Interview with my Flickr friend Paul (Licht)

1. How did you first get interested in photography? And are you self taught?
As a boy, about 50 years ago I got the first camera. Think it was an Agfa Box, very simple. Then I participated in a photogroup at school, build my own darkroom. Worked beside school to earn mony - bought my first SLR then - the legendary Exakta Varex, a dream of a camera at that time.

2. Do you have a favourite walk around lens? If so, what is it?
Not absolutely - I have several lenses, it depends what I wish to do with a camera. No lense is really perfect, no lense is really bad. I try to get the best out of it.

3. What equipment and software do you use?
For dull+bad weather, IR, macro: Pentax K100D,
For b&w IR: Nikon D40,
For color IR: Canon Powershot S5iS
For macr: ALDI Traveler compact
For light enhancement I use Picasa, for some minor photoshopping The Gimp and for 3+ HDRi Photomatix.

4. Which one item of equipment is the most important for you?
I love all of them. The Pentax is a great bad-weather and night camera. The Nikon is great at B&W-Infrared, the Canon Powershot is wonderful camera for biking+hiking. On macros I love the ALDI Traveler.

5. How do you decide on locations and subjects?
I always have 2 or three projects to study: different daytime, light, weather, season and I’m always going back to this until I get a really satisfying result.
It depends on my mood - I let me surprise.

6. What are your favorite subjects to photograph?
Landscapes in infrared - horrible difficult, but mezmerising

7. What continues to inspire you as a photographic artist?
I’m captured by the fractal math in coherence with real photos.

8. What is the one thing that you have not captured on camera you feel you need to express?
Human portraits -
Lomography - I’m on the way to buy the Russian Lomo.

9. What other artists have influenced your work?
Anselm Adams - he is the greatest photogapher for me. Paul Klee, Lyonel Feininger.

10. What other talents do you possess besides photography? And is there another area of talent you would like to explore?
Mathematics an Astrophysic - this are endless beauties. Math.-color fractals

11. Have you met other flick rites in person, and how was the experience?
Up to now not.

12. Any words of advice for those who would like to dig deeper into photography?
Take a camera and listen to YOUR heart !

13. Of all the photos you've taken, what is your favorite and why?
Difficult to answer, think I love them all.
flickr.com/photos/stuntbear/986987353/
This is one of my favorites. It was a cloudy day , not good for IR-photography. But I tried and was totally surprised about this breathtaking result. Whan I saw it the first time, the Creation History of the Old Testament came into my mind - that’s why this title.

flickr.com/photos/stuntbear/962178710/
Same situation: Season and weather not good for IR-Photography. I made about 100 - 200 maybe more photos on this spot. I knew, there is a chance, there is something... came back for several days, took more shots - and got this surprising photo.

14. If you could change anything on flickr, what would it be?
There should be two filters:
One filter to keep this silly and vulgar animated gifs out, or at least to keep it reduced to a tiny size.
One filter to allow only a maximum size of the comment/group/invite icons, let me say max 50x50 only.
It’s horrible to find my own comment stream flooded by oversized ugly animated gifs as it happened some days ago again to me again. It’s not an honest way to say: “I love your photo” but more a selfish thing..

These are the photos that Paul want to show us in this interview:

Infrared Photography



Photography and fractal math



Abstract comp



Thanks to Paul for his disponibility and for introducing us in the World of Infrared and Fractal math photography.

Angie_real aka Angela Lobefaro

Interview with my Flickr friend Daniel (DanielKHC)

1. How did you first get interested in photography? And are you self taught?
I've always liked photography since I was a kid. Got my first camera in the early 70's. Had several film point & shoot cameras since. I started to use a digital camera in 1998. I am completely self-taught, basically still learning from other photographers.

2. Do you have a favourite walk around lens? If so, what is it?
I mostly use an ultrawide angle lens, the Tamron 11-18mm, and also sometimes use a Sigma 18-200mm.

3. What equipment and software do you use?
I have a Sony Alpha DSLR and the two lenses mentioned above.
For the software, I use Photomatix for HDR. And then I always post-process my photos (HDR or not) using Photoshop CS2.
Actually, I really started to use Photoshop when I joined flickr, after seeing the incredible work of others. I bought lots of Photoshop tutorial books, and also specialized magazines. It's a continuous learning.

4. Which one item of equipment is the most important for you?
My sturdy carbon fiber tripod, as I always take between 5 to 8 exposures for each picture I take.

5. How do you decide on locations and subjects?
Flickr is a very good place to start (using their search engine). I also check tourist guide and magazines. But most important is the time of the day: either at dawn or at dusk.


6. What are your favorite subjects to photograph?
Nature landscapes, architecture, night cityscapes and abandoned places. Quite obvious when you look at my photostream!

7. What continues to inspire you as a photographic artist?
Whenever I walk around, I always try to figure out what could be a good subject for photography. So my eyes become my camera viewfinder.

8. What is the one thing that you have not captured on camera you feel you need to express?
I would love to do street photography and portraits.

9. What other artists have influenced your work?
There are so many talented photographers on flickr. Their work is a continuous source of inspiration for me.

10. What other talents do you possess besides photography? And is there another area of talent you would like to explore?
I don't know if it's a talent but I can build and fix computers!

11. Have you met other flick rites in person, and how was the experience?
I met one in Thailand and one in Singapore. We really got along very well, as we share that same passion and addiction for photography and flickr!

