this weekend we like to introduce you to Carlo Angelo Quiogue, a young photographer from Tokyo, Japan with an interview, that we did with him during last week and show some of his impressing photos.

Carlo, please tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with. (How old are you, Where were you born and where do you live now, What is your profession and do you have other besides photography?
Hello, my name is Carlo Angelo Quiogue. I'm 26 years old. I was born and raised in the Philippines, but currently living in Tokyo, Japan. Besides from doing photography I'm also a Triathlete and Language Instructor.

Have you been involved in the arts in some form other than photography?
I’ve always been intrigued by other artists and art forms i.e. sculptors, sketch artists, musicians, and dancers. Unfortunately, I did not possess the attributes to excel in any of those listed, but I always believed, I could see the beauty in things. I was just unsure, how to express or tell the story of what/how I see things.  I overlooked the obvious… photography!  Photographers do just that share their vision with others through still images.  That’s when I realized photography was my medium, my paint brush, my stage.

Seeing your remarkable work, I am curious where your creativity comes from?
Ha, that‘s a question, I really can‘t answer! When I‘m out on location, I just go with the flow. I‘m feeling exited, but also very calm. I feel a rush, but I‘m never hasty. I‘m really letting my brain do all the work and while I‘m doing that I feel free and comfortable. I‘m kind of creating my own little world in the world around me. What you see, is what I am. Nothing more, nothing less. That‘s maybe in a way where my creativity comes from?

Could you share with us how you first became interested in photography?
It started only as a hobby and my love for motorsports. I used to take a lot of photos from different car scenes here in Tokyo from drifting and racing events and even car shows. And eventually met some great fashion photographers, that led me into learning and doing fashion/ portrait photography as my forte.

What equipment are you using now and with what did you get started? what is your favorite lens?
I'm currently using both Nikon and Olympus Systems. Back when i was just starting doing photography, my camera first gear was a Nikon D3200 w/ double zoom kit lens. My Favorite work horse lenses are the Sigma 50-150 2.8 OS HSM, Nikkor 85mm 1.8, Tamron 17-50 2.8, and Nikkor 105 F2 DC

Can you tell us about your work flow from the point you first step onto the street until you showcase the developed picture?
I usually start by getting in touch with talented models, designers, hair and make-up artists to discuss the details for the photoshoot. Then I prepare all necessary equipments needed for the shoot. During the photoshoot i always talk to my team, so that everyone gets comfortable working with each other, which brings out the creativeness and self-confidence of everyone. After the photoshoot i do most of the post processing in both Adobe Lightroom 5 and Photoshop CS6.

Do you see a particular influence, be it a photographer or school on your work? Any subject that attracts you?
My mentors and other photographers, that i looked up to, are my inspiration to always do better every time.

What would you say characterizes your work in comparison to other photographers?
I really don‘t like to compare my work with other photographers, I‘m just doing my own thing. Impossible to compare my own creativity with the creativity from someone else.
 
Among your works, which is your favorite and why?
My favorite work? It's tough to say. But I think this fashion and portrait is my favorite.

Tell us your funniest or most awkward photography story.
i was taking a portrait using a 300 w/s strobe. I'm fairly new to portrait photography at this point and i am trying to appear to be a professional. I had fired off a few testers and decided to turn down the power of the strobe. Holding my cam in one hand, i was facing the strobe and adjusting it with the other...yep you guessed it.........for whatever reason i pressed the damn shutter button and tripped the strobe while my face is within inches of the strobe. I was blinded by the 300w/s right in my face and i got a nice shot of my shoe as well. The model had a look of concern on her face and i thought, that maybe my eyebrows were smoking. I played it off like "it's working fine now".
 
What would you tell a newcomer who asks for your advice on how to start?
Read a lot on the internet about photography. Everything you need to know is out there. Make sure you feel one with your camera. The best learning school is the street or studio itself, so go out and shoot as often as you can. And most of all: have fun. When you are having fun doing it, it will show in your results. Also never stop learning.

