Just Manny's photostream  

There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs. -- Ansel Adams

Q&A with Manny: A rather lengthy interview on... well... photography.

Your name please:
You may call me “Your Majesty.” Just kidding… my friends (and just about everyone I know now a days) call me Manny.

Do you like to talk about yourself or your pictures? If yes, about what aspects of photography? If no, why?
Hmm… neither one really. That depends on if I’m asked something about myself or my pictures. I’m not normally one to volunteer input unless I’m specifically asked. Make sense?

How would you describe your attention span?
Extremely attentive until I lose interest.

When did you decide to become a photographer?
I can’t really say “when” because I’m not really a photographer… more of an enthusiastic picture taker. I’ve always always always liked photography! My first camera was a hand me down Canon AE-1. That was my very first 35mm Film SLR and I loved it (I actually still have it… somewhere). I loved it even more after taking a photo class in high school to learn “the basics.”

What does photography mean to you?
“The process of forming stable or permanent visible images directly or indirectly by the action of light or other forms of radiation on sensitive surfaces.”

Can you recall the first photo you took that made you go WOW!?
That I ever took? Nope. That I’ve had the pleasure of viewing? Not really, although I can say there have been plenty!

Do you have any formal training regarding photography?
A… one… uno… class in high school, other than that… no. Not even a workshop! (Yet.)

How technical is your photography?
Not so much. I’ll get the technical stuff out of the way first then start with the actual photographs. ;)

How do you feel about cropping?
Not a big fan, but I know it’s a necessary evil (once in a while) for a great photograph.

Where is your favorite place to live and work as a photographer in the World and why?
Again... not really a photographer buuuut, I have a bias for where I shoot now. Good old sunny Southern California!

Define the word “beauty!”
It’s in the eye of the beholder.

How does your personality change when you look through the camera?
I don’t really think it does… except maybe I’m a little more take charge than usual. Mainly because I know what I want to see and I don’t mind directing myself or someone else to get what I want.

How do you feel about missed shots which cannot be recreated?
I feel terrible! And I end up kicking myself about it each time I get reminded about the “coulda shoulda woulda.”

Ever concerned about failure?
All the time! But I also know it’s a part of life so it’s something that I have to accept and deal with whenever it happens.

Who are your influences?
My biggest influences are my family! But I’m also influenced by anyone willing to pick up a camera and shoot what they think, makes a good photo. I enjoy seeing things through other people’s eyes… it keeps me humble.

What is your favorite image, either your own or someone else's or both? Describe its creation or meaning to you?
Is it really possible to narrow it to just one because I can easily show you 100 photos that I really like but none of them stand out as a “favorite” because they all speak differently to me.

Describe a day in your personal or professional life.
Um… get up, brush my teeth, take a shower, go to work. Pretty routine stuff, nothing really spectacular… just living the American dream.

What are the biggest personal or professional challenges you face on a daily basis?
Waking up! I’m a total insomniac so I don’t really get much sleep considering I have to be up in the morning because A) my son is awake or B) I have to get ready for work.

What has been the single biggest obstacle against growing as a photographer in whole?
Cost! Everything is so expensive nowadays… even when I was just starting. What’s nice is now that everything is digital, I can view my photos on a computer screen as opposed to spending some money to get them developed to see how good or bad they turned out, but still. Equipment prices are ridiculous!

What are your favorite subjects to photograph?
People!!! Of all ages… from 0 to infinity! Especially people living their lives… i.e. candid! Posing for portraits is nice too but requires a ton of effort and doesn’t always work. But… people being real and genuine and living life always makes for great photos.

Have you ever thought about or actually stopped doing photography? What were the circumstances?
Sure I have. Actually I had to…. Right after high school I wanted to concentrate on school… period. I didn’t really have time to keep up with my “hobby” or the money to keep up with it either (c’mon… starving student here). Sooo… I took a 10 year hiatus (if you want to call it that) to concentrate on my schooling, career, etc. etc. But now I’m back… starting over with digital… and hopefully will get beyond where I was when I left.