12. Any words of advice for those who would like to dig deeper into photography?
Regardless of the technique or post-processing, composition is the key element, and the basic rules are very simple! And then, post-processing can give that little extra touch that could make
the difference.

13. Of all the photos you've taken, what is your favorite and why?
It's very difficult to pick one! But I'll select this one I did during a recent trip in Vietnam. I received such good feedback for it.





14. If you could change anything on flickr, what would it be?
Better security to protect our work. I would also be interested to see if flickr would different without the Explore Front Page and this interestingness thing!

These are the photos that Daniel want to show us in this interview:










Thanks to Daniel for his courtesy and for inspiring me to begin my HDR journey in Flickrland!

Angie_real aka Angela Lobefaro

Interview with my Flickr friend Antonio (Doctony)

1. How did you first get interested in photography? And are you self taught?

I remember I have always been interested in taking pictures since I have been in high school. I was in the Photography Club then, and took black and white photos, which I developed myself in the school darkroom. In college, I was fortunate of being able to travel a lot, and I have taken pictures of my travels around the world ever since. With the advent of digital photography, my passion for photography has reached its peak, as it has been easier to get immediate satisfaction by seeing your photos right away. Later on, I have learned the techniques of the digital darkroom and have been hooked ever since.


2. Do you have a favorite walk around lens? If so, what is it?

The ones that I use when I travel are basically 3 lenses: an ultra wide lens (Canon EF-S 10-22) to take photos of landscapes, a macro lens (105f2.8VR Micro Nikkor) and a 10x zoom lens. The 18-200VR Nikkor lens is best when I need to take just one lens with me.

3. What equipment and software do you use?

I have a Canon 30D and a Nikon D80. Both I find very good cameras. When I shoot in raw, I convert them with the Digital Photo Professional of Canon and Adobe Lightroom. For further processing, I use the Adobe Photoshop CS2, and for HDR shots, Photomatix is the best.


4. Which one item of equipment is the most important for you?

You mean aside from cameras and lenses? I have a flash, a light diffuser and a tripod. I find these essential equipment to complete my photography set-up.


5. How do you decide on locations and subjects?

When I travel, I usually just walk around and take the subway. I usually find a lot interesting places while walking around cities. Of course, I try and go to the popular tourist attractions when I am in a foreign place. At home, I just take nature shots in my garden, around my places of work and at local nature spots. We have a lot of beautiful nature in the Philippine and I have not been to all of them yet!


6. What are your favorite subjects to photograph?

I love taking travel photos, nature mostly, but I also like to take photos of architectural structures, temples and monuments. I also like to take flower macros, as you probably notice, of which the gerbera is my favorite! I also love the sunset and because I live across the Manila Bay, that is a favorite subject of mine as well!


7. What continues to inspire you as a photographic artist?

Learning from the wonderful works of other people in Flickr and other internet sites and through photography magazines continues to be my inspiration in photography. It is amazing how many genres there are, it is countless!

8. What is the one thing that you have not captured on camera you feel you need to express?

I am always fascinated by photojournalism and street photography. Right now, I always capture something beautiful and happy, but I would like to try and make more meaningful photos by showing the other side of the world, like wars, tragedies, poverty and the like.


9. What other artists have influenced your work?

Oh, there are so may to mention, I will not even try. Suffice it to say, that a lot of my contacts in Flickr have definitely influenced my work one way or another, but I try to give my own trademark in all my photos.

10. What other talents do you possess besides photography? And is there another area of talent you would like to explore?

I sing! Ahahaha! I used to be a member of a choir in college, and it was with this singing group that I was able to go to different parts of the world.

I am also a physician by profession. I specialize in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology and I head the Medical Intensive Care Unit of the Philippine General Hospital, the premier state hospital of the Philippines.

I love to cook!!! I cook Filipino, Chinese, American, Italian and Spanish dishes.

One thing I like to try? Hmmm…let me see. Maybe I want to try scuba diving and take underwater photography! That will be a blast!


11. Have you met other flick rites in person, and how was the experience?

So far, I have only met people here in Manila. I belong to a photography club here and there are some who are also Flickr members. I have not met up with someone from another country yet.


12. Any words of advice for those who would like to dig deeper into photography?
My advice is to just keep on shooting! Now that we have digital photography, there is no need to think of the cost of film and film developing. You can easily delete photos that you do not like.

Another advice is to learn what your camera can do. Get a DSLR and learn the works of basic photography, apertures, shutter speeds and manual settings. Try not to use Automatic settings all the time and you will be surprised at the different things that you can do with your DSLR.

Thirdly, try to learn how to enhance your photos with software. Most of the time you will have nice photos, but they can become spectacular with a little post processing.

13. Of all the photos you've taken, what is your favorite and why?

My favorite is my first gerbera and the sunset photo. This is the first of what is now called the “Doc Tony classic”.

Here is the link to that photo:



14. If you could change anything on flickr, what would it be?

I will change the Explore to show photos based on quality and popularity. Remove the computer program and have real people choose photos based on their merits. In Betterphoto.com, for example, editors choose their picks from all photos submitted.

Another suggestion will be for a Flickrwide contest on the different genres of photography. This can be done on a monthly basis, and have a Photographer of the Year Award at the end of the year.

Third suggestion will be to be able to change the look of your Flickr page with different themes. That would be cool!

These are the photos that Doctony want to show us in this interview:













Thanks to Antonio (Doctony) for his kindness and for sharing with us his photographic background.

angie_real aka angela Lobefaro

Interview with my Flickr friend Charlie (CharlieBrown8989)

1. How did you first get interested in photography? And are you self taught?

I saw my uncle was taking photos using the old Kodak camera at age of 7th.

