Have you completed formal art studies, or are you self-taught?
A bit of this and that - I've always been into making art, so much of it is self-taught. As an adult I've studied art, photography and graphic design. At the moment I'm taking a bachelor in Digital Design.
When should one use film, and when should one use digital?
Jade Sperry (jadedphotography.me)
Film is the better choice - however its set, you can't manipulate it. Digital is for the masses as one of my friends' has mentioned numerous times. Digital is what I use the most because you make the photo better at manipulating it slightly.
Are technology and digital retouching reducing the gap between professionals and amateurs?
I think somewhat. But everyone has to work their way up to being a professional and if that means teaching themselves on digital retouching software, then that's how they do it. There are still basic rules of photography that will either be present or not in the photos making it strong or weak and separating the professionals from the amateurs.
For how long have you done photography? How did you begin?
I have done photography since high school. I would consider high school to be the period of time during which I became truly interested in and knowledgeable of photography. I used my dad's old pentax 35mm camera to do film photography for awhile, until I purchased my first digital SLR camera. Film photography was a great way for me to begin my photo career. It forced me to learn all of the technicalities of photography.
When should one use film, and when should one use digital?
One can use film when they have more time to be precise and considerate of technical processes. Digital is best used for event or sport photography. When you need to be able to capture images quickly and precisely, digital is usually the best method to use.
Are technology and digital retouching reducing the gap between professionals and amateurs?
I think that the answer has to be yes, since it is not clear anymore what key characteristics differentiates the professionals from the amateurs. If it is about the training, or the ability to make a living out of photography? I do not know. Having said that, digital photography and the advance of technology have certainly contributed to this.
Are technology and digital retouching reducing the gap between professionals and amateurs?
No not as much as we think.There are some
naturally gifted photographers that require very
little training.However most people cannot just
pick up a camera and understand the factors of
framing,exposure,composition,aperture etc without
some previous research or education.However I have
seen many good images caught on pocket
cameras.The beauty of photography is that we all can
do it with the most basic of cameras.Professionals
however have to work to industry standards to sell thier
work so there is a difference between amatuer and pro.
Digital cameras has made photography more accessible
but not shortened the gap between professional work and
amatuer.
What did you study and why did you choose to study that field?
I've studied Photography, Multimedia and Digital design in Torino.
I've always been kinda creative and I've always felt out of place sat in an office.
Are technology and digital retouching reducing the gap between professionals and amateurs?
I think the digital age has made photography more accessable to a wider audience and its blurred the lines between what can be considered 'amateur' and 'professional'.
However, good photography begins with how a scene or subject is interpreted and I think the ability to sell that interpretation is what makes the difference between the 2.
Are technology and digital retouching reducing the gap between professionals and amateurs?
Of course technology and digital retouching are reducing the gap between professionals and amateurs, along with the Internet, social media, etc., etc.! It has never been easier to make money in photography, and may never have been harder to make a living at it! Pros have to keep finding that edge that makes the difference...but photography is hardly the only industry in such a situation!
Are technology and digital retouching reducing the gap between professionals and amateurs?
Only in the sense that a "professional" is someone who earns a living doing photography. Digital technologies have reduced the cost of entry into professional photography, creating an environment in which more people can earn a living through some form of photography.
However, with that said, the talent divide has not been reduced... it has merely shifted. In the past the baseline for photographic talent happened primarily behind the camera, whereas today the baseline happens in the digital editing studio. But some measure of photographic talent is still necessary today, just as editing/printing talent was necessary in the years of analog photography. So while the baseline has shifted, the talent gap has not been reduced.
For how long have you done photography? How did you begin?
I've been doing photography since 2001, I started out as an artist at a very young age with pencil sketches of anything and everything my young imagination could come up with. As I evolved my interests expanded into new mediums from painting and sculpting to digital illustration, until eventually I picked up my first camera. I attended the New York Institute of Photography from 2007 - 2009 and the rest is history.
When should one use film, and when should one use digital?
I used to be an advocate for film and have slowly come around to digital. To me, film has that wonderfully tactile feel of nostalgia about it. You can recreate it in digital but I can't say it is the same.
Digital photography is extremely practical - you do not worry about wasting shots and even if your card is getting full you can quickly delete images in camera if needed and you are pressed. But getting the film SLR out once in a while is great for making your brain work again - every frame is precious so you take time to consider what you want to do, expose and frame your shot, put some effort into it. I find it is good practice for me to do that often, as I can feel myself easily slipping into laziness and snapping away with my digital cam.
Are technology and digital retouching reducing the gap between professionals and amateurs?
