November 08, 2004 - This week, we interview Tracey Hoyng from Shutterbug:

Please tell us a little about yourself:
Currently working in web development, and trying to pave a way in photography - I'm a 23 year old Australian having fun and making the most out of what's thrown my way. If anything, the past couple of years has taught me not to regret anything - that everything you like and everyone you love is important.

I remember seeing something about you currently living in the United States?
Not exactly, I traveled to the US for 4 weeks over Sept/Oct. I did manage to spend some time within smaller towns but I was mostly there as a tourist.

As a non-American citizen, what did you think of our recent election?
I think the dynamics of the whole election is like a circus, it was very interesting to sit back and watch. It's different to how it is here, but then again so are most things!

Onto photography - do you remember the first time you grabbed a camera?
Way back when I was about 4, I was given a plastic toy camera (that didn't work) but my real film camera was given to me at around 8 or 9 when we took a family trip to Malaysia. I vaguely remember what brand of camera it was, but I know that i treated it like it was gold. Every frame on that roll of 110 film was precious!

Do you still have any of those photos? Do you archive?
I definitely archive, I'm a pat rat by nature - I never throw anything away! The first roll of film I shot would be somewhere in the attic.

Why does photography interest you?
It's a medium that can convey human emotions and can show you the world in a frame. To me, it's important to document points in your life - even if it's the camera inside your head. Images can be very strong and most of them will stay in your mind for the rest of your life. Being able to photograph it means other people can see them too.

What is your formal training with photography? Self-taught, school, etc?
Half-schooled, half self-taught. I started out with darkroom photography which taught me the basics, but since then I haven't really taken any courses on the actual art of photography. Experimentation is why I love photography, it means there's no limits on what you can create.

Do you have any other hobbies at the moment?
At the moment, i'm pretty obsessed with photography - so there hasn't been much else in my life. I am definitely getting into travel and tourism of Sydney, so i try to involve myself in events where i can bring my camera and take a few shots. I love food - and can't help photographing it as well!

What is your favorite food - both to eat and photograph?
I'd have to say fruit - there's a lot of interesting Asian fruits in my fridge that people may or may not have even seen before. In the summertime, you'll always have something great to photograph and eat later!

Going back to Australia: How is it living there? Your favorite place to be? What makes it so special?
I've only ever visited 3 countries outside Australia, so I'm probably not qualified to say whether it's my absolute favourite yet - but Sydney will always be my home and I do adore living here. It's incredibly laid back and fun to live within the city itself, and there's always a lot to see and do. I always see myself as an 'eternal tourist' here since I'm always discovering and re-discovering Sydney everytime I step outside.

Do you have a memorable photographic experience?
Radiohead in Sydney in April. Of course, cameras weren't allowed in but i snuck a small digital camera in anyway. As much as i just wanted on concentrate on seeing Radiohead live for the first time, i've always wanted to capture them live - and i did it front row, just off centre. Another big one though, was shooting Enon at a small club in Sydney. The lead singer was not camera shy - at times he was 2 inches away from my lens, even when the flash was going off. He loved it, and it made the photographs more exciting for me because of the shared enthusiasm.

So obviously you're a big music fan. Do you have a favorite band and/or song? And while we're at it, favorite movie and book?
Radiohead is a favourite, OK Computer is always on my playlist. Jeff Buckley's Grace is a classic! No favourite movies to really report back home about, but the Kill Bill movies have been entertaining! Books, I'm not so friendly with - I tend to absorb things visually but my favourite writer is Heather Armstrong.

Any negative experiences?
I think the way the world is today, there is tighter security. The only incident i've experienced, however, was at a very small Kelly Clarkson (American Idol winner) in-store appearance where not one, but two, security guards proceeded to usher me out of the public space and away from the area whilst shouting at me. Definitely not needed and uncalled for - as there were probably 20-30 other people in the crowd taking a heap of photographs right in front of them and in better view of Kelly Clarkson. (For the record, i only took 1 from a far distance away, before they bumrushed me!) It really hasn't been a bad thing though (security issues). I use common sense and always ask permission before i take shots in private areas.

What about street shots? Ever ask for permission? What are your thoughts on those kinds of photo ethics?
I'm very weary of taking photos of people on the street, however, I love street photographers that have that confidence to put themselves in a situation where they can momentarily capture something ordinarily unseen to others. Todd Quarlo does it really well. As for asking permission, I think it's definitely appropriate if you're selling the photograph - though there's a gray area if you don't intend to profit from it.

Do you think you have a shooting style?
I don't think i have a shooting style yet, maybe you could tell me? I love shooting on the fly, as well as thinking up and sketching ideas before i shoot it in my makeshift studio in my apartment. I love accentuating the human body though, even if it is mine!

