Mad about Portraits

11 amazing portraits from MAD ABOUT PORTRAITS flickr group, vol. 6!

2012-05-22T19:42:00.000+02:00

Do you want to see more amazing stuff? Join us here!

by Lukasz Wierzbowski

by JC Bonassin

by Aránzazu

by Marriane Blanco

by Buradori

by Krunal Palande

by Rebecka Alva

by Alex Wang

by Sebastian Wahsner

by Jsopiktures

by Tanya Latici

"Taking bad photos is important." ... interview with DAN HAYON.

2012-01-29T18:36:00.001+01:00

1Q) Can you please tell us the story behind this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?
This photo was taken in 1967 or 1968.

At that time I was a student at the Art Academy in Bucharest and, just because I had a camera, a friend of a friend of a friend, got me a summer job as a stage photographer during the shooting of a feature movie. One of the things I had to do, was to take the pictures of those who wanted to be hired as extras for the film. It was almost like a police procedure: they were brought to me, I put them in front of a black wall asked them to look at me and I pressed the button like a firing squad. One of them was the man in this photo. Didn't know his name, didn't know his story. I suppose that the expression on his face would have been the same if he had a real policeman in front of him. Later I was told that he was a Jew who wanted to emigrate to Israel and was waiting for years to get a visa. I wonder If he expected me to give him one.

Anyway, I didn't think then of my self as a real photographer. I still don't.

2Q) What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?

I had a Zorky camera with one lens only. I think it was a 50mm. The cameraman gave me a box with negative film that I cut in pieces. Today, there is nothing in my photo bag. I don't have a photo bag. My photo bag is my pocket and I always carry in it a cheap little compact camera. But I wouldn't refuse a Leica if you'll offer me one. My camera is my notebook. I don't take photos, I take visual notes. I don't care if the result is a bad photo. Taking bad photos is important. Diane Arbus said that. Probably she was referring to me.

3Q) What do you love most about shooting portraits?

I don't shoot portraits. When I'm in front of a person, I take pictures of my own feelings. I just tell them to look at me and that's it. Every portrait I make is a portrait of myself. But I am not a nombrilistic artist, I am not the centre of universe. On the other hand, I may be crazy. Who knows...

4Q) Do you consider yourself mostly as a “portrait” photographer?

No. I would keep the word "photographer" because my tool is a camera and not brushes, for instance. But I consider myself more of a story-teller. I start from an emotion, I try to put it in words and then, I look through my thousands of visual notes to find those who fit that feeling. It doesn't matter when, where and why I took them.

5Q) Do you work with available light or do you use additional lightning often?

Only available light. I think that using a flash, in some occasions, may give very interesting effects but it is not for me. Too complicated.

6Q) What/Who are your photography muses and influences?

Whoever took or takes pictures the way I do, is a muse for me. (I'm kidding.) The list of my muses is long. Fred Chance and Robert Frank are among the top ten. Together with Keith Arnatt, Lartigue, Giacomelli, Brandt and Erwitt. But, as I said, the list is long, very long. It includes 19th century photographers and many who lived in the first half of the 20th.

I'm most influenced by those photographers whom I didn't discover yet. And by anonymous photographers. A lot.

7Q) Any tip for taking better portraits?

Yes. One: there is no tip. Just do it.

No, there is another: read photographers quotations.

Search for them on Internet, write them down, filter them according to your own experience and, from time to time, read them again and think about.

http://hayon.typepad.fr

Thank You, Dan!

Amazing portraits from MAD ABOUT PORTRAITS flickr group, vol. 5!

2012-01-04T03:03:00.000+01:00

We're back with another stunning portraits from our MaP flickr group- join us.

by Raelene Giffin

by Alex Wang

by Paloma Huerta

by Lukasz Wierzbowski

by Kermit Frog

by Elena Maria Atzori

by zsumoz

by Jonathan Puntervold

by Pegusus91

11 amazing portraits from MAD ABOUT PORTRAITS flickr group, vol. 4! Square formats of women!

2011-10-27T01:16:00.001+02:00

We're waiting for your portraits! Join our Mad about Portraits flickr group!

by soulmining photography

by klara keler

by valerio boncompagni

by stephanie gonot

by ira chernova

by joel esposito

by timothy keen

by vanesa munoz

by steve broadbank

"Camera otaku" ... interview with JON SIEGEL.

2011-10-24T14:15:00.001+02:00

Jon is a creative director based out of Tokyo, Japan, running the creative agency Pikkles with his business partner Vitaly Dmitriev. He is an avid photographer who loves Japan and Japanese culture and hopes his photography will inspire others to visit this incredible country.

1Q) Can you please tell us the story behind this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?

