Welcome to my new way of recognising the up and coming talent at Bolt. What I am going to do is feature different photographers who I think deserve a mention for their hard work they put in and then make the effort to share their work with the rest of us. At the moment I'd say they are going to be monthly features, but I guess we'll see how busy I am, they may end up being three weeks at a time.
On with the show!
This month's feature is a double: lizzs20 and best friend littleLanie. These two are impressive. Working together they have produced some really interesting, off the cuff photography which turns everyday situations into funky snapshots of life.
They've caught my eye and it's now time to share the grooviness with you all. I hope you enjoy this launch of the series and please leave me comments on what you thought.
For the record.
Your names?
lizzs20: Elizabeth
littleLanie: Lane AKA Lanie
Ages?
lizzs20: 17
littleLanie: 17
Hometowns?
lizzs20: St Joseph, Michigan
littleLanie: Stevensville, Michigan
Your work.
You have got some awesome pictures in your profiles! Some of the best I've seen in my travels around Bolt. Do you consider yourself a professional?
lizzs20: Lanie and I always refer to ourselves as photographers. I think if I wanted to I could call myself a professional but I prefer "photographer" and/or "Artist"
littleLanie: Not at all. I still have much to learn about the art of photography. I'm very young yet...and I need at least some formal education. I've been to photography camps such as MIPA at MSU, but other than that, I know very little about it.
What camera/s do you use to capture these images?
lizzs20: Well, actually my camera isn't too fancy...I have a Kodak Easy Share with a limited amount of 4.0 mp...and then a even worse camera called a Canon Powershot which, its a sad 3.2 mp.
littleLanie: Some of my older pictures were taken with a Canon PowerShot. My more recent work has been done with a Canon Rebel XT.
Do you use Photoshop or the like to alter them?
lizzs20:I always alter the lighting and shadows because my camera doesn't have the aperture adjusters, I've gotten into more of the natural setting for a picture just because I feel that is more artistic and takes more of the eye for art but if you know what your doing and manipulation isn't taking over the picture I think its alright...I play around with it
littleLanie: On a lot of my older images I used a mediocre sort of imitation Photoshop, but now I hardly ever alter the images. I prefer to have a more natural feel to them.
When did you first get into Photography? What was your first camera?
lizzs20: I've always loved photography I guess, I always had to own a camera but when I got my digital camera last year that's when I started being creative with my photography and capturing images.
littleLanie: Actually, the first time I ever got into photography was last December when I slept over at Lizz's house and I had to leave early the next morning. So, I basically didn't feel like going home yet and I randomly went to the beach and started taking pictures. After that, I've wanted to capture amazing photos. (Lizz and I would always have "picture adventures" before this, but it would be basically pictures of the two of us being goofy. Not a form of REAL photography.) My first camera was my Canon Powershot that I got for Christmas that year.
It's good to see the both of you working together on projects. You have an exhibition coming up too, how is that going?
lizzs20: Well, we're still in the process the communications between us and The Box Factory (the Art gallery) who aren't too organized and it's not so easy when school overrides everything but, next month we should at least have something hanging on the walls of The Box Factory.
littleLanie: Eh, to tell you the truth, I've been slacking lately on taking photos. I only take them for work I have to do at school. I haven't yet found the time to go out on my own to take photos. *keep in mind, I'm a high school student and athlete.*
So when did you guys meet? Was it through school? What's the story?
lizzs20: Lane and I have been best friends since 8th grade during those rough middle school years when no one had identities, the only thing we knew was we both wore KSwiss and that was sweet...(and still is) We basically keep each other sane because we can't find anyone else quite like us and its a lot more comforting being able to share our interests with someone else who sees things the same way.
littleLanie: Actually, we've known each other our whole lives, basically. Lizz went to school with me from first grade until present. I never really liked her much in elementary and (she claims) I'd run away from her on the playground. I don't really remember this...but I could see that happening. In eighth grade, I had a social studies class with her and I didn't like anyone in the class...so I started talking to Lizz. (ha...sort of mean.) We did a project outside of class together and have been best friends ever since. ta da.
Professionals.
