Beyond The Lens: Brent Burzycki

For this Beyond The Lens we take a look at Brent Burzycki, whom recently opened up to us in our What’s In Your Bag feature. He explains to us about his love for photography and how his Dad was a major influence in getting him interested in photography. Along with hints for those wanting to Photograph models in the future ;)

  • Tell us a quick back story as to whom you are and what you do

I started in photography 8 years ago on a whim and many paychecks worth of equipment later I am still shooting and trying to pass along the little I know to others so they can enjoy their photography more. I like to teach and learn and when you stop learning you start dying. I have no plans to die anytime soon, but I have also found photography to be creative and also very difficult when it comes to getting the end results I truly want. Anyone can take a photo, but making a great photo is very difficult or you just get very lucky.

 

  • What was your original interest in photography? Was it a photo you saw or a photographer who got you into it

I started in high school with B&W work, and I still love B&W. But now you can do anything with anything with digital and I have fully embraced the tech behind the digital move.

I was probably most inspired by my dad’s photos he took as a USAF Navigator of cool places he went all over the world.

 

  • Do you do this full time or as a hobby and have another paying job that you do

Hobby and have two other paying jobs..

 

  • Your favorite thing to shoot, and location

Right now – aviation and glamour…. sexy girls and airplanes… honestly they are both the same to an aviation buff..

 

  • What is your dream shot(model, location, event, ect) and why

My dream is just having more time to shoot – Balancing life, work and hobby are difficult at best… As for locations, location to me is not important, model quality and results are key. I can make a closet look sexy with the right model and the right props. As for Aircraft, I like military bases for backdrops, it makes us remember that there are people out there daily defending our freedom. I think many forget that….

 

  • Do you think with the recent improvements of mobile devices such as the iPhone and Android phones that they’ll ever replace the point and shot cameras

This is a tough question – Right now – no, and till your cell phone has a 70/200 lens in optical quality I am not sure I will be replacing my P&S anytime soon. I think it is great I can snap photos and edit and quickly upload them and it is even better that most people cannot tell the difference, but there is a difference….. having the masses accept something as ok and knowing what it takes to make a killer image is two very different things.. I like to seperate my “Pro” work from my “cell phone” work.

 

 

  • You take beautiful portrait photos, have you always done that, or you got into that after doing another genre of photography?

I started with people.. people make great subjects as long as you can get along with people. My main job that pays the bills has me in front of people all day long and I am pretty much comfortable in front of anyone. Many cannot overcome that and then again it took me time to get comfortable enough with my equipment to stop trying to worry about it more than the person and the content I was shooting. My suggestion is to learn your equipment first… it will make everything easier…

 

  • What phone(s)/tablet(s) do you have. Also, how much do you use that phone when it comes to shooting. IE, help find locations, prep shots, ect

Android – Samsung Galaxy Nexus, Used to have an iPad but I sold it as I can do pretty much anything I need on my phone now. Ipod to listen to music and not run down my phone..as I use it for actually calling people… (I know) I am old school.

I only use the phone for calling 911 when a model trips over a set of lights…. as for other uses I like to use it for setup shots and communicating with my G+ following….

 

  • What do you mainly shot with? Camera+Lenses

Nikon, D100 and D300s – Nikon Lenses – 70/200 AFS – 85mm F1.4 – and a cool 14/24mm that is just fun for other types of work, mainly landscapes.

 

  • What tips could you give to people who are just starting out and wanting to get into photography

Learn the basics – I need to go back and learn more – I am self taught and most of us tend to skip over the basics to get to the fun stuff. I find myself going back now to the basics to bolster my knowledge with items I totally glossed over initially….

If you are working with models, I suggest patience and a business plan.

 

  • Where can we find you? Websites, Social Networks, Locations as to where you mainly shot, ect

Google Plus, Facebook, 500px, I think I am on most of them… My site www.blackdiamondproductions.net has all the links and is the easiest way to find me…

 

750x100

You Might Also Like