Yes I am self taught.

2. Do you have a favourite walk around lens? If so, what is it?

Not really.

3. What equipment and software do you use?

Canon 20D, Canon Lens, Tamron Tele; Macro, Zoom; Wideangle; Corel Picasa; Photoshop CS; Paintshop Pro Xi.

4. Which one item of equipment is the most important for you?

Canon & Tamron & Corel; Paintshop Pro Xi; Picasa for viewing.

5. How do you decide on locations and subjects?

Depend on my plan to shoot on the subject.

6. What are your favourite subjects to photograph?

Landscape, Nature, people, Food, Drinks, Flowers, Macro.

7. What continues to inspire you as a photographic artist?

My fans keep coming back & tell me how they have improve by using my technique & advise.

8. What is the one thing that you have not captured on camera you feel you need to express?

Nudes modeling shots indoor & outdoor

9. What other artists have influenced your work?

No, not a single one in particular. I believes I should have my own style.

10. What other talents do you possess besides photography? And is there another area of talent you would like to explore?

Graphics design; Public speaking; Sales & Marketing.

NaNo Technology.

11. Have you met other flick rites in person, and how was the experience?

very rare, once in China.

12. Any words of advice for those who would like to dig deeper into photography?

Read; visit more others works, ask for advise. find a mentor.

13. Of all the photos you've taken, what is your favourite and why?

I dont have a favourite photo.

14. If you could change anything on flickr, what would it be?

Flickr team need new bloods.

These are the photos that Charlie want to show us in this interview



About to Bloom



Star's Blessing



Waiting for the Wind





Thanks to Charlie for his prompt reply, his kindness and for inspiring me to open this blog.

Angie_real aka Angela Lobefaro

Interview with my Flickr friend Philippe (Pilou@ttitude)

1. How did you first get interested in photography? And are
you self taught?

Well it's a long history... My grandfather and my father had a store of photograph. I worked a long time with them and I did much black and white because it was free for me;)
And then I left to live my life... travel, childs, wife etc... I returned to the photograph in 1990.
I was a salesman for the cameras "Sinar" during 10 years. I met many photographers who work in studio. It was enthralling to see them working with the light. I learned much.

2. Do you have a favourite walk around lens? If so, what is
it ?

I work mainly with a Sigma 10/20mm and a Zoom Nikon 80/400mm
Thanks to these 2 lenses I can (almost) cover the whole of my needs!

3. What equipment and software do you use ?

My equipment:

- 2 eyes
- Nikon D200 with zoom Nikkor 80 – 400mm VR f/4,5 – f/5,6 D
- Nikon D200 with zoom Nikkor 18 – 70mm f3,5 – f/22 DX
- Fish Eye Nikkor 10,5mm 2,8G ED
- Micro Nikkor 105mm VR f/2,8
- Sigma 10 - 20mm f/4,5 - 5,6 D
- Flash Nikon SB 800

Mac of course!!!
I made several formations with Photoshop, I looked further into the chromy well.
I like this soft. I work much with! For me a numerical photograph is a crude of scan which
needs to be worked. Gently nevertheless with the curves;-)))

4. Which one item of equipment is the most important for
you ?

Batteries, memory board and gourd;)


5. How do you decide on locations and subjects ?

I find places by doing many kilometers to feet and in the car. I read also magazines which enable me to find new places...


6. What are your favorite subjects to photograph ?

Beauties of nature. They are really infinite!

7. What continues to inspire you as a photographic artist ?

Nature always and still!!!

8. What is the one thing that you have not captured on
camera you feel you need to express ?

I think that one day I would be ready to make portrait. But I have still many
things to learn before... on human of course; -)

9. What other artists have influenced your work ?
Honestly I have very little reference... I am very an autodidact

10. What other talents do you possess besides photography ?

And is there another area of talent you would like to
explore?
I play some guitar since 20 years... Blues and a little jazz. I will like stronger in jazz...

11. Have you met other flick rites in person, and how was
the experience ?

I met friends of Flickr little time ago and it was really brilliant! (Hello to Michaela, Arnaud and Pierre;)

12. Any words of advice for those who would like to dig
deeper into photography ?

To observe the life around oneself and to try to be original. We can make photographs of anything but not anyhow...

13. Of all the photos you've taken, what is your favorite
and why ?

I often change opinion... that depends on my mood...

14. If you could change anything on flickr, what would it
be ?

The system is not perfect... but which or what is perfect???
Flickr is the fast-food of images it is necessary to make with!

These are the photos that Philippe want to show us in this interview:



1) Red spot



2) Seeds of Life



3) Before the Thunderstorm





Thanks to Philippe for his ultra fast reply and for teaching us that a square format photo looks great in the thumbnails.

Angie_real aka Angela Lobefaro

Interview with my Flickr friend Cookie (Mac_Raw)

1. How did you first get interested in photography? And are you self taught?

*I bought my first DSLR camera when my aunt invited me to San Francisco last mid of September 2006. Started using it as soon as we arrive on the place. Just point and shoot without reading the manual. Basically self taught..have no prior interest nor knowledge about photography.


2) Do you have a favorite walk around lens? If so, what is it?

*When I go out, I always carry my backpack with me with Tamron 18-200mm and Tamron 180mm macro lens. But always use the 18-200mm since I'm more comfortable using it and it is much more versatile compared to 180mm.


