P&P Blogger Profile: Andy Biggs
Andy Biggs of The Global Photographer
I am a full time nature photographer, and I lead photographic safaris throughout Africa. Some years I lead 4 or 5 safaris, and others 6 or 7. I also lead workshops in the American West, as well as other locations around the globe.
Why do you blog?
I blog as a way of effectively communicating with my past, current and future workshop participants. I feel like I need a way of communicating in more personal nature, where I can write just about anything down. I strive to post content as often as I can, but sometimes it is a challenge.
If you only had time to read three blogs a day, which ones would they be?
Luminous Landscape
Engadget
The Online Photographer
How long have you been using Photoshop/been a photographer?
I started using Photoshop with version 6, and that is about the same time that I took up photography as a true passion. Before that I was just a casual shooter that picked up a camera only for vacations and family get togethers.
What type of camera(s) do you shoot with?
I primarily shoot with a Canon 1DsMkII, but I also shoot with a 1DMkIII and an infrared converted Canon Rebel XTi. I am currently thinking of adding a 6x17 camera to the mix for animal-scapes.
Mac or PC?
Mac when I can get away with it. Mac at home, Mac on the road. However, unless Apple comes out with a lightweight laptop solution, I might move back to the PC just to save some weight on long safaris. Hey, a few pounds here and a few there really do add up.
What is your favorite piece of photo or computer equipment (other than your camera)?
Right now it is my camera backpack that I am bringing to market in a few months. I have been working on this product for over two years, and I am so excited to start selling it soon.
What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have?
Medium format digital. I love landscapes with oodles of detail, and the latest round of medium format digital backs would look great in my bag.
What advice do you have for a novice creative professional/photographer?
Photography isn’t about having the latest gear. Even though we will have new product innovations in the future, don’t get hung up on having the latest and greatest gear. I look back 5 years when I had a pair of Canon D30 3mp cameras, and I still think the images I captured were every bit as strong as some of the images I am shooting today. Photographs that stir the soul come from within and between your ears, and not with what is sitting on top of your tripod.
What inspires you to create?
I have a growing library of coffee table books, and I often refer to them for inspiration. So I have to say work from other photographers.
What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
Whatever you choose to do, be the best at it that you can be. Give it 110%.
Where would you most like to live (other than where you live now)?
I would love to live in the Colorado Rockies, or perhaps back in northern California again. California is where I developed my passion for the outdoors.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
As many people might know, I am very social person. So I love to spend time with family and friends. I thrive off of the energy of others.
What talent would you most like to have?
I would love to be more creative. Creativity is something that is difficult to obtain. Once you think you have it, poof! Gone. Sometimes I like to think that I am a creative person, but other times I realize that I am more innovative than creative.
From Inside the Actors Studio:
What is your favorite word? Yes
What is your least favorite word? No
What turns you on? Working with a new electronic gadget
What turns you off? Gadgets that don’t work.
What sound or noise do you love? The sounds of the African bush
What sound or noise do you hate? Traffic noise.
What is your favorite curse word? Doh! Not really a curse word, but anything Homer Simpson says has to be funny.
What occupation other than your own would you like to attempt? I would love to direct films.
What occupation would you not want to participate in? Anything involving blood. I would be passed out on the floor all of the time!
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? I listened to all of your prayers, Andy. Did you really want that 5.0 liter Mustang GT back in 1986?
Luminous Landscape
Engadget
The Online Photographer
How long have you been using Photoshop/been a photographer?
I started using Photoshop with version 6, and that is about the same time that I took up photography as a true passion. Before that I was just a casual shooter that picked up a camera only for vacations and family get togethers.
What type of camera(s) do you shoot with?
I primarily shoot with a Canon 1DsMkII, but I also shoot with a 1DMkIII and an infrared converted Canon Rebel XTi. I am currently thinking of adding a 6x17 camera to the mix for animal-scapes.
Mac or PC?
Mac when I can get away with it. Mac at home, Mac on the road. However, unless Apple comes out with a lightweight laptop solution, I might move back to the PC just to save some weight on long safaris. Hey, a few pounds here and a few there really do add up.
What is your favorite piece of photo or computer equipment (other than your camera)?
Right now it is my camera backpack that I am bringing to market in a few months. I have been working on this product for over two years, and I am so excited to start selling it soon.
What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have?
Medium format digital. I love landscapes with oodles of detail, and the latest round of medium format digital backs would look great in my bag.
What advice do you have for a novice creative professional/photographer?
Photography isn’t about having the latest gear. Even though we will have new product innovations in the future, don’t get hung up on having the latest and greatest gear. I look back 5 years when I had a pair of Canon D30 3mp cameras, and I still think the images I captured were every bit as strong as some of the images I am shooting today. Photographs that stir the soul come from within and between your ears, and not with what is sitting on top of your tripod.
What inspires you to create?
I have a growing library of coffee table books, and I often refer to them for inspiration. So I have to say work from other photographers.
What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
Whatever you choose to do, be the best at it that you can be. Give it 110%.
Where would you most like to live (other than where you live now)?
I would love to live in the Colorado Rockies, or perhaps back in northern California again. California is where I developed my passion for the outdoors.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
As many people might know, I am very social person. So I love to spend time with family and friends. I thrive off of the energy of others.
What talent would you most like to have?
I would love to be more creative. Creativity is something that is difficult to obtain. Once you think you have it, poof! Gone. Sometimes I like to think that I am a creative person, but other times I realize that I am more innovative than creative.
From Inside the Actors Studio:
What is your favorite word? Yes
What is your least favorite word? No
What turns you on? Working with a new electronic gadget
What turns you off? Gadgets that don’t work.
What sound or noise do you love? The sounds of the African bush
What sound or noise do you hate? Traffic noise.
What is your favorite curse word? Doh! Not really a curse word, but anything Homer Simpson says has to be funny.
What occupation other than your own would you like to attempt? I would love to direct films.
What occupation would you not want to participate in? Anything involving blood. I would be passed out on the floor all of the time!
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? I listened to all of your prayers, Andy. Did you really want that 5.0 liter Mustang GT back in 1986?
*Note: If you there is someone you would like to see as a part of the P&P Blogger Profile series, please email Jason with their blog's URL. 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.