This is my dear friend Nurul, we met after I moved to Singapore with my wife Waki who is taking her MBA course here. That night was our first evening out together, we were enjoying a drink and a game of cards outside a popular bar. Waki and Nurul were getting serious with the game while I sat back and enjoyed my drink. Nurul lit up and I couldn't resist, I had to take a shot. From my point of view, the bokeh my 50 produces played nicely with Nurul's polka-dot dress, and the colored lights from the bar framed her nicely. Nurul was a good sport about me taking a few photos, often when people notice me taking shots they start to post but Nurul kept her cool and that's how I got this shot. It's one of my favorites.

2Q) What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?

I shoot with a Nikon D700. I go with Nikon because I prefer their older ai and ais lenses over anything new. I love the qualities of classic glass and the 50mm F1.2 ais is one of two lenses I primarily shoot with. The other is the 85mm F1.4 AFD which is a piece of art. I love both of these lenses very much. In my kit I have a full set of Nikkor primes, 20mm F2.8 AFD 35mm F1.4 ais, 50mm F1.2 ais, 85mm F1.4 AFD, 135mm F2.8 ai. I wouldn't mind a 14mm F2.8 AFD one day, I miss my Sigma 10-20 from my DX days, that was a fun lens.

3Q) What do you love most about shooting portraits?

I love when they have no idea what I'm doing until it's too late. It's fine when they pose for me, but I much prefer to catch people off guard, where they're more relaxed so I can really capture their honest character. Of course I have no objection to permission portraits, I did that in Cambodia and got some nice shots out of it. Just my taste and aim.

4Q) Do you consider yourself mostly as a “portrait” photographer?

I wouldn't pin myself as any particular kind of photographer, I enjoy shooting a range of subjects, especially street candids. My lens kit does reflect my style of photography in a way, those primes are the fastest primes Nikon makes, and all are suited to low-light situations. Coincidentally my taste in fast primes arose from my working schedule. I run a creative agency called Pikkles which is based in Shibuya, Tokyo, and like any good creative agency in Japan, I work long, late hours. The only time I would really have for shooting was the late evening when I would leave my office and walk back to Shibuya station, thus necessitating fast primes.

I consider myself a sort of "camera otaku" and "pro" hobbyist. On one end I obsess over the history and functionality of classic cameras and lenses. On the other end I know what I'm doing with photography, at least I think I know what I'm doing, and I blow out my highlights because I want to. That's one of the purest joys of photography, quite honestly there is no right or wrong, it's all about experimenting and testing ideas and seeing if they achieve the results you want.

5Q) Do you work with available light or do you use additional lightning often?

I have an SB600 which I use for special events or family gatherings, it's very handy to have a good flash on hand. That said, outside of those few situations I only shoot with fast primes. I used to shoot with DX until I started exploring classic Nikkor glass. I moved up to the D700 shortly after picking up the 50mm F1.2 ais, that lens and that camera body and a very nice match. Shooting full frame with a fast 50 is exhilarating.

6Q) What/Who are your photography muses and influences?

My biggest influence would easily be my father, Stuart. He is a professional photographer who I deeply respect. I grew up with a photo studio in the basement of our house. I think I was one of the few kids in my neighborhood when growing up who knew how to develop black and white film at home. I learned all the important basics of photography from him, although photography always remained a passive hobby for me. It wasn't until I moved to Tokyo, Japan that I really started to explore photography and began to enjoy it as a creative outlet. My other influences would, without a doubt, be Tommy Ga-Ken Wan, TGKW on Flickr, and ce28nn on Flickr. I have no idea what ce28nn's real name is, but his cinematographic style blew my mind when I first saw it. His work really got the wheels in my head turning at the thought of telling a story with my photography. Tommy's work was really the ignitor for me, stumbling on his portfolio of work just lit up my imagination in an instant. He is a master story teller, it's not just the quality and style of his photography, but his writing to match that really got me thinking in entirely new ways. Another important person is my friend Alfie Goodrich who opened my eyes to wonderful new techniques for shooting street candids. He set me on the path to experiment with shooting from the hip, and using the distance meter on the top of my lenses to judge the space between myself and my subjects. That was absolutely one of the most important lessons for me.

7Q) Any tip for taking better portraits?

Don't hesitate, just start shooting and decide for yourself what style best suites you. Again, there is no right or wrong way to do something, it's all comes down to your own taste in style and photography.

http://jon-siegel.com/

flickr photostream

Thank You, Jon!

11 amazing portraits from our MAD ABOUT PORTRAITS flickr group, vol. 3!

2011-06-02T00:49:00.006+02:00

Join our MaP flickr group and be featured in the next collection of amazing portraits!

by Lulu Liu

by Aleks Miśkiewicz

by Francis Pelletier

by Alex Ulyanov

by Tanay Dubey

by Amanda Fagan

by My own prison

by Can Dagarslani

by shannnnnonlowe.

by Mary Jane of suburbia

by Brittany Nicole

"My photo bag is heavier than me!"... VALENTINA VALLONE.

