How long have you been shooting?
- A tad over 4 years now.
What gear do you shoot with?
-I shoot with a Canon 5d Mark II, Canon 35mm f/1.4L, Canon 50mm f/1.4 & Sigma 85mm f/1.4. I also have two film cameras; a Canon Élan 7 and a Canon AE-1.
Do you go to school for photography?
-No. I’m double majoring in Accounting & Finance with a minor in Economics. I’ll be done in the spring.
Do you recommend going to school for photography?
-No. I know many people; myself included, who have learned solely from photography forums, tutorials, other photographers and just by getting out there and shooting. I feel that that is the most beneficial and cost effective way to learn. The people I do know who are currently in school for photography generally don’t like it all that much.
How do you shoot into the sun and still keep the subject’s face lit?
-I expose for the person’s face that way that will have the best exposure. Generally, this means the background will be over-exposed. Different angles will play the biggest part into it. The best way to do it is just to get out there and practice. With a little practice and technique you’ll find it’s fairly easy.
What lens do you use the most?
-I use my 35L the most. It’s ideal for the type of portraits I like to do.
Are your outdoor portraits done with natural light?
-Yes. About 95% of my work is done with just natural light.
Do you use any reflectors, modifiers, etc. when shooting natural light?
-No. It’s always just my camera, the sun and me. Sometimes I’ll use nature’s number one modifier; clouds.
At what aperture do you shoot most?
-It varies between 1.4-2.2 depending on the lighting conditions, what lens I’m using and the type of shot I’m going for.
What metering mode do you use? Do you use a light meter?
-I use evaluative and no I do not use a light meter. I go based on what the shots look like on the back of the camera. It’s worked for me thus far so I’ve stuck to that method.
What camera do you use to take the Polaroid-looking shots?
-I use a Fujifilm Instax 210.
How much is the Instax camera and is film expensive?
-On B&H, the camera is around $60 and film is around $17 for 20 shots.
