world of digital photography and Flickr by my friend Jeanie's Pics, a great photographer in her own right. We started geocaching and then decided to bring our camera's along in the hunt for the caches. We were exposed to so many new areas of New England that we had to document what we saw: landscapes, animals, structures, etc.

2: Equipment you use?

Kodak Easy Share Z712 IS. Hoping Santa got my letter for an upgrade.

3: Mac or PC?

PC, though I've heard MAC really has it's advantages. An upgrade is possible in a few years. Hey, it took me until this year to buy an iPod and they've been around forever.

4: What inspires you?

Natural elements and the seasons. Luckily for me New England experiences all 4 seasons and provides an abundant source of different landscapes and wildlife. I receive alot of inspiration just viewing all of my Flickr friend's photos as well.

5: Preferred subject matter?

Wildlife, landscapes, waterfalls and rustic settings & structures. Every now and then I'll find something that doesn't fall into those categories which takes me out of my element. Those are kind of fun to capture too. What I try to do is bring a little bit of my world in New England to all of you.

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

Living in New England I have yet to see a moose in person. The only moose I see are those on the Moose Crossing signs. I would really love to get a shot of one of these elusive and majestic animals. Another animal I want to photograph is a river otter.

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

Myself. I'll take photos and look at them for a while before deciding it's good enough. Something within the frame has to jump out at me before I give myself the greenlight to upload it. As I mentioned above, just viewing other photos here on Flickr is a true inspiration. That allows me to self-critique the images I capture as well.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

None really. I use Picasa to touch up or crop images but basically that's it. Alot of trial and error.

9: Plans for the future?

To continue being inspired by the world around me and share what I see with you. I've recently had a photo published in our local paper and had 2 of them placed in a Town Calendar. Maybe someday I'll showcase some photos in an exhibition or something like that. I think it would be cool.

10: In one word, describe your photography.

How about a hyphenated word....Eco-Friendly.

Dani℮l

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Dani℮l


This is HDR. I really like the perspective here as well as the strong and dynamic sky. The very low viewpoint is a thing I use a lot in my photography…



This is not one of my newest but I’m still amazed by the way the elements of nature can shape a landscape like in this view. This shot was taken on one of the Dutch islands which are one of my top favourite places to shoot.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I’ve been interested in photography for a long time since I was young. But, until recent years, taking photos myself had been mostly limited to holidays and longer travels. Stumbling upon Flickr at the end of 2006, gave photography a new dimension for me. The possibility to share, view and discuss photos with people all around the world, made it much more interesting.

2: Equipment you use?
I use a Nikon D300 with a 10-24mm and a 18-200mm lens, both Nikon. I also own a 55mm micro ais and a 105mm ais, both old manual Nikon lenses from the 80’s, but visually they’re still crystal clear..
But my favourite lens is the 10-24mm and that has everything to do with my largest passion in photography (at least until now!), landscapes..


3: Mac or PC?
PC

4: What inspires you?
The physical world and the sky. Anyone who has a look into my stream will notice that the photo’s I post are mostly about landscapes. I love watching the world, travelling and moving through it and think about it while watching it. It inspires me and in my photo’s I am trying to reflect how I see it. And also it’s just another great reason to get out and explore the world!

5: Preferred subject matter?
Landscapes. To me there aren’t many things better to watch than a great landscape combined with a dramatic sky. The great thing about landscapes is that there is a endless variety of them around us! Even the same place or area can appear so incredibly different just by a change of light or weather. The photographer is another factor which determines how a landscape appears. That’s a reason for me to try to visit places around where I live more often, just to try to capture a different mood or view of that same spot.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
Spectacular lightning. That’s not an easy one, because here in the Netherlands we don’t get many chances during a normal year. I still haven’t been at the right spot at the right time with the right equipment.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
Lol....it might be a bit early to talk about my photography as being art…
I must admit that I’m not in doubt about it that often. For me the main purpose of a photo is that my eyes will be pleased by the result. It should be fun to watch.
But I have to admit that when many people like a photo, it will give my confidence about that photo being a good one a boost.
To make it short, when I am in doubt about I will always first ask girlfriend Lotte. To me it is important what she is thinking about my ‘art’.
For the rest I really appreciate advice coming from fellow Flickr members!