2011-05-30T23:48:00.002+02:00

1Q) Can you please tell us the story behind this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?

I took this picture a couple of weeks ago. I adore the seaside so i decided to go there with my friend Ludovica and shoot some pictures. I took her aback and just clicked! I love to improvise and it’s a very natural thing to do so with her …

2Q) What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?

I usually use a digital camera as you can easily revise your shots.

There’s a an amplitude of goods in my bag: I usually leave home with 4 digital cameras, 2 polaroids, middle size Mamiya, all my films and my tripod! My photo bag is heavier than me!

3Q) What do you love most about shooting portraits?

I’ve always been told that portrait photography was the hardest work but it has been the easiest thing for me from the beginning. I shoot people who are friends of mine…I don’t choose them for their beauty but because I see something of me in them. I love strong expressions, the defiant looks, the shyness and gentleness after a smile.

4Q) Do you consider yourself mostly as a “portrait” photographer?

I feel like an explorer at the moment more than a photographer… I’m learning a lot of new things and I am applying them to my photography a lot… I hope I’ll be a good photographer one day. I am always saying that shooting “persons” means that I love their faces, their bodies, their glances.

5Q) Do you work with available light or do you use additional lightning often?

I mostly work a with natural light.

6Q) What/Who are your photography muses and influences?

My muses are the people of my life, my family, my friends. I do not love famous photographers a lot… Their pictures are usually photoshopped a lot. I love those “not famous photographers “ and flickr is a world full of these people who, just like me, express their personalities through photography.

7Q) Any tip for taking better portraits?

Follow your instinct, your aptitude. Always!

And don’t stop at the first criticism, show your determination and your skills. Let the world feel what your eyes see.

flickr photostream

Thank You, Valentina!

"Draw your ideas down!" ... interview with CATHLINE DICKENS.

2011-05-09T20:45:00.000+02:00

Cathline Dickens is an eighteen year old surreal portrait photographer in Western New York. She is going to major in environmental studies in a college just outside New York City to reach her goal of her dream job - National Geographic or the World Wildlife Foundation. Her inspiration stems from novels, music, and movies. Each of her photographs tells a different story about her, and some usually dig deep into her soul if looked at in the right way.

1Q) Can you please tell us the story behind this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?

This photograph was actually apart of a Harry Potter series I did back around November of 2010. It was in commemoration of the Deathy Hallows release and to pay a little respect to a peice of my childhood. It was a self-portrait so the model was me and it look a lot of prepping to get the lighting right and the water to glow. This is a pensieve, you'd store memories in it and then you could look back at them whenever you wanted

2Q) What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?

I used my Canon Rebel XS and it's original kit lens, I was just really getting into photography again around this time so I hadn't really purchased more equipment. Now, I usually have a 50mm lens which I'm starting to fall in love with, a UV filter, my tripod, a sheet of white sheer fabric and my lantern and matches. Those are all necessities when I go photographing.

3Q) What do you love most about shooting portraits?

Lately the aspect of shooting portraits has increased because the weather is finally warming up enough to try out my newest lens (50mm). I love the feeling when you do the shoot and as you're previewing some shots and you see there's a really good one, the itching to run home and edit it.

4Q) Do you consider yourself mostly as a “portrait” photographer?

I do. When I first began photographing with my DSLR I actually was a landscape photographer for awhile but I stemmed away from that and got more interested in photographing people (typically myself).

5Q) Do you work with available light or do you use additional lightning often?

Available light. I feel like artificial light adds a fake hue or makes a photograph look unnatural. I love trying to work with the light, light is a crucial part in a photograph and if you can't learn to work with it I don't think you really learn anything about photography at all.

6Q) What/Who are your photography muses and influences?

I find some people's photographs inspiring, some of my favorite photographers are:

Sophie: www.flickr.com/photos/crashbangsqueak/

Rob: www.flickr.com/photos/rawjrphotography/

Brooke: www.flickr.com/photos/brookeshaden/

Brian: www.flickr.com/photos/brian_oldham/

Jordan: www.flickr.com/photos/jordanlackey/

I could go on for ages.

7Q) Any tip for taking better portraits?

I find it extremely helpful to draw my ideas down and label every tiny detail I may need in order to make it perfect, I feel like that makes what's in your mind come to life. My old photography teacher taught us that and it really helps.

flickr photostream

Thank You, Cathline!

"Just do what feels right."... Interview with CHARLOTTE GAUCKLER.

2011-05-06T14:48:00.000+02:00

1Q) Can you please tell us the story behind this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?

There's not really a story to tell. For most of my photos I just get inspired by something I see, in this case it was the shadows on my bedroom wall. And it has become really normal to me to take a self portrait whenever I feel inspired. It's just something I have to do and I can't explain why.