No. Perhaps a little, but digital retouching and photography are still skills that need to be learned and honed. Of course anyone can take a picture and alter it in countless ways, but a professional will still give it a standard of quality that is not the same.
What measures do you take to protect your work against Internet piracy?
This is a tough one... Unfortunately, with the advance of digital photography, the internet is the best and most inexpensive way of exhibiting our work. I keep my portfolio and galleries on a protected website which I pay for and trust. I never post client images on public domains like Facebook and Twitter and even Flicker - if I do, I favour posting links that will take viewers back to my protected website. Anything people can right click on to save an image is a no no for me. Call me cynical, but I also believe if you are offered something for free, don't expect it to have your best interests in mind. I don't feel any of my images are safe on these domains.
Of course I have to put some images up though so I try to keep them at a low resolution and dpi so even if they do get "used" for anything they will not be good enough quality to do anything important with.
What software and plug-ins do you use to retouch and manage your photos?
When I first started in Digital photography, I went a little mad on photoshop. I very nearly fell into the lazy trap of "I'll fix it in post". As I progressed however, I inevitably found I was getting bored of staring at a screen clicking a mouse for hrs and missing getting out there and taking photos. So I am pleased to say my photographic brain has settled back into more old fashioned thinking - Get it right in camera, keep editing at a minimum.
I would be lying of course if I claimed to not use any editing software at all. But for my purposes, I have managed to stick to very little. I use Adobe Bridge and Photoshop to adjust brightness, contrast and / or levels and slightly up the saturation. Occasionally I have to spot-clean a bogie or a chocolate stain on a kid's face but overall I try to avoid the necessity of hours touching up minute details on images.
What has been your education as a photographer?
Snapping, snapping and snapping some more. I learned the basics of exposure and the mechanics of photography at college. During my professional life in video production, I had the opportunity to further experience the practicalities of lighting and framing. But the best education has been simply picking up the camera and taking photos. I have experimented with both film and digital, various lenses and filters and picked up the techniques I needed as I went along.
Trial and Error.
For how long have you done photography? How did you begin?
My passion for photography began at college where I took a module in creative photography. That was my first taste, which was then put briefly aside as I continued my studies in Film and Video production. My husband (boyfriend at the time) bought me my very first SLR camera a couple of years after graduating and I picked up my love where I left it. Since then I have made the inevitable transition to Digital photography and the last 2 years have turned a much loved hobby into a business.
What role does technology play in your creative process?
I use digital photography and photoshop to help me. Photography during, and after to see if my image is just like the photographic image. Also use photoshop to blend or make images more artistic.
Which websites for photographers do you frequently visit?
Some of the websites I really like to visit regularly are:
http://digital-photography-school.com/
http://www.jpgmag.com/
http://flakphoto.com/
And ofcourse, a lot of inspiration and learning comes from the most common source today, the facebook.
What is your favourite type of photography?
I love pure street photography and surreal digital manipulation equally.
Please list any exhibitions in which you have participated.
I have had 4 solo shows in CT, USA. One was a show of black and white photography on Havana, Cuba. The other three were fine art exhibits mainly consisting of digitally manipulated photography.
Which past masters of photography do you most admire?
I LOVE THE OLD SCHOOL CAMERAMEN!
Robert Mapplethorpe, Victor Skrebneski, Man Ray, Andy Warhol.
It was the experimental aspect of photography that got me into it! Trying to create this technics way before digital photography and computer manipulation came around!!!
Describe your current equipment: cameras, lenses, computers, accessories...
NOW I USING FUJI DIGITAL CAMERAS AND PROFESSIONAL SCANNER AND MY MAC. I LOVE SHOOTING AND MANIPULATING THE IMAGES WITH A COMPUTER (LATELY) I STILL SHOOT MY MEDIUM FORMAT FILM AND GO THROUGH THE PROCESS AND TIME. BUT IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE WANTS EVERYTHING TODAY AND CHEAP. WHICH IS SAD FOR THE ART PART OF PHOTOGRAPHY...
What do you do? How do you define yourself as an artist?
I am a painter, a mixed media artists who observes forms and symbols revealed within light that seemes to have relevance to curent themes in science and culture. I have followed this thread of insight which has resulted in capturing paintings of light energy with the tools of digital photography.
Are technology and digital retouching reducing the gap between professionals and amateurs?
No, digital retouching still requires skill.
All modern cameras can do a good job when it comes to photography, even mobile phones have outstanding camera's built in these days. But an understanding of light, framing and composition sets the pro's apart.
What has been your education as a photographer?
Never format your disk on a digital camera. Black an white photography is hard.
What has been your career path? How have you arrived to the point where you are? What did you do before?
Creativity.