8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
No I haven’t done courses or anything like that. But just watching photo’s here on Flickr, reading about photography in magazines and on the Internet, is a good training by itself I think. and of course shooting photos as much as possible might be the best traning there is!


9: Plans for the future?
Keep on shooting and improve post processing skills!


10: In one word, describe your photography.
Wow this is really difficult.......
Well I might combine the words landscape and sensational into a new word: “Senscapetional”

Tracie Taylor Photography

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Tracie Taylor Photography

This image is probably the most meaningful image I've ever taken. My Dads hands are our pillar of strength. He holds us up. My mom is supported by those very hands and surrounded by our love. Each one of us held in Gods hands. Both my mom and dads hands are holding my three daughters hands. This was taken last year just days before my mom lost her battle with cancer. I still get emotional feeling this image.
Generations of faith.


I chose this one because it's one of my current faves. Its fun. Ask me again tomorrow and I'm sure it will be a different image. :)

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
Professionally, over 10 years. (I know what you all must be thinking, she must have started when she was like what, 10 years old???) LOL Okay, so maybe I’m the only one that thinks that! Yikes, I can’t be this old! Thank goodness for Botox!

2: Equipment you use?
Nikon D3 with nikon glass, Canon 5D's with canon glass and I just bought a new 1DS Marklll which I am excited about. Next I want to pick up a digital Leica. I've never shot a rangefinder so I'm looking forward to that. I have my 2nd shooters shooting my Canon bodies but I always have one canon and one Nikon on me for each wedding. (Minus Mike, he shoots whatever the heck he wants... He's a know it all. I kid him that I should be his 2nd shooter. :) I think my all time favorite lens is my Canons 85 1.2 it's pure magic.

3: Mac or PC?
LOL both (what can I say, I don't discriminate :)

4: What inspires you?
There are so many things that inspire me. I'm a true romantic at heart. Love inspires me. That's why I chose wedding photography as a career. Each wedding is such a blessing to be a part of. Surrounded by so much love and emotion. It's overwhelming, but in a very good way. I’m also big into the fashion industry so I try to bring that into my work. I love Flickr and that is a huge source of inspiration for me. I’m always checking out fellow photographers work and pushing the limits here and there. My 3 daughters are my daily inspiration, to say the least! You will find their faces plastered all throughout my websites and here on my Flickr stream.

5: Preferred subject matter?
Again, professionally weddings but I get so much joy from just documenting daily life. My family would probably be number one.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
Two things come to mind, childbirth and In my heart and soul I would love to do missionary work which would allow me to document the people in Namibia, which is one of the most desolate regions in Africa. I think I personally take so much of life for granted. It's one thing to know and hear about the world around us but to actually be involved and make a difference is something I feel passionately about. My mom always told me that the gift of receiving is actually the gift of giving.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
My kids actually keep me humbled. They are as honest as they come. Brutally at times. :) If I need a bit more depth other than "Mom that is weird...." I do in fact come here to Flickr. I have made so many close friends and I truly respect Flickr as a whole. Don't get me wrong I know how the game here can be played but if you take it down a notch, get real and come to Flickr asking for help, asking for advice, I find that the ones that take the time to be honest are the ones that I respect the most.


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
Hmmm in anything.. that is a broad question. I suppose an overall answer would be yes. However in this new digital age I am considered self taught. Before then, back in the film years (yes I know I am dating myself again.....) I do have a degree from CSULB. I was a Kindergarten teacher for many years before switching careers. If you want to go way back I also owned a retail Spa and Gazebo store and waited tables throughout college. I also worked the MAC counter at Nordstroms and was a neighborhood babysitter. :) Imagine all of that before my current age of 21. :)


9: Plans for the future?
Yep. I want the fairytale Happily Ever After......


10: In one word, describe your photography.
Courageous

Hoogen Imagery

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Hoogen Imagery

I try and look for the simplicity in a scene and even though there can be a lot going on, if it doesn’t help the image it shouldn’t be there. I’d like to think this image is an example of that thought process, lot’s to look at but all elements work together to strengthen the overall!


he image does all the talking really!

