Ria Mishaal Photography Blog

Matthew Campagna is a photographer and a freelance web designer based in Los Angeles. I first found Matthew as the creator of The Turning Gate (TTG) – an online resource for Lightroom web photo gallery templates. I am a big fan of these customizable templates – they have saved me more time that I would like to imagine and Matthew is always there when I need help. In demonstrating some of the galleries Matthew uses his own images, which are beautiful. When I explored his site, I was struck by his commercial work and his ‘Project Seoul’ portraits. Fascinated by his particular combination of skills, I invited him for an interview.

Hi Matthew, I am so pleased to have you here.

I’m glad to be here, Ria. Thank you for the opportunity to appear on your site, and may I say you’re quite an excellent photographer yourself. The images on your site are excellent, and I’ve enjoyed seeing them. I’m also happy to see TTG galleries being put to great use!

First a little background – could you describe home?

I’ve been something of a rolling stone for many years now. I grew up in Maryland, near the Chesapeake Bay, but don’t consider the place home; it’s just where I grew up and I left it as soon as I could. My family lives in Virginia now, which isn’t home to me either; it’s just where my parents live. Following college, I spent five years living in South Korea and have a great deal of emotional investment in the place; it’s something of a second home and I hope to spend more time there in the future. After returning to the United States, I spent a year in Massachusetts attending photography school, then a year in Dallas working in the commercial photo industry there. Now I live in Los Angeles, where I’m working on a new commercial studio venture with a few other photographers; I suppose it’s home for now.

What two words best describe your personality?

Easily bored.

I understand you haven’t always been a photographer. What was your first occupation and what attracted you to photography?

On the contrary, I have always been a photographer. It’s only recently, however, that photography has become my occupation.

Prior, I’ve worked many years as a freelance web-designer, and have long worked in education. Through college and for some time after graduating, I worked as a substitute teacher in various Maryland school systems, and later as an ESL kindergarten and elementary school teacher in Seoul, South Korea. While doing that, though, I was also working on Project Seoul and as a concert photographer for an independent music label, and also developing The Turning Gate and the TTG web engines. Between teaching stints in South Korea, I also spent some time working as a newspaper writer and photographer in Virginia.

How would you describe your photographic education?

Until recently, I was mostly self-taught. I had a black & white darkroom for two years in college and taught myself how to process film and make prints. When the Internet and digital photography finally evolved to the point of being useful, I started reading a lot online about some of the more technical aspects of digital photography, using Photoshop, etc. In 2008, following my decision to pursue photography as an occupation, I attended Hallmark Institute of Photography, where I learned more about my career options in photography, studio lighting and other aspects of the professional trade. I still consider myself a student of photography, and try to learn from everyone I can. During the last year, I’ve assisted with many experienced commercial photographers and have learned a great deal from them.

As a photographer, how would you describe your style? Are there some images you could share with us?

I’m less an artistic photographer, and more a technical photographer. I like camera gear and computers, the relationships between f-stop, shutter speed, ISO, ambient and artificial light, focal length and depth of field, etc. I love histograms. Seriously. I love them.

I don’t necessarily feel that I have a message I want to communicate through my work; I simply enjoy working. I like found images: street and documentary photography, landscapes, vignettes of daily life and surroundings. I also like things that are concrete and practical, which is why commercial photography appeals to me; it’s image-making with a purpose. It’s not frivolous or obtuse, though I enjoy those things sometimes too.

The images I’m sharing here are some examples of my concert photography in Korea, a few images from Project Seoul — my photo documentary project on life in South Korea — and some of my most recent images, taken during my road trip from Dallas, TX to Los Angeles, CA when I moved here.

If you could only shoot with one lens, which would it be and why?

That’s tough. The Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L is probably the lens I use most. It’s not my favorite, but it’s very versatile.

I really like to use prime lenses when I can. With zoom lenses, the tendency is to stand in one place and to zoom in on things, allowing the camera to interact on my behalf. It’s very convenient, but also serves to remove the photographer from the process. With a prime lens, if I want to be closer to my subject, then I have to physically move closer, and so I become more of an active participant in my image.

My first SLR was handed down to me from my father. It was the Vivitar he had before I was born, that he used to photograph me with when I was a baby. It had two lenses: one was 35mm, and the other I don’t remember; the 35mm was my favorite. Today, if I had to pick just one lens, it would have to be the Canon EF 35mm f1.4L used on a full-frame camera body, like the 5D Mark II. It just takes me back to that Vivitar.

What is your inspiration in your personal photography?

Whatever I find before me. I really like images or subjects that remind me of songs. The cactus image above, for example, reminds me of a Magnetic Fields song, “The Cactus Where Your Heart Should Be”. When I saw the cactus, I just had to photograph it. I had no choice in the matter.

Also, pretty girls. Though I don’t photograph nearly as many of them as I would like.

Could you name a photographer who inspires you?

I saw an exhibit of photography by Robert Capa when I was living in Firenze, Italia. After that, I began to carry my camera nearly everywhere I went. To this day, I’ve never seen images that embody so much humanity as in his work.

What has been your proudest moment as a photographer?

