Photographer name: Mary Phelps aka - Mary (StarMagic).
1 ) How long have you been interested in photography?
I started with photography about 5 years ago.
2 ) What got you started in photography?
Video - I had been interested in video for a while and had finally gotten a nice video camera. I started trying to make a decent video. I wasn’t really happy with the results I was getting. Somehow I got the idea that if I learned photography, I would make better videos. So I started trying out a couple of my photography ideas with my husband’s Sony Cybershot Pro. I was talking about this with a couple of friends at work and the boss overheard me and said - “we need someone to take pictures for a while ‘till we hire a new guy and since you like taking pictures....I’m sure you won’t mind.” I tried to tell him I did video, but he said - oh you can do it. They handed me this really nice Canon camera (I think it was a 20D) with a couple of different lenses and sent me off to take some pictures. I have to admit that I took some really poor shots at first. My friends encouraged me and would do critique sessions to help me learn. The office eventually hired the new photographer, but I really had the bug by then. Next, my buddies kept telling me I was taking some pretty good shots with that Cybershot, but I needed to get a “real camera”. Eventually, I decided to get the Canon Rebel XTi. A little over two years ago one of them mentioned he was signing up for the New York Institute of Photography (NYIP) and I joined with him. Now I am totally hooked!
3 ) Do you have any photographers who's work you admire?
Absolutely - Even before I learned anything about photography, I knew Ansel Adams and his work. I always loved his stuff. Today, I admire those two guys who encouraged me to work on my photography - Craig Thoburn ( www.craigthoburn.com and on flickr - www.flickr.com/photos/craigthoburn ) and Doug Miller ( www.fdphotovideo.com flickr - www.flickr.com/photos/fdphotovideo )
4 ) What inspires you to make photographs?
I never considered myself to have any artistic qualities, my drawings look like something a 2 year old would do - but I have discovered an outlet that allows me to express myself artistically through photography.
5 ) Do you have a specific style that you like to shoot? Such as portraits, fine art, photojournalism etc.
Right now I enjoy fine art shots, but this seems to change a lot as I learn more about each type of photography.
6 ) What is your favorite photographic subject?
I really like taking historic shots of people in period costumes and, of course, my grandkids.
7 ) What gear do you shoot with?
My kit contains:
Canon Rebel XTi Canon 70-300 Canon 17-40 Canon 100MM Macro Canon 100-400 Canon 50mm Canon 580 Speedlite Monopod Tripod a reflectors 2 strobes
8 ) What is your favorite lens?
I love the 70-300 for it’s versatility and the great bokeh I get from it
9 ) Do you shoot in Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority or Manual?
I have finally started to move from the "p" mode and I am just learning to use manual mode, although my most frequent choice would be Aperture Priority.
10 ) Where do you see your photography in 10 years?
I would like to have my own small studio with an occasional gallery show.
11 ) Do you have a tip for our readers?
Whatever you shoot - enjoy it
12 ) Do you have a favorite photo of yours that you would like to share with us?
Wow - I have so many “favorites”, but here is the choice for today is Buffalo Soldier
Ya, I like that one too. Thank you very much Mary. Great stuff here. I recommend everyone check out Mary's photos and see how fun they are.
No comments:
Post a Comment