Photographers I like - Part 2
People that know me know that privately I love black & white photos. I am actively running around in flickr for over a year know and one of my lognest contacts in flickr is a guy called Mr. Inky. He is a guy that is just photographing what he sees with no special projects in his head he is just going out and capturing the beauty of landscapes and street life. He is a guy I love to follow day in and day out because his photography is just so natural escpecialy his black and white photography. Publishing this interview is a little giving back to Mr. Inky for his work I was allowed to enjoy over the time. So lets get started with the interview.
* Quickie/Who are you? (give a quick runtrought about yourself)
My name is Duc Le and I am an amateur photographer. I am 37 years old and have been living in New York City since 1989. I am married to a wonderful woman who is also my best friend.
* How did it all start for you?
I was a photographer for my high school newspaper. However, my passion for photography really started in 2006, when I bought a Nikon D50, after years of using point and shoot cameras. Since I got back into the hobby, I can’t imagine life without photography and a “good day” isn’t really good until I take a shot.
* What do you want to tell with your photography?
My photographs are simply how I “see” the world around me. I’m not trying to make any statements with my photographs - I just want to capture the world as I observe it.
* What are your tools?
I started out using Nikon digital SLRs with a range of prime lenses. Over the years, I’ve been increasingly using film rangefinders. I have modern Voigtlander Bessa rangefinders (Bessa R2A and R4A) but also use some vintage fixed lens rangefinders (Olympus 35 RC and Minolta 7S II). When I need a compact solution, I use a Ricoh GRD 2. I think gear comes down more to personal preference - if the photographer is comfortable with the tool, he/she will be able to take better pictures. I’m a firm believer that any camera can take a good photo in the right hands and the right situation.
* What is your inspiration?
I am inspired by the work of others. There are many talented photographers out there and looking at their work always inspires me to do better.
* What are your preferred Themes?
Street photography, landscapes and architecture.
* Where do you want to be in 2 years?
I’d love to turn this hobby into a profession.
* Current Projects you are working on?
I’m not that focused - I just shoot:)
* analog or digital
These days, I prefer film (analog). I think there’s something special about the look of film, especially for street photography. There’s nothing “wrong” with digital - the two are just different.
* post-processing or unprocessed
Post-processing all the way! Just no Photoshop trickery. I use Nikon Capture NX to process my photos.
* Who or What would you like to Photograph in future?
I would love travel the world for a year and shoot landscapes and people.
* Which Photographers do you like or adore?
My great-grandfather, Vo An Ninh, is considered the father of black and white photography of Vietnam, and it goes without saying that I admire his work. I also enjoy the work of my many contacts on Flickr.
* When did you sale your first photo?
I’ve given photos away but have yet to sell any.
* What is your favorite Place or Landscape to travel for taking photos?
St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Thanks for your time and your patients for doing this interview with me. Best of luck in your future and hope to see more black and white soon.
Photographers I like - Part 1 - Martin Gommel
I started a new Project which has to do with interviews. Yeah you will probably tell me now “Ok dude there is lots of interviews out there”. Here is the stop point. I only ask people for interviews that inspire me in my on work, I like to see there work or I adore them. So what I will publish is interviews of photographers that are maybe not so known out there but they still do a good job. Some of them are not even full-time photographers and just doing it for hobby. The first I want to start of is also a guy from Germany and I dont know him that long yet but on the first day I’ve seen his photos I know he got a really good photographic eye and post processing skills.
I have to admit I already tried to copy some of his work for tests to find out how he did it. Some of you know I am a lover of analog photography to but he is a full digital guy and does a great job. His name is Martin Gommel and he is a 27 year old photographer from Walzbachtal (Jöhlingen) in Germany. Not only that he is a good photographer but also a good blogger and I recommend all of you to add his site www.kwerfeldein.de to your feedreader. He is publish not only tips and tricks but also lets other photographers blog on his site with new information.
But now lets start and go to the Interview with Martin Gommel.
* Quickie/Who are you?
My Name is Martin Gommel, I am 27 year old photographer (http://kwerfeldein.de/photoblog),
blogger (http://www.kwerfeldein.de), musician and much much more 
I am married to my pregnat wife Elena and we are living in south-east Germany, Europe.
* How did it all start for you?
Well 4 years ago I got a point ‘n shoot camera from my girlfriend and just played a little bit arround with it. I started shooting everything I saw and well, I never stopped (though I have special photography themes like landscape and portrait).
* What are your tools?
Canon EOS 30D, 580EXII Speedlite, Manfrotto Tripod, Several Lenses, Softbox …
* What is your inspiration?