There’s a photographer I frequently assisted in Dallas, and whom I greatly respect. He used to introduce me to new people as his assistant. More recently, he began to introduce me to people as a photographer. That made me feel really good.

Tell us a little about what the TTG web engine resources are all about.

The Turning Gate’s (TTG) web engines extend the functionality of Lightroom’s Web module, and enable photographers to create not only web photo galleries, but complete photographic websites from within Lightroom. The TTG engines are about flexibility, customization and purposeful application. They comprise a website creation platform, with a “building block” approach to the design process. The different engines fulfill different roles, and can be pieced together in any number of ways to create unique and professional looking websites.

I strive to develop tools by which photographers can — with little or no web-design experience — create template-made website that don’t look like template-made websites. Admittedly, there is a learning curve, but I think it’s rather light and I provide many tutorials to ease the process. As with any tool, it pays to learn its proper use.

Using the TTG toolset, photographers have created online portfolios of their work, wedding and event microsites, proofing galleries by which clients may select and submit their image selections to the photographer, galleries for selling their artwork online, and more.

The engines are very much community driven, and have evolved over time to reflect the needs of users. I continually gather feedback and requests, and try to implement as much of it as possible in the products so long as the ideas don’t compromise the existing functionality. I certainly can’t build in every feature I’m asked for, but the engines wouldn’t be what they are without the continued support and interest of my users.

You know I am a big fan of the TTG web engines you provide. How did you come into web design and what inspired you to build the Lightroom web engines?

My interest in web-design stems from my childhood interest in computers. I started making websites in the mid-to-late 90s in college, picked up a few projects to work on and ran with things. At some point I discovered and fell in love with web standards and cascading stylesheets, and thereafter stopped slicing images in Photoshop. I delved into code-based design, content-management-systems and blogging.

As for Lightroom’s Web module, I’ve long held a fascination for that place where photography and web-design intersect: the image gallery. For me, CMS image handling has always been lacking; it works well enough for posting images to blog entries, but never really worked for me in producing full-blown image galleries. When Lightroom came along, I immediately saw potential in the application for this; I just didn’t like either of the gallery designs it shipped with. So I did some research and produced an engine of my own, which I released to the public. Compared to my current offerings, that first engine was extremely primitive, but it garnered excellent feedback which led me to take my designs in new directions.

What achievement are you most proud of as a web designer?

I would definitely have to say that The Turning Gate — as it stands now as a Lightroom resource — is my greatest accomplishment as a web-designer. Static web pages are easy to design, as they look only one way all of the time. Designing gallery engines for Lightroom is something altogether different, as the designs must accommodate an infinite number of unforeseeable outcomes. The engines are very flexible, and so I never know what users’ sites are going to look like, or how they will function. The challenge comes in building a set of features, layout controls and gallery behavior modifications that work in tandem without falling apart when a user pushes sliders one way or another to make changes. It’s a design paradigm that most web-designers never have to contend with, and introduces problems quite foreign to the norm. Solving those problems is immensely satisfying.

Do you have any tips on how to achieve balance in your life when you have more than one occupation?

Love what you do. If you love your occupations, you will find a way to manage them and the time that it takes to pursue them. And if you’re very lucky, you can even manage to balance those occupations with a semblance of a personal life.

Do you have a favourite online photography resource you could share with us?

Chromasia.com, the website of photographer David Nightingale. Not only is David an incredibly talented photographer, but he also produces some of the very best Photoshop tutorials available on the web. The articles you read in most popular photography magazines pale by comparison. Most of the tutorials are available only to paying members, though one sample tutorial is publicly accessible. David releases new tutorials on a regular basis, occasionally brings in other photographers as guest writers, and posts a lot of sample PSD files to go along with the lessons. I’ve shelled out for the lifetime membership and have never regretted it. I only rue that I’ve not had the time to fully explore the offerings as yet. With my lifetime subscription, though, I have plenty of time going forward, and it’s something I’m working on. The tutorials I have gotten through have been brilliant.

Thank you so much Matt!

Thank you, Ria!

Learn More:

The Turning Gate: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Web Engines, Tutorials and Resources

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

Matthew Campagna Photography

Hallmark Institute of Photography

RMC

Stuart and Anna Cooper formed Cooper Photography in 2004, based in Hampshire. Cooper Photography is recognised as developing an innovative approach to Wedding photography, focussing on Fine Art. Stuart was recently featured on this subject in the August 2010 issue of Photo Pro Magazine. I met Stuart at the Annabel Williams Studio in Staveley earlier this summer, and was struck not only by his amazing talent, but just how very nice he is. When I asked him if he would contribute an interview, he was delighted to share some of his thoughts with you.

Hi Stuart, thank you so much for being here.

First, a little to get to know you. Could you describe your home?

We live in very nice part of Hampshire.  Our house is a 4 bed semi detached with a dedicated room as an office for two people.  We have invested quite a bit in the home using the services of a garden designer and interior designer to get the look, feel and function right for when clients come here.  We also had a bespoke garden room built as room for viewings and client meetings.  We also invested in a decent coffee machine – very important!

Which two words best describe your personality?