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

Over 20 years! Was a privilege discovering photography during the analogue days. The magic of the darkroom captivated me, as did waiting anxiously for my slide film to arrive, then projecting my images and seeing warts and all my work larger than life. Was a great way to learn!

2: Equipment you use?

Nikon in the analogue days, Nikon scanner to digitally archive my film and now digital Nikon to see and capture 'the world through my eyes' today.

3: Mac or PC?

Does it really matter, lol. Oh alrighty then, PC!

4: What inspires you?

Light, composition, balance and structure - and the ongoing lessons I try and learn in applying and not applying these elements in my work. I am also inspired by the many artists in all mediums, and from all era's whose work I try and learn from – ‘look around you, but also look at who came before you’.

5: Preferred subject matter?

I enjoy the landscape but my flickr stream in places is rather eclectic. I am trying to broaden my photographic palate but I will always come back to my early influences, which are nature, the landscape and the elusive quality light that happens from time to time.

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

Lightning! I've tried many times but just haven't got anything that I'm happy with.

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

I do rely heavily on my gut instinct and be damned all others, lol. But on flickr, my many friends and contacts are always a source of inspiration; criticism and support and bazpics, ambientlight and philpic are flickr contacts and friends that have, for many years, been a part of the growth of my work, whether it’s been their comments and encouragement or simply looking at their imagery.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

Mainly self taught.

The beauty of photography unlike being an accountant, lawyer, plumber or electrician where you need a piece of paper to operate, photography you can learn and develop your own way with or without formal training!


9: Plans for the future?

With the birth of my second son earlier this year my photography 'for pleasure' has taken a bit of a back seat. As things settle to some semblance of normality, and who knows if this will ever happen, lol, I'd like to keep pushing, developing - pardon the old skool photographic puns - but continue to learn and better my photographic skills


10: In one word, describe your photography.

Focused, lol – who wrote these questions?

I pride myself on my ability too ‘see’, a skill I’m still honing after many years. I hopefully present images that give the viewer a sense of my experience of capturing that special moment!

Will Gortoa

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Will Gortoa

I’m going to slightly cop out a little with the two photos. They are recent personal favourites, but I've always been intrigued by the inner machinations of Flickr's bizarrely named 'Interestingness' thingy, and these two currently sit at 1 and 2 respectively in that ranking. [Which, by definition, presumably means that if you don’t find either of these interesting, then, according to Flickr, you won’t find any of the others interesting either! : )]

This was almost an accident. I took a couple of images of the young girl running towards me in the fountain; the first full length, the second ‘accidentally’ chopping her face off at about eye level. When I processed them, though, removing her head entirely suddenly seemed to produce this ‘everyperson’ image. A wonderful accident.


Street photography is often all about timing. This is certainly one of those moments, where a fraction of a second before or after this image was taken would’ve negated its impact entirely.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?

When I look back, I think I’ve always taken photographs [having bought my first Nikon SLR in my mid-teens] and seemingly possessed an eye for photography, to some degree. But I probably wasn’t really ‘captured’ by photography until I returned to college to study it full-time for a year in 1993/4 – on reflection, one of the happiest year’s of my life. Even then, though, during the next few years, circumstances dictated I had to allow that desire to drift. However, about a year ago, I embarked on a new photographic chapter, following the acquisition of a gorgeous DSLR camera and the passion has returned tenfold...

2: Equipment you use?

I always used Nikon gear and lenses in the analogue days. Currently, my digital set-up is fairly straightforward, though:

Nikon D300
Nikon Nikkor 18-200mm VR lens
Photoshop Elements 5

3: Mac or PC?

PC. [About to collapse under the weight of these new images!]

4: What inspires you?

Elliott Erwitt fundamentally provided the spark for my love of photography. I had been fumbling around in the creative wilderness, occasionally producing the odd memorable family or holiday image, buying into modern imagery in fairly sterile modern photography magazines, when I metaphorically bumped into Elliott Erwitt. Everything changed.

Since then, and certainly since joining Flickr, I’m increasingly inspired by the many quite extraordinary photographers that inhabit this network.

5: Preferred subject matter?

I admire many forms of photography, but my personal favourite is comfortably documentary, photojournalism and/or street photography; capturing those candid, decisive moments of everyday life.

