Surreal

Julie De Waroquier Photography

 http://www.juliedewaroquier.com/

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Julie-de-Waroquier/122494317108

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

I own a Nikon d700, a 50 mm1.4 and a 18-55 that I rarely use. I also use a tripod, especially when I take self-portraits.
 

 

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

 I don’t need a lot of equipment, I’m satisfied with what I have because I can achieve various effects with the wide aperture of the lens, and take high quality shots because of the great sensor of the d700. However I’d like to try new lenses, to get a new vision.
 
 

What is your favourite lens, and why?

The 50mm1.4, because it’s been my best friend for 5 years.

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

All the equipment detailed above, and basic props, such as a white dress or fake flowers, to be able to dress a model if have an unexpected idea.

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

 I started with Gimp but I’ve been using Photoshop for several months now.

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

I started photography 5 years ago, though at first it could merely be called “photography”. Inspiration is quite unconscious for me, my ideas come spontaneously from everything that I like, memories, feelings,… it’s all mixed in my mind, and I try to express it through more or less conceptualized pictures.

I take pictures in 3 steps. First, I elaborate the idea, I draw a little sketch and try to organize every detail. Then, during the photoshoot, I try to reproduce my idea as closely as possible. Finally, I edit the picture (from basic editing to photomontage).
 

 

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

The style of photography which I like the most could be called “surreal”, because I love when photography, which is supposed to “catch the moment”, finally manages to create the moment. I like when a picture surprises me, moves me and makes me think at the same time.
 
 

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

I try to express universal wonders. In my photography, I want to show mental pictures that we could all have in mind. And I think it’s an endless task!
 
 
Looking at your own work, which piece is your favourite? Why? Please provide a link to the picture.

It changes all the time, because I put all my soul in each of my pictures. At the moment, it would be “Burning tears”: http://a3.4ormat.com/vfs/4498/thumbs/5263145/1600×1200.jpg

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.

I suppose it can fit in surreal or fine art photography.

Are there any photography websites that you visit regularly?

I follow a thousand of photographers’ works every day, I love to be amazed by other people’s pictures!

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

That doubting is part of the artistic process. You can’t get rid of it if you decide to follow an artistic path.
 
 

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

I recommend Magdalena Berny’s works!

Amelia Fletcher Photography

www.ameliafletcher.com

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

http://500px.com/ameliafletcher

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

I have a Canon 5d Mk 2, a 50mm 1.4 lens, gorillapod, ballhead tripod, Pocket Wizards, and I use Paul Buff lighting from time to time.

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

I wish it was waterproof! Haha, other than that it has been a great camera. I’m not very technically inclined so I tend to research what I need, this verse that, then stick with whatever will get the best end results. Mostly I just want my photographs to be as close as possible to the image I have in my head and the equipment is simply the means to that end.

What is your favourite lens, and why?

I have to say my 50mm because it’s the only one I own and a great lens for the price.The majority of my images were made using it. However I would love a 35mm or 85mm.

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

The Gorillapod, camera, lens, Pocket Wizards, a reflector if possible and a pen and paper to jot down ideas.

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

Lightroom 4 and Adobe Photoshop CS6 with a Wacom tablet.

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

Photography is something I have been interested in as long as I can remember but I started focusing on fine art and portraiture work when I entered college 5 years ago.

I find inspiration in many different ways; music, art, stories, people I meet, dreams, etc. Sometimes ideas come from the oddest and most unexpected places. We live in such a beautiful world, there are countless ways to find sources of inspiration if you don’t try to force it.

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

Portraits are what I find myself most connected with. I believe that photography at its core is a very human thing. It’s part of our nature to create these records, which happen to be in the form of photographs, to tell the stories of our lives. I’m always drawn to photos of people no matter what the genre is.

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

The past year my goal was to complete a 52 week project of self-portraits that I was proud of. This weekend I have finally finished them! It is a great sense of accomplishment but I am now at a new beginning. I have a big trip planned for next year and would love to shoot more documentary-style images. My goals and plans are ever changing right now.

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

“Of Grit and Grace” is my favorite. Even though when I look at it now I see a lot of little things that I would change in editing, it was so much fun to shoot and means a lot to me. My sister came to visit and I covered her, and then myself in the glitter which was literally everywhere. I used glitter to make us look more like each other and different from everyone else, since siblings often have a mutual understanding and bond that no one else can come close to.

“To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other’s hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember feuds and secrets, griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time.” – Clara Ortega

http://500px.com/photo/17809621

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.

Ohh fine art with a few other categories mixed in I suppose.

Are there any photography websites that you visit regularly?

Sure, Phlearn, Flickr, 500px, Fstoppers, and Petapixel are my favorites.

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

To be patient with myself and understand that I’m not going to learn everything overnight. Improving, finding my personal style, and figuring out where I want all this to go is going to take time. Overcoming periods of self-doubt have been a struggle but I think that’s something every artist goes through and I’ve gotten better at not letting that prevent me from creating work I’m proud of.

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

Mike Brodie, Kirsty Mitchell, Alain Laboile, and Joey L are some of my favorites right now.

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

I use a Canon 5D Mark II camera body and a variety of lenses including the 85mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.4, and 70-200mm f/2.8. Each lens has a UV filter on it, and I carry all of that in a Lowepro camera bag. I’ve got a tripod, but I don’t generally use it unless I am shooting a self-portrait. Lastly, I’ve started to build a small collection of external lighting equipment. Right now, I have two lights (AlienBees), a few different modifiers (softboxes, umbrellas, beauty dishes), and Pocketwizards to trigger them.

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

For the most part, I’m pretty happy with my equipment. I am glad that my camera is full-frame. It allows me to shoot in low-light situations without compromising the aesthetics of my images. I do wish I had more lights to work with. I’m currently in the stages of experimenting with different lighting setups and trying to work high-key lighting scenarios into my style. I feel it could be easier with a few more lights in my arsenal, but so far, I’m doing alright with it.

What is your favourite lens, and why?

It depends what I’m shooting. For most of my fine art work, I prefer the 85mm f/1.8, as I find it to be attractive focal length. It allows me to be close enough to engage with my subject yet stay far away so as to capture the scene as if I were an onlooker rather than someone directing it. When shooting portraits and fashion, I stick to the 70-200mm f/2.8, because it allows for a lot of variety depending on whether I am shooting close-ups of the subject or full-body shots.

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

I don’t have that much equipment, so I usually just take it all (excluding the studio lighting, as it’s much too large and bulky).

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

I use Photoshop CS5 exclusively.

How long have you been taking photographs? How do you find inspiration?

I’ve been taking photographs for three years now, since the age of sixteen. I find inspiration in everyday life, through listening to music and reading novels. I find these methods more effective than looking at anything visually, as it allows for the individual to imagine his own scenes rather than being influenced by what he views visually.

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

I really enjoy surreal photography. It allows for the most creativity, in my opinion.

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

I know it’s a really cliché answers, but my ultimate goal is just to be able to make a comfortable living through photography and to stay happy and able to create what my heart desires. I have so many stories buzzing around in my head that I don’t think I will be able to die until I’ve told them all.

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

This is my favorite: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alex-stoddard/8055207956/in/photostream because I love the dark atmosphere playing alongside the innocence of the child subject. There is a strong composition and concept to it.

 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.

I suppose, of those listed, it would fit into artistic photography.

Are there any photography websites that you visit regularly?

There are a few that I visit pretty regularly: Flickr, Phlearn, FStoppers, [FRAMED].

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

I must create for myself first and foremost. Everyone else comes second.

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

There’s an artist named Marwane Pallas who I think is absolutely brilliant. I’d like to see him on here.