2Q) What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?

For this photo and for most of my other photos I used my Nikon D50 with the 50mm 1.8. The lens is my favorite and I usually choose to shoot digital because it's handy.

3Q) What do you love most about shooting portraits?

What I love most about photography is the art of storytelling and conveying moods. And since we're humans it's normal for us to associate those things with humans. That's why it's easiest to tell a story and to convey moods by taking photos of people.

4Q) Do you consider yourself mostly as a “portrait” photographer?

I don't consider myself anything. I just do what I have to do.

5Q) Do you work with available light or do you use additional lightning often?

Mostly available light. Because it's there and I'm used to it.

6Q) What/Who are your photography muses and influences?

That's a hard one. I guess it's the usual ones, like Tim Walker of course. Also Ryan McGinley is awesome and I get a lot of inspiration from fellow flickr photographers. But mostly I just get inspired by life itself.

7Q) Any tip for taking better portraits?

I don't know how you do it. Just do what feels right. It usually is.

flickr photostream

Thank You, Charlotte!

ALEXEY DEMIDOV... Interview with professional portrait photographer.

2011-05-04T19:10:00.000+02:00

1Q) Can you please tell us the story behind this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?

This was a warm day. We were out in the city walking with my wife, so this is spontaneous photography, without any planning.

2Q) What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?

It was shot on Canon 5d mkII with 85mm 1.2II lens. This is my favorite combination for digital shooting in ambient light because of lens bokeh and picture rendering. Most of the time I use 5dMKII for digital shooting, and canon 1n or Hasselblad 500c/m for film. For commercial work I use mostly Hasselblad h3dII.

3Q) What do you love most about shooting portraits?

First thing you get when shooting people are emotions, some story from their eyes and body language, so this is all about trying to get these internal things into picture.

4Q) Do you consider yourself mostly as a “portrait” photographer?

Yep, this is number 1 subject in all my photographs, I just love people.

5Q) Do you work with available light or do you use additional lightning often?

For this moment of time my favorite lighting technique is to mix available light with soft strobe light from big softbox or octo. This setup gives you more control over situation, but biggest beauty is in natural light of course.

6Q) What/Who are your photography muses and influences?

My wife is giving me huge inspiration for my work, she is pushing me forward all the time. My top favorite photographers are Annie Leibovitz, Paolo Roversi, Steven Meisel… They are just perfect in any aspect of photography.

7Q) Any tip for taking better portraits?

I think that the most important things in portrait photography are emotions of the person, then goes technic, but in real world everybody start from technical part and they forget about people they shoot. So the main thing is to think about your model first, then technical part.

http://www.demidov.kz/

flickr photostream

Thank You, Alexey!

LOOKING FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS!

2011-04-22T18:41:00.000+02:00

Mad About Portraits blog is looking for talented artists! We're looking for highly talented photographers from all around the world.

If your're interested just post your best portrait work to our flickr MaP group, post link to your portfolio under this post, or contact us directly.

We're looking forward to see your pictures!

JOANNA GALUSZKA... interview with talented Polish photographer.

2011-04-21T18:53:00.002+02:00

1Q) Can you please tell us the story behind this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?

Photograph shows Martyna. She is very sensitive and beautiful person of incredible beauty. In the background there are stacks of the local power. I took this photo two years ago, in the early summer day.

2Q) What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?

I used my film camera - Nikon f65 with lens Helios. I don't have photo bag :-)

3Q) What do you love most about shooting portraits?

I like to look at the people and create stories. I love expression, hair, body parts, especially hands and neck.

4Q) Do you consider yourself mostly as a “portrait” photographer?

I am photograher of people. "Portrait" can be widely understand. Recently i started shooting on the streets. I grow up with photography.

5Q) Do you work with available light or do you use additional lightning often?

At work I use the ambient light.

6Q) What/Who are your photography muses and influences?

Photographers of people, who i like are (recently): Annette Phersson and Snjezana Josipovic. Annette for her beautiful emotions on photos, and Snjezana for her fantastic portraits of men.

7Q) Any tip for taking better portraits?

First, we need to know a person, whom we'll shoot.

www.joannagaluszka.com

flickr photostream

Thank You, Joanna!

Best portraits from MaP Flickr group, vol. 2!

2011-04-13T23:06:00.003+02:00

Here's the second selection of best portraits from our Mad about Portraits Flickr group.
Thanks to all great photographers who are participating and submitting their portrait work.

by Neta Dror

by Ka Pe

by lulu

by Els Vanopstal

by Sibel Engingök

by Ibán Ramón

by Paul V Specht

by Sarah Pannell

by Rania Maria

by Kike Garcia

by Mary Jane

Photographic arte povera... interview with ANDREA OLIVO.

2011-04-10T21:46:00.000+02:00

1Q) Can you please tell us the story behind this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?

