just for fun....7 photography questions

[Sparkles33]

Just for fun...

What got you into photography?
Did you/do you dream to one day be a pro? (For those that are pro, did you aspire to it, or did it just sorta happen?)
How old were you when you got you first camera?
Do you prefer digital or film?
Why do you prefer digital/film?
Whose work really inspires you?
Is there a photographer who inspires you (other than for their work)?


What got you into photography? I've always loved photography and always loved the arts. Now my hands are knackered, I can't really play my instruments anymore or draw and paint, so photography seemed like a really good route.
Did you/do you dream to one day be a pro? (For those that are pro, did you aspire to it, or did it just sorta happen?) It would be cool, a distant dream but erm...I gotta get waaay better first - and that's just for starters!
How old were you when you got you first camera? My first camera was a P&S when I was 7. It had a multi coloured case and I'm fairly sure it was Kodak.
Do you prefer digital or film? Digital usually, for me personally but I love film shots, especially mono.
Why do you prefer digital/film? I prefer digital because it's more accessible and loads cheaper! I don't have to buy chemicals or anything like that, just plug into the PC/laptop.
Whose work really inspires you? I really love Man Ray's work.
Is there a photographer who inspires you (other than for their work)? Christopher Volker

 

[Wigster]

What got you into photography? Taking photos - Slowly/gradually got more interested as I saw my photos from my P+S improving.
Did you/do you dream to one day be a pro? Half aspired to it, half got lucky and found a good posistion as a second shooter. (18 years old)
How old were you when you got you first camera? Technically, my first film camera when I was 9, used it for snaps though, I'd personally say at age 16, wasn't actually "my" camera - was my mums, but I "borrowed" it. It was a Minolta dimage x50
Do you prefer digital or film? Digital
Why do you prefer digital/film? It seems only the die-hards are gripping on to film because they don't think they can handle digital. Digital cameras now give completely comparable image quality, and control of camera (dslr)
Whose work really inspires you? No one in particular.
Is there a photographer who inspires you (other than for their work)? ditto ^

 

[-Rob-]

What got you into photography?
Both my Dad and my older sister were in to photography so I grew up with it. I was never serious about it until 2 or 3 years ago though.

Did you/do you dream to one day be a pro? (For those that are pro, did
you aspire to it, or did it just sorta happen?)
I would love to one day be a pro but I'd only turn pro if I could earn the same kind of hourly rate from it that I get from my current job which is highly unlikely. I think it will remain a hobby forever.

How old were you when you got you first camera?
I got my first camera, an Olympus Trip 35 when I was about 10 years old. I recently got given it again by my Dad when he found it in the loft. I'm in the process of running a roll of film through it to see if it still works.

Do you prefer digital or film?
Digital 100%

Why do you prefer digital/film?
It's instant and a hell of a lot easier

Whose work really inspires you?
I'm not one for really looking at other photographers in particular to get inspired. Obviously I look at other work but I look at the photo, not the photographer. At the moment I'm following the very popular trend of looking at a lot of wedding photographers to move in that direction. <yawnnnnn>

Is there a photographer who inspires you (other than for their work)?
I recently attended a lecture by Tom Mackie who travels the world ding landscapes. I'm not much of a landscape man but I would love to do the travelling.

 

[hashcake]

What got you into photography?
As a kid I was always intrigued at the b&w photos of my family, I had an image in my mind that each one told a story. In secondary school I took a CSE in 'Film Studies'.
Although this was about moving images it also got me interested in photography.
Through my teens and twenties I owned various compact film cameras and ending up with an Olymous OM10.
Then I just lost interest for many years.
Did you/do you dream to one day be a pro? (For those that are pro, did you aspire to it, or did it just sorta happen?)
The funny thing is that I've always had a interest in doing creative things. I spent over 20 years making music with synths etc (still dabble a bit) and making films with vhs video camera, editing etc.
I've only owned a DSLR for 18 months and yes, one day I would like to be a pro.
I really enjoy being out with the camera and it's one of the few things I like to alone or with another photographer.

How old were you when you got you first camera?
I think I was about 10, it was a Kodak but I can't remember the model.
Do you prefer digital or film?
Digital
Why do you prefer digital/film?
Because I can just delete rubbish shots without wasting film and I can try to be creative with software.
Whose work really inspires you?
I'm not into portrait photography but David Bailey is someone I've admired since he started in the 60's.
I discovered Cindy Sherman's work a couple of years ago and I was blown away by her early self portait work.
Is there a photographer who inspires you (other than for their work)?
By name no.
I don't really pay any attention to the Pros by name so I couldn't tell you who took what shots I like.
If there is a photo exhibition on that appeals to me I will but because of the subject than than the photographer.
Several people here inspire me when it comes to lanscape photography.
Their dedication for getting up very early then walking miles to get a good shot really does impress me.
Quite a lot of the bird togers here impresse me as well.