Who is your favourite photographer or film maker? Do they inspire you?
lizzs20: Well, actually, my inspiration is Andy Warhol. I feel so cliché naming him but in a way he reminds me of him, only I had a less intense version. Of course no one will ever compare to him. I've read a biography about him, his book of philosophy and his diaries, I feel like in a way I've figured him out, and everything that I've learned about him just awe-inspires me to think differently, be original and just emphasize the characteristics about myself that make me unique.
littleLanie: Well...I wish I could answer this better, but to be honest I really don't know the work of many photographers. I sort of just picked it up. I never had an interest for it until I DID it. But, I love the movie Garden State (written and directed by Zach Braff) and the way scenes are composed is fantastic. It inspires me very much, especially the scene where Large wakes up on the couch and the light is pouring in the room.
If not, where does your sense of creativity and inspiration for your type of shots come from?
lizzs20: All day I take pictures with my eyes like I just capture images and tell myself, 'dang that would look great in a photograph". I guess I just have my own style, I'm not really sure if I necessarily have an inspiration for the creativity in my photographs, I just take them after I capture the image through my eyes I suppose. I never really think I'm being creative, I'm just capturing something natural that no one thinks of taking the time out to look at unless it's already captured.
littleLanie: My main inspiration is seeing the beauty in life. I think that we take the most simple things for granted. Also, I live in one of the most beautiful places in the entire world. I love it here and I want to share it with everyone. Another part of my photography style would be that I like taking shots at very close angles to show a different viewpoint because there are more ways you can see something than just one.
Do you see yourselves in the photography business as you pass through school and college?
lizzs20: It seems like everyone is in photography lately because of this Digital Camera craze and everyone wants their own business. Lanie and I have talked about it before, we've thought of names, and eventually I think we might have something small. It'd most definitely be a good project while we go off to college. It would keep us in touch. I don't want to have my life career in photography however, maybe something that requires a sense of capturing images but, I like to do things that people AREN'T doing yet. Everyone's taking pictures, I need to find a new medium of imaging.
littleLanie: Being a photographer would be amazing. I have a hard decision to make...and that is photography or Journalism. I can't decide which I want to do, considering I love to write and I love to create images. I plan on at least getting a minor in photography. Also, not like it's a business or anything, but I do take a large amount of photos for my school newspaper and yearbook.
If no, where do you see yourselves in say 10 years time?
lizzs20:I always think I'm sure of what I want to do and then with a little time and more experiences, I become lost again. I want to do something arty, I don't want to do freelance, I want to inspire people, I don't want to teach, I want to observe and inform people.
I'm into Anthropology and I'm also into illustration... I'm not sure where that can lead me but I want to include those things in my career. annnnd I don't want kids...so I guess I can drift into whatever my heart or head (which ever dominates) is feeling without too much craziness dragging along...maybe a husband... Who knows..? I'm just looking forward to letting the world see me
littleLanie: Oh no, this is my biggest problem. I have NO idea where I see myself. I know that I will probably be a journalist...and, of course, I will still be taking many many photos.
Bolt.
How did you come across this site?
lizzs20: I got a email one day, and I was bored enough to check the new site out and my jaw just dropped and I was like "Wow! Cool. Let's do this."
littleLanie: I stole the idea from Lizz. I saw she had one and I saw all of the people on the site and how amazing their photos were and I thought, "hmmm...I would love to share my photos with them and be able to see their work too."
Do you have a favourite piece of content on here? a Member even? Who/What?
lizzs20: Hmm I'm not very sure, I mean I liked "The Pixie" but of course it was fake... I like all the Bolt Staff a lot, and I like Remy-Soho and I think Smileforgrape is pretty sweet just because I am infatuated with the name Grape...beautiful. I kind of wish I could be a bolt staff member actually hah.
littleLanie:
One of my favourite members was the Pixie, but I found out she was a girl who's identity was stolen on this site. She had the most strange and beautiful pictures. As for portraits, Tara-the-Jedi has some awesome self portraits. (Portraits are my weak point and I WISH I could take photos like those!)
Well with that said, check them out! littleLanie and lizzs20. That's all from me for this time, go give the girls some love and if you think you've got someone in mind, or even yourself for a feature, drop me a line and it just might be your work appearing here next time.
This has been no1bone aka Scott.
