Its been a little while since I have posted anything to my blog. I apologize to those that follow it. 🙂 I will add more images from recent shoots within the next week or so. For now, I touhght I would share something a little bit different.
I received an email from a college student asking questions for a report required for his photography class. I thought I would post my response to each question for you all to read. The answers will vary with every photographer.
Here are the questions:
1. How did you become involved with photography?
2. Did you go to school to learn photography?
3. Who would you say have been the major influence on you?
4. Do you have top 3 favorites photographers and who are they and why you liked them?
5. Do you shoot film or digital?
6. Did you become an assistant first before you put up your own studio? How was it like in the first few weeks of operations?
7. Have you made a lot of money from photography?
8. What future projects do you have in mind?
9. Any other interests outside photography?
10. Final words to us who are putting up a photo exhibit in August this year?
Here are my responses:
1. How did you become involved with photography?
– I was serving an LDS Mission, and purchased a nice point and shoot with manual controls. I started by taking photos of flowers and then when I returned home I continued it as a hobby but really didn’t invest much time into it. I later earned my real estate license, and purchased my first DSLR in 2010 to take pictures of the houses I would sell. I was asked to do one wedding, and that led to many more after that and my world into professional photography.
2. Did you go to school to learn photography?
– No, I did not attend a formal school to learn photography. I studied with professionals, as a second shooter and assistant. I also practiced many hours. Photography is an art. It requires natural abilities as well as practicing to achieve greater skill. It is not something that can be learned in a class room. Although you can learn many valuable parts of photography, and study the history and learn about techniques, you must go out and practice, and gain experience to give yourself the eye to see. You must learn light. The word photography means “To paint with Light”. Therefore, a photographer is a painter of light. If you do not understand light, you cannot paint with it, and therefore you cannot be a photographer.
3. Who would you say have been the major influence on you?
– Many people have inspired and enfluenced me. Scott Jarvie, David Terry, Marco Greis, Marvell Smith, Jerry Ghionis, and many others.
4. Do you have top 3 favorites photographers and who are they and why you liked them?
– David Terry’s understanding of light and portrait work is always enjoyable to view. Scott Jarvie’s ability to add an artistic touch to every photograph, and his ability to work and enfluence others. Jerry Ghionis for his understanding of light, and his great eye.
5. Do you shoot film or digital?
– Digital. I do not know a professional photographer that does not shoot digital. Film still has a unique look, and perhaps still captures more detail, especially in the larger formats. However, the ease of use, quicker results and much less cost to use makes digital much more appealing. And the quality is almost a toss up, unless you bring out high ISO performance, which digital performs far great than film. My Canon 5D Mark III shoots up to 25,600 ISO. At about 12,800 ISO, it has similar grain amounts as 800 ISO film, and perhaps even less.
6. Did you become an assistant first before you put up your own studio? How was it like in the first few weeks of operations?
– I am a member of a co-op studio, which means there are several photographers that share in the expenses. I have never owned my own studio, and perhaps never will.
7. Have you made a lot of money from photography?
– Yes, I make enough to support my family of 4. I am not rich, by any means, but I can afford to do what I love, and pay all of my bills.
8. What future projects do you have in mind?
– I am working on getting into sports photography and have been working with a few local sports teams.
9. Any other interests outside photography?
– technology in general. I majored in information systems and still do IT work from time to time. I will always use and work on computers and I love building them for others.
10. Final words to us who are putting up a photo exhibit in August this year?
– Photography is amazing. It is a wonderful way to express yourself! I love what I do, and I love seeing peoples reaction when they see a beautiful image that I helped to create. I wish you luck, work hard and keep at it. It will be worth it in the long run.
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