However, on a recent deserted coastal holiday [due to the complete absence of people! : )], I experimented a little with more abstract landscape images; utilising textures [a processing technique that has recently crept into my street images, too.]

And I haven’t really even tried traditional portrait photography yet. [That is, where the person actually knows they’re having their portrait taken! : )]

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

Interesting question. Well, my profile introduction begins with: “…sparkly new Nikon D300 in hand, I’m about to embark on a new photographic voyage... I have no real idea where this may take me, or indeed, if time, tide and life will allow me the space to fully explore my renewed passion. And, I dare say, as I explore the medium again it might well result in a somewhat eclectic mix of imagery.” And, a year later, that feeling remains.

In simple terms, I’ve recaptured my photographic enthusiasm. So, my only desire now is that it continues to be this enjoyable.

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

To be honest, I’m fairly self-contained. I often work quite quickly* when editing images; occasionally producing up to 6/7 versions of a single image, before quickly deleting them all and keeping one favourite that relates to my gut instinct. Sometimes I’ll get stuck and ask my wife… uh, then keep the one she doesn’t like! : )

* The room I’m sat in actually doubles up as a traditional darkroom. [Rather pointlessly points to old enlarger gather dust in the corner.] I used to handprint all my own images. Anyone who’s done this will know it’s a magical [seeing the image slowly appear in the chemicals] yet very slow process. The speed of my work in Photoshop Elements seems to be a reaction almost, the antithesis of that.

In fact, if I had one criticism of Flickr, it might be that the vast majority of people – quite understandably – leave positive feedback. Which is great, too. But I think I would actually quite appreciate someone who might offer more challenging or constructive criticisms. Any applicants for this position can send a CV via email. Uh, but the pay is lousy! : )

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop

Aside from that exceptionally memorable and rewarding one year of full-time study [Advanced Diploma in Photography and Audio Visual Studies], it’s largely been discovery by fumbling-around-in-the-dark experiences, really. [I think that might just be a metaphor for my entire life, actually! : )]

9: Plans for the future?

Mow the lawn, take the dog for a walk, uh, pay off the mortgage… Maybe become an adult? : ) Seriously, though… I’m happy to have rediscovered photography this past year or so, and I can only hope it continues to give me the pleasure that it has during that time. I’m definitely going to take some serious portraits one day, though. You see!

10: In one word, describe your photography.

One word… Blimey! [No, wait, that wasn’t it!] I mean, in someone with a tendency to waffle, that’s a real challenge! In a word…

Learning.

Uh, can I put the word ‘Always’ in front of that, too? ;-)

Eve Livesey

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Eve Livesey

So evocative of my migration to Spain – it has everything I’d not managed to capture before – light rays, long exposure on the water and it was a challenge – not having an ND filter and the light was sooo bright


Self-explanatory I think – double-trouble – double the fun and two of the best reasons to be living in Madrid – they light up my life

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
Since May 2006.


2: Equipment you use?
Nikon D80
Nikon 18-135mm F3.8-5.6 (for everyday) and Tamron 90mm F2.8 (for macros) lenses
Nikon Speedlight SB-800 Flash Unit
Bowen Gemini 250/250 Studio Lighting Kit
But the shutter is dying on my camera – so I’m saving up for a new one (well theoretically, but with the state of the economy I might be able to afford one in 5 years) and I have been known to borrow my husband’s equipment ;-)

3: Mac or PC?
PC and Photoshop CS2


4: What inspires you?
Other Flickr members and my Stepson (Warne) and Husband (Jim) - Fuzzbox and Fuzzbox’s Dad on Flickr – and not necessarily in that order ;-) I have also learned so much from my contacts (and I’m still learning)


5: Preferred subject matter?
My Grandchildren :-)
Seriously - don’t really have any – I just get a vague longing to shoot things when I haven’t done them for a while – especially landscapes, macros and modern architecture - so I go off and do them


6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
My youngest grandchild’s child :-)


