Guest Takeover 02: Presents street and portrait Photographer George Kamelakis

 

Hello George.

First of all it’s a honor to have you and you work here featured at Lightpulse.gr. Let me start by allowing you to tell me and the visitors of this blog a bit about yourself ad how you got into photography.
My name is George Kamelakis. Born in the USA and living in Heraklion Crete since 1992. Ive attended some seminars and workshops but I’m mostly self taught. It all started when I got a simple point and shoot camera as a gift…I really enjoyed taking photos and wanted to learn more about photography. So in 2006 I bought my first DSLR. Initially I was planning to go to photography school but then I decided it would be a waste of money since its so expensive…So I started like most people do, researching online, watching tutorials, reading a lot of magazines and books. Later on I started going to some seminars and workshops which also helped a lot. Nowadays photography is an important part of my life and I slowly want to make it my profession.

Now regarding the Faces project. How did you came up with the idea?

Well after seeing the work of Martin Schoeller, Platon and Peter Hapak I wanted to start my own project of close ups. The project started a few months ago and it still has a long way to go.

I am sure that many people would like to know about the procedure and gear that you utilize for this project.Can you tell us a little bit about them?
The gear is pretty simple. One fluorescent light above camera and a small reflector below to fill in some of the shadows. The lenses that I use are a 50mm prime and the Nikkor 24-85mm f/2.8-4D. A lot of work is done later in Photoshop. Each close up has an average of about 3-4 hours of post processing.

I guess that this is a long term project for you. How do you keep yourself motivated in order not to drop it?
Sure, a lot of people have asked me if I ever get tired or bored doing the same thing but that’s the meaning of doing a project. You have to stick to it however you may feel until you have finally finished it. Only by doing these kind of small or sometimes big projects can you become a better photographer.

How do you pick your subjects?
Are you looking for some special elements or attributes? The subjects that I choose to photograph have some kind of strange(not in a bad way) feature. I don’t just go around asking everyone. I cant explain it exactly but when I see a face I want to photograph I just know it. Also the project isn’t about showing the subject at his/her best. That’s why all the subjects (or at least most of them) are without emotion just staring into the lens.

What are your plans for the future once this project is complete? Are you going to publish a book or do an exhibition with these photos?
Once the project is complete my first goal is to get the best photographs published in a book. Later on I would like to exhibit them as well. I have already printed some of the photographs and its really amazing seeing a very large print of somebody’s face so close.

I noticed that many street photos have been taken with a fisheye lens. It has to do with your personal style?
A fisheye lens can produce some really amazing results but you have to be careful not to overuse it because then the wow factor starts to fade. Its really difficult to make a good composition since the lens is so wide. Personally I like it a lot although don’t use it so much now.

What do you usually look for while you are out in the streets? Do you keep your eyes open for specific scenes or you simple walk around and take pictures that you come across in a more organic way?
In street photography you almost never know what is going to happen. You have to be ready or else most of the time the moment is gone. You have to think ahead and know your camera well. Anyway a large amount of my street pictures are staged on the spot or in some occasions I go to a place that I have spotted previously. Generally I look for color and strange little details that some may not even see.

Street photography is about balls, wide lenses and “in your face” shots or you can do street photography within the safety that long focal lengths provide? What is your opinion in the subject? 

I prefer wide and ultra-wide. The closer to the subject, the better. I cant find a reason to be like a mile away from the person or subject I am photographing. Most of my street shots are with the Tokina 12-24mm f/4 which means I am really close to the subject I am shooting.

What would you advice to your best friend if he was about to get into street photography? Give us a list of your down and dirty tricks please.
Street photography is really interesting and I think everyone should try it at least once. Sure its not that easy but all different types of photography have their difficulties. First of all I would advise someone to check out the work of great street photographers. You can learn a lot from this. Secondly shoot all the time whenever you can because every click you get better. As for some tips I would say that body language is quite important. Don't go around secretly takings pictures, smile, blend in the crowd, keep on shooting till the subject goes away and then check to see if you got the shot you wanted.