Randy, please tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with. (How old are you, Where were you born and where do you live now, What is your profession and do you have other besides photography?
I’m 41 I was born on the US territory of Guam.  I grew up in Long Beach, California and I presently live in Northern California.  I have a full time job as an aviation mechanic.  I’d like to eventually invest more time into honing my photography and marketing skills.

Have you been involved in the arts in some form other than photography?
I’ve always been intrigued by other artists and art forms i.e. sculptors, sketch artists, musicians, and dancers. Unfortunately, I did not possess the attributes to excel in any of those listed but I always believed I could see the beauty in things I was just unsure how to express or tell the story of what/how I see things.  I overlooked the obvious… photography!  Photographers do just that … share their vision with others through still images.  That’s when I realized photography was my medium, my paint brush, my stage.

Could you share with us how you first became interested in photography?
I bought my first DSLR after the birth of my youngest child to capture memories. The camera was very overwhelming at first.  I shot it in “Auto” for a few years and, at some point I really wanted to learn how to use the other features the camera offered so I taught myself.  A friend of mine told me to study the exposure triangle.  Once I discovered the creative flexibility it allowed … I was hooked.

What equipment are you using now and with what did you get started? what is your favorite lens?
I started with a Nikon D60 DSLR with the kit lens. My first additional lens was a Sigma 30mm f1.4 prime lens.  I shot everything with it, even many things I probably shouldn’t have as the distortion was not flattering on certain subjects.  It really taught me how “to see” composition. I got so comfortable with the 30mm that I composed the images in my head before I even pulled the viewfinder to my eye. I’d walk around looking at the world in 30mm.  Today I shoot on a full frame sensor (Nikon D610) and I’m still using prime lenses.  Since my first 30mm I’ve added a 50mm 1.8, 85mm 1.8, and just recently a 180mm 2.8. Although I see a lot of wide angle environmental portraiture that I’m really drawn to  my style as of late have been tight compositions and filling the frame.  I’d probably say the 85mm 1.8 is my favorite lens but I think it would be an interesting study to see what focal length I’d shoot at the most if I had  zoom lenses.

Can you tell us about your work flow from the point you first step onto the street until you showcase the developed picture?
Location scouting usually begins while I’m driving around. For portraiture, I’m always looking for interesting lines and muted color tones.  I’m always thinking of the best way to bring the viewers’ attention to the subject.  My intent for every shoot is to make the subject stand out with strong leading lines and making them the sharpest and brightest element of the image. That’s why I love my prime lenses with large apertures.  I also consider how the locations will either add to, or take away from the subject.  I never want anything visually competing with my subjects. I also consider how I would light the subject.  Although I love the look of natural light, my preference is off camera strobes with high speed sync capability.  I feel this gives me the best control over the quality and direction of light and allows me to produce the look I’m going for.   I like to speak with my subjects prior to the shoot. I try to engage in both small talk and technical aspects of the shoot to make sure everyone is comfortable and on the same page.  My post processing work flow is Adobe Bridge, Camera Raw, and Photoshop respectively.  I use Bridge to view my files before opening them in Camera Raw, where I do basic adjustments like white balance, shadows and highlights.  The finishing touches are done in Photoshop.  That is where I fix skin, remove distractions, color grade, sharpen and resize as required.  I share my final image when and if I feel all the elements have come together.

Do you see a particular influence, be it a photographer or school on your work? Any subject that attracts you?
I have never had  any formal training since I’m self-taught and began learning photography with Creativelive shows, YouTube, Flickr, Instagram, etc. at my disposal, most of my influences have been portrait photographers’ work I follow on the web.  Some of the photographers’ works that I love and admire are Dani Diamond, Craig Lamere, Amanda Diaz, Sue Bryce, as well as a handful of photographers I follow on Instagram and 500px.com.

What would you say characterizes your work in comparison to other photographers?
This question seems to be speaking of style.  I still feel like I’m in the development phase of creating a signature style.  I see a few artists’ work that I can easily identify.  They have such a distinct style, I hope to achieve that someday.

