Joe Greene ... QuarryClimber

This week Streetfashion MagZZine's Flickr group hit the mark of 100,000 photos, uploaded by more than 3000 members.

With this article we like to introduce you one of the members, photographer Joe Greene, who is regularly uploading his amazing photos to our Flickr group. Learn to know him by reading our interview with him and take a look at his photos.

Joe, 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 am a 60 year old kid. Born in West Quincy, Massachusetts (U.S.), which was an old granite quarry town.

Quincy is such a great place, because there are so many interesting places and things to shoot there. I was in camera heaven, when I lived there! There were old abandoned quarries, the Quincy shipyard and a beautiful downtown. I still go back there for shoots. The unending curiosity trait is a big part of my personality.

I currently work full time as a devOps Engineer at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

I work part time as a portrait photographer with my co-photographer Lisa Papastenanou, who is also a model and artist.

My goal is to do photography full time.

Have you been involved in the arts in some form other than photography?
My fingers are "all thumbs", which is why I do photography. (Otherwise I may have tried to be a painter.) 
I do dabble in video and am working on a documentary on the Swingle family of Quincy Mass.

I have also spent quit a lot of time around other artists and have learned much about composition and the use of colors.

Seeing your remarkable work, I am curious where your creativity comes from?
This is an interesting question. I think like most photographers, I am constantly looking at people (and scenes) and conjuring up an image from what I am seeing. My mind just seems to work this way.I see photographs all of the time.

I do love to photograph people and I seem to hone in on expressions that happen when people are not "on" during a photo shoot. I have found that I get my best images when people have "settled into their shoes". A relaxed and confident subject always works! 

Could you share with us how you first became interested in photography?
My first camera was given to me as a gift from my aunt. I think I may have been around 10 years old at the time. I have been in love with photography ever since. I wish I still had all of the images I took way back then.

I was instantly hooked! I took that old camera everywhere!

What equipment are you using now and with what did you get started? what is your favorite lens?
Currently I am shooting a Canon 5DS and a Canon 5D Mark IV.
I have two favorite lenses. The Canon 85mm 1.2 and the Canon 135mm. The 135 is incredibly sharp.
Would love to shoot Nikon some day too.  ;-)

Can you tell us about your work flow from the point you first step onto the street until you showcase the developed picture?
I try to get people to relax and be themselves first. A good sense of humor is valuable! I also try to get images dead on in camera and shoot exclusively in RAW.

I edit the images using Photoshop from RAW processing through editing the final image. I do use Dani Diamonds workflow often. His workflow is a quick and easy way to tweak the final image.

I do use frequency separation but try not to over-use it. Some of my first images have that porcelain skin look, which is undesirable. 

I am constantly learning and tweaking my styles but that is what I love about photography. The journey of growth never ends!

Do you see a particular influence, be it a photographer or school on your work? Any subject that attracts you?
I really like the work that Dani Diamond is doing and I must say that his images influence me the most. In my mind, he is a master. I am astounded at how good his images are. I do use his workflow often for my edits in Photoshop.

I have also found European photographers have a style that catches my eye often.

What would you say characterizes your work in comparison to other photographers?
I am not sure. I try to get relaxed expressions from my subjects. This is subtle but important.
I also like to work using stone, brick, iron and other urban areas as my "backgrounds" when shooting people.

Among your works, which is your favorite and why?
Arlene Johnson is my favorite model. She is easygoing, fantastic sense of humor and can get right down to business without looking like she is "on" once the camera is on her. A classy woman....and beautiful! (See attached for her image.)

This image was ALL Arlene. I brought along this hat to a shoot we were doing thinking we "may" use it. She put on the hat and just took the lead in the shoot. I did not even have to coach her along. The shoot just took off and flowed. Magic!

Tell us your funniest or most awkward photography story.
I did wedding photography for awhile so I have "many" awkward / funny stories.
I've been stung by bees during  a wedding ceremony, shot in extreme heat and humidity where the function hall's air conditioning was out (groom looked like Axl Rose after a concert.) and even shot a reception on a boat in Boston Harbor in rough seas. Everyone was seasick.

I could take an hour here!

What would you tell a newcomer who asks for your advice on how to start?
I would suggest that a newcomer pay attention to the old classic composition rules. The old masters were on to something with composition.

I would also suggest that a newcomer try to get it right "in" camera. Don't rely on photo editors to correct exposure and composition.