Lebanese Photography MAG: lebanese photography competition

Showing posts with label lebanese photography competition. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Zack Arias, The One Light Man

The start: 15 years ago, I decided I wanted to be a photographer and we never had internet, or blogs to read or DVDs to learn from like you do now. So I went to Art School, and I dropped out of Art School because I was very much a technical person (I need to know the why), but it turned out instead that photography is a touchy emotional feeling, and I was looking to earn money out of a career rather than taking it as an art form. Then I found a very small commercial photography program at a technical school; it wasn’t a big university. When I was in school, I started assisting photographers every chance I got. I did that for about 3 or 4 years; working for other photographers and studios. I did that while I was trying to building up my portfolio and building my business. It took me a lot of time and effort to do it. My Style: Clean and simple. I’m a great believer in content over technique. In my heart, I’m a photo journalist but I’m making my living from commercial photography. How long have you been a professional photographer? I’ve been a professional photographer, making a living from it, for around 7½ years. How do you prepare for a photoshoot? I usually take the mood from the clients; what they want in the pictures (urban or natural landscape, light, happy, dark, etc….). I also ask the clients to give me some pictures that they love and hate. I never copy those pictures, but I can get what they like and don’t like from them. After that, I try to build the idea, physically through moving decoration around and putting on hip hop music to help me in my brain storming. Your favorite lens / camera / equipment: My favorite camera is the Nikon D3. My two favorite lenses are 35 mm F2 and the 105mm F2. For the lighting equipment, I have a whole bunch of Nikon flashes, SP80DX. For personal work I have mamiyaRZ67, I shoot film. During Sessions how many photos do you take, to get the right one: I average somewhere about 50 to 60 pictures an hour. I have to make time, it is very important. Right now, I have a huge personal project that I’m preparing for. Website to share: www.aphotoeditor.com Awards: No, I’m not one for entering contests. Last 4 Photoshoots: One of them is my personal project. Children’s clothing company (2 shoots) Country band in the USA My advice to new photographers: Make the most of the equipment you have At the end of the day it’s not about what camera or equipment you have. A word to your fans: I am just a guy. I appreciate that I got connected to people and get respect from people. But honestly, I have a hard time with that, since I do not know how I got here, ‘coz I’m only doing my thing. Word for LPMAG: I wish you all the luck in the world - keep on keepin’ on! Workshops and Photography training DVD: http://www.OneLightWorkshop.com Zack runs photography workshops and also has Photography training DVD, Check out his website for more info about the award Telly award winner "One Light DVD"

www.zackarias.com email: studio@zackarias.com http://www.OneLightWorkshop.com Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/usedfilm

Friday, May 27, 2011

Eric Kim, Street Photographer - By Rita Kamel in a shutter click

Main camera: Canon 5D.
Main lens: Canon 35 mm F/2
Post-processing software: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Silver Efex Pro, Lightroom 3.
Favorite lighting: Golden Hour (before sunset).
Favorite time to make photographs: During my lunch breaks at work.
Favorite season to make photographs: When it is rainy.
Favorite music while making photographs: The sound of cars on the streets.
Your dream equipment: Leica M9 and Leica Summilux 35 mm F/1.4
Favorite photographer: Nils Jorgensen.
Favorite quote related to photography: “If your photos aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” – Robert Capa

Eric Kim, street photographer

Why photography? What do you hope to achieve?
I love photography because it gives me an opportunity to slow down in my everyday life and appreciate the places and people around me. I want to show people the beauty of ordinary people and things.
Which photograph do you consider is an example of surreal photography? In what sense?

UFO

I consider my photograph: “UFO”, a quite surreal image. I find it surreal because the structure above the man in the bike looks out-of-this world, very similar to an UFO. When I saw this scene unfolding before my eyes, I imagined the “UFO” about to pick up the man on the bike and take him to another galaxy.
Which photograph made you fear for your equipment? What is the story behind it?

Together in the rain

I shot this photo in Seoul, Korea during the summer when there would be irregular but strong rains. I was inside a bar, and suddenly it started pouring outside. I then saw these two ladies about to walk into the bar, and I jumped outside (nearly getting soaking wet) to capture this shot. My camera was a bit wet, but overall okay.
What style attracts you most? Why?
There is no comparison, I love street photography. I feel that through this style, I am able to capture the rawness of life. Street photography is spontaneous and I have no idea what is going to happen next. Not only that, but the thrill of getting a once-in-a-lifetime shot is unexplicable.
How far do you go with post-processing?
When processing my images in black and white, I use the Photoshop plugin called “Silver Efex Pro.” By far it is the best black and white conversion software out there, as it allows me more control of my conversions. Not only that, but I can add grain to my images (which I love to do).
What motivates you to grab the camera and go make a photograph?
I love to make photographs in the street because it gives me a sense of calm and peace. Not only that, but I love the feeling of waking up every morning knowing that there is something new to make a photograph of.
Tell us about a weird thing you do or a weird habit you have before a photoshoot:
I clean the front element of my lens using my breath and t-shirt.

Describe your feelings during a photoshoot:
When I am shooting on the streets, I feel connected to the people around me. I am able to see a deeper insight into their lives through the images I capture. At the end of the day, I feel that I share the same experiences as them in living everyday life.
Ethically, what are your limits in photography?I try not to take photos of homeless people. In most cases I think it is just getting an “easy shot” which uses the misery of others as a crutch. I think that taking these types of photos are not only overplayed but tactless as well. There are cases when people can take tasteful photos of homeless people, but it is something I try to avoid.
3 tips / advice to other photographers: