Our first interview is held with group member Philip Johnson

1. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and your equipment?

My name is Philip Johnson, I live on the Northern Beaches of Sydney at Newport Beach 30 kilometers from the Sydney CBD in Australia my main job is computer support.
I have dabbled in photography all my life but have been addicted to digital photography since 2000.

My first digital camera was fairly basic when I think back a Fujifilm 4800Z but was fairly reliable and at that time good quality, my next jump was the purchase of a Nikon D70 which was a great camera lasting me until 2007.

Late last year I decided to upgrade my D70 and purchase a D200, well as luck should have it the supplier was out of stock. The next week Nikon announced the D300 and D3 so went on the wait list and received my treasured D300 which is an amazing camera. My lenses are Nikon and Sigma and have found the Sigma reasonably priced and handy.

I never go anywhere without my camera you never know when that magical shot, with the result is rarely a day goes by without some photos being taken.
I joined Red Bubble in November 2007 and have been addicted ever since it is a great community and believe we should give back so now co-host three groups and love chatting with people all over the globe.
If I can help anyone is an additional pleasure. The comradery between members is amazing and shows how nice people are.

Since joining RB I have had 70,000 views the feedback has been great and I have appreciated every comment and every favourite.
So get out there in the community and help the new RB members, put them on your watchlist and make the RB community better and make a new contact.
I would say I have a good eye, but technique needs work lol.

2. What first inspired your interest in art? What continues to inspire you?

My first experience was seeing the work of the Great Ansel Adams and we are so humble at what he could do would make you think if he was alive now what could he do with what we have now?

Also the work of Australian photographers specializing in landscapes and panoramics such as Ken Duncan.

3. What type of photography do you enjoy the most and why?

The majority of my work is landscape photography, once you are into landscape photography that hint of colour in the sky catching a glimpse of something out of the corner of your eye that someone else does not see is a buzz.
More recently I have been on a learning curve exploring High Dynamic Range Photography and still keeping it natural. Also working out what subjects HDR improves not recreates.
There is nothing like getting away with your camera with just nature
I have the utmost admiration for portraiture so would love to get experience in that field.

4. Where is the most spectacular place you’ve ever been?

Well I have sat “near the edge” of the Grand Canyon, wondered at Niagara Falls, and Tahiti, but more recently been exploring the wonders of my own Country.
The wonders of Australia, its wildernesses, mountains, rain forests, the crystal clear waters of the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef have to be experienced and are unique.
Recently I was flicking through a RB portfolio of someone from Norway and could find no photos of Fjords but plenty of the Grand Canyon and Yosemite. Just goes to prove see your own country!

5. What are your dreams, goals and aspirations as a photographer?

To learn more, you learn all your life so follow your photography, and to enjoy!

6. What has been your greatest accomplishment as an artist up to the
present date?

That’s a hard question, my mother used to say “Self Praise is No Recommendation” I suppose just creating work that other people like not just me.

7. Do you have an inspirational message you would like to share with other
artists?

Never go anywhere without your camera”

and…

“If Photographers Ruled the World What a Great Place it would Be! ... No wars just arguments about Nikon Vs Canon!