P&P Blogger Profile: Michael Snell
Michael Snell of eyes on the roadI’m a freelance travel photographer (stock and assignment) and graphic designer specializing in book design.
Why do you blog?To supplement a web site my brother and I started to provides digital photography tips and tools called thatsmymonkey.com. We each have a blog on our particular specialty — mine being travel and his being weddings and portraits. The blogs allow us to put information out to our readers much more quickly than updating the core website.
If you only had time to read three blogs a day, which ones would they be?
My brother’s blog - http://blsphoto.blogspot.com/
John Nack - http://blogs.adobe.com/jnack/
Strobist - http://strobist.blogspot.com/
How long have you been using Photoshop/been a photographer?
I think I’ve always been a photographer, starting with box cameras and Kodak Instamatics as a kid, graduating to 35mm when I was around 12. I began using a Mac in 1986 and used Digital Darkroom software before switching to Photoshop – possibly even with version 1.
What type of camera(s) do you shoot with?
Currently a Nikon D200 but I keep a Panasonic LX-1 in my pocket most of the time, too.
Mac or PC?
Definitely Mac although I do also own a Sony Vaio (don’t tell anyone!)
What is your favorite piece of photo or computer equipment (other than your camera)?
My Mac and Cinema Display. For photo equipment, probably my 80-200 Nikkor zoom. Typically my favorite shots come from it.
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?
If you want to go pro, take some business classes.
What inspires you to create?
It’s pretty much something I just have to do. Just about anything can inspire me.
What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
Travel. See the world and realize that there are many ways to live a good life. We don’t all need to be the same.
Where would you most like to live (other than where you live now)?
I really like both Canadian coasts. Maybe somewhere around Vancouver? With a vacation home in the Cyclades?
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Travel is my favorite thing to do. Period. For work or pleasure -- and it’s often hard to separate the two. I also read a lot.
What talent would you most like to have?
I’d like to be able to fly. Is that a talent? Maybe that’s an ability…
From Inside the Actors Studio:
What is your favorite word? Yes
What is your least favorite word? Can’t
What turns you on? A cold beer on a warm veranda overlooking something scenic.
What turns you off? Anger
What sound or noise do you love? The sound of my car starting on a cold, dark, lonely road after I’ve stopped to take a photo.
What sound or noise do you hate? The sound of my car not starting.
What is your favorite curse word? Shliznat (any Farscape fans out there?)
What occupation other than your own would you like to attempt? Architect
What occupation would you not want to participate in? Prison guard
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? You’re late.
What sound or noise do you hate? The sound of my car not starting.
What is your favorite curse word? Shliznat (any Farscape fans out there?)
What occupation other than your own would you like to attempt? Architect
What occupation would you not want to participate in? Prison guard
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? You’re late.
*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.
