Too much! I really like too many types of photography. It started when I nagged at 15 for my first SLR — a Praktika MTL. The only electronics in there was the light meter. It did teach me photography, the hard way. Only manual controls, focus, aperture and shutter. That was all there was to it. And the choice of film determined the mood of the photos. Simple, but it forced me to be creative. And I shot everything I liked – portrait, landscape, city and everything. Then I was asked to photography a first wedding… again and again. After a while I called myself a wedding photographer. And I am doing more than okay. Clients are happy. I really like shooting weddings. But I like so much more. When walking my dogs I always shoot a few photos.
Even walking that boring street hundreds of times – the light is different now, or that old car that drove by makes for a great antique look if I crop the new cars out. Always shooting! And still I do many things more; I started my studio last year. I do portraits on location and… and…. have I mentioned I do too much? I specialized in photography. Not any type of photography. Just photography.
But being real truthful to myself, I see things. I react and shoot. I see the beauty in everyday situations. I don’t stage things. I am okay in a studio. I am good at weddings. I’ve been taking pictures for too long not to be decent at it. But my real strength lies in recognizing a situation or a place for being a great photo.
That’s why I started my first book. It allows me to use my free work. It will be about people in their natural habitat. The title is going to be City Portraits. And that is where I think my heart really is. Just wandering and shooting whatever I encounter. Whether it is the city or its people. Whatever I encounter! Even within a passion you can have a passion.
And my choice of film now? Since that determines the mood, I emulate a Velvia or an Ilford Pan-X. Just using the setting on my camera or an app for my iPhone. Oh, and don’t forget cross process, toy cams and fantastic black and white options. My black and whites show less contrast than when I shot film. But that is more a choice then a consequence of shooting digital. My first DSLR was a Nikon D70, now I shoot with a D700. Only one zero extra! And of course my most used camera is my iPhone. But somehow equipment is less and less important. Of course you need the right camera at the right time. But often an iPhone is the right camera at that time. Maybe because it is the camera I have with me. It never seizes to amaze me when I see what is possible with a phone.
I think my most important lesson has been to just go out and do what feels right, and what is fun to do.
Like Nike says: Just Do It!
Have fun!
Link:
Website: http://www.imageart.nl
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