Week 3 League of Death Thread with Interviews

04/10/2006 03:17:15 PM · #1

Be sure to check out the updated brackets thanks to Brent Ward here.

This rounds matchups with the Jump Members Challenge:

Preston Division: Sir Bazz vs. Pedro
Kelowna Division: Ursula vs. spydr
San Francisco Division: Shanksware vs. Rikki
Christchurch Division: Kiwiness vs. Judi

I thought it would be neat to do little exposes on each of the 8 people remaining in the League of Death. I'll post one or two as they come in.

Today's interview is with ursula. Enjoy.

Where do you live?

In Trail, an industrial town in the West Kootenays in beautiful British Columbia, Canada.

Trail is on the Columbia river, about 15 kilometres north of the Canada/USA border. The area is quite rugged, lots of mountains, trees, rivers, trees, hydro dams, more trees, lakes, even more trees, you get the idea.

We live in West Trail, which was built by Italian immigrants into a couple of hills by the Columbia. The streets are narrow and steep, there are many stone walls and many covered staircases connecting everyone. We live almost at the top, so we have a good view of the Columbia, the town, and, of course, Cominco.

What got you into photography?

I don't really know.

When I was a little girl in Chile, my dad had a box camera with 126 film, and he occasionally let me touch it and play with it. I snuck it out when he wasn't watching and used to pretend that I was making all these fantastically beautiful images. Later, as a teen, someone gave me a camera, which I traded in (added babysitting money) for my first SLR. I was in heaven!

I got into digital because my husband was remodeling the house and I was very bummed out over the mess, and he got me a Fuji Finepix 2400Z to keep me happy. I was very happy :)

Are you a professional?

Yes, but not a professional photographer :) I consider myself very much an amateur photographer, and I like it that way just fine.

Give us the story behind one of your favorite challenge entries.

"old ways, highways" - I'd been in an accident in Wyoming, and our car was being repaired. My husband and I were driving from British Columbia to Wyoming to get the car, this was in February 2004, and north of Cody, Wyoming we ran across a couple cowboys driving cattle over the highway (something you run into a lot in Wyoming). We waited, then, as we were driving off, the back cowboy just looked at us right as I was snapping his shot through the windshield. I wish the shot was clearer, but it's the only one I got. I love it, because it's so Wyoming, so much the Wyoming I grew to love when we lived there.

Pick one of your current opponent's pics as a favorite and explain why.

It's a toss-up between the three pictures of the little girl ("Like Her Mom", "Eyes of Youth", and "Kennedy"), but for today I'm picking this one:

I just love the expression on her face, the smile that's there but not quite yet, the little nose pointing upwards, the eyes, with the window reflected in them, looking thoughtful and happy and trusting all at the same time, the soft sweep of the hair. It's the kind of picture that makes memories, and I really like that. She looks beautiful with greenish tones, btw, it goes with her eyes and skin tone. The title is beautiful also, "Like Her Mom", it's just right for the picture.

What piece of photography equipment is next on your list?

I don't have a list, but I would dearly love to have a 70-200 f2.8 VR lens.

Do you have any hobbies outside photography?

I bead (beadwork), although I haven't had much time for it. Occasionally I'll do some watercolours. But photography has become my main hobby.

Message edited by author 2006-04-10 15:17:34.

04/10/2006 05:27:16 PM · #2

Great job Doc! What a way to get to know people ;)

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

04/10/2006 05:55:06 PM · #3

Just a note, this would be the appropriate thread for all predictions and trash talking. I'll punctuate the banter with the interviews as they come in.

shanksware

Canon EOS-5D

04/10/2006 06:08:11 PM · #4

no trash talking needed here. Rikki's beating me by OVER 2 full points.

ouch

note to self...

do NOT take creative risks when it actually counts.

04/10/2006 09:00:47 PM · #5

nah Tony say it ain't so ;( mine started out miserable but it clawed it's way up today. it's only been one day. lot's of weird things happen over the course of a week.

we'll see ;)

cheers,

rikki

sir_bazz

Pentax K-5

Pentax FA 50mm f/1.4 AF

04/10/2006 09:51:52 PM · #6

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Today's interview is with ursula. Enjoy.

