We like to give props. So this weekend we finally decided to make it a feature here on the blog! Here and there, we’d like to shine the spotlight on someone we feel deserves props for the awesome work they’re doing! My (Neil) cousin Austin struck us as someone who is not only admirable, but has has a real eye and passion for photography. Did we mention he’s really talented and about to enter high school? For more of his work, check out his Flickr! So without further adieu, Austin!
Name: Austin
Age: 14
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajs-photography/
What gear is currently in your pack?
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS (1000D), Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6, Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro, Canon 430EX II
How did you first get interested in photography?
I’ve always been pretty trigger happy when it comes to cameras, whenever I would get a camera in my hands I would take pictures of everything I saw. I started to get serious back in August when I dug out my old Kodak EasyShare that I got when I was about nine. With a measly 4 megapixels I started taking pictures of various things, mainly my two parrots, Apple and Peanut. When I posted the pictures on bird forums, people said that I took pretty good pictures. Whether they were just being nice or not, it gave me the drive that I needed to get serious about photography.
What are your future plans with photography? Just a hobby, or taking it further?
For now it’s just a hobby, but I would love to expand it as much as I can in the future. My plans right now are to just keep exploring the possibilities of photography and improving my skills and trying different types of photography until I take it farther than a hobby.
Have you learned anything through photography that you may not have learned otherwise?
Well, it may sound insanely cheesy, but it has made me realize how amazing the simplest things in our world can be, from water drops to snowflakes to plants. It has also made me a lot more aware of the beauty of simplicity.
What kind of shooting do you enjoy most?
Macro. Ever since I was a a little kid I wanted a microscope. I wanted to be able to see things that most people can’t. I wanted to explore an unknown universe. I can do all of those things through macro photography.
What would be your dream setup? Include camera body and any lenses.
Canon EOS 5D II, Canon EOS 7D, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4-5.6L IS USM, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II, Canon Macro MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x, Canon EF 135mm f/2.0L USM, Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
What are some of your favorite shots?
This is my favorite photo that I have ever taken. I mounted my 50mm backwards on my 75-300mm giving me 6:1 magnification and waited for the snow to fall on my porch railing.
This was one of my first insect photos taken with my Macro lens. This little guy was on my aunt’s porch and was pretty photogenic.
This was taken at my aunt’s house, only a week after I got my DSLR.
And if you’re a sports fan, you should definitely check out his latest album. He got some amazing shots at a recent St. Louis Cardinals baseball game. Tons of great bokeh and frame-worthy shots!
