Each frame is precious: Photog Cameron Fong

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After a two week holiday hiatus Photog Friday is back. This week we travel to the land down-under to meet shooter Cameron Fong. He started his life behind the lens at 9 and has since amassed an arsenal of Nikon DSLR gear. He’s set some ambitious goals for 2010. What’s Cameron’s philosophy? How does he shoot? Read on…

Name: Cameron K. Fong

Country of residence: Australia

Brief Bio:
Born 1987 in Australia, met my first SLR when I was 7 or 8, got my first camera (35mm Kodak compact) when I was about 9, went on to learn to shoot SLR using Nikon FM2’s and Pentax K1000’s in high school. I started to own my SLR’s in 2007 when I bought my Nikon D40x (since sold) and have been shooting heavily ever since.

How did you first get interested in photography?
I first came into contact with SLR’s at a young age, and just knew from then onwards that photography would be something that I would pursue. I can’t draw or paint very well, so I borrow the camera to capture the things to see.

What do you like to shoot?
In many ways I will shoot almost anything, but I am most comfortable shooting landscape and macro.

What’s your approach to photography, your philosophy? What do you look for? How do you set-up a shot?

Looking for the moment: Photographer John Lander

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John Lander looks for the moment when setting up his shots. His images are memorable – scenes of Japan and Asia that have appeared in Forbes, Asian Geographic, and The Toronto Star. What are his secrets? How did he get started? What lies ahead? Read this week’s Photog Friday and learn more about professional photographer John Lander.

Name: John Lander

Country of residence: Japan

Brief Bio:
John Lander is a freelance writer and photographer based in Japan with a passion for Japanese gardens, Japanese cuisine and festivals. John’s credits include photos and articles published by Travel+Leisure, Forbes, Camping Life, Diversion, Asian Geographic, The Japan Times, The Toronto Star, Sydney Morning Post,The Australian among many others. Other clients include Twentieth Century Fox, Hachette Media, Asahi Press and McGraw-Hill.

How did you first get interested in photography?
Originally my interest was in travel writing but when I learned that editors, especially at newspapers vastly prefer text+photo packages over only text, I decided to hone my skills and invest in good lenses and cameras. Along the way I discovered I was better at the photography than the writing, and enjoyed it more, too.

What do you like to shoot?
My subject of choice is Japanese gardens though I am also interested in food photography.

Pushing the envelope: Photographer Michelle Garthe

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Singer, actress, photographer: Michelle Garthe is talented. From a Nikon point-and-shoot in 2007 to a high-end Canon DSLR and a portraiture business, Michelle has come a long way in a short time. Her work has graced the covers of several magazines. In her own words, her passion is capturing people and still life.  What drives Michelle Garthe? How did she get started? What is her vision? Learn more about Michelle in this week’s edition of Photog Friday.

Name: Michelle Garthe

Country of residence: United States

Brief Bio: Michelle is an award winning professional singer and actress for nearly 18 years (see www.michellegarthe.com). She runs Garthe Photo Arts which specializes in babies, children, family and maternity photography in Hong Kong. Her works are seen on the cover pages of American Women’s Association of HK magazine, The List magazine, Sassy Hong Kong website, Kanga News (Australian Association of HK magazine), Time Out Magazine, walls of US Consulate Hong Kong and Hong Kong Cultural Center.  She also does graphics designing and photography for Community Advice Bureau.

How did you first get interested in photography?
It all started when my husband Lou and I took a trip to Queenstown, New Zealand in 2007. Armed with a point and shoot Nikon camera, I was fascinated in capturing its enthralling landscapes, picturesque towns and fascinating culture. I purchased my first DSLR Nikon D40 and experimented on still life photography. Then I realized I needed a camera with bracketing capabilities so I sold my D40 to my brother and purchased a Canon 450D. I experimented on HDR (High Dynamic Range), clone effects, Dave Hill effect and high speed photography. I also began studying lighting techniques as well.