Freelance photojournalist about profession of the photographer and successful photography business

What others say about Mike Long's Photography:

"What color! What texture! Simply stunning. Beautiful light and colors!"

How do the color layers in a photo mix to form a full range of colors?

We doubt Mike can answer this question. It is simply his nature to create images this way.

1963: First color instant film developed by Polaroid. Mike was born just in time...

Camera: Nikon COOLSCAN V ED

Mount Rainier, Washington

Mike, the Orange influences in these images appeals strongly to my emotions. Your Orange adds so much to the sense of life portrayed. "WE naturally place these colours first, because they belong altogether, or in a great degree, to the subject -to the eye itself..." Wolfgang Goethe Looking at your photographs I want to rephrase Wolfgang Goethe (I am sorry...) " because they belong altogether, to the subject - to the heart itself".
	Burgundy/Bourgogne, Near Pouilly-en-Auxois, Côte d'Or	Parc de la Tête d'Or, Lyon

Blues and Whites - It's all about our planet, isn't it?

Canadian Rockies, Alberta Ice climbing near Ghost River	Washington State Buckhorn Wilderness, Olympic Peninsula
Burgundy/Bourgogne Côte d'Or, Bourgogne	Violet is a colour traditionally associated with nobility, yet it conveys a feeling of elegance and warmth as well. For All who have never been there: Burgundy (French: Bourgogne) is a historic region of east central France. At the region's core lie the fertile Rhone and Saone river valleys, where routes from Paris and the Rhineland to the Mediterranean converge. And!!! Until the late 18th century Burgundy WAS NOT PART OF FRANCE, but a Dukedom with the powerful and long reigning Burgundy Dukes, who were one-time allies to the English kings against the French king. Waugh! France is like this Moon. You can understand it only with your Heart!


Burgundy/Bourgogne Lac de Cercey, Côte d'Or	Beautiful France Burgundy.	Arboretum Park, Seattle
	Mike Long about himself: I was introduced to the mountains at an early age, riding in the top of my father's backpack through California's High Sierra when I was still too young to walk. Since then I've spent the better part of twenty years hiking and climbing throughout the world and have organized and participated in expeditions to Pakistan, Nepal, Ecuador, Alaska Canada and the western Alps. It was while climbing that I began to experiment with photography, inspired by the powerful forces of nature and dramatic light that often exists in the mountains. Although many of my early attempts to reproduce on film what my eyes perceived met with frustration, the few successes I did have inspired me to learn how to work with the limitations of technology in an attempt to translate my passion for nature and outdoor adventure to others. I moved to France from Seattle in 2001 where I work as a freelance photojournalist.

Mike graciously agreed to answer our questions, and we are happy to present the interview here.

1. Which camera(s) do you use?

Nikon F5, Nikon N90S, Nikon FM2

2. How do you see the technology evolving with digital cameras in the future? Is all that's missing are large(r) resolutions when compared to film cameras, or something else too?

I suspect that traditional 35mm format will be replaced by digital. The resolution available in digital cameras today is superb, especially in the higher end Nikon and Canon models, and it's only going to get better.

3. What would you change or add to digital photography in the way of technology?

I'm only learning about digital photography and haven't yet even purchased my first professional system. I'm reading a very good book: Digital Photography by Iesmann, Duggan and Grey (2nd Edition).

4. We have met two kinds of photographers: the ones that believe that a picture should be "good enough" as shot and others that use filters and image manipulation with Photoshop or some other software to get a better/corrected result. Which group do you believe is "right" in regards to the way a photograph is presented?

I believe that manipulation to some degree is totally necessary for photography, either traditional or digital. Purists who believe otherwise are simply limiting themselves to what they can produce artistically.

5. Did the introduction of cheap film cameras and nearly cheap digital cameras had a negative business effect to the profession of the professional photographer?

I think there's room for everyone out there with a camera, inexpensive or otherwise. Running a successful photography business requires a lot more than taking good photos. There's an enormous amount of time spent marketing images, and I don't think amateur photographers are interested in that (it's really boring!).

6. Is your work always for a client, or do you make pictures for your own pleasure? What is the percentage for each?

It's not often that I have a client who asks me to go out and get a specific shot. In most cases my sales are from images that I have already in stock. I've done work in the past for companies who paid me a daily rate to shoot their equipment in action, but currently I'm planning my own projects and then selling them afterwards. I prefer that kind of freedom to being told what to go shoot.

7. Do you have a favorite category of photography? (Do you prefer fashion, still life, action or ? - or do you prefer your Computer Effects pictures?)

My favorite category is nature/landscape including night photography.

8. From where do you get your inspiration?

My inspiration for photography comes from my love of nature and the absolute necessity for me to be out in it on a regular basis.

9. Have you been inspired by any particular artist/photographer?

I was tremendously inspired by Galen Rowell.

10. Do you have dreams that you would like to realize?

I have many dreams yet to be realized. Places to see, mountains to climb, people to meet....life!

11. How did you get your start in photography?

My Dad was a photographer/cinematographer/mountaineer, that's where it all started.

12. What advice do you have for someone who simply wants to improve their photography skills?

Take lots of pictures, experiment and learn from your mistakes. Don't give up.

13. What is one of your favorite places to travel to take photographs?

My favorite place to travel and take pictures is right here in Burgundy, France. The light is fantastic and the food's pretty good, too!

14. What do you like most about being a photographer?

I love to create

15. What do you hate about being a photographer?

Not a thing.

URL: http://www.pbase.com/mikelong
Email: mikelongphotography at gmail.com

My sincere thanks and best wishes to the authors at FeaturePics for all their hard work.

Mike


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