Interviewing photographer: Natureaddict

1. Who are you? Please give a brief background information.

My name is Barb. We live in a small town called Grand Valley, Pa. I was born and raised in this area.

2. How long have you been doing photography?

I have been interested in photography for about 29 years. Just recently went digital about 2 years ago.

3. How did you start doing photography? What got you interested in it?

I first got interested in photography more to do my own enlargements and developing.

4. Do you earn living from photography or you do photography as your hobby/ your half time job?

This is definitely just a hobby. I have tons to learn and I am pretty sure I will never be a professional at it. I volunteered to do some weddings and graduations photos over the years but I do this more for fun.

5. What's your day job?

Right now, a stay at home step mom.
 

6. Do you have special education? Did you take courses or go to a school learn photography?

No special photography courses. Just some art courses in high school.

7. Are you specializing in a particular area of photography? What is your favourite type of photography?

This is a hard one. I have quite a few favorite types. I really like to take shots of any animals and landscapes. I think close up shots are probably my real favorites. I really like to see details. I had never been much of a fan of B&W until recently.

8. Who are your big photographic influences?

I would have to say my Dad! He was always taking pictures when us kids were young.

9. How do you educate yourself? Do you read special literature, visit photography galleries? What photo books/magazines do you have on your bookshelf?

I get on line and read all I can on various websites and I have a few books I bought when I first got into this hobby. My favorite book would be More Joy Of Photography.

10. What are your favorite places/objects to shoot?

Animals in their own habitats, sunsets and all landscapes, especially fall shots and close-ups of just about anything.

11. What equipment and software do you use (camera(s), lenses, film, etc.)?  

PhotoFiltre, Picasa2, Photoline32,  Canon AE-1, DeJur 135mm Telephoto Lens, DeJur Auto 2X Teleconverter Lens, Canon Lens FD 50mm, Various special filters, Beseler Printmaker, Kodak Ektaflex, Kodak EasyShare CX7330 Digital, Kodak EasyShare Z710 10X Zoom, Opteka .45X HD2 Pro Wide-Angle Lens, Opteka 2.2X HD Pro Telephoto.

12. What is your opinion on post-processing, especially enhancing pictures?

I think this is OK as far as fixing contrast and color and cropping, etc. Some things I don't care for editing being done such as adding fake color to water or the sky, I would rather see those kinds of images as they were when taken. I like framing and special effects on some images and some I think it ruins them. I guess it is more a personal preference and it depends on what the image is going to be used for.

13. What advice would you give someone who is interested in photography and wants to improve their photography skills?

Read all you can, check out magazines and books, look at all the websites you can find, there is a lot of good advice out there. Take notes and practice and most of all just have fun. Learn to see nature in a different way when taking walks or driving down the road. You will know a good shot when you see it. Also check out images on TV, I have noticed some great images on there! Taking criticism is sometimes hard but it is how you will learn.

14. What's the most challenging aspect of photography for you? What's the best part of it?

The most challenging for me is taking shots of animals in their own habitats. That isn't always as easy as it looks. You don't always have time to compose the shots, once they spot you they are gone. The best part is getting one good image out of hundreds.