7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
I have trouble with not having a ‘style’ and have discussed it with my husband – but to be truthful you just have to trust your own judgement in the end – it’s all about personal taste. I have had an enormous amount of help from my contacts over the years. They have put me right about composition, processing and controlling my camera etc and have and still do provide valuable feedback and critique. I try and set myself certain standards when it comes to sharpness etc but as for the rest – it’s all up for grabs. The thing is not to take it all toooo seriously – I love taking photos and I want it to be enjoyable


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
Not a one – all self-taught.
I first started taking photos on a family holiday in the Canadian Rockies. Warne and Jim jump out of the car – the most amazing view in front of us, mountains, lake, snow – so not wanting to be left out I ask ‘Can I have a go?’ Jim hands me his brand new Nikon D70 (never been used) with a smile (he loves me really). So I ask (quite logically I thought) ‘How do I set this thing up?’ A look of sheer incredulity passes between them and they reply in unison ‘Set it to Auto!!’ Still makes me laugh when I think about it, talk about ignorance is bliss - but seeing their results and mine made me determined to learn all I could!


9: Plans for the future?
To try and document the beauty of my ‘adopted’ country, Spain, and produce a book about each region, improve control over my camera and be able to process my photos in an appropriate manner to reproduce what I ‘saw’ when I took the photo (this may not vaguely resemble what was in front of me :-)


10: In one word, describe your photography.
Emotional
I hope that each and every photo will produce some kind of emotion in the viewer – whether that’s laughter, melancholy, tranquillity, awe (yeah right ;-) – whatever………..

Ian@NZflickr

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Ian@NZFlickr


In Prague early one cold autumn morning I had one of my best photography experiences ever. The sun rose behind the spires of the university and fog drifted off the river onto the Charles Bridge. After 80 minutes, when the sun went behind thicker clouds, I suddenly realised how cold I was but until then I had been too enchanted to notice.


Our youngest daughter was growing tired walking around a cathedral in Madrid and sat down right in a pool of stained glass light. Then my wife joined her and I had my picture.

1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I started using a Plastic Diana camera at primary school and started going to a camera club at high school and still go to one now.

2: Equipment you use?
Nikon for the last 30 years. Currently enjoying D700 full frame which allows me to use my fisheye lens I bought secondhand 20 years ago.

3: Mac or PC?
Bilingual but mostly PC these days.

4: What inspires you?
Usually the way the light lies.

5: Preferred subject matter?
Landscape, the sea, cities, people, birds... almost anything

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that
you REALLY want to capture.
It would be fun to take some aerobatics photos from one of the planes involved, at least in my imagination :-)


7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
These days I just post to Flickr. I have some commenters with well defined opinions.


8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
Self taught


9: Plans for the future?
Photography will remain my favourite pastime


10: In one word, describe your photography.
Improving

**Krissy**

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: **Krissy**

This is a ridiculously beautiful Japanese Maple Tree and every time I see it, I find something more beautiful that the last. This is also my most viewed photo to date.


This is another of my favorites. I love a cityscape at night and this one has an interesting "spin" to it. Such a simple effect and I have not been able to replicate it again. City scape, reflections and night lights...what's not to love?


1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I took a little photography in college as part of my Journalism degree, but really started enjoying it about 3 years ago.

2: Equipment you use?
I use my Nikon all the time. I started 3 years ago with the D50 and in the last six months have graduated to the D80. I think my favorite lens is the Sigma 10-20.

3: Mac or PC?
PC for me!

4: What inspires you?
I find myself "framing" in everyday life. I am a great fan of the photos that just appear and just call to you. Some of my favorite shots are those that I see just driving down the road and jump out of the car and capture that moment. I get so much excitement from that kind of photographic spontaneity.


5: Preferred subject matter?
I really do enjoy a beautiful landscape or a gorgeous sunset. I also love the occasional lenticular cloud that passes over Mt. Hood from time to time. I also love a wonderful water reflection.


6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture?
I would love to be able to photograph the Northern Lights.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in? When I am in doubt, I usually sort out my thoughts in my head and figure out what I can do different to create the image that I had hoped for. I find photography to be very personal outlet and truly enjoy the solitude of my vision.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop?
A bit of college photography, rolling and developing my own 35 millimeter film. Such a tedious and time-consuming process, but well worth it! Hopefully, with the digital age, I will never have to stand in a pitch black room and roll 8 feet of un-developed film on a metal spool again!

9: Plans for the future?
.I would love to travel, not just because of the photographic opportunities, but also because there are many places I would love to see and experience in person! Also, maybe get into some portrait photography.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
Personal

{ Amy }

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: { Amy }

Often, I feel really proud of a photo when I first take it, then I improve and the photo doesn't seem so good, but this one, from may, is a case where I'm still really happy with it.



This one is very recent, and I was so happy with the processing I did on it. :)


1: How long have you been involved in photography?
About two and a half years. Seems like ages ago!

2: Equipment you use?
When I first started, we had a little point-and-shoot kodak, but it wasn't until we got a Canon 400D that I really got into photography. Now days I use a Canon 50D, mostly with my favourite lens; a 100mm f/2.8 Macro

3: Mac or PC?
PC. My brother's got a Mac, but I've never been particularly drawn to it.

4: What inspires you?
Ah...can i say "everything"? haha, no....I guess a lot of my inspiration comes from other photographers, looking at their photos often gives me ideas, things I want to try for myself...they almost never end up looking like I planned, but that's all part of it, right?

5: Preferred subject matter?
I'd have to say Nature. It's crazy how much joy you can get out of photographing a little daisy, or a poppy, or any of the other wonders that you can find in a common garden.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture?
You know those really cool long exposure shots of the ocean? yeah, I'd like to try those.

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
My mum and my sisters, for sure. They're all interested in photography as well, so they help a lot. It's not that I struggle with liking my own work, it's more that I struggle with whether other people will like my work, most of the time I just need someone to tell me that it's okay, I'm doing the right thing, and no, that flower doesn't look like a cat playing the accordion while tap dancing. :p

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop?
Nope, I pretty much taught myself by fiddling around with a lot of different buttons and knobs, but my brothers helped me learn how to use photoshop. I am doing an online photography course at the moment too, so hopefully I'll learn a bit more about the technical side of it.

9: Plans for the future?
Finishing said photography course sometime in the next million years, finishing my 365day project and my 52week project, and taking a whole bunch of photos :)

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

Gert van Duinen

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: Gert van Duinen

Wonderful Winter...

This image doesn't necessarily mean something to me, but turning a most mundane photo into an extraordinary scenery is perhaps one of the strengths I hear often from those who viewed my work. I guess this image perfectly illustrates how I can go about insane during post, turning a nearby scene into a perfect Christmas card we would send to our friends and family. Ssst, we actually did :)



Punt van Reide I

This image means a lot to me. It's one from a series I made at a very unique place in the utmost Northeastern part of the Netherlands. I love this part of Holland that I was literally drawn to on a summer evening. Honestly, this was my first serious attempt to document a place solely with photographic perfection in mind, thus without any extraordinary post production techniques involved.



1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I have never been seriously involved into photography. I consider myself being an image creator.

2: Equipment you use?
Nikon D300, Tokina ultra-wides, Manfrotto 190B + ballhead, remote shutter release, MagLites®, ND110, IR-720 and a thermos of regular Douwe Egberts coffee, black no sugar please.

3: Mac or PC?
PC's, can't think of something better and more flexible. I'm hooked.

4: What inspires you?
Mainly shipyards around the early 20th Century and Dutch 17th century landscape painters. In particular those from the Dutch Golden Age, like the expressive landscapes from Jacob van Ruisdael, the rough seas from Ludolf Bakhuizen and maritime paintings from Simon de Vlieger and Abraham Storck.

5: Preferred subject matter?
Landscapes, shipyards, lakes and harsh weather conditions.

6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture?
A big fat typhoon endangering ships on a billowing sea "-).

7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
Peers who know they have grounded critique.

8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop?
I'm a trained graphics designer with a self-taught specialty in logo and corporate identity design. Throughout the years I received numerous diploma's and certificates, ranging from advanced Photoshop & Illustrator to Flash and typographic design. Thankfully I'm still learning today.

9: Plans for the future?
Too much to handle in one lifetime. But yes, I'd like to have more purpose behind my photography and image editing efforts. Perhaps through assignments and new opportunities.

10: In one word, describe your photography.
Expressive?