Do you ever have photographer's block and if yes how do you deal with it?
Sometimes I do, mainly because I’m just not in the mood or just uninspired I guess you can say… and the way I see it, there’s no real way that I deal with it… hehe… when I’m out and about wanting to shoot something and feel “blocked” I actually end up standing around and just observing my surroundings. Sometimes it’s just nice to take the time to look around and appreciate what’s going on around you. The color of the sky, the ants on the ground, the cars driving by, the way the wind moves the foliage, the sounds coming from the happenings around you (something that you can’t really capture in a photograph). That time taken could mean a world’s difference when it comes to my photography prowess that day.

What types of assignments are you attracted to most?
Assignments? I hate assignments… I like to refer to them as photographic challenges. With regards to types… um… I dunno. I take on anything that I find interesting… can’t necessarily narrow it down to a type.

Describe what black and white photography means to you?
Absolutely nothing… Other than it’s an easy way to cover up mistakes. Yeah… I said it. But really, I like black and white photos… when done right. I think they should be reserved for raw shots about real life and or harsh conditions… for example a low key black and white photo of a weathered old man or woman is how a I envision a black and white photo should be… it’s dark… it’s real… conveys a life lived… and can evoke emotion like no other. But what do I know… it’s just my opinion anyway.

Do you think of yourself as an artist and what do you think of the word artist?
Artist? Weelll… that depends I suppose. I personally don’t see myself as an artist but I do consider photography as a form of Art. What a conundrum! “Art” is just like the word “beauty,” it all depends on who’s looking.

How do you describe your photographic style?
Um… I dunno… photojournalistic I guess. I want my pictures to tell stories. That’s why I like candid shooting so much because you can catch an event or happening right as it occurs.

What has been the most surprising or most predictable reaction to your photographs?
I’m always surprised when people tell me they like my photos... HAHA Criticism is too common place (even from those who don’t know what the hell they’re talking about) and genuine compliments are hard to come by. Most of the time when I get the nerve to show off my photos it goes a little something like this… Next, Next, Next, Next, Next, Next, Pause, Admire the one photograph (“Ooh, this is a nice one.”), Next, Next, Next, etc. Get the point?

Tell a little secret about yourself that no-one knows ...
Now if I do that… then people are going to know! Kind of defeats the purpose right?

Who or what would you love to shoot that you haven't already?
Photography sounds so violent. Truthfully, there are so many photo opportunities that I have yet to experience so I’m really up for anything! A goal of mine is to actually travel the world and just snap snap snap away.

What would you have done differently during your photography career so far and could this be an advice to others?
Again… not really a career… but as far as differences… maybe I would stop being afraid to take chances or risks. Some of the best photographs come from those that are willing to go the extra mile to get it. I’m not saying go put yourself in harm’s way… by no means am I saying that. I’m just saying don’t be afraid to do what you wouldn’t on a normal basis.

What are your thoughts on the paparazzi and their effects on photographers and photography?
I don’t know what to think. Everyone has a drive to do something. Paparazzi are there to photograph famous folks at their worst. If you tell me that a picture of a famous person making an absolute ass of themselves has never caught you’re eye… you’re lying! We all have to make a living I suppose.

How do you feel about digital manipulation and to what extent do you utilize it?
It’s the perfect way for mediocre photographers to make great photos. Yeah… I said it too! Now I’m not going to be hypocritical and say that I don’t do digital manipulation, because I do… otherwise I’d have a lot of garbage for photographs. I just don’t do a lot of it. What I normally do is I’ll manipulate exposure (if needed), manipulate color saturation, and crop (although I hate doing that too so I avoid it as much as possible). I don’t add anything, remove anything, change something from purple to white, touch up anything etc. If I like the shot, then I like that shot… if I don’t, I don’t. What you see, is what I and the camera saw… that’s it.

What other thoughts would you like to share?
I shoot what I like, when I feel like. Does that make me a photographer? Not sure. I do know that moments come and go, but moments captured in a photo are around for as long as the photo is.