3) What equipment and software do you use?

*Nikon D80. Tamron 18-200mm and Tamron 180mm lens. I always carry a tripod now since I bought my Tamron 180mm macro. But before this, I never use any tripod for my Tamron 18-200mm. I'm using Photoshop CS (PC) for all my PP.

4) Which one item of equipment is the most important for you?

*When I leave the house, I make sure that the battery is fully charged as I don't have any spare batteries.


5) How do you decide on locations and subjects?

* Mainly through referrals. I always ask my friends which places are nice to visit and ask them particularly if that place has a lot of beautiful flowers. But I end up getting more subjects other than flowers along the way. My eyes always travel left and right looking for interesting spot and subject while driving, and I make a detour if find particular scene or object interesting. Sometimes I do my research over the net.


6) What are your favorite subjects to photograph?

*My first love is flower, particularly macro shots. Then landscape, birds, portrait and sunset...love sunrise too but I'm asleep during that time.


7) What continues to inspire you as a photographic artist?

*My first and foremost inspiration is my dad. Having this strong desire to make him proud although he won't be able to appreciate anymore my artworks. Then my Flickr friends who continuously encourage me to post when they don't hear from me at all!! I always thrive in a positive and encouraging environment! and who doesn't right? But there were many times when my interest grow stale and no inspiration at all...and I was lucky to meet Jacq77. She serves as my inspiration until now, with her superb masterpiece and friendship.


8) What is the one thing that you have not captured on camera you feel you need to express ?

*Hmm...just give me good location and flowers, I will capture every possible angle there is according to my capability.


9) What other artists have influenced your work?

*Mostly artists here in Flickr. The best community to grow as a photographer. I learn composition from the works of Alonsodr. I learn lighting and being unique from works of Jacq77. I learn excellence from the works of Valpopando. And learn to be competitive with my mentor Doctony. But Jacq77 gives me balance in everything extreme.


10) What other talents do you possess besides photography? And is there another area of talent you would like to explore ?

*I draw and write poems. Jack-of-all-trades...master of one- rubik's cube! hehe!

Yes, combining photography, graphic design and painting all in one.


11) Have you met other flick rites in person, and how was the experience ?

*Prior to joining Flickr, few of them are already my friends. But most of my contacts are all over the world! For sure what a great experience and dream to meet them in person one day!


12) Any words of advice for those who would like to dig deeper into photography?

*Just some suggestions as I don't normally give advice. Keep on shooting and shooting. It is imperative to develop your instinct and creativity more...technical knowledge will just follow.
Be able to integrate your experiences on different areas in life no matter what and apply to photography. And always keep in touch with fellow photographers in Flickr for they are the best inspiration and best friends!


13) Of all the photos you've taken, what is your favorite and why?

*This is so hard to choose since all my artworks recently are my favorite. If I choose one, my choice would be this

www.flickr.com/photos/cookietan/493396787/

The reason is that, I dedicate this photo to my dad who just passed away last November 2006. And this photo best expressed my deepest emotion..which is my driving factor in all my artworks and creativity. Without this feeling, I would not be able to achieve what I have now in just short span of time as others would say.

It's not only the beauty in the subject of photography but it's something that evokes powerful emotion to viewers.


14) If you could change anything on Flickr, what would it be?

*Just the security of our artworks here in Flickr community.

These are the photos that Cookie want to show us in this interview:


1) My Sunshine:



2) Bird of Paradise:



3) The Source:






Thanks to Cookie for showing us her World so full of colors and life.

angie_real aka Angela Lobefaro

Interview with my Flickr friend Laurie (Fouramjava)

1. How did you first get interested in photography? And are you self taught?

It was flickr that got me really interested. I really wasn't taking all that many pics until I found out I was missing out on a lot of photo opportunities in my own local area. Yes - I am self-taught. I haven't even bothered to read the owner's manual. I like the fact that I can just point and shoot.


2. Do you have a favorite walk around lens? If so, what is it?

My Sony H2 has one one lens. I am hoping to get the DSLR Sony Alpha 100 so I can get different lenses.


3. What equipment and software do you use?

I have Corel Paintshop Pro 7 but I am quite happy with making any necessary changes through my HP printer. I never seem to have enough time to alter my photos all that often.


4. Which one item of equipment is the most important for you?

My camera! I take it with me wherever I go. Even when I'm working in the gardens, I have it with me.


5. How do you decide on locations and subjects?

That's easy. We have several gardens around our home. There are plenty of local sites of interest so I never have to go very far for photo opportunities. Nature is my favorite subject - always different and never the same.


6. What are your favorite subjects to photograph?

Flowers, butterflies and insects are at the top of my list. I really think they hold so many interesting details, colors and textures.


7. What continues to inspire you as a photographic artist?

My flickr friends, of course! Each has their own unique style and flair to their photography, and I have learned a great deal from them. It's also fun to see everyone continue to bloom into even more professional photographers.


8. What is the one thing that you have not captured on camera you feel you need to express?

I would like to get into outdoor portrait photography. I really enjoy outdoor lighting. I think a lot of equipment and a studio would take away from the pleasure of the shoot. I know I am missing out on a lot of shots by not having a telephoto or wide-angle lens.


9. What other artists have influenced your work?

My flickr friends have been the greatest influence! I have various photography books but to have "live" artists who I can bounce off ideas and contact them personally is the best. I have learned so much from my friends - they are so good about sharing tips and techniques.

