P&P Blogger Profile: Martin Andreasen

Martin Andreasen of What the Heck Journal

My name is Martin Andreasen, and I am a 25-year old semi-professional photographer (soon to become a professional photo journalist) from Denmark.

Why do you blog?
I blog to get better at both the photographic techniques in ‘the field’ and of course the processing that follows when you come home with a CF-card full of fresh shots.

If you only had time to read three blogs a day, which ones would they be?
I don’t really read blogs as much as I visit photoblogs. One I do like and recently discovered is http://strobist.blogspot.com/ another one is http://journalofaphotographer.com/ and lastly I enjoy the daily blog on http://photoblogs.org/

How long have you been using Photoshop/been a photographer?
I have been using Photoshop and other Adobe applications for a longer time than I have been into photography. The first time I tried Photoshop was in the fall of 1999, when I took the first two semesters of the graphic designer-class we have here in Denmark. I got into serious photography in the end of 2003, where I bought my first DSLR and began shooting various projects and assignments for different clients.

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with?
At the moment I use Canon EOS-1D. I primarily use digital SLR because of the file-size, the ease of use and the possibility of expanding/experimenting with your kit almost endlessly. I like to have complete control of the equipment when shooting, so the next step is probably medium-format.

Mac or PC?
For now I am using my PC, but eventually I will definitely be switching to Mac.
Back in 1999, when I started to work with PS it was on an Apple, and now that the prizes and availability is here, I will not hesitate to go back to where I started when I'm finished with this PC.

What is your favorite piece of photo or computer equipment (other than your camera)?
That must be my homemade shift-lens made from an enlarger-lens, a body-cap, some black plastic from a garbage-bag and a rubber band.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have?
A sub-compact Mac laptop for on the road… but, sadly, they don’t make one. Until then, maybe an Epson P-5000? Or two.

What advice do you have for a novice creative professional/photographer?
That was a tough one… The best advice I can give is probably to get out there and shoot all that you can, and never be afraid to be different and do stuff that everybody else is not doing. This means both photography wise and post-processing wise. It can be great training to try to ‘copy’ the work of photographers you admire, but the best way to get noticed is to create your own style, which can take a while, but will gradually come natural when working a lot.

What inspires you to create?
I get a lot of inspiration from looking at other photographer’s work and to read interviews.
When I am out shooting I can get loads of inspiration from random subjects, the particular light or moods you encounter and observe as a photographer. Sometimes I also get a lot of inspiration from movies or simply listening to my favorite music. It all depends on my mood.

What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
“Life is like a box of chocolates…” No, I’m just kidding. Hmm – That was a tough one. My parents have always supported me, my brother and sisters no matter what we would throw ourselves into. And they have always said that you can do anything you want in life. If you work hard enough you will eventually reach you goals.

Where would you most like to live (other than where you live now)?

I haven’t really thought much about this before. I guess I would get a lot out of living in the U.S. regarding photography. But I guess I am happy with living here in the cold Scandinavia for now.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy spending time with my girlfriend and my friends. Listening to music. Play and create music. Draw and paint. And of course photographing and processing.

What talent would you most like to have?

That was an even tougher one! I guess it would be cool to be able to make a living of playing poker or something like that.

From Inside the Actors Studio:
What is your favorite word? Outsider
What is your least favorite word? Useless
What turns you on? Curves
What turns you off? The smell of onions

What sound or noise do you love? My cat purring
What sound or noise do you hate? Fingernails on a blackboard
What is your favorite curse word? Slut
What occupation other than your own would you like to attempt? Musician
What occupation would you not want to participate in? Factory worker
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? What took so long?

*Note: If you would like to participate in the P&P Blogger Profile series, please email Jason with your blog's URL and he will send you a profile to fill out. Also, be sure to check out the P&P Weekly every Monday for news about this site and a roundup of what other Photoshop & Photography Blogroll members are posting.