No real story, she's one of the girls that I have casted over the past 2 years and has become part of the casting couch. She was chewing gum so I got her to shout...

2Q) What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?

My gear bag has an old canon MarkII which I use for playing around but when I do commissioned shoots I rent whatever camera is best for the job. The rest of the space in the gear bag is taken up but my safety net... Loads of backup harddrives, clamps, tools, gaffer tape all the stuff that can save my arse out on location.

3Q) What do you love most about shooting portraits?

I hardly ever do, I actually find something about composing a portrait quite difficult and unless you have a very strong personality in front of you the result is usually boring and cliche. But when things do come together it's always special .

4Q) Do you consider yourself mostly as a ³portrait² photographer?

Nope, I shoot fashion and pretty girls jumping on my couch with their boobs out.

5Q) Do you work with available light or do you use additional lightning often?

Whatever works. Usually I like to keep things simple but sometimes a big lighting setup in needed. Different tools for different fools I guess.

6Q) What/Who are your photography muses and influences?

I look at a lot of magazines and admire people like Greg Kadel, Richardson, Teller but I generally get my inspiration from the person I'm shooting and the world around me... A type of photographic arte povera.

7Q) Any tip for taking better portraits?

I'm hardly one to be giving tips... but if you stuck.. do as I do and just shoot another card and talk dirty... usually gets a reaction.

http://www.andreaolivo.com/

http://www.andyolivescastingcouch.blogspot.com/

flickr photostream

(photo by Alessando Furchino)

Thank You, Andy!

"Challenge yourself every chance you get!"... interview with SHANDI-LEE COX.

2011-04-05T15:38:00.007+02:00

1Q) Can you please tell us the story behind this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?
This is me, going through a huge personal transition in my life. I was incredibly upset about multiple things and I couldn't hold back having a complete meltdown. It was something like 4am, and I thought if I'm going to be up this late, this upset, I may as well make something out of it. So, I captured those painful moments, but was able to release and move on from it. It pains me to look at the photos from that night, but I smile when I think about where I am now, and how I am proud of all the decisions I've made to get to this place. I took it in my bedroom, in horrible tungsten lighting, with my tripod and remote, (I think it's hidden somewhere under the tissue).

2Q) What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?

I used my Canon 7D on my tripod with my remote. I used the only lens I owned at the time which is 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6. I shot it in black and white and then processed it super grainy to give it some added effect.I haven't got that much gear yet, my camera is in there and then my two lenses, 50mm and 15-85mm. I carry my remote and a plastic bag, (makeshift cover if it is snowing/raining), in there too.

3Q) What do you love most about shooting portraits?

I just love expressions, eyes, hair, poses. I love taking a beautiful scene and sticking myself or someone in there, it just adds so much depth! People are just gorgeous, and can make beautiful photos even more interesting and lovely.

4Q) Do you consider yourself mostly as a “portrait” photographer?

I'm starting to, I mean the most photos I have are self-portraits, then probably flowers, then other people. If you average them out, I think there's more humans than non-humans in my most current photography work!

5Q) Do you work with available light or do you use additional lightning often?

I don't own any lighting equipment at all, and I never use my flash. I'm really dependent on available light. I prefer natural light, I think it's completely beautiful. Of course I do understand the necessity for artificial light and studio settings in certain situations though.

6Q) What/Who are your photography muses and influences?

I love Dirk Mai, I think he's brilliant. My favourite photographer. I don't imitate anyone or get easily influenced, but his style and work completely inspires me!

7Q) Any tip for taking better portraits?

I would say I'm still pretty new to portraits, I'm more experienced with self-portraits. A general tip for both though, is that if it feels awkward, and looks a little awkward, just go with it! Awkward poses and strong eye contact are my favourite, and I feel they make really successful, creative, portraits.

Always try new things, and practice, practice, practice! You can never stop learning, and should challenge yourself every chance you get.

flickr photostream

Thank You, Shandi-lee!

"Some of my best images come from mistakes..." interview with MICHAEL PALACIOS.

2011-04-04T19:07:00.003+02:00

1Q) Can you please tell us the story behind this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?

Last minute shoot for a local DJ. He wanted something simple, yet... eye popping. I was up for the challenge and shot in my backyard at night.

2Q) What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?

I used a Canon Xti with a 50mm lens. I also used a alien bee strobe light to light up the background. What I usually carry around in my bag is, extra battery,extra memory,speedlight,diffuser, wireless trigger and reflector.

3Q) What do you love most about shooting portraits?

I love to shooting portraits because I love to see the expression they get when they see there shots and then the wow effect when I edit them.

4Q) Do you consider yourself mostly as a “portrait” photographer?

I would consider myself more of portrait photographer but I enjoy taking photos daily with my iphone of misc things in life.