Do you think street photography should be a lonely procedure or you enjoy the company of another ( or more ) photographer when you go out to shoot?
Well most people believe that street photography is a lonely procedure and they’re probably right even though I enjoy the company of at least one person. However when there are a lot of photographers together we usually end up going for coffee and not taking any photographs.

What do you think about the interwebs as platforms to showcase your work? ( Flickr, 500px, the web, social networks etch )
Nowadays there are so many sites to showcase your work that you can literally get lost. I know Flickr is the most popular but as far as quality goes I think 500px and 1x are much better. Flickr has a lot of great photographers but you have to find them between all the “garbage” that gets uploaded daily. Another one of my favorite site’s is http://www.photographyserved.com/ which also has some amazing work.

Do you thing that connecting to other photographers has improved your craft?
Seeing all the great work of other photographers on these sites and in general all over the web can inspire you and can improve you a lot making you a better photographer. Studio photography and street photography are two completely opposite environments to photograph in.

What is your approach when you build a shot in a controlled environment ( studio ) and when you shoot out in the constantly challenging urban scene.
Studio and street photography are two completely opposite environments but I enjoy shooting in both of them. Of course the main difference is the light. In the studio you control it but it is also about that randomness of the light in street photography that challenges you. I believe that if you understand and know a lot about light it doesn’t matter where you are. Under any circumstances you may not get what you really hoped for but at least you can get something really interesting and good.

Many photographers start out strong but after a while they get sucked by everyday life and stop shooting. How many hours per week you shoot more or less? And how do you “create” this free time?
Well I shoot constantly but a lot of time is also spent on my computer since post processing is an important part in my work.I believe that even if you don’t work as a photographer you can always find time to shoot. Most of the people that say they are too busy are just too bored to do it. Personally as I mentioned before photography isn’t exactly something I do in my free time only. I am slowly making money and planning a lot of things for the future. I have already started teaching Photoshop and I’m shooting and retouching for various clients.

Any future plans or projects you would like to share before we close this interview?
Currently I am also working on a book I am going to publish soon. It will contain some of the photos I took while I was in the greek army. All the photographs with only 2 or 3 exceptions were taken with a simple point and shoot camera since it is forbidden to take pictures in the army. Some of the photographs can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/georgekamelakis/sets/72157626245737337/show/

Please share your final words of wisdom before we close :)
I would like to thank you for having me here on your website as your second guest on your Guest Takeover after Mary Kay!

Great to have you here as well George :) Thanks again for your time and I promise to get back on you later this year to see how your projects are going.

That’s it folks regarding the interview.

Now check out more of George’s work  and connect with him using the links to the bottom of this post.

George Kamelakis on the web

http://www.flickr.com/photos/georgekamelakis/

http://500px.com/georgekamelakis

https://twitter.com/#!/GeorgeKamelakis

Until next time happy shooting, stay safe and remember to find time for the people you love and love you back.

Cheers

Stratos

Comments

[GeorgeKamelakis]

When you're shooting street photography you might scare/surprise people. How do you handle tough situations which include aggresiveness ?
Georgina Groovy

It all depends on the way you shoot.If you don’t go around harassing people you’ll almost never get in a tough situation.If somebody reacts just smile and walk away.If someone tells you,you are not allowed to take photographs don’t just leave.Nobody can tell you that(except on some occasions that most of us know)

This is very intriguing to me. I enjoyed reading the post and viewing the photos. :D
Jannica Findlay | OSHA Posters

Hope you enjoyed the interview as well Jannica

Hi George, Your contemporary street photography shows that you have a unique eye. Classic street photographers such as Henri Cartier-Bresson captured the spirit of a place and time, where he drew inspiration from his surroundings and the people he met. What inspires you to take photographs and how do you choose the subjects for your wonderful portraits?
Caroline Burley

Hey Caroline thanks for your kind words
If you read the interview again you’ll see that I have already answered similar questions.