I'm very luck not to have to think too hard about this post as the lovely Éadaoin (your willing skin on flickr and etsy) agreed to me posting some of her wonderful photos and answering a few questions about her photography. I love everything about this lady's work, the detail, the light and the magic she manages to capture are amazing! See what I mean...
What inspired you to pick up a camera and then keep going with it?
I've always been interested in art in all forms and have found different ways of expressing myself over the years, getting a camera just seemed like a natural part of the process! When my other half and I went away on holidays we would buy disposable cameras and take loads of photos of the places we went, but eventually I bought a little digital point & shoot to avoid the expense of getting photos developed and to always have a camera when I needed one.
Eventually I started getting very frustrated as I discovered how limited I was with the point & shoot, I really couldn't take the photos I wanted to. I had joined Flickr and was seeing more and more amazing shots and wanted badly to have the kind of camera that would allow me to do similar work. So eventually I figured out a way to get some money together and get myself a proper digital SLR and I haven't looked back since. It's the best buy I've ever made!
In the middle of all of this I also discovered the Holga and fell in love with the unique photography it produces. So I picked one up and enjoy using it a lot, although at the moment I've forbidden myself to use it as the cost of getting 120 film developed is quite high here and with saving for a wedding next year I really can't justify it!
The camera for me has become a wonderful means of expression and almost an addiction. Going on photo walks, playing around with photoshop and learning about photography have become some of my favourite ways to spend my time so keeping it going has never been an issue.
What do you enjoy photographing the most?
Hmm I'd have to say that what I love to shoot the most are things that I've baked, mainly because I get to eat them afterwards! Or any tasty foods in general really!
Apart from tasty things I really love to shoot anything that nature has to offer and especially enjoy going for dawn walks with the camera at home where my parents live in the country. I am never more inspired than when I'm out at 6am in the morning silence, just me, the camera and the new day!
When it comes to learning new stuff where do you go for inspiration?
The internet is a constant source of inspiration for me. Through Flickr, other photosharing sites (like Deviant Art) and the blogosphere I generally come across quite a few images a day that will send me into a flurry of creative ideas! There is an endless amount of people out there sharing their beautiful work across the web and I very much enjoy looking through it all.
If I'm having problems with some technical stuff Youtube is fantastic for helpful tutorials from cropping in photoshop to light leak proofing your Holga, it's a great source of information.
Which other photographers do admire and why?
There are too many people to mention here! I admire a lot of people, mainly folks that I have met through Flickr. I have to say that although I am interested in photography I don't know a huge amount about photographers themselves, I am inspired mainly by the people I come into contact with across the net rather than people who are famous for their photography, although that may change as I continue to learn, grow and be inspired by new artists every week.
At the moment I'm very taken with the Canelle at Vanille blog, Aran Goyoaga manages to create the most beautiful food photography I've seen and every time I go there I find myself wanting to either bake or pick up the camera!
What future plans do you have for your photography?
I'm hoping to start doing some TTV after Christmas (providing Santa brings me what I'm asking for!) so hopefully I'll have some good results to show from that pretty soon into January.
These are of course just a few of Éadaoin's wonderful photos I'm sure you can see why I love them so much! If you'd like to see more or even buy a couple of prints here are the links again - flickr and etsy
More of Éadaoin's photo's can also be found on her blog - City of Blackbirds which is definitely worth stopping by. Happy browsing!
Great interview! It was very inspiring and delighting to know about her ideas and feeling towards photography.
ReplyDeleteAnd the support for the many wonderful yet not famous photograhers out there who does really amazing shots as well!