Update ( made it to page 3 on flickr’s explore for April 23 )

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Jordan Grace on Flickr

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So you are currently studying at Norwich School Of Art And Design; Tell us about the school and why you decided to go there?

Yeah I’m at NUCA, they changed their name to Norwich University Of The Arts, I have no idea why but whatever. My school is brilliant, but I somtimes wished I had looked into university’s more because it was the only one i applied for after finishing my a-levels. I wanted to stay in Norwich, but I think that’s more to do with the fact I still live with my parents which is cool I love it, and it means I don’t have to take out a student loan, yay no debt for me when i graduate!

In the past year who as been the most influential person in helping you discover your photography style

In the past year?! Nobody really to be honest. If anyone if would be Hedi Slimane, but I only recently deiscovered him because someone mentioned my work was a lot like his lately. I don’t know when i directly get influenced by someone, i don’t think, I knwo I am often influenced by lyrics from bands, or just music in general. I listen to music all the time, like I mean all the time! So music more than anything i guess!

What are you currently shooting with and what do you hope to be shooting with in 2 years?

I’m currently shooting with my Nikon D200, but also using my Yashica Mat-124G on the side with 120 film, just never scanned any results! Also using a 35mm SLR canon as well. Erm in two years A D3X would be very nice haha, I can’t imagine it happeneing atm though!

In your flickr profile you mentioned that people like to send you pictures of their naughty bits… Does, this happen a lot?

Yeah I dunno why but some random people on flickr seem to think I would love to see their bits or ranodm, ergh, makes me shudder thinking about it! It’s well inappropriate as well, cause sometimes im at collage in a huge room full of people and voila, i get porn on my screen, its not a good look! Haha.

Do you have anyway for people to purchase your photographs online?

Yeah I use redbubble.com so people can purchase work but i dont have all of it on there, so people can request if they wish.

I noticed you have one or two photographs that have nudity in them, How did your parents react to those photographs?

Yeah it took such a lont time for me to decide whether to post the nudity ones, but i went for it because to me its not about nudity its about the vunerablilty and essence of the photograph. My mum doesn’t mind at all, she’s up for anything i do, she does think i’m insane though, haha, especially last night when i photographed my nose bleed… hehe.

If you can photograph anyone living or dead who would you photograph?

Oooo I would photograph Jeff Buckley, without a doubt. I’m in love with him.

Do you do the make-up in all your photographs or do you have others help you?

Yeah i’ve done all the make-up in my photos, i havent had any training but i think it looks okay so meh! Sometimes in the middle of the night you can’t rely on people getting to you to help out with an idea for make-up purposes lol. But I have recently been in touch with a couple of makle-up artists interesting in collaberating on location shoot. so yay!

When you first started getting noticed by the flickr community how did you react to all the attention you were getting with every new photo?

I was really suprised at first, it was very ego boosting and this attention and critism i get strectched me further than my school did and does, so it’s been a brilliant process to go through.

What is one impression you hope the viewer takes away from your photographs?

I hope that people feel maybe a little inspired or thoughtful after seeing my work. All my work expresses a part of me, something much deeper than i’d be ever able to explain properly. So I hope people will either subconciously or conciously pick up on that.

Linkage

Rekha Garton on Flickr
Rekha Garton, Buy Prints

Rekha, I know it’s been a long miscommunication drawn out process but thank you so much for doing an interview with me. I hope everyone else finds you inspiring as I do.

What do you think of Rekha?

After I got off work I rushed up there and picked it up and this is one of the first photos I took with it. My Friend Amy, names her cameras. So I thought about it and decided to name my new camera after her cause with out her telling me about it, I wouldn’t have gotten it.

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So my new Canon 30d is named Amelia. Again, Thank you Amy.
This Photo on Flickr

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What’s the best and worst thing about posting your photos online?

Sharing photographs online has both its perks as well as several drawbacks. Overall I feel that posting my photos online (specifically, on Flickr) has been a positive step, as it has allowed me to connect with other photographers all over the world. The best thing about it is that it is a fantastic way to get feedback about my photos and make connections, however small or large, with others. At the same time, however, the Internet has a way of being a bit invasive. My photos are often very expressive, and so at times I feel like sharing a photograph online is like revealing the most personal of my emotions to complete strangers. Sometimes that is the most beautiful thing, but at other times, quite scary. That fact that I never really know who is looking is probably the worst thing about posting my photos online.

Who was the biggest influence on you taking up photography?

When I actually think about it, I can’t really think of any specific person or name any one experience that influenced me to get into photography. It just kind of happened. Even as a little girl, I was always begging for my parents to buy me disposable cameras to take to school or on vacations. I suppose it was traveling that has been the biggest influence on my taking up photography, as I have been very lucky to have had the privilege to travel quite a bit throughout my childhood, and during these travels a camera was always present. The habit of documenting travel experiences through film probably developed into a desire to capture images of the everyday moments and emotions in life that has only deepened over time.