5Q) Do you work with available light or do you use additional lightning often?

I work with 1 strobe and natural light and usually a 50mm to capture more light.

6Q) What/Who are your photography muses and influences?

I really don't see the names of the photographer but there work, I enjoy everybody's shooting style and learn from everyone.

7Q) Any tip for taking better portraits?

Don't be afraid to try new things, some of my best images come from mistakes.

http://www.305photography.com/

flickr photostream

Thank You, Michael!

Interview with photographer and graphic designer JESSICA DALY.

2011-03-25T15:12:00.004+01:00

1Q) Can you please tell us the story behind this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?

This is a portrait I made by projecting my own photograph onto myself. I was interested in experimenting with projection, and also creating a self portrait that conceptually spoke about my "inner" and "outer " life. In it, my presentational self, basically my face and body are representing the outer parts of me, and my photograph that I projected is representing my preferences and aesthetic interests, things that are equally a part of me, but not quite as much on display.

To create it I set up a digital projector and a tripod in a dark room and put my camera on a ten second timer. Then I ran back and forth between pressing the timer on the camera and standing in front of the projection.

2Q) What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?

For this particular photo I used a Fujifilm FinePix S100FS, but actually the camera that I use most often is my tiny Canon Powershot SD 1200. It's just a digital point and shoot, but it's done me well and its very portable. I also have a beautiful Canon SLR with a telephoto lens that was passed down to me by my grandfather, as well as a Holga, although I mostly shoot digital.

3Q) What do you love most about shooting portraits?

I like how shooting portraits is a kind of collaboration between the photographer and the model. It’s great to be able to develop a dynamic in which you can get and give instant feedback, change things, and have the shoot evolve as you go.

4Q) Do you consider yourself mostly as a “portrait” photographer?

I love to shoot people, so I'd say maybe i'm more like a people photographer.

5Q) Do you work with available light or do you use additional lightning often?

I try to take advantage of available light, particularly when I can use the color or quality of it to my advantage, but I often use a flash when taking portraits to freeze motion and also to give photos a crisp appearance. Flash is great for jumping portraits also.

6Q) What/Who are your photography muses and influences?

I really admire the work of Ryan McGinely, Hendrik Kerstens, Nan Goldin, Emmet Gowin, Sally Mann, and Annie Leibovitz, out of many others.

I also stay in touch with my friends from RISD and being able to see each other’s projects and share enthusiasm for photography keeps me inspired.

7Q) Any tip for taking better portraits?

I've found that good portrait photography takes a certain amount of empathy. Sense the comfortability level of your subjects and work with them to make the environment comfortable. I usually play music and I give a lot of rapid-fire direction and feedback. I also sometimes show models the images on the digital camera as we go, particularly if for some reason it's hard for the model to understand what the camera's seeing, and therefore why I’m having them move their body in a certain way. That way we can work as a team, once we're both on the same page. There's a definitely a sense of trust between a photographer and the model that's important to be established.

www.jessicadaly.net

flickr photostream

Thank You, Jessica!

Portrait of Katie Melua... interview with professional photographer PHIL SHARP.

2011-03-23T16:32:00.000+01:00

I'm really happy to share with you this amazing portrait of my favorite singer Katie Melua. The photographer of this beautiful simple portrait is Phil Sharp who is working in London.

1Q) Can you please tell us the story behind this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?

This shot was commissioned by a PR company, I forget the exact reason. Time was short though, I think I had about 45 minutes to get the shot.

2Q) What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?

This was shot on a Kodak 14n. It's an early pro DSLR that was generally loathed although I had a bit of a soft spot for it. Now I shoot with a Canon 5D mkII. I normally also carry around a couple of speedflashes.

3Q) What do you love most about shooting portraits?

I suppose I like getting to know people. That slightly intense relationship that can build up and be gone in a couple of seconds.

4Q) Do you consider yourself mostly as a “portrait” photographer?

Yes.

5Q) Do you work with available light or do you use additional lightning often?

Probably about 50/50.

6Q) What/Who are your photography muses and influences?

Muse are normally friends and people close to me. Influences range from established photographers like Philip Lorca di Corcia and Sam Jones to emerging ones Elizabeth Weinburg and Noah Kalina. There are thousands of photographers who have been an influence through sites like Flickr but I also look to movies and music to draw inspiration.

7Q) Any tip for taking better portraits?

If in doubt keep in simple.

www.philsharp-photo.com

Thank You, Phil!

Portrait of Dominguinhos... interview with professional photographer DARYAN DORNELLES.

2011-03-15T01:43:00.003+01:00

Daryan Dornelles (also known as Fotonauta) is an outstanding professional photographer from Rio de Janeiro. He shared with us amazing portrait of famous musician Dominguinhos.

1Q) Can you please tell us the story behind this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?