Hard question ! There is a big variety of things that inspire me and it begins with portfolios from other photographers, to music, to books, to times in nature, to spirituality. In short : Life and everything inside inspires me to photograph.
* What are your preferred Themes?
Lanscape and People
* What do you want to tell with your photography ?
Well, to be honest I do not have an agenda right now, because most of the time I am playing with my creativity and different tools and themes and stuff. But when I am big and famous ..no.. But my goal is to speak about the beauty and miracles out there in nature and with my portraits I want to point the finger on our everyday life. Another goal is to work more conceptual, that would add a lot of meaning into my work. At the bottom line : I just do love photography and that’s the reason I for why I’m doing it.
* Where do you want to be in 2 years?
Well I want to sell much more images, generate more jobs over my blog and I want to have learned how to help starting photographers in a better way than right now. Maybe workshops or other tools to motivate and support young photographers.
* Current Projects you are working on?
I am heading towards a shooting of 5 places where Martin Luther lived - this is for a book production.
Others involve the future of my blog - so they are top secret
* analog or digital
100 % digital
* post-processing or unprocessed
Processed !
* Who or What would you like to Photograph in future?
Hm, right now I have a bunch of unprocessed images from my trip trough Austria and Italy so
I am pretty filled. But Norway, Ireland or Scotland would be a great place to be.
* Which Photographers do you like or adore?
Uh - many many.. Gilad from deviantart, Ansel Adams (who not?), Matthias Pabst (friend of mine) just to tell a few ..
* When did you sale your first photo?
Half a year ago to a work agency here in Germany. I sold 3 images. Was a good deal and gerenareted through my partner art2live4.com
* What is your favorite Place or Landscape to travel for taking photos?
Definately Austria.
Thanks for your time and your patience to answer all those questions to me. Good luck in your future and that we see more work from you.
missed train
I send a photo for vote to JPGMAG and I would like to ask all of you out there that like my work to please vote for me on this on. There is a little story attached to this photo so just have a look at it and if you like it give it your vote. Thanks everybody.
Vote “missed train” by David Noelte
Thanks for all your support.
Schneller - Lauter - Geiler
Most of the pictures from the Fast Division shooting have been release on our Gibpit Project Site.
Was really great fun working with Fast Division.
Speed .. Speed .. Speed
Last night cosmo and I came back pretty late from a Photo tour with a Motorbike Stuntcrew from Brandenburg. We took a lot of photo and video material and currently working on the reviewing. If you want more information on that visit gibpit.com.
Actually what I wanted to tell you was to come and join us at the German Stuntdays in Brandenburg. It is organised by Lars who is one of the Riders from Fast Division which we met yesterday. The location is an old military airport. Please come by and have a look at the Riders and there shows. The guys need every visitor they can get cause most of the financial part is all paid by them privately. One of us will be there too to take some photographs and do some filming. More information can be found on the links below.
Nikon announces Nikon D700 & SB-900
Large image sensor, developed by Nikon; 12.1 effective megapixels
The D700 employs an FX-format CMOS image sensor with an area of 36.0mm (h) x 23.9mm (v). It provides superior picture quality throughout a wide ISO sensitivity range, with advantages that include a large pixel size to ensure a higher signal-to-noise ratio and wide dynamic range, and improved circuit layout to efficiently increase the strength of the electrical signal from pixels. High-speed, 12-channel readout enables fast continuous shooting of high-resolution images at up to 8 frames per second (with Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 and Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a/4 or eight AA-size batteries).
Nikon Speedlight SB-900 Major Features
- Multi-step auto zoom covers wide 17-200mm zoom range (24-105mm：SB-800)
- Three illumination patterns (standard, center-weighted and even) are available to match each shooting environment
- Automatically detects Nikon FX and Nikon DX formats and selects suitable light distribution
- Improved booster circuit for high-speed recycle time: Recycle time using four AA-size batteries is almost equal to the SB-800 with five AA-size batteries
- New AF-Assist illumination covers a wide 20-105 mm focal range compatible with the new Multi-CAM3500 FX/DX AF sensor
- Firmware update via Nikon D3 and D700 is possible (world’s first*)
- Thermal Cut-out function limits the number of flashes to avoid deterioration of light emitting parts caused by continuous flash firing
- Automatically detects color filters (fluorescent or incandescent), enabling camera to control color temperature according to filter information from SB-900
- Improved switch panel for enhanced usability
- Improved GUI using a large-size LCD dot panel
- Bounce capability: tilts up to 90º, down to -7º, rotates horizontally 180º to right and left
- Advanced Wireless Lighting and versatile functions for up to three remote groups of SB-900s or other compatible Speedlight controlled through the master SB-900
More information on the
Source: www.nikon.com
Vote Marvin - you call it democracy?