Some of your photos are accompanied with poems, which takes longer photo processing or writing?

It depends on the photo. Generally, the writing takes longer. Photo processing is usually relatively light and not very time consuming unless I make use of textures, but hunting for just the right lyric or poem to accompany a photo can take time. At the same time, though, sometimes it is actually the piece of writing or music that inspires the photo, and in this case, the photo processing is more time consuming.

Do you ever have help with setting up your self-portraits?

The only help I get setting up my self-portraits is with a tripod. Believe it or not, I am actually quite camera shy unless it is me who is behind the lens.

How long have you been shooting and where would you like to end up with your photography?

I have been shooting since a little girl, but only seriously for about two years now, after I started using my Nikon D50. Although there is always that hope of being able to incorporate my photography within a career, I honestly cannot see it as anything more than a tremendously fulfilling hobby and way to express myself, and I would be completely okay with that. However, I know that the skill may prove to be useful in pursuing my degree in journalism.

Over the last 3 months how many photos do you think you have taken? & how many have you published online?

Wow. Let’s see… over the past 3 months I am sure I have taken well over a hundred photos, although I’ve only published around 20 of those online in the same span of time. When I am studying at the university, I usually have less time to take photographs, but whenever I get the chance, I always take advantage of it.

Have you ever displayed your photos in an art gallery?

No, although I would love to. I think if I put a little more effort into trying to get my photos out there it would be a possibility, but at the same time, there are so many amazing photographers that I’m not quite sure if my skill level is up to par. Maybe someday.

Why do you like taking self-portraits?

Self-portraits have always been one of my favorite kinds of photos to take, almost as much as portraits. There is something oddly therapeutic about capturing my emotions exactly as they are occurring. I first started taking self-portraits around the age of thirteen or fourteen, so over the past four or five years I have been able to document my growth as an individual and person, not just in terms of appearance, but in reflecting the emotions, attitudes, and maturity expressed within my photos. In a way, self-portraits are a way to be completely honest with myself, which isn’t always the easiest thing to do. When someone else is taking a photo of me, I am more prone to painting on a smile and trying to give them what they want – I’ve always been like that in all aspects of my life. But when I am the one behind the lens, there is a certain sense of freedom to just be precisely what I am at that exact moment. It’s liberating, really, and when I look back over my collections, I can associate my self-portraits with where I was at a particular moment in life. How I was feeling, what people were influencing me, what music filled my head, my state of mind. And there is great power in reflecting upon my life and how far I have come from any set point in time in my past. It’s invigorating.

What are your plans for your photography in the next 12 months?

Well, this July I am leaving to study abroad in Australia for five months, so I am very much looking forward to using photography to document my experiences in the land down under. It will be the only way to keep connected with all my loved ones back home and show what I am doing, so I am looking forward to setting up a photo blog that people back home can follow.

Who is your favorite Flickr photographer?

That’s a tough one. There are so many amazing photographers on Flickr, and many of them do not receive the credit they deserve. It really amazes me the talent that is out there. I have to say, though, that Ross Reyes is one of my all time favorite photographers on Flickr. I happened upon his work a few years ago and have been following it ever since. His portraits have always struck a chord with me, and I am absolutely in love with the perspective of California he produces in his images, as well as the many other locations he has traveled. The ability he has to capture the little things encountered in life is unprecedented, and that is one of the things I adore about his work. Always honest, but completely creative – he always makes you look closer.

What are 5 things you would like to photograph?

1. The person I fall in love with.
2. My children, if I have any – I want to document every single, solitary second of their lives. If I have learned one thing from being a big sister, it’s how fast time goes by. I want to remember every dimple and freckle on the face of my child, from the moment they are born to the moment they are married and beyond - precious little moments that I don’t ever want to forget.
3. Matthew Fox. Yes, I’ll admit it. I am completely obsessed with him on “Lost,” so the girlie side of me is not going to lie about how amazing it would be to do a shoot with him.
4. Strangers. I wish I did this more often. Living in the city, I am always passing by people, beautiful and interesting and unique people with their own stories. I want to capture a piece of their story.
5. My mother. She is the most beautiful person in the world. I know every daughter thinks this about her mother, but she really is one of the most beautiful people you will ever come across. And the best thing about it is the fact that her outer beauty only reflects that which I love about her most: her inner beauty and tremendous heart.

What are the 5 things you wouldn’t photograph?

1. Male Abercrombie models
2. 99.9% of politicians
3. Public Restrooms
4. Bill O’Reilly
5. Oil spills

Okay, half joking. Truly, I feel that everything in this world has a need to be photographed in its own right. Even the ugly things in this world contain beauty, even if only an ounce. Everyone and everything has a story that needs to be told, and sometimes photos can be the best way.