Among your works, which is your favorite and why?
The next shot that I haven’t taken yet is my favorite.  At least that’s what I tell myself so I don’t become complacent.   
 
Tell us your funniest or most awkward photography story.
There was a bridal shower I shot which I guess was a little funny and a little awkward.  I was shooting my wife, her friends and some of the groom’s family/friends in a photo booth style setting.  Mid way through the shoot we took a break in the action so I jumped in front of the camera with my wife for a few of our own frames.  Of course I was holding and kissing her, but the soon to be mother in law did not know we were husband and wife.  She thought my wife was being very affectionate with someone other than her husband and that the photographer was really unprofessional.  The mother in law was so embarrassed once someone corrected her and we all had a good laugh.

What would you tell a newcomer who asks for your advice on how to start?
Learn to “see”.  Don’t obsess with the gear. Any camera made in the last 2-3 years is more than capable.  Learn to light, compose and capture the decisive moment. That’s how snapshots improve to works of art.  As far as gear shopping advice goes, I’d tell them to skip the package deal every newcomer goes after.  You know the big box store deal that sells the camera with the standard 18-55mm kit lens with the 55-200mm.  I’d encourage them to pick up a used DSLR with an inexpensive wide aperture prime lens. By the time you outgrow the starter kit you will know what you do and don’t need to increase your work flow.

Chris, please tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with. (How old are you, Where were you born and where do you live now, What is your profession and do you have other besides photography?
I’m 35, I’m born and raised in Newcastle upon Tyne, England and came late to the photography business. I’m currently part time photographer and still doing another full time job. I live a busy old life, as most of us do these days, I have a hugely understanding wife, nearly 2 kids (April for the second arrival). I love to be busy so I suppose this is the way it goes.

Have you been involved in the arts in some form other than photography?
For me art has never been my strong point and I’ve been repeated been told that. I remember at the age of 14 getting my brother to do my art homework as I just couldn’t get my ideas down in to what I wanted. So while the imagination was there, the skills were not.  It wasn’t until I started travelling and carrying my camera with me did I find an outlet for that and a love for scenic settings.

Seeing your remarkable work, I am curious where your creativity comes from?
I love the word creativity, it means so many things to so many people, in my other line of work I use my creativity to design and work out how to do things better. However, I have always loved the way light fell through windows and how people can portray different personalities. Most of all I love capturing the emotion of a moment, seeing into their eyes and capturing just a little bit of their soul.

Could you share with us how you first became interested in photography?
Well, years ago, I travelled a crazy amount, and unfortunately during my early days I never took a camera with me. Then as I got a little older I started taking one round the globe with me. From there, it gradually intensified and I started being asked to cover sporting photography (having a love for basketball this was easy to get an invite). Then into American football. From there it was onto the first DSLR (when all I wanted was a faster camera). Which then lead to me getting my first nifty 50 lens and wow, what a difference that made in terms of me wanting to move in this direction. After a while multiple friends encouraged me to take myself a little more seriously (not that I ever need an excuse) and it moved on from there and I started a longer term plan. .

What equipment are you using now and with what did you get started? what is your favorite lens?
Well the first camera I had was a Fujifilm 1.3Mp point and shoot with a 10x optical zoom, with 4*AA batteries that might have lasted 20 shots. Years later after a good few bridge cameras and as I wanted originally to shoot sport when I first bought a DSLR I went to a sony set up and have stuck with that ever since. Currently I’m shooting with an Sony A77 and newly acquired A99. Favourite lens is a tough one, My work horse has been for the last year has been my 24-70 F2.8. I’ve also recently got a new addition to the family of the 70-200 F2.8, but for favourite lens would have to be my 50mm 1.8, it was impulse buy, but create such beautiful portraits, even if it was very cheap.

