Maxim Guselnikov / Members Interview
Moscow, Russia
What inspired you to become a photographer?
My friend who brought DSLR on birthday party and the took some shots there and showed me the result. I was amazed by the image quality and I`ve started to dig into photography right from that day. And month after that day I`ve got my first DSLR camera.
Tell us about your first photo that really validated your interest as a photographer.
It was a portrait I`ve took over a year after started to photograph. I`ve asked friend of my friend to go out for a shoot and she was kind enough to accept my request.
Back when you were just starting out, what was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome that?
As a portrait photographer, my biggest challenge was and ever is getting right emotion from people. It is really hard and it takes a lot of time to see the difference.
What do you enjoy photographing the most?
People, of course) And travel photography during my trips around Russia and other countries.
What has been your proudest moment as a photographer?
I guess it`s March 1st of 2015 when Tamron Russia offered me to be their ambassador.
We all have weaknesses, what is yours relating to photography?
I guess I`ve spent too much time staying in my comfort zone. I don`t experiment with different genres of photography, same thing goes for light – I shoot mostly with natural light.
Finding time to get out and shoot is another challenge for many. How do you find the time in your busy schedule to get out there behind your camera?
It`s all about your passion in photography. If you`re into it then you`ll get your time for a shoot without any excuses)
Nailing a composite right can be a challenge. What do you think the trick is to mastering composition?
Well, the more you shoot the more you`re getting into it so everything comes with experience and you just need to spent some time outside shooting different stuff to get all the composition rules right.
There are many photographers starting out, who don't have the money to buy the camera gear they want. What advice can you give to them?
Gear is not everything, guys. Remember, we live in digital era when technology is far far superior to what photography people had in 20 century. And that doesn’t stopped them from taking some iconic shots. So be sure about your knowledge and skills and you`ll get good images even with you mobile phone camera.
How do you feel photography has impacted the way you see the world?
Not that much, honestly. I`ve started to scout for locations during my promenades in the city.
What do you see photographers doing today, that if done differently tomorrow would improve their success?
Spending too much time in the internet feeding their GAS with articles and charts and not shooting as much as they should. I`ve felt progress only when I`ve left all that stuff behind.
To get your creative eye focused, where do you draw your inspiration from?
Movies! All recent ideas, shooting techniques, color schemes I`ve used were seen in the movies.
What is your best photography related tip?
Don`t be afraid to copy other photographers. Of course copying should not be the purpose but it`ll help you to develop your visual language, all good and bad stuff you`ve seen and tried for yourself and in the end of the day you`ll find your own way.
What would you like for people take away from your work?
Well, use of natural light, I guess) Too many people focused on strobes, studio lights and stuff and forgot about such thing as natural light. But which is much more important that I hope people feel resemblance and ambiance while looking on my shots.
What are some ‘must have’ items in your camera bag?
I don`t carry anything except for my camera and lenses so I thing I`ll go with my lenses – Tamron 35, 45 and 85. That is really all round set of lenses that allow me to capture everything the way I want to.
If you were stuck on a deserted island, what is the ONE photography book you would want to have with you?
The Photographer's Eye by Michael Freeman.
Final question, and it’s a fun one: Life has been found on another planet and none-other than Sir Richard Branson is piloting Virgin Galatica and has put together a team of engineers, scientist, doctors and has asked you to come along to document the journey. The challenge is you can only bring two lenses and one camera body and two other items. What would you bring.
Oh gosh, do I manage to get my visa before take off?) Again, 35 & 85 all the way, TTL on camera flash and lots of batteries for camera and flash.
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