Photographer Interview: azrdwarr2448

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

My name is Steven Maguire. I spent 10 years in the military. I've been moving around in the past 5 years. I'm finally settling down in Southeast Arizona. I'm orginally from Pa. I'm 42 years old.

2. How long have you been doing photography?

About 2 years.

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

I started doing photography in March 2006 with my first digital camera. When I saw how my first pictures came out on the computer. That, was when I got hooked.

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

I don't make any money on my photo's. This is only a hobby right now.

5. What's your day job?

My day job is working for Northrop Grumman as a Tech.

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

I'm a high school grad. No special education in photography.

7. Are you specializing in a particular area of photography? What are your favorite places/objects to shoot?

I like taking nature, landscape, and weather photography. I like taking pictures of lightning and tha landscape of Az.

8. Who are your big photographic influences?

I don't have any photographic influences. I just go out and go my own way.

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 read about photographic techniques in some magazines or I will go out and just experiment and learn that way. Nothing special. I haven't visited any galleries yet. I only have Popular Photography as my reading material.

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

I use a FujiFilm FinePix S9100 with the wide angle lens that Fuji makes with for the camera. I use the Picasa program for sharpening and cropping.

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

I only use very little post processing. Sharpening and cropping for me. When people start using photoshop to enhance coloring and etc. I believe you lose the real quality of what you shot, and it starts to look like a painting not a photo taken of real life. Part of the challenge of being a photographer is finding that great shot, and getting into that perfect position and shooting.

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

I'm only advice is to read, ask questions from somebody who also shoots. Then go out and shoot want you want to shoot, and enjoy it. Have Fun with it.

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

The most challenging part is trying to capture that right moment at the right time and place. The best part is after the shoot when you start downloading my work and starting to see how my photos turned out. That's the best part for me.

14. Could you please attach or send links to 3 favourite photos you took?

You can view a few of my favorite picture's here at shotaddict.