10. What other talents do you possess besides photography? And is there another area of talent you would like to explore?

I am a self-taught artist and calligrapher but haven't done any "real" art for over a year. Since I found out how much I had been missing over the years, missing so many photo opportunities, it was time to shift gears and get serious with the camera. I think the next step would be to take nature videos. I am always inspired by the nature shows on TV.


11. Have you met other flick rites in person, and how was the experience?

Not yet, but I have many friends I hope to visit in the next couple of years. Right now it's just great to keep in touch via their photostreams, chatting through emails and phone calls.


12. Any words of advice for those who would like to dig deeper into photography?

When you take a pic of a subject, take 25. Sometimes you might only get one two good ones. With a flower, for example, shoot at various angles, in different light, with different settings. Zoom in and out to find the best depth of field. For nature shots, take them in the early morning or on overcast days.

13. Of all the photos you've taken, what is your favorite and why?

Last summer I was able to witness the birth of a Monarch. I spent hours waiting patiently for it to break through the chrysalis. I must have taken over 100 shots. To be able to witness the miracle of birth is always an amazing event. To watch it come out of a tiny package and watch it's wings open up into a huge butterfly was an incredible experience.

www.flickr.com/photos/fouramjava/248959868/in/set-72157594213351305/


14. If you could change anything on flickr, what would it be?

I think the security on flickr is suboptimal. Too many people have left flickr, or have make their pics private due to hacking and theft. Even with using the copyright logo there is no guarantee that your pic is safe. It's truly sad that people can't just ask for permission, or ask if their photos are for sale.

I want to mention that everyone should do a Google search of their user name and see where their pics appear. I guess I don't have a problem if my pic links back to my photostream.

These are the photos that Laurie want to show us in this interview:



1) Anticipation



2) Time to chill out



3) How do they do that ?





Thanks to Laurie for her kindness and for sharing with us her flower kingdom.

angie_real aka Angela Lobefaro

Interview with my Flickr friend Jake ( Ojisanjake )

1. How did you first get interested in photography? And are you self taught?

I first started using a camera as a 17 year old art student. We were taught darkroom techniques, but given no instruction in actually taking pictures, so I guess that would make me self-taught, but I would hesitate to call myself a photographer, as I know nothing of lenses or f-stops etc. I used the camera as a kind of “sketch book” of visual materials that informed my painting. Interestingly, some of my most recent photos now look like my earlier paintings, and I rarely paint anymore. I completely stopped taking photos about 30 years ago. I didn’t like that everywhere I went I spent my whole time looking for things to photograph. It interfered with my life. I only started again a few years ago.

2. Do you have a favorite walk around lens? If so, what is it?

I only have one camera and one lens! I pick up the camera about once a week. I don’t carry it with me constantly, for the reason given above.

3. What equipment and software do you use?

My new camera is a Sony cybershot with 12x zoom and 7 megapixels. I really like it, especially the zoom, and though a wide-angle lens would sometimes be nice, I have no immediate plans to buy a DSLR. For software I just use an 8-year old version of Corel Photopaint. Generally I prefer old versions of software… they are smaller, leaner, faster, and bug-free. Mostly I just crop, and maybe tweak the tone-curve a little. I take a lot of photos, so don’t have a lot of time to spend processing them.


4. Which one item of equipment is the most important for you?

Spare batteries!!!!

5. How do you decide on locations and subjects?

Mostly my photos are taken when I am visiting somewhere new. I spend a lot of time walking the back-country of Japan, visiting shrines, so that is often the location and subject. Seeing something for the first time….with few expectations….. a kind of innocence of vision….. I think that is important to me.

6. What are your favorite subjects to photograph?

In the simplest sense, I take photos of what my eyes are attracted to. I take a lot of pictures, very quickly. I would liken my process to “automatic writing” or “action painting” in that it is improvised and intuitive. All the insightful comments I have gotten on my photos have really taught me about what it is I take photos of. I’m not sure I can add anything to what other people see, though I would suggest composition, elegance, essence. For me, the individual photo is not so important. It’s the sequence, the series of photos that is more important. The space between the photos, the continuity and the jumps, the movement in time and space as I follow my eyes….


7. What continues to inspire you as a photographic artist?

Getting up every day!

8. What is the one thing that you have not captured on camera you feel you need to express?

I would like to do better landscape photography….. I guess I need a wide angle lens for that…..


9. What other artists have influenced your work?

In my youth I was a great fan of Op Art. Victor Vasareley and Bridget Riley were my heroes. From there I got into the Constructivists, Mondrian, the Minimalists, and so on. Let’s not forget all the photographers on flickr and ipernity! I am greatly influenced by so many of them…. It’s hard to find anyone’s page that doesn’t have something that I learn from.

10. What other talents do you possess besides photography? And is there another area of talent you would like to explore?

I have dabbled in most media and mediums over the years, though I would not say I was talented in any of them. Most recently I’ve learned how to do stained glass, something I’ve wanted to learn for many years, and for the past year I have been enthralled with mask-making…What I like about ipernity is that it allows me to imtegrate my photos with my words, my music, etc.


11. Have you met other flick rites in person, and how was the experience?

I’ve met 4 flickerites here in Japan recently. My Cinco de Mayo set were taken while Ionushi and lamonse were visiting us, and my most recent set were taken the day we met Chucho and his daughter Anita in Fukuoka. Strangely, or not, they are all Mexican photographers. How was the experience? Very Mexican!

12. Any words of advice for those who would like to dig deeper into photography?

Study great art. Paintings, prints, sculpture, great movies, dance, music, poetry, novels. They are all about the same thing. I would also suggest forgetting the rules. Rules can be useful, but slavishly adhering to them is limiting. Learn and make your own rules!


13. Of all the photos you've taken, what is your favorite and why?

Usually I would say one of my most recent photos is my “best”, but on a personal level I really like this portrait of my wife as I managed to catch some of her “essence”. It was pure luck though, as is a lot of photography. www.flickr.com/photos/ojisanjake/436570037/in/set-72157600030109235/


14. If you could change anything on flickr, what would it be?
I would simply get rid of Explore. I dislike the way it is seen as a benchmark of quality, which it blatantly is not, and I dislike the competitiveness it causes.

These are the three photos that Jake want to show us in this interview:

1)



2)



3)




Thanks to Jake for sharing a little of himself, a lot of great views and for reminding us that beauty can be in every spot.

We invite you to take a look also in his new "home" on Ipernity

angie_real aka Angela Lobefaro

Interview with my Flickr friend Valerio (Valpopando)

1. How did you first get interested in photography? And are you self taught?

My passion for photography, and other forms of art, I owe to my father (in flickr, agedsenator) who practically locked me inside the dark room when I was barely 12 years old (seems like a horror film…hehehe). But while winding film in the old, classic Rodenstok spools, I also learned all secrets of Black & White printing! Then I worked for five years as an assistant photographer for the Superintendent of Art in Naples working with large format Hasselbads.

2. Do you have a favorite walk around lens? If so, what is it?

As you can tell from my photographs, I adore wide angle lenses. In fact, a Sigma 10-20 was the first lens I bought other than the classic Nikkor 18-70 that came with my Nikon D80. Now, however, I’m having a good time with an old Nikkor 55mm micro lens!

3. What equipment and software do you use?

At the moment I’m happy to own a Nikon D80 with a Nikkor 18-70, a Sigma 10-20, a Nikkor 55mm micro and an old Tamron 300mm. I also have an OlympusC8080WZ (my first love) that I have literally abandoned to the shelf. Most of my photos are done in HighDynamicRange (HDR) so I use PhotoMatrix to achieve single file HDR (obtaining three equal shots with exposure +/-2,0), then I finish the image in PhotoShop CS2! I’m discovering , however, the pleasure of utilizing RAW files. I also use Nikon Capture NX for normal shots (non HDR).

4. Which one item of equipment is the most important for you?

Besides the camera, naturally, my inseparable friend is a tripod that’s always in the trunk of my car. For HDR shots, it’s of vital importance as is a remote control.

5. How do you decide on locations and subjects?

When I decide to take a shot I don’t know any limits. However, there are several fundamentals which I follow: First, there must be clouds(better still clouds just after a storm)! Second, I prefer sunrise and sunset: and thirdly, I always try to discover an interesting object to insert in the frame. To achieve these conditions I’m prepared to wake up at 4 a.m. and/or remain waiting for a couple of hours like a fool for the sun to set (however, one makes many interesting acquaintances during these waits…photography is always fascinating to women ! :)))

6. What are your favorites subjects to photograph?

Clouds! And also objects that are particular or abandoned, panoramas…and even nude women! :))) hehehe!

7. What continues to inspire you as a photographic artist?

The desire to surprise, to astonish, to try to be ingenious…and maybe I succeed every now and then.

8. What is the one thing that you have not captured on camera you feel you need to express?

Probably proper portraits or self-portraits. I would like to be able to photograph people and obtain the same excellent results that I see so many others obtain on flickr… but maybe I don’t really love to photograph people…hehehe, that includes self portraits, aside from some recent ones that were dedicated to my LOVE! :)))

9. What other artists have influenced your work?

Well, for sure my father! Every now and then I feel some of my photos on flickr are similar to his, but my passion for HDR I owe to Stuck in Customs and Asmundur, two great HDR post-processing artists.

10. What other talents do you possess besides photography?

I’m also a musician(drummer) and for years played as a professional…maybe I would also like to be able to paint!

11. Have you met other flick rites in person? How was the experience?

Yes! I had the good fortune to meet Trey from Austin, Texas (Stuck in Customs) thanks to flickr and my passion for HDR. He visited Naples for a week and we had a great time. It’s an experience I recommend for everyone! Of course, we had a little language difficulty, but our passion for photography cancelled out this limiting factor. Then in April 2007 I met Dean Forbes in Rome and this was also a wonderful experience. I’m planning to visit JR in S. ! Hehehe…sooner of later I will. LOL

12. Any words of advice for those who would like to dig deeper into photography?

I’m not sure what to say! I’m not a great lover of tutorials and handbooks. I think it’s important to master the fundamentals, then you need to work hard experimenting and using your imagination like it was a game so that you don’t become tied to stereotypes and/or get overly influenced by others. The results could be surprising and absolutely unique and personal and it would be beautiful to read comments like: “This beautiful photograph reminds me of Volpopando’s style.”

13. Of all the photos you’ve taken, which is your favorite and why?

It’s a classic question that’s not easy to answer. A single favorite doesn’t exist, there are many. However, after seeing “me in my fingers” after nearly a year, I still love it dearly.