If you can impose one feeling, emotion or thought on a person through your photographs what would that be?

That is a really tough question. To honestly answer that, I have to say that it would be the greatest gift to impose ANY kind of feeling or emotion on a person through my photographs. I think that is the utter heart of photography – to make someone feel something, anything. I feel like if one of my photographs stirs any kind of emotion in an individual, I’ve succeeded as a photographer and artist, and truly, as a human being. There’s nothing worse in this world than feeling nothing and being numb. To bring forth raw emotion or unfold a quiet thought is the greatest gift I think I could give and receive as a photographer.

Linkage

Ari Winkle on Flickr

I want to thank Ari for allowing me to ask her a bunch of random questions both personal and photography oriented.

Linkage

Buy Photos From Mike Stimpson @ RedBubble
Buy Photos From Mike Stimpson @ Imagekind

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Who or What got you started in photography?

I got into photography because I couldn’t draw. My mother’s side of the family were all artists, and after years of classes at the Delaware art museum as a kid, the drawing gene just wasn’t past onto me…

So my grandfather gave me an old Nikormat 35mm and a few lenses when I was about 12 or 13… and that was it; I haven’t put a camera down since…

What are your two favorite subjects to shoot?

I have a fascination with abandoned buildings… not really sure why. I have traveled all around searching them out, from Eastern State Penitentiary in Philly to whole abandoned towns in New Jersey to the farms of Maryland…

Second would be photographing people with my ‘toy’ cameras. I love taking portraits, either on the streets or at an actual ’session’. I really like the way the Holga settles people down and makes them comfortable people seem to be more relaxed with a toy cam than a big formal camera…

From viewing your photographs your mainly a film guy. How do you feel about the rumors of Kodak shutting down consumer film production and focusing more on digital?

I think there will be film for quite a while; although, I have a second fridge at the house with hundreds of rolls in it. There is a giant resurgence in film photography in Asia — most of my blog reads are from there — and new films are being produced and marketed.

Film isn’t going to go away, but it will become more scarce, and probably more expensive. I buy large blocks on eBay and stockpile as much as I can… with the release of cameras like the Holga 135, the Black Bird Fly, and other new 35’s there are a lot of people getting back into it. Not to mention the Lomo enthusiasts that have been doing it for years.

So your website has been online for 10 years. How has the internet changed your photography, either by interaction via email, your site, Flickr or any other photo sharing sites?

Good question. I am actually writing a piece right now on the need for a web presence, and if Flickr or a ‘Lomo home’ is enough. In ‘98 when I started my site it was a way for me to get images out there and share them with people around the world.

Lomo home?

Oh, lomography.com, they have ‘homes’ that people can make; their own site within a site.

I have worked for the first photographer to go all digital on the east coast for about 15 years, and as interns here we had access to all the equipment all night long; scanners, big digital back on Hasselblads, SGI machines, a 5000 sq foot studio.. So I had the luxury of being able to get my work onto the computer with ease, and the tech to build and update sites so I spent time taking my personal work and getting it online before a lot of people were doing that. All that tech has made me shoot only film for my personal work, so the internet has really made me go analog, stripping away filters, effects any of that stuff go back to the basics simple, html…

The blog has really changed everything the most. I had no idea how many lo-fi shooters there were around the world, and its really made me push to find more and more cameras, films and accessories to shoot with. So I think the blog, more than anything, has effected the way I present and interact with the images and viewers…

How much post process work goes into your photographs either Photoshop or in physical darkroom?

None. I am really against post processing. My theory is this: if you have to rely on gimmicks and filters to make your images look good then you didn’t start with a good image. I do it in camera make a good image first, and you won’t need anything else. Most of the stuff on the site are raw scans. All film shot is processed at a local lab and then scanned on a Nikon LS-9000 scanner.

When it comes to printing what size do you like to display your work at?

I like at least 12×12 inches. Usually larger. I purchased an Epson 7880 recently that will do 24″ wide. So the next round of framed images I think will be about 20×20 inches.

When it comes to selling your prints who are your target buyers?

For larger prints, its photography collectors and enthusiasts. People will usually purchase something they have a connection to; the image I took of NYC a year or so before 9/11, or the image of Amish women waiting at Penn Station in Philly seem to be the most popular.

Name one thing you haven’t shot yet but always wanted to.

Japan/Asia. The Buddhist temples and the people who visit them they seem to be the most at peace people in the world. Japan seems to have some of the most serene countryside, little villages, temples, the houses on the water…

If you can impose one lasting impression on the view of your images what would it be?

I like to think that I am capturing something honest with the images I create. I try to strip them down to the raw image, and present it to the viewer as I have seen it. When I toured the Farms of New Jersey, or Eastern State Penitentiary, I chose the best film to convey what I saw, rather then doing anything in post.