Music, photography, coding, development & graphic design;)
We started because we looked for something similar and couldn't find it, and it seemed like a natural development where personal digital media and use empowered self creation will go. (and it's fun to do!)
What has been your education as a photographer?
My education in photography began in high school, currently I am finishing up my Bachelors in Fine Art with an emphasis on Photography. I am skilled in developing film and darkroom processing (even though this is dying out). I have also skills with photoshop and very knowledgable about digital photography.
Are technology and digital retouching reducing the gap between professionals and amateurs?
Yes, I believe that anyone with some digital skill can be able to produce 'pro' quality photos, and the rising age of digital photography was the reason I chose to not get my degree in photo, and instead something with graphic design. I felt cheated by the fact it was opening a new door to anyone and everyone with a digital camera to be a pro.
Please list any awards for your work.
2010 Int'l Photography Awards (Lucie Awards) - Honorific Mention in Fine Art - "Rare Still" (Worldwide)
2009 Advertising Photographers of America - Fine Art Winner - "It's a small world" (USA)
2008 Venacham International Year of water - Winner - "Droplet" (Venezuela)
2006 Smithsonian Magazine - Winner - "Lizard" (Wordlwide)
2006 Pavco de Venezuela - Winner - "Agua" (Venezuela)
2006 ePhotoDigital & Alcaldia de Baruta - Winner - "Retrato de una carta" (Caracas)
2004 National Geographic Latin America - Honorific Mention - "Sunset" (South America)
2003 Sony Latin America - Winner - "The Tree" (South America)
In which tasks are you good at, and in which could you better yourself?
I'm mainly a wedding photographer and too little businessman. If people are happy, I am happy. The financial side of the story I forget too often. Finance to buy new equipment with more or improved features produce better image. So important, of course in this age of digital revolution in the field of photography.
Which websites for photographers do you frequently visit?
http://www.flickr.com
http://www.500px.com
http://www.digital-photography-school.com/
For how long have you done photography? How did you begin?
I have always held an interest in photography.
My earliest memory of doing anything photographic was when I was about 8 years old. I had my mom buy me a black and white disposable camera and I took two paper-plates, taped them together, covered them in foil and had my mom throw it like a Frisbee into the sky as I took pictures of it. The results were pretty convincing shots of a UFO; I had the best show-and tell in school that week.
After that though I only dabbled; stealing my parent's digital camera here or there. It wasn't until my sophomore year in college that I decided I wanted to seriously pursue photography and that was just under two years ago.
Do you upload your work to the web? If so, where could we see it?
Yes I do, I think it's a great way to keep your work and yourself accessible.
My site: http://clashofweapons.com/
My Painting illustrations: http://clashofweapons.com/?page_id=723
My Digital illustrations: http://clashofweapons.com/?page_id=721
My Ink illustrations: http://clashofweapons.com/?page_id=719
My Photography: http://clashofweapons.com/?page_id=64
My 3dimensional work: http://clashofweapons.com/?page_id=560
My Film work: http://clashofweapons.com/?page_id=57
What is your favourite type of photography?
My photography is documentary in style. I mostly work in digital - for the easiness of it - but I have an on-going love-affair with analog photography.
What has been your education as a photographer?
After taking a couple of courses in Digital Photography in Dublin's Gallery of Photography, I eventually signed up for a one-year Diploma in Photographic Media in Griffith College Dublin, which I finished in 2010 with "Distinction". I have continued studying and am now doing a three-year BA in Photographic Media in Griffith College Dublin, due to finish 2012.
For how long have you done photography? How did you begin?
It's weird that I didn't discover my love for photography earlier. My dad was always taking pictures. He passed away when I was 32, but my husband bought me a nice digital camera for Christmas in 2008 and I instantly starting snapping away at anything and everything. Having been in the corporate world for 25+ years, it was nice finding a way to express my creative side.
Does photography have the recognition that it should have in contemporary art museums?
I think its gaining more and more recognition. Just this past week I had the opportunity to view original Ansel Adams prints at an exhibition at the Nevada Museum of Art. I was completely blown away at his work and it was everything and more that I could have ever imagined. To think most of what was on display was from early 1920's - 1960's, just incredible. I also think there should be a distinction between photography with darkroom digital techniques i.e. traditional photographic prints and Photoshop Art where photography is manipulated with Photoshop techniques i.e adding textures, paint brush strokes, etc.
For how long have you done photography? How did you begin?
I seriously began photography about 4 years ago. I have been painting and drawing since I was a kid, but both of these art forms officially meshed together about 18 months ago when I began using photoshop as my digital paintbrush, thus branding myself a creative photographic artist.
|
99683 interviews created
INVITE YOUR FRIENDS