This guy is one of the best Brazilian musicians. His name is Dominguinhos. I took this photo for my book about Brazilian musicians.

2Q) What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?

My equipment is Hasselblad 500 cm with 80mm lens and Canon Mark III with 50mm and 100mm lenses.

3Q) What do you love most about shooting portraits?

I love the people and I love the interaction with them.

4Q) Do you consider yourself mostly as a “portrait” photographer?

Yes. All my professional work is based on portraits.

5Q) Do you work with available light or do you use additional lightning often?

Both. Depends on my imagination.

6Q) What/Who are your photography muses and influences?

I admire many photographers, for example: Richard Avedon, Irving Peen etc..

7Q) Any tip for taking better portraits?

I think everybody should study the people they are going to shoot, and their stories.

http://www.fotonauta.com.br/

flickr photostream

Thank You, Daryan!

"Experiences create who you are..." interview with ALLISON NEWBOLD.

2011-03-09T01:20:00.002+01:00

1Q) Can you please tell us the story behind this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?

This portrait was taken at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fl in Mel's Diner. This shot was inspired by the 50s feel with a modern fashion twist.

2Q) What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?

I used a Minolta Rebel for this shot with 1987 expired kodak 400 speed color film. That camera is always with me at all times. Additionally, I have a Canon Rebel xti with various lenses such as the prime 50 mm f/1.4

3Q) What do you love most about shooting portraits?

I love the youth that I produce within my portraits and the connection between the body language of the model or client to the camera within their environment.

4Q) Do you consider yourself mostly as a “portrait” photographer?

I am a freelance photographer specializing in portraiture.

5Q) Do you work with available light or do you use additional lightning often?

I use natural light about 95% of the time.

6Q) What/Who are your photography muses and influences?

Sally Mann is my main photography influence in addition to human nature and the freedom of youth.

7Q) Any tip for taking better portraits?

My advice would be to learn from experience because experiences create who you are as a person as well as a photographer.

http://www.allisonnewbold.com/

flickr photostream

Thank You, Allison!

11 amazing portraits from our MAD ABOUT PORTRAITS flickr group, vol.1!

2011-03-01T20:34:00.004+01:00

Here's the first selection of amazing portraits that's been added to our Mad About Portraits Flickr group during the first month.

Join us here!

by Mariano Nocitto

by Ale Kiedis

by Jean-François Pfeiffer

by Sam Geals

by LoMingShum

by Typographer

by hydrosound

by Linn Heidi Stokkedal

by Emma Espejo

by Martin Pos

by John Marshall

MAD ABOUT PORTRAITS Flickr group!

"Everything seems so much more interesting with a person in it."... interview with CARI ANN WAYMAN.

2011-02-27T18:25:00.000+01:00

1Q) Can you please tell us the story behind this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?

Well, it's a self-portrait. I think self-portraits are so much easier to take for some reason, and i feel much more creative making a self-portrait. It's just a picture of myself with christmas lights. I wanted to see how they would shine through the flower fabric of my shirt.

2Q) What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?

I used a nikon d50 and an 18-55mm lens. That was my old camera. Now i have a nikon d90 and an 18-105mm lens.

3Q) What do you love most about shooting portraits?

Everything seems so much more interesting with a person in it. More relatable. Maybe i'm shallow for thinking that. I don't know.

4Q) Do you consider yourself mostly as a “portrait” photographer?

Kindof. More so about the relationship between person and place.

5Q) Do you work with available light or do you use additional lightning often?

Available light. Well, I guess the christmas lights are additional in this picture, aren't they? But i only use natural light.

6Q) What/Who are your photography muses and influences?

Abandoned buildings, wilderness, carnivals, songs, adventure.

7Q) Any tip for taking better portraits?

I like to just follow people, be quiet about it. Giving direction makes things awkward a lot. I'd rather it be about the moment than about photography. That's too serious, you know, haha.

www.cariwayman.com

flickr photostream

Thank You, Cari!

Story behind the portrait of Questlove from The Roots... interview with HILARY SOL ALLEN.

2011-02-20T19:51:00.001+01:00

1Q)Can you please tell us something about this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?

I was hired by The Roots to document their week of practices and album listening parties for the release of Rising Down. Throughout each day, I would pull members to the side to take their portrait. This was taken on the roof of Legacy Recording Studios in Time Square in New York City.

2Q)What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?

This was taken with a Hasselblad 503cw and Ilford Delta 400 film. The Hasselblad is a favorite of mine for film and another camera that is always with me is my SX-70 for Polaroids.

3Q)What do you love most about shooting portraits?

The time I get to spend with the person.

4Q) Do you consider yourself mostly as a “portrait” photographer?

No. I really love to document everything. I tend to go through different phases and muses.

5Q) Do you work with available light or do you use additional lightning often?

Mainly available light.

