I'm wrapping up my fifth (and final) week of my photo-a-day monthly resolution, which means my fifth and final awesome photographer interview! Nate is the mastermind behind photographyblogger.net and captures amazing scenic photos. Keep reading to learn from Nate, and be sure to check out his blog for more inspiration!
>>>
Tell us about yourself... (what do you do, where is home, what do you love?)
I'm a pilot and teacher who loves the outdoors, dogs, and Starbucks. I'm currently from Spokane, WA.
How long have you been a photographer?
Since the summer of 2009.
What do you primarily photograph?
Mostly scenery and landscapes with an occasional dog picture.
Describe your beginner experiences with photography.
When I first started taking photography seriously, I purchased a Nikon D90 and decided to take a picture everyday for a year (365 project) with the intent of that experience helping improve my photography. I also coincidely started a blog, PhotographyBlogger.net, and started featuring other photographers and their photos. Learning from both my own photography and the work of others, I have a much better understanding now about this amazing hobby as well as where I need to continue to improve.
Which photo are you proudest of?
Every photo of mine has a unique experience or story behind it that I enjoy. Probably one of the most recent ones was quite memorable because I had to get up at 2:30am to hike 5 miles uphill to Lake Chasm in Colorado to catch the sunrise. I was actually looking the other direction trying to get a good shot of the lake when I glanced over my shoulder and saw the sun starting to peak over the horizon. Probably one of the more beautiful sunrises I've seen.
What type of camera(s) do you shoot with most?
I now shoot primarily with a Nikon D700.
What is your favorite photo editing accessory/software?
I work primarily with Lightroom and Photoshop.
What inspires you?
The most important thing in photography, beautiful light.
What Web site, blog, or book do you reference most often?
photographyblogger.net, petapixel.com, thephotoargus.com, lightstalking.com, thedphoto.com, steveberardi.com, flickr.com
Is there anybody or anything you would love to photograph?
My goal in the next few years is to take a week of every month and travel somewhere that has amazing landscapes to hike and photograph.
How do you preserve/enjoy your personal photos?
Mainly sharing online via Flickr and Facebook.
What advice do you have for a beginner like me wanting to improve personal everyday photos?
Always realize that there is something more to learn. Look at those out there taking amazing photos and find out how they do it. Then fine tune your experiences to create your own style.
One thing you're still learning, or feel like you're a "beginner" in...
I'm still learning to take advantage of every situation out there to take a good photograph. I tend to only keep a few shots a month. I'd really like to utilize every day as an opportunity to capture a great shot.
If somebody said, "How can I be the next Nate Kay," what would you say?
Although cool that someone would say that, it's important to remember that you make more of an impact both on others and yourself by creating your own style/brand of photography. Don't be afraid to think outside the box and do something different. Also remember that a good photograph many times takes dedication, patience, and a little bit of luck. It's all about being in the right spot at the right time or creating the perfect lighting situation to capture the perfect moment.
Suggest one photo category/theme for my photo-a-day challenge in August...
Sunrise from the top of a mountain.
For more from Nate...
business blog: photographyblogger.net
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nate.kay.photography
twitter: @photoblggr @natekay
flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/natekay/
>>>
also read:
meet aubrey leeker | photographer interview
p + s photography for beginners
free photo editing for beginners
