Tell me about your site
I’ve always had a very simple site,louisanphoto.com thanks to my limited html skills. But the byproduct is that I let my photos speak for itself instead of a fancy website. I try and make my site into an online portfolio, so you can see what kind of photographer I am from just glancing at my website. Cause in the end, people are going to remember you if you have an impressive portfolio.
How did you get involved in photography?
I’ve always loved pressing that shutter button, I don’t know why. I remember insisting to a photo of my parents below Mt. Rainier when I was 6 or so. But I really discovered photography when I took Photo 1 at MHS instead of study hall. Best decision ever. From that on, I was hooked. That was the only photo class I took, everything else was self-taught. It also helped that my friend Parker Rice was also an aspiring photographer. We always shot together throughout high school, and constantly tried to one up one another. We definitely got better through competition.
What is the biggest tip you would give to new photographers?
The best tip I can give to aspiring photographers is to get a manual film single lens reflex camera. When you have a limited physical medium like film, you take your time with a picture. Ansel Adams didn’t blindly go around taking photos. He took his time with every single scene. Film allows you to learn the patience and judge if the scene is worth your time and effort. And there is nothing like working an enlarger and putting the photo paper through the developer, stopper, and fixer. Yes, digital is easy, but it’s too easy.
What is your favorite photo you have taken and why?
Click for larger size
Flatirons at Chautauqua. It was the blizzard of March 2009, where it dumped a foot onto Boulder. I went down to Chautauqua the morning after and it was perfect conditions all around. The sun was shining right onto the mountains, there were the perfect amount of clouds, and the sky was as blue as the ocean. And because it was a panorama, you could zoom in and see icicles on the Flatirons.
Do you ever see yourself become a blogger/photoblogger?
I don’t think I could ever be a blogger/photoblogger, I’d feel like I’d run out of things to write about. But if I was hired to take photos and blog about a certain subject, I’d be all for it. But as self-motivated hobby? I don’t think so.
Who would you like to work with given a chance?
I would love to collaborate with National Geographic. There is no higher honor for a photographer than being published in that yellow magazine. I would love to get paid to essentially travel and take pictures about the world. I would also love to work with a big mountain skier/snowboarder/biker. I love to ski and bike, so naturally I wouldn’t mind taking pictures of it. Photographers who take photos of skiers are either skiing the terrain that the skiers are, or are in a helicopter. Both sound very appealing to me.
What is one thing about you that not many people know?
I guess not many people know that I am originally from South Korea. So naturally, I still speak to my parents in Korean. I still think it’s funny to look at people’s faces after I’m on the phone with my parents and nonchalantly switch back to English. To me, that’s as natural as walking.
What is on your iTunes?
I have a pretty broad taste in music, except country. I can’t stand that twang. But it ranges from rock, electronica, classical, and hip hop. Examples of such are Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, Incubus, Muse, Bob Marley, Pepper, RJD2, Jurassic 5, The Chemical Brothers, Infected Mushroom. I recommend everyone check out Muse. There’s nothing like good old space rock to get the blood flowing. Knights of Cydonia by Muse makes me feel like I’m a space cowboy. If anyone’s a Pink Floyd fan, The Wall movie is a very good depiction of their album.
What is one thing people can do for you?
The one thing that people can do for me is to spread my photos. Buy a print from me, hang it up on your wall, and spread the word. But there is one thing I would love more, and that’s people to shoot with. So pick up a camera, learn the basics of photography. I would love it if there were more competent photographers in the world, because there’s nothing like competition.
