Liat Aharoni Photography @ Interesting Photographers

Feb

24

2014

Liat Aharoni Photography

What kind of equipment (camera body, lens, filters, flash, tripod, cleaning equipment other) do you use?

I own a Nikon D700 and an sb-900 speedlight. I have two lenses – a 50mm f/1.8 and a Sigma 35mmf/1.4. I use a $40 basic tripod and a remote. Most of my equipment is used, no fancy business here!

What do you like and dislike about your equipment, specially your camera, and how would you improve it?

I appreciate the D700, it’s a great camera body and built like a tank. I do wish it included more features such as video and I would have liked it to rival the Mark II in megapixels, instead of having 12.1 megapixels (which is great, but for my purposes I would prefer to have more).

What is your favourite lens, and why?

My favourite lens that I own would be the Sigma 35mm – it’s a beautiful lens that produces really clear and crisp images. However I only have two lenses so it’s not a very good answer. I love the 85mm and the 105mm lenses.

When you travel, what is in your essential photographic kit bag?

It really depends on the type of travel. On previous trips I brought all of my equipment (which is not much) as well as several costumes that can take up a lot of space. However, I am going on another adventure soon, where I’ll be backpacking in India and Southeast Asia. I’m aiming to keep my items to a bare minimum – one camera body, two lenses, a remote, external hard drive and potentially a netbook. I won’t be able to carry much more than that!

What kind of software/tools do you use for post-processing, if any?

Photoshop CS5 for fine art images and Lightroom 4 for event photography and portraiture.

How long have you been taking photographs? How do you find inspiration? How do you take your pictures?

I’ve been teaching myself photography since April 2012 – mainly through the internet and other photographers’ willingness to share. People’s generosity is incredible.

I believe that the practice of being mindful and aware of your reality allows you to take in as much as possible. This in turns allows you to be inspired by every sensory experience that comes your way. This is the way I want to lead my life and my photography – taking notice of everything around me and being inspired by it all.

Which style of photography do you like the most, and why?

I strive to create surrealistic and magical images because that is what I naturally gravitate towards the most – I find art that is darker, whimsical, or mysterious to be much more dynamic and personally exciting.

What goal are you working towards within your photography and when will you know you have reached it?

Oh god this is a difficult question to answer, as there are so many things I want to do and accomplish. I don’t ever want to reach a point of comfortable stagnation, where I am happy with where I am and do not want to push myself further! I hope that doesn’t sound pretentious.

Looking at your own work, which piece is your favourite? Why? Please provide a link to the picture.

I’m really content with “Cosmic Dreaming” and would say that’s my current favourite primarily because it depicts exactly how I feel at this stage in my life.

Does your work fit into any one or more distinct genres (nature, landscape, long-exposure, black-and-white, infra-red, urban, artistic, macro, vintage, vernacular, social, street)? If other, please specify.

I am not sure! I suppose it my love of portraiture and landscapes could be a medley of genres all bundled and wrapped nicely under the “fine art” category.

Are there any photography websites that you visit regularly?

I have an obsessive tendency to check National Geographic’s website, even though I have a print subscription.

What is the one most important lesson that you have learned since you started taking photographs?

I learned that if I want a career in such an overly saturated market, I have to really believe in my work and I have to hustle! No one will do this for me, and my dreams won’t happen otherwise.