Please support a poor photographer on his hard way of live
Flashmob water fight in Berlin
Last weekend was a Flashmob “water fight” behind the TV Tower at the Neptune well.
I was there to take some photographs and have some fun and good loughs.
A few photos can be found at davidnoelte.com.
I am just waiting for the next Flashmob but this time not only for taking photos.
more informations about Flashmobs in berlin can be found on the website for the “Sturm-crew-Berlin”.
Tags: berlin, scb, sturm-crew-berlin, flashmob, wasserschlacht, water fight, germany
20 tips to Photograph lightning strike
PATIENCE! - I know it’s a boring job but you will love the results so be patient. Even if its badly raining or you are freezing just try to be patient.
LANDSCAPE! - try to have some parts of you photo with some landscape around 1/3 of your few. This makes the seen more dramatic when you catch a lightning coming down.
FOCUS! - stay focus on you camera and your attempt to catch a lightning strike. ignore that you get heavily wet, that cars are horning at you, people tell you to back off or your mobile is ringing. Ignore all that and stay focused on your idea
SLEEP! - don’t fall asleep. Happened to me too once 
I know it’s hard after a long hard working day sit for hours in the rain and try to catch some lightning strikes on your camera.
ISO! - think before setup your camera. Even if it is dark outside you don’t have to have an iso of 800 or higher because the energy and light is so bright when the lightning hits it will get as bright as daylight
LENS! - my recommendation for beginners is a small wide-angel lens btw. 16-22mm (24-36mm KB Format) cause this gives you a bigger few of your scene and a higher chance to catch a strike
SHUTTER! - If you don’t have a tripod and a remote cable release you should use a shutter speed of around 1/60-1/250 of a second cause this way you are able to get some kind of trail of the lightning. remember even if it is totally dark outside. You try to catch some lightning strikes and they are going to light your scene big time
AF! - don’t use Autofocus because you will miserably fail. What you should do is simple. Turn on manual focus and put your lens to infinite cause your focus will be the lightning and not a subject or a tree or anything.
DISPLAY! - Don’t waste time reviewing your shots on your display cause you can do this later and you might just miss this big lighting striking right into your point of view. Digital photos are free so don’t waste time on scene. Although if you only have one battery you save battery time too.
MEMORY! - try to have as many memory cards or storage options with you cause you don’t want to miss a shot while you are deleting failed shots or your card is full.
TRIGGER! - while waiting for a strike hold your cam steady and press your release half-way trough that you are ready for the photo. when you see a lightning coming just press your release and fire up until you think the strike is over and you wait for the next. Happened really often to me that I only fired once or twice but there were another 2-3 lightning strikes following.
CONTINUOUS! - If your camera has continuous shooting use it on the highest setting your camera does cause your chance will be bigger to catch a strike.
WATCH! - Watch the lightning travelling. This is important. After you have done it a few times you will realise that the lightning is trailing the same way as the clouds do and there will be position for about 10-20 minutes were there is more activity then on other locations so watch and count and follow your feelings.
ENERGY! - take water and maybe some drinks with caffeine in it to keep you awake but more importantly take something that gives you energy like a small mars bar or some other chocolate or even some fruits if you like.
AWAKE! - If you are up more then 10-12 hours already don’t go out and try to shoot lightning strikes because you will be to tired and to slow to release the shutter.
CLOTHES! - Prepare yourself properly. You don’t want to go into a storm without a cagoule don’t yaw?
PROTECT! - protect your equipment. Something I do is I take 2 big black plastic bags with me and pack my stuff in while I take my photos. This way everything stays dry.
SAFETY! - if you realise that the strikes are coming closer and closer you better of going home because safety comes first! You are no good dead to anybody.
FRIENDS! - try to go out with one or two friends and position yourself in a circle this way your chance is higher to catch some lightning
TRIPOD! - if you don’t have one try to get a cheap tripod. This is an essential piece of equipment everybody should have. If you put your cam on a tripod and use a remote release you are able to move and walk and you still can fire up your camera. You will stay focus longer because you don’t have to look trough your viewfinder.
GOOD LUCK!!!!
Tags: tips, tricks, tutorial, howto, photo, photograph, lightning, strike, blitz, donner, wetter, weather, einschlag
Stopmotion - for 5 minutes
Yeah working with the interval mode on your camera is a cool feature. Using this with a manfrotto superclamp and some other equipment ist more cool but what is really cool is this stopmotion sequence were ppl just stop what they were doing for about 5minutes.
enjoy!