 

[GrittyShaker]

What got you into photography?
Always liked it, but was too lazy to take it seriously until recently.
Did you/do you dream to one day be a pro? (For those that are pro, did you aspire to it, or did it just sorta happen?)
Not really, but we'll see how I get on.
How old were you when you got you first camera?
Not sure. 6 or 7 maybe. I had a Supasnaps Snappit!
Do you prefer digital or film?
Digital
Why do you prefer digital/film?
Same as Mynx really. Accessibility. Cheaper. I started out learning with film in college, but that was before digital took off, and I got back into it.
Whose work really inspires you?
Anyone and everyone really. I get inspired by certain images more than a particular photographer.
Is there a photographer who inspires you (other than for their work)?
Nobody in particular, for similar reasons to hashcake.

 

[karmagarda]

Why not!

What got you into photography?
Don't know. I always just liked it from when I got my first P&S years ago.

Did you/do you dream to one day be a pro?
Nope. I like it as a hobby. If I end up pro and still love it, great. If not, no great loss. I'll still do it as a hobby.

How old were you when you got you first camera?
About 10 - 12, can't remember exactly. I used my parents P&S throw aways until they bought me my first one. Don't remember when that was though.

Do you prefer digital or film?
50/50 for me.

Why do you prefer digital/film?
I like both for different reasons. I love the natural grain and vintage looks film gives you. Plus, I love the realy manualness of my old Lubitel 166b. On the other and I love the freeness, flexibility and speed of digital. Also, digital is easier to learn on because you can see your mistakes straight away

Whose work really inspires you?
No one person in particular. I love loads of photographers. All for very different reasons. Each week my mind changes!

Is there a photographer who inspires you (other than for their work)?
A friend who's called xshayx on flickr (linky if you're interested, and yeah, his real name is shay!). He does some really creative fisheye stuff, and awesome night photography. Plus, everytime I think I've nailed something he'll say "why don't you try this". He seems to know exactly how to push me in the right direction to improve.

 

[Arkady]

What got you into photography?
Grandfather gave me his camera and I discovered it was easier than drawing - at which i'd never been able to visualise my illustrative ambitions...

Did you/do you dream to one day be a pro? (For those that are pro, did you aspire to it, or did it just sorta happen?)
Just sorta happened - drifted into it gradually - as I got more accomplished, I realised people really were stupid enough to pay me money for my paltry efforts...

How old were you when you got you first camera?
Fourteen - see above...

Do you prefer digital or film?
Now it has to be digital - although ten years ago that would have been heresy - with my aquisition of a D3x I can no longer see myself ever using film again - for any reason...

Why do you prefer digital/film?
The immediacy, the (now, anyway) quality, flexibility etc.

Whose work really inspires you?
Irving Penn; Don McCullin; Larry Burroughs; Phillip Jones-Griffiths; David Douglas Duncan; Dicky Chapelle; Robert Capa; Roman Vishniak; August Sander; Jay Maisel; Walker Evans; Alfred Eisenstadt; ...and many, many more...

Is there a photographer who inspires you (other than for their work)?
Burroughs - he was the consumate professional, but also at heart a great artist - and it's the art that endures.

 

[Steve Smith]

What got you into photography?

My father bought me an Agfa Isolette 6x6 medium format folding camera when I was ten. I have had cameras all the time since then.


Did you/do you dream to one day be a pro?

No way! My father was a semi-pro wedding photographer and I definitely did/do not want to do that.


How old were you when you got you first camera?

Ten. Didn't you hear me earlier?!!


Do you prefer digital or film?

Film.


Why do you prefer film?

Better dynamic range, better archivability, I hate computers, film cameras are fine pieces of precision engineering (except those that I build!) and I like darkroom work (and yes, I have tried digital).


Whose work really inspires you?

Too many to mention (or remember!).


Is there a photographer who inspires you (other than for their work)?

Cant think of one.



Steve.

 

[Carl V]

What got you into photography?
From a young age, I've always been fascinated how you could capture an image onto a piece of film by pressing a button.

Do you dream to be a pro one day?
Not particularly. I've always looked at photography as a hobby, but if I could earn a few quid here and there, then great.

How old were you when you got your first camera?
I would say around 10 or 11 years old. I was given a 110 camera, but I had been trying out my mother's 126 Kodak camera from an earlier age.

Do you prefer digital or film?
I use film and always will. To be fair, I've never tried digital.

Why do you prefer digital/film?
I appreciate that digital is convenient and quick, but for me I've always enjoyed darkroom work and love the satisfaction of seeing an image forming before my eyes. I also love working with manual/mechanical cameras & lenses. Also I'm happy knowing I have a set of negatives to go back to if required. I would rather have these, and then scan them into a computer if necessary.

Whose work inspires you?
Nobody in particular. When I was learning about photography as a teenager, I've read numerous books which helped me considerably.

Is there a photographer who inspires you?
Again, nobody in mind. I love looking at great landscape images, especially black & white, but don't necessarily have a favourite photographer.