An Interview By Acoustics1220

[wlotus]

When given the chance, acoustics1220 wasted no time coming up with questions to ask me.

1) When was the first time you picked up a camera and thought, "I want to do this"?

When I was in elementary school and saw my father use his 35mm SLR on family vacations. The camera seemed SO UTTERLY COOL, even though I never could have expressed why. (Probably just because it was my dad's. *smile*) He used to travel a lot for work, and I would love to see the photos he would bring back of the places he's been. When I got my first film point-and-shoot, I was in heaven, because I could take pictures just like my dad.

Believe it or not, I did not think about doing professional photography until a year ago. Until the summer of 2007, making photos was just something fun I did to document life as I saw it. Then friends put a bug in my ear about selling my photos, which led me to start taking classes and teaching myself the technical aspects of photography. Now I think I might, maybe, eventually be able to make a living for myself making photos. Perhaps. If I keep working hard and networking.

2) Writing: What was your first love in writing? For example, I took a creative writing class last year, and poetry/prose absolutely captivated me. What was that 'genre' that did the same, if there is just one?

Journal writing has always been my first writing love. I have always been fascinated by people's stories as written in the privacy of their own journals. That is where they put their true feelings without thought for an editor or audience. In my early teens I read Anne Frank's diary, and that inspired me to start keeping a detailed paper journal. I've been at it now for nearly 25 years.

3) Your favorite photograph that you have taken, thus far.

That's easy:


Self-Portrait
5 March 2009

4) For your cell phone, do you use an included ringtone that was on your phone when you got it, or have you customized it so that it has a song playing when someone calls you?

I customized it to be the first 10 seconds of the Prelude to Bach's Partita for Solo Violin No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1000. If my 'phone is on and goes off in a crowded room, I don't have to wonder if it's my 'phone or someone else's, because I have never heard anyone else use that as a ringtone.

Why, yes, I specialize in being different. Why do you ask? :-)

5) Do you have any regrets that you think about on an almost daily/weekly basis?

No, and I am pleasantly surprised by that fact!

Comments

[haleiwatown.livejournal.com]

How/where did you take that photo of yourself? The lighting is great. I don't mean how did you do the self portrait, because I'm really not interested in doing any of those, but how did you get such great light? Were you indoors or outdoors?

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I sat indoors in front of a window on a bright, slightly overcast afternoon. That window gets a lot of light. I also bumped the exposure up just a tad; I can't remember if I slightly overexposed the shot, or if I bumped the exposure up in software.

[ex-momilu.livejournal.com]

I love that photo!

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I've sent wallet-sized prints to some family members.

[syven.livejournal.com]

I want to point out that your pic with your camera is absolutely fantastic and I think of it when I see your LJ posts now. And that has nothing to do with the fact that I have a Canon Rebel EOS, too. Nope, not at all. I just love the black and white and the very "this is me, me, me" feel it has. Like the camera is just part of your hand. You have a small grin on your lips and you just look so utterly grounded and beautiful.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much!

[far-gone.livejournal.com]

I loved reading that, I love hearing you so happy, and I love that picture of you, too!

Have you thought about doing portraiture? I know that the people who do kids pix charge an arm and a leg - the woman who did some for us a couple of years ago had a cool style, just came with us to the park on an autumn day and took shots while the kids played. I think you can see them on my FB page if you interested... I bet that could nearly pay the bills! Maybe not "fine art" enough as a first love, but it seems like a way to make it economically feasible!

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

I saw that; those shots are wonderful! It's the kind of thing I would like to do.

I've always liked portraiture, but I have always been intimidated by it. Having people trust me with their likeness is a huge responsibility. However, with what I am learning about studio and lighting, I am likely to venture into portraiture. And if it can eventually pay the bills (once I have enough of a clientele), even better!

So far the photographers I have read about started out doing something commercial, then were able to capitalize on the reputation they had as commercial photographers to move into the fine art field. Anne Geddes (portraits) and Richard Avedon (fashion) both moved into fine art after successful commercial careers. That would probably be the route I would have to go, as well.

[warkitty.livejournal.com]

I customized my ringtone to a clip from Warren Zevon's song "Lawyers, Guns and Money"


I never have to wonder whose phone it is either:-D

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

Us special folks keep the world interesting. :-)

[acoustics1220.livejournal.com]

*dances* You did it! YAY! Journal keeping is so important to me. In fact, I ditched my paper journal for LJ so that I wouldn't have to 'write'. I write hard, so my hand fatigues easily, haha, but YAY! I'm so glad you did this! ♥

[iswari.livejournal.com]

What a great photo! I love it.

[scream4noreason.livejournal.com]

There was a koala on the fron page of the paper today and her name was Lotus!

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

That's a cool name for a koala. :-)