Nice one Ursula and a good read.

Looking forward to seeing some of the others.

ON another note Pedro has suggested that we rename the comp to the League of Mediocrity.

I think that would be an insult to all the mediocre submissions on this site and the only way I'll get past Pedro is if his score starts with a 4 because I'm doing that bad.

cheers,
bazz.

Message edited by author 2006-04-10 21:54:32.

04/10/2006 09:58:45 PM · #7

Well, with the way it sounds like it's going we can always remember that half of you have to win...

04/11/2006 12:06:56 PM · #8

Today's interview is with Judi

Where do you live?

I live about 10 hours NW of Brisbane Queensland in a town called Emerald.
We have aroun 10,000 people here but no traffic lights. We are in the gemfields area where it is quite common to pick up gemstones off the ground or in the carparks. Our main industries are mining, cotton, sunflowers, beef and sorghum. And of course the lake which is the size of Tasmania.

What got you into photography?

I have always been into photography with my first camera, a Ricoh, given to me on my 13th birthday. I won many prizes with my photos but even though I continued taking photos never really did it seriously until the last couple of years.

Are you a professional?

Many people do call me a professional photographer but I just see myself as me. I love photography but when I look at other photographers work I really can't compare myself to them.

Give us the story behind one of your favorite challenge entries.

This is one of my favourite entries.

It might not mean much to people but this man is not only one of my students but one of the most respected men in our town. Until I came along he was the main photographer for the town. So much so, the town put him on a pedestal and most people knew him as 'the photographer' and never took the time to get to the know the man himself. The dog is his faithful friend and a very big part of his life. So I went to him one day and said that as his dog is getting old now it is time that we did some portraits of the bond between the two of them.
Nobody had ever thought of such a thing with him before. It touched him and we did the shots. Everyone saw him as an object....these images show he is a human being with feelings and a best friend in the form of his dog.

Pick one of your current opponent's pics as a favorite and explain why.

This would have to be one of all time favourites.

To me it represents life and death, romance and hatred. It is a style of image that I have always wanted to do but due to the lack of available models have not yet been able to accomplish. I can sit and look at this image for hours....it means and says so much to me.

What piece of photography equipment is next on your list?

I am after quite a few things. More studio equipment, lenses and maybe a Nikon purely for IR work. My partner and I are in the process of building a
2 story studio which will make things a lot easier.

Do you have any hobbies outside photography?

I have 3 children and as they are all Autistic I don't really get time to do anything else. We are currently selling off all our birds due to lack of time. It is such a shame as we always took Champion ribbons with them. We have just sold about 200 and have just under 100 to go. I used to be heavily into crafts and sewing and know that one day I will get back into that. Maybe when the children are more independant.

Well I suppose I have bored you all enough and I look forward to the next rounds.

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

04/11/2006 01:37:21 PM · #9

Amazing what a few sub-6 scores will do. The banter has diminished quite a bit. I also wonder what Color Portrait II is doing to people's psyche. That's specialized and right up a few challengers alleys (kiwiness) while not up other (Rikki, ok, well, it would be up his if he could ever get the PP right and then submit the correct version).

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

04/11/2006 01:45:02 PM · #10

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

The banter has diminished quite a bit.

seems no one likes their jump score

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

04/11/2006 01:51:09 PM · #11

It's good to find out a bit about people. I hope we get more interviews to read. Judi's interview is very interesting to read.

Hey, Jason, how about interviewing yourself? I'm always very curious about people.

Pedro

Nikon D200

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

04/11/2006 02:03:05 PM · #12

i have a tough time brow-beating someone when i have a mediocre score. it's kind of like whipping someone with a wet noodle. it's still insulting, but ultimately pointless and occasionally messy. If bazz really is in the 4.XX range i'm safe in this round. But I'm not going to be happy about it.

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

04/11/2006 02:10:20 PM · #13

Thanks ursula. I'll interview myself if I make it far enough in Season 2. :)

I have 2 more complete interviews and 2 partials. I'll post one a day so stay tuned.