Can you tell us about your work flow from the point you first step onto the street until you showcase the developed picture?
My work starts way before I hit the street, The routes are walked, the light is watched to see which direction it will fall, then from there pinterest boards are shared to create an impression of a similar look so then I can improvise from there. The shoot itself starts with getting to know the person a little more, as there is no point going into a cold shoot, spend 5 mins shooting and talking  through a few things then shoot, watch it adapt the shoot and then once I get home, it’s a case of getting a backup, cleaning, checking gear, packing it all away then into the processing. The reason I do this then, is so that if something comes up last minute. I can grab my bag and go, no need to check anything.  The next step is short listing the photos. A first cut, then second, then third. Then move onto a basic edit, before moving into the really detailed work. Once I’ve done the colour edit, then look to see a black and white or tonal ranges should be changed. I prefer not to over edit and do as much as I can in camera. So while everyone loves a brilliant blue sky I prefer the giant softbox of continuous white skies teamed up with one big reflector for best effect.

Do you see a particular influence, be it a photographer or school on your work? Any subject that attracts you?
Being new to this game, I’ve gone from knowing nothing to knowing just a little more than nothing. I would say from an influence I love Dani Diamonds (his editing is truly breath taking), the way Peter Coulson uses just one light on a lot of shots, and I love some of the dance photography from Henry Leutwyler and a relatively unknown photographer called Sibo Sibomana (his street photography is just something amazing). However I must admit, I gain a lot of inspiration from Instagram, its just there all the time, you just need to cut through the junk. One of my photography bucket lists was to do a shoot with a ballerina, I’ve done that once now and I loved the results, so we’re working on another shoot soon.

What would you say characterizes your work in comparison to other photographers?
This is probably the hardest question to answer, I would have to say, it comes down to the personal rapport that works on behind the camera and then that transpires to the photo. Its all about the moment and style, while conveying the emotion or the “look”. When the chemistry works between the model and the photographer something extraordinary can be produced, instead of just another great technical photo.

Among your works, which is your favorite and why?
I’ve got a handful of photos that are all up there in my favourites, I think one of my earliest, and longest standing would be a Rock the Frock in a cornfield, I’d had this idea after watching gladiator when Russell Crowe is walking through the field with his fingers touching the grass. “wouldn’t it be cool to get a bride doing that?” well I was on the shoot and the girl went “I’ve always loved cornfields”. So we drove about five mins up the road and after a little walk through the field there we go. It was shot on my stock lens when I was just starting out.  The next is one of the first images I ever took with my nifty fifty, and is of a death stare. I swapped lenses to my newly bought fixed 50mm at an American football game to capture a huddle.
 
Two of my favourite recent sets have been of a hopeful in Miss GB and My first set of Ballerina photos. For miss GB Hopeful the one of her in a hat in the middle of the street, the lighting was so perfect and her mother was standing just off camera holding the reflector, it just gives such a perfect light in her eyes. This is one of those photos that has so minimal editing on, I could have almost have published without a tweak.  My ballerina set was the first time in a studio, so not technically street fashion, but hey you asked on the favourite photos. I was constantly playing with the lights but loved every minute, the goal was to capture three words, strength, beauty and peace, all three were accomplished and then move on.
 
I also have a passion for shooting headshots as it gets in close and really picks up the eyes in shots, without any other distractions.

Tell us your funniest or most awkward photography story.
Well I’ve nearly fell off a pier (that taught me to always check what is behind me when stepping backward or get a backstop). I was walking backward down a pier with a bride walking towards me. Until I nearly lost my footing and went over the edge.
The first time I had the question from my wife of “where did she get changed?”. I was standing in a field with barley at waist height with the model ducking down hiding in the barely to get changed. After that you kind of get used to it. So you know what to expect.
 
What would you tell a newcomer who asks for your advice on how to start?
However hard you think you need to work, you’re probably underestimating it by 5 fold. It’s not an 9-5, yes it might be a more flexible career (but read 24/7). I’d also say you don’t need to go out and spend a fortune on gear. Shoot and maximise the camera you can afford, only buy something new when you can’t do it with your current camera, it means you get the most out of your gear all the time and it trains you to not be lazy which then makes you a better photographer. I’d also say, 9 times out of 10, the person on the other side of the camera is more nervous that you are, so stop worrying about it and get on with it, but with a big caveat stay humble.