I would call your photography... personal art, but that's just me. You mention accentuating the body - even yours. You take a lot of self-portraits (I believe at least once a month). Why?
I didn't realize there was an increase in self portraits with shutterbug! I tend to take them as a indicator of where my personal style is - fashion wise, photographical style wise, etc. Even though I've only been doing it a few years, I can already see change in myself as a person and as a photographer.

Film or digital?
Digital - but I don't limit myself to it. Film is always going to be around, for me at least.

But why specifically digital?
Because it is immediate and will ultimately save me a lot of money in the end, I guess. I will say that on a sitting, I will shoot anywhere (from) 100-400 individual (no doubles) shots, and having the freedom of 'not stopping because i've run out of film or money to develop and print/scan the shots' is far more comfortable for me right now.

Do you have a favorite camera?
Absolutely my Canon 10D - it's taught me a lot about techniques and technical aspects of a shot. It cost a bundle, but at the rate I shoot at, it's totally worth it.

Why did you start your photoblog, Shutterbug?
To archive the photographs I took, originally. Then the idea of posting a photo a day came about when my family bought a Sony DSC F505V - so I've never really stopped! A photoblog lets me share visuals with people around the world - there's a great community out there.

What have been the biggest joys in running a photoblog?
Meeting a lot of like minded people - and at the same time, being able to 'evolve' as a photographer. I can look back at a certain date last year or the year before, I see how whether I've grown.

How so?
Well with the self portraits you've mentioned above, I have the same subject (myself) at different intervals in time. I can see how I treat myself within the frame, how i've used light and colour (or lack of), what I've decided was important to show or not show. Self portraiture, just like any other subject we shoot, is an excellent way to convey how you want to be conveyed, which is an indication of where you are in your life.

By the way, give us some insight on your photo day. What are you carrying, where are you going, what will you do, any special techniques/secrets, etc?
Typically, I'll bring along the Canon 10D body with 2 lenses if I plan to be out all day. The 28-105mm and the 15mm Fish eye (both Canon, also). The 28-105mm tends to be a good general lens for me, and the fish eye allows me to shoot great sweeping landscapes or tall buildings. For the annual Sculptures by the Sea event held at Bondi Beach in Sydney, I'll get there early to avoid crowds and the harsh sunlight. There are no real special techniques or secrets other than to appreciate your surroundings and to not be intimidated by it.

Are there any strains in running your site?
There really isn't any I could think of! Maintaining the quality of photographs is probably the only thing. I don't want to feel like i'm going 'backwards'.

So you never experience time constraints, comment SPAM, etc?
With the photoblog, there are always spammers, but the pros of having comments outweigh the cons. Since I've stopped the 'photo a day' technique, I don't feel like I 'have to' post something - anything. It's been far more relaxing that way as I don't feel like I shoot photos for someone else to check up on.

Has photography and photoblogging changed your life?
If it hasn't already, I think it will - I definitely want to photograph more, so a change of jobs might be in the cards.

What would that dream job be for you?
Travel photographer with Lonely Planet or similar. I'm interested in different cultures and traditions, I love animals native to the countries I've been too, being apart of the world as it is - there's so many people with vastly different lives to us which we should be aware of at least.

Do you have any inspirations; either in photography and/or photoblogs?
This city (Sydney, Australia) inspires me. It shows me new things all the time - I have a favourite walk to do every week or when i can - where I can see a vast range of people and places.

As for photographers, I cannot get enough of Lina. I think what is best about her work - is not that it's technically perfect - but she has such a vast imagination and it shows in all the work she produces. Todd Quarlo continues to blow my mind everytime he updates - but that's no secret.

I try to maintain a decent links list on my site as well as link back to photographs that i have seen and fallen in love with.

Best photo you've ever seen?
A hard question! James Nachtwey's images of Chechnya come to mind. Ruins of Central Grozny is a great example of capturing a moment - the eyes say it all.

What can make photoblogs better?
Photoblogs better? What makes photoblogs good in the first place is dedication and originality. Before I post something up, I usually ask myself whether I loved the image/s and whether it's been seen before. Hopefully, that will make it stand out for people.

Are there any types of photos that you just see in EVERY photoblog out there?
The mirror self portrait is probably the most common one over the past few years, but I definitely think people have become more inventive with their self portraiture. (I, for one, would like to see more people trying it out!)

Are you involved in anything else photography-wise other than your photoblog?
Absolutely! I love to collaborate with other photographers - I have been running a few different photographic projects for about a year - 26 Things, The Photographic Scavenger Hunt, A Day In The Life, Connect 8 and Q&A: The Photographics Interview. I have a couple new projects coming up soon which sees me team up with Barb and Amanda.

Any tips for our readers?
The worst thing, i think, you could say about your photography or yourself is 'oh, this isn't the best shot' or 'i don't like it'. If you don't like it, find out why and try to do it again differently. If you're passionate about something, or want to get better at something - then take your time to learn from your mistakes or from people's comments.

Thanks a lot for the interview Tracey. Continued success...