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

04/11/2006 03:09:09 PM · #14

Well, I think I'm getting beat this time around. Oh well.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

04/11/2006 04:21:42 PM · #15

Originally posted by ursula:

Well, I think I'm getting beat this time around. Oh well.

I keep thinking of you as far too genteel to be in a 'league of death' anyway...

Pedro

Nikon D200

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

04/11/2006 04:29:52 PM · #16

Originally posted by Gordon:

Originally posted by ursula:
Well, I think I'm getting beat this time around. Oh well.

I keep thinking of you as far too genteel to be in a 'league of death' anyway...

you sayin' she's too classy for the rest of us droogs?

yeah...you're prolly right :)

Fujifilm XF 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 R LM OIS

04/11/2006 05:41:31 PM · #17

I've got more interviews than days, so here is another...

This interview is with Rikki

Where do you live?
I live in Fremont, California, a small city about 40 miles south of San Francisco. The area I live in is a quiet little suburb with easy access to the foothills and great parks. Some of my landscape shots were taken at nearby parks. I didn't really realized how picturesque this city was until I started looking closely. The beauty of living in these parts of Northern California is that I am close to the coast which I just love.
I'm within a few hours drive of fun in the snow and about 400 miles away from Los Angeles. It's the perfect location.

What got you into photography?
My mom and dad got me started. They gave me a Kodak Ektar 110 for Christmas and I never looked back. I lost it for a little bit, however, but regained the enthusiasm when I started college studying Architecture. Being in architecture almost always required that you have a decent SLR. During one of my internships, I used my first paycheck to buy myself a Canon Rebel X with a 35-80mm lens. It's a great little camera. Not top of the line but I have captured some great travel photos with it. Not only am I in photography but like most, I also collect vintage cameras. My prized possession is a 1914 Kodak camera that was once used by a gentleman who was an apprentice of Ansel Adams. I bought it on Ebay and I wanted to know more about the history of the camera so I emailed the seller. It turns out that his dad owned the camera when his dad was a kid and eventually studied under Adams.
I'm not sure if this story is true but it sure makes for a great conversation piece. I own about 10 vintage cameras.

Are you a professional?
Ha! In my dreams. Photography is a hobby. It relieves my stress after long days of working at the office and in front of the computer and clients. It allows me to regain the creativity that I always long for. I was an architectural designer prior to becoming a project architect so my hobby allows me to explore the creativity in me. I love it!

Give us the story behind one of your favorite challenge entries.

One of my favorite entries doesn't even make it to my profile page. It was a photograph I took when we had our SF-DPC GTG in San Francisco last February. The image "Patience and Fortitude Conquer All Things"
has got to be one of my top picks. This is a quote from my entry:
This was one of my shots from our SF GTG this past weekend. I usually shoot in RAW but for some reason, I guess I had my settings to the automatic modes.
I saw this guy sitting in front of Saint Mary's Church on Saturday morning. What struck me was that he was literally "invisible" to everyone. I took a few shots of him and what I liked was the fact that he seemed to be behind the barricades adding an extra layer for my composition. After a few shots, I walked up to him and chatted for about 5 minutes. I told him I remember him from when I used to work in the City. He smiled and wished me a Happy Chinese New Year. Throughout the conversation, he never even looked at me in the eye. He always had his head down and kept on scratching his head.
What struck me next was that he didn't even ask for money. He just commented on how beautiful the day was and how festive the streets were that day.
After our brief conversation, I reached for my pocket and pulled out a bill. I don't know how much it was but I just put it in his paper cup.
He smiled which I hope was directed to me as he never looked my way. He said "God Bless" and I turned and walked away hoping to catch my DPC friends walking up the street.
I wasn't planning of entering this challenge. I didn't really have an idea but once I got home and looked at my photos, I knew this was the one to enter. I'm not certain how this will be perceived by the voters, but for once, I am entering an image that truly has a deep rooted meaning in my heart.
I wish him well and hope that he sustains himself through the cold San Francisco nights. Life is simple and precious. It's as simple as that my friends. I hope this image moves you as it affected me in ways I cannot express.
"Patience and Fortitude Conquer All Things" Ralph Waldo Emerson

Pick one of your current opponentâ��s pics as a favorite and explain
why.

