Conceptual Photography

Kevin Connor Keller Photography

  http://www.flickr.com/photos/conorkeller/

http://fortysixtyphoto.com/author/conor/

What kind of equipment (camera body, lens, filters, flash, tripod, cleaning equipment other) do you use?

I’m currently shooting with a Canon 60d. I also have a Canon t2i with a broken shutter so I use it only for video. My 50/1.8 stays on the camera most of the time, but my 18-55 is always there waiting, just in case. I recently purchased a 50/1.4 modified for free-lensing which I’m excited to use soon. For lighting I have a LumoPro LP160, triggered by Cybersyncs, and modified by a DIY Beauty Dish and a Softlighter II.  My collection of gear is small, but has everything I currently need. Having photographer friends also allows me the opportunity to use their equipment (cameras, lenses, filters, lights, modifiers, etc) which is always a plus.

What do you like and dislike about your equipment, specially your camera, and how would you improve it?

I try not to worry too much about what my camera can’t do for me so I can’t really say what I dislike about it. I’d like to think that I use my equipment to its full potential, but since most of the technical aspects are beyond my understanding, it’s safe to say I probably don’t. Currently, my camera does everything I need, is easy to use, shoots well in all lighting situations, has a large tilt swivel LCD, and takes high quality photo and video. I couldn’t ask for more, except maybe a full frame sensor, but that’s not the camera’s fault.

What is your favourite lens, and why?

Although I use my Canon 50/1.8 most of the time, I’m going to have to say my favourite lens I’ve used so far was my Nikkor 35/1.8 (sorry Canon fans!) with my first camera, a Nikon D60. It was super quick, and the focus was always super sharp and spot on. Along with the 50/1.8, they are both great lenses that won’t break your budget.

When you travel, what is in your essential photographic kit bag?

I like to take the minimalist approach and only carry around my camera, lens of choice, back up memory card, and a back up battery.

What kind of software/tools do you use for post-processing, if any?

Not surprisingly, Adobe Lightroom 4 and Photoshop CS6.

How long have you been taking photographs? How do you find inspiration? How do you take your pictures?

As a kid I was always playing with disposable cameras and Polaroid just for fun. I picked up my first DSLR in 2008 when I started treating photography as a creative medium I could really get into. It’s still fun, except now I can’t throw my camera away when I’m done. As cliché as it sounds, inspiration for me can come from anywhere and be anything. It just has to be something that throws a spark to my imagination.

Which style of photography do you like the most, and why?

I can appreciate any good photograph but my favourite style or genre would be conceptual manipulations. I love the idea of taking a seemingly normal concept and manipulating it so it crosses the “dream or reality” boundary. There are so many great artists/photographers who do this so well.

What goal are you working towards within your photography and when will you know you have reached it?

Another cliché answer, but I just want to continue to get better. It’s a pretty generalized goal that keeps things simple and leaves a lot of room for growth. It’s also a goal that doesn’t allow you to reach a certain point, but I see that as a good thing.

Looking at your own work, which piece is your favourite? Why? Please provide a link to the picture.

The first thing that comes to mind is a quote from Imogen Cunningham, “Which of my photographs is my favourite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.”

Does your work fit into any one or more distinct genres  (nature, landscape, long-exposure, black-and-white,  infra-red, urban, artistic, macro, vintage, vernacular, social, street)? If other, please specify.

My photos range from conceptual/abstract to family portraits and anywhere in between.

Are there any photography websites that you visit regularly?

I don’t visit many photography websites but there are a few that I will browse through every once in awhile for inspiration, insight, and a few tutorials to learn with. Joel Robison, Brooke Shaden, Sean Flanigan to name a few. Phlearn is also a great website and learning tool with an incredible amount of tutorials.

What is the one most important lesson that you have learned since you started taking photographs?

When creativity taps you on the shoulder, take it by the hand and don’t ask any questions.

And finally, what other interesting photographers would you like to see in this blog?

There are far too many to mention but I’ll start with my diverse and talented group of photos friends in our Forty Sixty Photo collective: Sean Hamilton, Jose Rosado, Dustin Genereux, Dabe Alan, and Peter Place.

Some of my favourite conceptual/manipulation artists: Joel Robison, Kyle Thompson, Nicholas Scarpinato, Sarah Ann Loreth, Brooke Shaden, David Talley, Laura Makabresku, and many many others worth mentioning.