Mike Palmer is the latest participant to agree and join me for a short question and answer session here on the blog. Thanks go out to Mike and don’t forget to stop over at his blog and share your thoughts with him there as well. He can be found at both his blog, and his professional portfolio
Now, on to the Q&A
Q: Everyone always wants to know some of the basics, so let’s get a few things out of the way at once here…How long have you been a photographer?
A: I have been enchanted with photography since the late 80’s. I really enjoy the creative side of digital photography now more then the film days. I love the post side almost as much as shooting.
Q: Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, Leica or some other brand (thanks to Andrew)?
A: Nikon
Q: Mac, PC, or Linux?
A: I am a PC!
Q: Chocolate or Vanilla?
A: Dark Chocolate
Q: Moving into a little more granularity, photographers often enjoy hearing helpful and constructive critiques of their work, as we are aware of how much we can grow from it. However, we’ve also all had the “nice shot” and “cool” comments when we’ve shared our work. What was the singular most useful critique or comment you’ve ever had on work you’ve shared publicly?
A: I am not sure that I have had a critique that stands out like that specifically. A well phrased critique of a photo helps me when I am out shooting the next shot though. You have to learn from what other see in your work. Also I recommend The Photographers Eye by Michael Freeman – This book is amazing for self critique and composition discovery.
Q: Sounds like a great resource. (Edit note: LInk to the book on Amazon has been added) If someone was asking you for an honest critique of their work, what 3 factors would you look at most (excluding friendships or family relatives, we’re talking professional or fellow photographer-types here)?
A: What I see – What I like – What I do not like (if they really want to know my opinion)
Q: Got any war stories from field shoots or outings that you can or would be willing to share?
A: HAHA – To many from the old days of when I just shot anything to make some money for beer, but the one shoot that made me the most red faced with embarrassment was when I was hired for a modeling show for bigger women, the end of the show was lingerie and they had some fun with the young kid with the camera. It was like photographing your mom in her underwear.
Q: Yow! Not sure I’d want to be in that position, no matter how much I was paid. Sounds like a good joke was played on you though! Anyway, moving right along…if you had to choose between the gear or the software as the only way to create, which would it be and why?
A: I would go with a must have LENS – I do more with my Nikkor 24-70 2.8 then any other thing in photography – the bokeh at 2.8 is spectacular – I shoot portraits, food, etc…it is the constant on my camera.
Q: Any final thoughts you’d like to share about the state of photography or any catch phrases that you keep in mind when shooting?
A: I dig how much more of a community that photographers “that blog” share now. I have friends all over the place now. I went to Maine last summer and Scott of Weekly Photo Tips had my family over to his house for a lobster bake – I have more photographer friends now then ever – so if you are on the fence about starting your own blog – DO IT!! It will ramp up your creativity and you just might make a friend or two.
Great way to wrap things up here Mike! A little Nike snippet that applies not only to blogging, but to photography as well: Just Do It! Hey, I’d like to thank Mike for taking the time to stop into the blog and participate in the weekly Thursday Thoughts! As he says, just get out there and do it! Happy shooting and we’ll see you back here again tomorrow to wrap up the week!
