Getting to Know – Interview with Ms. Diplomacy

As some of you know, once in awhile I like to do a feature on someone.  Today I thought I’d share with you an interview with and photography by Nicola of Ms. Diplomacy.  What I really love about Nicola’s work is how she sees and conveys patterns of our world and also how she sees light.  And all after only four years!  I hope you enjoy the interview and Nicola’s work!   Please check her blog out when you have a chance.  I know she’d appreciate the visit. 🙂

1)  What part of the world do you call home?

I moved to Vienna 9 years ago and now I call Vienna my home.  But my real home is where I grew up, a village in Tyrol/Austria, where my family still lives.  I love Vienna, this is my city, but I enjoy the silence of the tiny place in Tyrol and the company of my family and friends from there.

2)  Can you share with us what gear you use most of the time (camera, lens, etc.)?

I use a Canon 5d Mark III and two lenses: EF 4/24-105mm and EF16-35 1:2.8L II, polarizing filter, ND filter and always UV filter. One of teachers in photography school used to tell us every single lesson “ALWAYS use a UV filter”.  So if I do not use the Pol or ND I use the UV.

3)  How long have you been taking photos and what inspired you to start photography?

I started about 4 years ago.  I had a camera but no idea about settings, shutter speed, ISO, aperture so I took a two-day course first and then walked through the streets with the camera.  I found out that it helped me to relax and reload my batteries after a busy day or week at work.  Photography clears my mind, it gives me energy and makes me happy even on a cloudy day.

4)  What do you try to convey with your photography, either in style and/or emotion?

When I started with photography I didn’t really have a favorite style, but now it appears that I love capturing symmetries and shapes. It’s probably because I am quite a structured person in my business work.  😉

I like to shoot interesting architecture – of course because of the design and shape and the symmetry you often find when shooting architecture.  Now I found out that landscape photography is really great, too:  capturing beautiful landscapes and dramatic skies, playing with long-exposure settings and filters, shooting the ocean whenever I travel.  But I also try to convey the emotion of people on the streets, creating split-second-stories with a photo.  This is a bit tricky since I’m not too courageous at pointing the camera on strangers.

5)   I enjoy finding out about people and what they’re like when not behind the lens. Tell us a fun fact about yourself that has nothing to do with photography, but you’d like people to know.

I work as a full-time Marketing Manager here in Vienna. It is a great job with very nice people and I am happy that I’m so much related to the brand I work for and with. The fun fact about me is that I do not take life and most notably myself too serious. Humor and fun is so important to me. A day without laughing is not a good day, isn’t it? I recently walked through the city, it was pouring rain and I jumped into all puddles crossing my way, like a child, smiling and feeling the nature of rain. People with their umbrellas trying to escape the wet must have thought what a crazy person I am ☺

I avoid “what if” questions and so I do what my gut feeling says – better fail than never try.  One of my favorite mottos is expect the unexpected or always expect miracles. I would say I’m spontaneous and describe myself as open minded. Love to travel and explore new countries and cities, meeting new people and make friends all over the world. Last but not least, family and friends are of very high priority for me.

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Getting to Know – Noir

Lately I’ve been looking at more black and white photography to see what others see.  I consider myself someone who works primarily in color but I really adore black and white and I love it even more when it’s someone who is unique and talented like Gavin from Noir.

I asked Gavin if he’d be interested in doing one of my interviews and he graciously accepted.  The first thing I was attracted to is the “apparent” simplicity of his work, but the more I saw it, the more I realized what a great eye he has and how he uses light in such a great way.  The images have a sort of “smoothness” about them that I just love.  I asked Gavin to pick the photos he’d like to share with you, leaving me one pick.  I know you will all wonder which one I picked but hey, a bit of mystery is kind of fun don’t you think?  Gavin is like no one else I’ve seen and I hope you enjoy the way he sees our world as much as I do.

Interview with Gavin from Noir:

1)  What part of the world do you call home?

Australia. (South Australia – Adelaide City)

2)  How long have you been taking photos and what inspired you to start photography?

June 2009.  Before this I had no interest in photography.  I was a victim of crime (at the time) and needed to get evidence for police.  My mobile phone took crap photos so I bought a cheap point and shoot camera, about $120.  I soon discovered I enjoyed it and had a flare for it as well.  I soon started taking pictures of rust and anything “grungy”.  This is what became my ‘trademark’ sedge808 for several years.  I then got a bit sick of rust and branched out into street photography and night photography.  Several friends were disappointed about my lack of rust, but that’s life.

3)  What do you try to convey with your photography, either in style and/or emotion?

My blog is called Noir mostly because it’s primary content is black & white photography.  But I also wanted to convey ‘film noir’ style to my photography…As you will see many post titled ‘light & shadow’.  This is not always easy to do with every post, but it is what I strive for.  Light & Shadow Post

4)  If you had to choose one lens, which one would it be and why?

I use both a Carl Zeiss lens & prime Canon lenses, but I would love to use Leica lenses.  This would be my choice if I had the money.

5)  Tell us a fun fact about yourself that has nothing to do with photography, but you’d like people to know.

I’m actually rather an eccentric person. Some call me odd, strange, nervous, dark etc. (So most people either accept it or not. There is no in-between).  So knowing me is knowing how silly I can be, and how much fun I like to have.  I’m doing my best to ‘grow up’ but it has taken me time to do so.  They say that abuse & trauma tends to ‘set’ the age of the person in time…so I’m probably still a teenager.  So if you like having fun and being silly, we will probably get on well