We're excited to share our conversation with ViewBug community member jamesallenstewart who shares his passion for photography and some intimate insights.
I love photography because:
It just keeps going. Usually I start to figure something out after some time and I see the end of the journey. But with photography, I have no idea where it will lead me. Every picture I create teaches me something new, and shows me parts of myself I wasn't aware of, and it keeps me curious.
My camera lets me:
Take photos. I'm fairly sure I was supposed to come up with some ingenious response to that sentence, but that was really just me first thought. In some way, I barely consider my camera a "part of the process". I feel the art comes from the interaction with the model, the eye you have for which composition works, and in general an intuitive notion towards something deeper than "just a photo".
I find inspiration when:
I stay up late at night and I don't have to think about anything but photography. Music can also help. In the beginning I didn't like listening to music while working, but as I struggle with figuring out what my inner feelings want me to do with a picture, I find music to be a great way to bring it out. It can however also "trick" you into thinking there is value in a photo because of the affection you have with the specific piece of music, so be careful!
One of the photos I am most proud of is:
"Camelia" because of the process from start to finish. It was a crop from a much larger photo, and it was mirrored to better follow the flow of composition. I had never done such an extensive processing before while still keeping it natural, so I felt fairly proud when the image was done after 4 hours. I think the most surprising feeling I had, one that is now known by myself as "hearing the image", was that I could hear the wind when I was looking at it. I could feel it. If I can't hear an image I make, it's not a good image.
My favorite place to shoot is:
Outside because I want an image to tell a story. This might sound obvious, but creating something different, true and honest while keeping it TRUSTWORTHY is something I can still struggle with and always strive towards. That is why I prefer natural light, as the assumption that there are strobes in the picture pulls you out of the world of the photo, like breaking the fourth wall in a movie. Besides that, I enjoy the process of taking the photo a lot more when it is outside. It seems more relaxed, more exciting and the possibilities can open up in front of you. I am sitting in a train while writing this, and there is a storm in the horizon outside my window, and the atmosphere is dark, sinister and intriguing. Perfect inspiration for a photo.
My favorite lens is:
So far the 70-200mm f/2.8. I'm fairly sure the brand doesn't matter as much as some people want it to matter.
These are 3 quick tips I’d like to share with fellow photographers:
1. Don't give up. I know it can seem dark, it has seemed dark for me many times. But there is no darkness that lasts forever. Stay strong and you will see and never regret.
2. Ask yourself "what do I want?". If the answer is "become a photographer", then act like it. Be serious about it, work for it. I can not imagine anything more horrible than ending your life working in a job you don't want, or thinking that it could have been better. You got one shot.
3. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I have Skype and I know English. What more do you need...
One of my favorite photos on ViewBug is:
"Dawn view from the Quiraing" it makes me feel: safe. I know it's odd that I picked a landscape picture as a portrait photographer, but I have always been utterly fascinated by mountains. They are like the visual representation of beauty formed by chaos; tectonic plates smashing into each other, creating these magnificent landscapes that really shows us how small we are, and how powerful nature is while we can only stand and observe its majesty.
If I could shoot one dream location it would be mountains because:
I feel like I have already explained a large part of my feelings about this, but in general I would love to travel to majestic locations with a model and combine landscape photography with portrait photography. ... Somehow.
To see more shots, follow James on ViewBug and Facebook