14. If you could change anything on flickr, what would it be?

I agree with jacq77 and I’m not happy with the level of security on flickr. Many of my photos have ended up in large format downloaded as wallpaper. Another two have been used by magazines without my consent and without credit. It would be enough for flickr to create a system that wouldn’t allow download access to individuals (even those on the flickr staff). I would also cancel Explore. It has unleashed competition among flickr users (me included) and has altered the function of leaving constructive comments on photos.

These are the three photos that Valpopando want to show us in this interview:

1) Valpoclassic

2) Valpilou (for my great friend Philippe)



3) Travel to Lupinanto



Thanks so much for the translation of this interview to Don (dgjean) and to Valerio (Valpopando) for his quick reply.

I propose Valerio as ambassador of Naples in the World!

angie_real aka Angela Lobefaro

p.s. Forza Napoli!!!

Before and after - Naval gun 17th century

This is the photo from which I have started the ps, it is from a ship named Eastindiaman Amsterdam located in the Naval Museum of Amsterdam.
I had this idea back in November 2006 when I shot this photo, but I did not know how to do it at that time.



This is the final result.

Steps

1) Qtpfsgui - I've used a free program called qtpfsgui to create two different version of the image (one with the fattal algorithm to enhance details and textures and one with the drago algorithm to enhance colors).
2) Gimp - I've used Gimp to blend the 2 images using 2 layers, the fattal one as background and the drago one in overlay mode at 50% of opacity.
3) Gimp - I've cut off the scene in the gun's windows
4) Gimp - I've created another layer with an image of the same ship taken from the pier.
5) Gimp - I've created another layer called explosion that contain only the explosion blast effect
6) Gimp - Aligning work with the three layers ( ship in the background,explosion,and gun in the foreground)
7) Gimp - motion blur to the entire scene to simulate the gun's recoil.
8) Gimp - fancy rounded corners decoration.


That's all Folks!

Gimp and Qtpfsgui are free softwares available on Windows, Linux platforms

Interview with my Flickr friend Jacqueline (Jacq77)

1) How did you first get interested in photography? and are you self taught?

I received my first camera as a birthday gift when I was 13. I have been taking photos ever since (am 29 now LOL). I can't even remember what type of camera it was LOL but I remember changing the film on it drove me crazy LOL. Since then I have come to own 7 different cameras. I have taught myself to take photos. I have bought many photography books and there have been many hours invested in trial and error...which for me has been the best learning tool.


2) Do you have a favorite walk around lens? If so, what is it?

When I go out to photograph, I never leave without all my lenses.... I find myself anxious if I do LOL....but if we're talking about walkaround...it would have to be my 18 - 55mm lens. It's a dynamic lens, that I have taken a lot of photos with.

3) What equipment and software do you use?

I have a 75 - 300mm lens for my Canon 400D. I also have a Canon S3IS which I use for optical shots as the optical zoom is fabulous. Other than that I have an "analog" Nikon, but I inly shoot film these days on special occasions... I reserve film now for these occasions because it is more expensive, but the majority of my early work on Flickr are scans from my "analog" SLR as I didn't have a DSLR at the time. I have some filters, a tripod, a studio that I made up for my indoor shots, with various lamps etc.

Software.... I use Photoshop CS2 and Photomatix for HDR editing and tone mapping.

4) Which one item of equipment is the most important for you?

My cameras LOL... I can't live without them...I have one with me at all times :o))). Other than that, my most important piece of equipment is my lighting... I find light of the most importance and my lamps are the most important thing to me in the studio LOL...I have stashes of spare bulbs in case one dies LOL...maybe to the point of obsession LOL


5) How do you decide on locations and subjects?

As I said, I carry my camera with me always...but when I want to decide on a particular location I asses the photographic value of the venue...is it going to be a place that I will go back and photograph regularly or will it be a one off shoot...if a place holds many photographic opportunities then I list it as a favorite and visit it regularly...perhaps it has a good mix of gardens, buildings, etc which can provide me with a lot of different images. With regards to subjects...a lot of my studio-art work is done by inspiration from things I like...like science, art, etc.

6) What are your favorite subjects to photograph?

My favorite subjects? I have many LOL.... however...pens and pencils... feathers and masks would have to stand out as my favorites.


7) What continues to inspire you as a photographic artist?

Everything and anything...I may walk past something and think...that would make a great shot...or I may see something and visualize in my head a photo manipulation.


8) What is the one thing that you have not captured on camera you feel you need to express?

Snow.... here in AUS we don't get much snow and in the winter I have to travel very far to where it snows, and that's one thing I would really love to capture.


9) What other artists have influenced your work?

I think I have my unique style of photography and I tend to influence myself...however, viewing different kinds of works everyday sometimes gives me some ideas. There are the works of Michael Yamashito and Elliot Erwitt that I find very inspirational and have learnt a lot from.


10) What other talents do you possess besides photography? And is there another area of talent you would like to explore?

I play the violin, dance and have a variety of other interests, which I find influence and inspire a lot of my work.


11) Have you met other flick rites in person, and how was the experience?

I haven't as yet met anyone from Flickr in person, as the majority of my contacts are overseas, but I am happy with the friendships I've made on Flickr, I feel some of these friendships are for life even if they virtual and hundreds of kilometers across the sea.


12) Any words of advice for those who would like to dig deeper into photography?

Keep taking photos, with time comes experience, refinement and mastership. Takes photos of anything, take photos of things that catch your attention. Never give up!


13) Of all the photos you've taken, what is your favorite and why?