I want to leave the viewer with a sense of the gritty, visceral, bleakness of the locations. When I shoot things like the Carnivals, Parks, Flowers and Children with a Holga, I want to convey the fun, colors and hope of that moment. Either way, I want to leave the viewer with an image that they won’t forget.

Linkage

NicNichols.com

I just want to thank Nic for taking the time to do this interview with me with both our busy days.

• “To the Photograview Readers & Subscribers I am deeply sorry for no new content.”

I’m working on sorting out my life and time to get interviews done. Along with the Video Podcast show with Mr. DJsteen.

On to Today’s Photo… I call it the Intense Stare. I shot it at my friend’s Crazy House. The Guy is the one who did all the art on the walls & the girl is his love, muse, friend & creative partner.

Once again I’m sorry for the lack of updates. I will make sure we have new content for you to look and read each week.

I took my friend and model, Margot, down to Luna Park in Sydney with a collection of old outfits, and set up the shots to look like photographs one would see in Harper’s BAZAAR. I did this by previously browsing through the magazine and noting the way the models are positioned, as well as the attention to detail in the foreground and background of the photographs.

I used my 50mm f/1.8 lens (a prime lens) at f/2.5 to take this shot; resulting in Margot’s face being sharp while the background fades into blur. Thus taking the viewers focus in the shot.

I’ve taken a lot of portraits before, but this would have been one of the more exciting photoshoots I’ve done; the resulting photographs are among my favourites. I hope you enjoy.

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Linkage

• Derek’s Flickr Photostream
• HB Photo Set
• Margot’s Myspace

I‘m going to the New Media Expo 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada!!!

Video RSS FEED | Site RSS FEED |

I’m going to be doing some video blogging interviews with the photographers I meet out there. Here are some of my favorite photos I found on Flickr of Vegas!

• http://www.flickr.com/photos/nylocations/345206336/
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/fongetz/2184580815/
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/iceman9294/354641563/
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathy4/411941215/
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/jorgeq82/2476942378/ My Hotel!!!

This is going to be so much fun… May my Cards be live and my pots be Monsters! Photograview goes to Vegas!

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So Jeff, your photography mostly deals with portraiture correct?

That is correct. As most people do when they get a new camera, I started by just taking pictures of daily life. Trying to learn the different functions of the camera, while paying attention to lighting and composition. Though I don’t have any actual education in photography, I did learn things in college that applied to taking better pictures. After much experimenting, I felt I needed a focus. So I starting shooting portraits because it gave me an opportunity to involve others in the process.

Why do you like to photograph people more than anything else?

When personally viewing photographs, I have always been more interested when a person was the main subject. I find them to be a great blank canvas to really try interesting ideas with. Plus I like the back and forth interaction with my clients. I try to get their ideas and personal quirks incorporated into the photo. That way I feel I’ve done something unique that is tailor made for each individual.

How do you get your clients to relax if they are camera shy?

A lot of the people I have shoots with have either never done this before, or have worked with people that didn’t help them improve. I always start thing out nice and light. Just chat for a bit. Let them know that there is no pressure. Sometimes people witnessing me talking to clients before a shoot ask me later “How long have you known that person. You guys were chatting like you’ve known each other for years.” And I just say “Nope. I just met them tonight. That’s the first time we’ve talked” So yeah, I am a people person and have no trouble starting a conversation. So once the shoot starts, I just let them do what they do, and get a read on how much direction they need. I shoot all digital, so I can just snap as many pictures as I want. This helps when people just need some time to get going. Then no one feels like they’re wasting valuable film or anything. Some people loosen up after a little bit while others need a little more help throughout the shoot. Either way, I am cracking jokes (usually bad ones) throughout the shoot.

What your processes of picking the finial images for the client?

For an average two hour shoot, I’ll take anywhere from 125 - 200 photos. A lot of them are very similar. I do that just in case their eyes are closed, or the focus isn’t perfect, or the pose slightly changes, and so on. Usually within a day of the shoot, I’ll go through them all and select which ones I feel are the best. I’ll be pretty trigger happy at first when picking favorites, but then eventually narrow it down after I see which ones are too close to the others. I used to post all the unfinished images online in a password protected folder for the client to choose. But I had a couple instances where people would save those unfinished photos, and post them all over the internet. When I take the photos, I only view them as half done. What I do when developing them is just as important as when I am lighting and capturing the images. So I had to stop doing that. But it’s been working out just fine. My clients trust that I am giving them a good variety of the best possible images from the shoot. I always seem to process a few extra just to be sure. For a two hour shoot, I always promise to give the client 20 - 30 final images. But it always ends up being at least 40 when it’s all said and done. That process has worked pretty good for me so far.