One of my faves from Tony's (Shanksware) portfolio is "Sweetheart". His entry for the Hearts challenge last February. The creativity is evident in the shot and the lighting is perfect. The simplicity of using paper and great lighting really made this image stand out to me during the challenge. The lines, curves, and lighting all make for a perfect composition. It's amazing how we often neglect everyday items. Tony is one of those new members we have on the site that shows promise of being a future ribbon collector. The simplicity of his use of everyday items that we often overlook is exemplary. I've been following his work closely and he is definitely a bright star in the future.

What piece of photography equipment is next on your list?
There's actually a couple of them. One if a full frame body maybe the 5D but it's still quite expensive at this point and I don't have that many photography jobs that would compel me to buy a better body. The other is the 24-105L lens.

Do you have any hobbies outside photography?
I ride. I have a few bikes in my garage. I have a couple of mountain bikes (one hardtail and one softail) and my cherished item, a 2000 Trek 5500 OCLV USPS Edition carbon fiber bike. It is the team outfit and it's a dream to ride. I don't get to ride around these days too much and I miss it. But when I do, I just zone out when I'm on the bike.
Listening to the humming of the spokes of the wheels as they slice through the air and the shifting of gears is music to my ears. The longest I've ever ridden is a century (100 miles). I've often thought about doing a Death Ride (200 miles in one day) but that's a dream far out in the future. The best place I've ridden? Along the Central Coast's Highway One starting at Morro Bay and ending up in Cambria by the Hearst Castle.

ursula

Fujifilm X-T2

04/11/2006 05:46:59 PM · #18

Wow, Rikki, love the story behind your photo.

Some day you'll have to come to ride your bike in our park, Red Resort by Rossland, it's supposed to be some of the best mountain biking terrain around (I wouldn't know, I don't bike, I just walk the trails). Last year they started using the ski-lifts in Summer for getting the bikers up the mountain.

shanksware

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

04/11/2006 05:48:41 PM · #19

Originally posted by DrAchoo from Rikki:

Pick one of your current opponentâ��s pics as a favorite and explain
why.
....snip

Thanks for the nice words of encouragement.

You might change your tune when you see the scores from my current challenges.

Color Studio Portrait II will be my redemption.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

04/11/2006 07:20:28 PM · #20

Originally posted by sir_bazz:

ON another note Pedro has suggested that we rename the comp to the League of Mediocrity.

cheers,
bazz.

Ahem. We have that covered elsewhere, thanks. :-)

On another note, I'm enjoying the interviews. And Judi, I love that picture you showed as your favorite - it evokes such strong emotion, and now knowing the tale behind it makes it even better. Thanks for sharing!

Judi

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

04/11/2006 07:26:40 PM · #21

Originally posted by Melethia:

Originally posted by sir_bazz:

ON another note Pedro has suggested that we rename the comp to the League of Mediocrity.

cheers,
bazz.

Ahem. We have that covered elsewhere, thanks. :-)

On another note, I'm enjoying the interviews. And Judi, I love that picture you showed as your favorite - it evokes such strong emotion, and now knowing the tale behind it makes it even better. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Melethia. That image was special to me and I knew that in the challenge it wouldn't have the same effect on other members. But to me, sometimes the story behind the image makes the image. If that makes sense. LOL!!

04/11/2006 07:28:36 PM · #22

I agree Judi. My fave image is also one that tells a story ;) I love that challenge entry eventhough it didn't do so well ;)

04/12/2006 12:46:36 AM · #23

Well, some quite impressive finishes in the open among remaining entrants. Everybody with an entry except Sir Bazz and our beloved Pedro who was too busy playing with his sweet bike.

Rikki - 1st (7.907)
Kiwiness - 5th (7.111)
ursula - 23rd (6.06)
Judi - 36th (6.004) Am I the only one who thought it extremely appropriate that Judi's picture of the twins came in 36th?
Shanksware - 50th 5.452
spydr - 159th 5.063

04/12/2006 12:49:11 AM · #24

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Am I the only one who thought it extremely appropriate that Judi's picture of the twins came in 36th?

Priceless!

Judi

Canon EOS-5D Mark III