So hard to choose which is my favorite because I have many, as some have been taken with different meanings and emotions attached to them, which I try and express through the photo...if I had to choose it would be:

www.flickr.com/photos/jacqrojo/264825120/in/set-72157594491380061/

The reason why...the title.. "Masquerade" - hide your face so the world will never find you.... this was inspired by The Phantom of the Opera and at the time I took the photo I felt that in Flickr we all hid our faces behind computer screens and the only way to get insight into the personality of a person was visually through their photos...and I have found this experience more fulfilling than any other, hence why I said earlier than I have made some lifelong friends.


14) If you could change anything on flickr, what would it be?

I would change security and try and increase photo security, although on the internet nothing is 100% secure anyway.

These are the photos that Jaqueline (jacq77) want to show us in this interview

1) Inner Peace



2) That You Have Slumbered Here While These Visions Did Appear



3)In the Arms of the Angels


Thanks Jacqueline for your quick response and dont stop to amaze us with your Fine Arts photography.

Angie_real aka Angela Lobefaro

Interview with my Flickr friend Toni (Don Gato)

1. How did you first get interested in photography? And are you self taught?

I did my first photographies in 1984, with a Konica of my father, but leave the photography because not have time. The photography return years later with one Canon Eos 650 analogical, though I not dedicate time either, it was not until the year 2004 that I enter into the photography with more interest, and last year when I buy my Canon 350D really I was interested so, and learning of self-taught form, with the former method of trying and failing.

2. Do you have a favorite walk around lens? If so, what is it?

Sincerely, not too much, I try to photograph everything what is called me the attention, flowers, landscapes, portraits and for comfort I use habitually my 18-55 mm that there allows me to realize the majority of my shots without too many problems

3. What equipment and software do you use?

Since I use equipment basically 18-55, though also I have 55-70mm and 100-300 mm that it them buys for my former analogical camera, also I have a professional directional flash, and a tripod, and some filters as the Raynox for the macros.

The Software that I use principally is Picasa, though in enough occasions, I am daring to use photoshop with more frequency, or Adobe lightroom for portraits.

4. Which one item of equipment is the most important for you?

I do not have a preference to any piece of my equipment especially, in these moments I have everything what I need, I am amateur, who enjoys the photography, and though in some moment I would to have some better lens, I feel satisfied what I have.

5. How do you decide on locations and subjects?

Always I take my camera with me everywhere, some times I see a landscape and stop my car to take a few photos, or go for the street and take my camera for the same thing, only when I had occasion to have someone as model, have thought more in them pose and in that photos to take, even like that, I leave a lot of freedom the person to move of natural form and to be herself, while I take my photographies

6. What are your favorite subjects to photograph?

In the last months, my favorite subject they are the flowers, I enjoy when I’m taking macros and exploring in his intimacy in search of forms and colors that call the attention

7. What continues to inspire you as a photographic artist?

The nature, it is what more me inspires, the plants, the forests, when I am in the middle of the nature, I want to photograph it, and also the city, am lucky to live in a small city, with a medieval wonderful neighborhood, and I much likes to walk with my camera along these streets taking photos.
By the way, when I see photographs of my friends on flickr, I’m inspired lots of times, and I learn so much of all of them.

8. What is the one thing that you have not captured on camera you feel you need to express?

A night storm, with lightnings and intense rain, I am really anxious, and also I want to be able to realize photographies of my city covered by the snow, this it seems will be complicated enough.

9. What other artists have influenced your work?
I love the photography and I enjoy contemplating the works of famous photographers, personally I Like Cappa's work, but who really have inspired me, they are all in flickr, and I am lucky to take them as friends, do not want to give names, because they are so many people that could forget me of anyone of them, but yes, lots of flickr friends are who really have inspired me

10. What other talents do you possess besides photography? And is there another area of talent you would like to explore?

Well, I'm a writer, I write poems, and erotic tales, I like a lot and I have a few blogs about poetry or tales. I'm happy when I Imagine a story or I'm inspired to write a poem, and photography are very near to poetry for me!!


11. Have you met other flick rites in person, and how was the experience?

I have known many persons in flickr, virtual friends, who finally have turned into real friends, and with that I feel happily and satisfied, all the experiences have been really incredible and wonderful, personally, I recommend to the whole world that should have meetings not only to interchange experiences but also to create a strong friendship


12. Any words of advice for those who would like to dig deeper into photography?

It is complicated to give advices but would dare to say that to be advancing in the photography, the best thing is to see many photographies, of all the styles and types, to be able to see the world with photographer's eyes. when we seeing the world across the eyes of other people, helps us to discover very much our own way of seeing the same world
13. Of all the photos you've taken, what is your favorite and why?

My favourite photo is one of my son called floating www.flickr.com/photos/quiero-un-pantano/290756192/in/set-72157600055797378/, the reason? Because I think this photo was a big step to a change on my photos, and too because this shot was my first #1 at Explore on Flickr

14. If you could change anything on flickr, what would it be?

This it is a difficult question, I believe that I only would change a thing, and i would be that the own photographers could moderate your images, and that the freedom of expression was total at the moment of showing photographies, but it is very complicated, because for many people, the freedom of expression is all, and really, it is not this way, in a public place, we must respect the others, and to have the enough aptitude to decide if an image coild to be offensive to other persons, and unfortunately not all the members of flickr thinking that.

These are the photos that Don Gato want to show us in this interview

1)Purple Light



2)Skate board uh ah ah



3)Cadena / Chain



Thanks to Toni for show us what tick inside the Gato's head ;-)

Angie_real aka Angela Lobefaro