6Q) What/Who are your photography muses and influences?

My all time favorite photographer is W. Eugene Smith. The wonderful photography from various photographers from old jazz and blues records have a huge impact on my portraits as well.

7Q) Any tip for taking better portraits?

Get to know the person, or people, you are taking photos of. Talk with them, ask them questions. You are a reporter, but instead of using pen and paper to tell a story, you have a camera. Think about a feeling that you would like this time together, or this person, to convey. Sometimes the feeling is broad and on a grander scale and sometimes it's more focused in on what that person is showing you by their body language at the moment. All of this is much easier to do if you have a conversation while taking pictures. If you worry less about the finished product and relax with who you are taking pictures with, the outcome is usually a positive one.

flickr photostream

http://www.sol-exposure.com/

Thank You, Hilary!

"Just keep things real"... interview with EMMA KATKA.

2011-02-18T19:20:00.000+01:00

1Q) Can you please tell us the story behind this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?

This photo was taken in an abandoned trailer house I found exploring last autumn. It is a self-portrait. I do a lot of self-portrait work in the abandoned places I explore, mainly because I know exactly what I want to portray, and I'm usually alone or with someone who isn't comfortable modeling.

2Q) What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?

I used my old camera, my Nikon D60 with the kit 18-55 mm lens. I didn't use any other lighting equipment, it's natural aside from the photo overlay. :) I've gotten a new camera since this photo, so in my camera bag is my new Nikon D90 and the kit 18-105 mm lens, my 50 mm f/1.8, and my speedlight SB600! I usually work with natural light though, so my flash isn't used that often.

3Q) What do you love most about shooting portraits?

Capturing someone's true beauty or portraying strong emotion that I can't accurately describe in words. It's freeing, in a sense.

4Q) Do you consider yourself mostly as a “portrait” photographer?

Yes and no. I love portrait work but I really truly love to capture abandoned buildings in their beautiful decay. However, I often include a subject, so, heck, maybe I am mainly a portrait photographer. I love faces, and I love people. The different beauty and feelings between different people is fascinating to me.

5Q) Do you work with available light or do you use additional lightning often?

I love to work with natural light. I use my speedlight occasionally indoors for portraits but not often, I always prefer natural.

6Q) What/Who are your photography muses and influences?

My great friends I've met through flickr and the internet, my personal friends I have where I live, and my family... particularily my mother, who is an amazing artist and musician. People in general inspire me though... I do a lot of people watching. Does that sounds creepy? Hah!

7Q) Any tip for taking better portraits?

Take risks, get dirt under your fingernails, trudge through mud or snow, laugh, don't put any expectation on yourself or your model, and just keep things real and full of life!

flickr photostream

facebook page

Thank You, Emma!

"Listen to other people's advice!"... interview with MAYSA ASKAR.

2011-02-13T00:36:00.000+01:00

1Q) Can you please tell us the story behind this portrait? How you took it and why you choose to shoot this person?

This is one of my best friends named Kristen. The last photoshoot we had was an Edie Sedgwick photoshoot in June 2010 and we thought it was time for a new one. We found this dark looking alley way by accident and immediately knew it was a great place to take photos. I took this photo by setting up the ISO to match the light, which was an ISO 240, kept the Aperture at 1.8 and constantly changed up the shutter speed until I liked the amount of light that was portrayed in the photo. I chose Kristen to shoot because she is one of the most photogenic people I know and every photo of her comes out great.

2Q) What photography gear you used here and why? What is usually in your photo bag?

I used a Canon 40D and a 85mm f/1.8 lens. I used this lens because it gives me a fantastic depth of field. My photo bag usually consists of my Canon 40D, 85mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.4, Canon 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye and a canon 18-55mm (kit lens). Also in case of something happening, I bring my old Canon Rebel XT as a second camera.

3Q) What do you love most about shooting portraits?

I love portraits because you can truly get to know a person through your lens. You can capture their personality and beauty in one shot. It's also a plus when you have a model who is willing to do anything to get the perfect shot.

4Q) Do you consider yourself mostly as a “portrait” photographer?

I actually do not consider myself a portrait photographer. I am more of a music photographer and would love to tour in the future as a personal photographer for musicians. Concerts are my favorite to shoot but portraits do come second.

5Q) Do you work with available light or do you use additional lightning often?

For portraits, I mostly use sunlight or my strobe light. For concerts, I only use the concert lights as my lighting without using flash.

6Q) What/Who are your photography muses and influences?

My influences are Tom Barnes, Adam Elmakias, Gage Young and Ryan Russell. Each do their share of portraiture, I am just more interested/influenced by their music related shots.

7Q) Any tip for taking better portraits?

Just keep practicing, constantly try new things and listen to other people's advice! All three of these tips will benefit you greatly in the future!

flickr photostream

Thank You, Maysa!