Cheery & Sensitive

Your photographic style is often described as ‘fine art’, could you expand on what this means for you? Could you share some images with us which you feel illustrate your unique style?

I guess for me fine art is about creating honest images that fulfil a creative vision.  It’s about shooting to capture our clients hearts but at the same time shooting to create images that we find exciting and that give us great (creative) satisfaction.  I still get very excited when shooting people and can’t wait to download the images, start working on them and then go on to produce beautiful bespoke products.  In a nutshell a fine art image for me is a picture that has that special something!  It could be the light or the composition or the post production.  It could be a crafted shot or it could be a reportage shot – it could even be an image that was on completely the wrong shutter speed and is completely abstract, but it will have that special something!!!

Could you describe your photographic education?

I went into photography as an apprentice straight from school (1990) and worked at several commercial studios in Southampton.  At the same time I went to the Berkshire College of Art & Design in Reading to do a City & Guilds on day release for three years.

What inspired you to set up Cooper Photography?

Several things but I guess the main reason would be the clients.  Whilst working in the commercial sector (my day job) I found that I wasn’t really being appreciated for my skills.  Work was won on price more than photographic merit and at that time I was doing a few friends and relatives weddings.  These on the other hand were a completely different experience with clients singing my praises and being genuinely grateful for all my efforts to photograph their day.  Also digital made a difference as I didn’t enjoy shooting weddings on film.

What has been your proudest moment since you began your business?

There has been loads but my best would probably be winning the best album award at the Annabel Williams Awards in 2007.  Albums I think are what we do best so that was a very exciting award to win.

What has been the hardest thing you have had to learn?

Confidence in pricing – and I’m still learning!

If you could achieve one thing in the next year what would it be?

Win the You & Your wedding brides choice award at the BPPA’s

You work side by side with your wife Anna. Do you have particular roles within the business?

We do although those roles have never really been defined.  We just automatically play to our strengths.

What are the best and the worse things about working with your spouse?

The best thing is trust.  I know that Anna will never let me down and over the years I have come to rely on her support so much.  The worst thing is that in 20 years of being in photography I’ve still got nobody to boss around!

Is Anna’s shooting style different to yours, and if so, how do you complement one another?

I do all the posing, arrange groups – all the hard work basically, and Anna does all the reportage and natural shots that everybody buys!  She is great at shoes and children though.

If you could shoot a wedding with only one lens, which would it be and why?

Nikon 24-70 f2.8  It’s the best lens ever!

Could you name another photographer who greatly inspires you?

Nirrimi Hakanson, because she makes me want to pick my camera up and also never pick it up ever again, all at the same time!

Could you share your favourite online photography resource and tell us why?

Yimmys Yayo  http://blog.yimmyayo.com/ because this is THE coolest site you will ever see in your life!

I am excited to see you are speaking at the SWPP convention in January 2011 – what is your Masterclass about?

Enthusiasm!  It’s going to be quite a random seminar with, hopefully, a bit of something for everyone – but the main theme that will run through every topic will be about the importance of enthusiasm and passion and loving what you do.

What words of encouragement would you offer as aspiring photographer?

It’s the best job in the world and if you are passionate about photography then you should absolutely go for it!  Also, celebrate all the milestones and goals achieved along the way – it’s the journey that’s important not the destination.

What words of caution would you offer as aspiring photographer?

Don’t get bogged down with the negatives and don’t beat yourself up too much.  Love what you do and the work will follow.

Thank you so much Stuart!

Learn more:

Cooper Photography

RMC

Dane Sanders is a wedding photographer and writer from Newport Beach in California. He first came to my attention in podcast interviews where he talked about his book Fast Track Photographer, which I reviewed here. Dane is a brilliant photographer and a genuine educator, who cares about the development of other creative people.

(Left: One of Dane’s beautiful wedding images; Right: Dane Sanders, image by Jessica Claire)

I talked with Dane last week about what instigated his career change from college teacher to event photographer and what inspired him to write his book and create the Fast Track community.  I also asked him for some words of encouragement and caution he might have for aspiring event photographers.

It was a joy to speak with Dane, and I hope you find his support and enthusiasm as infectious as I do. The interview is about 20 minutes long, so pour yourself a cup of tea and enjoy.

This interview was conducted on Skype at 00.00hrs GMT+1 (Leicester, England)/ 16.00hrs PST (Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.) on the 8^th of August 2010 (I will work on something flashier for the next one!).

Thank you so much Dane for taking the time to talk with me.

RMC

Learn more:

-          Dane Sanders: website; blog

-          Fast Track Photographer website

If you are interested in becoming a part of the Fast Track community here in the U.K. we have set up a Facebook group, and will start monthly meetings in the autumn.

Dane mentioned his forthcoming book The Fast Track Photographer Business Plan, released in November, available for pre-order.

Dane also mentioned the inspirational work of Jesh de Rox.

Here are a few great podcasts interviews with Dane Sanders that I have found inspiring and helpful:

Dane Sanders on The Candid Frame (March 2009)

Dane Sanders interview on Camera Dojo (December 2008)

Dane on tools to help manage tasks and productivity (Camera Dojo) (July 2009)