Your name: Dave Ortiz
City, Country: Harriman, NY, USA
Website or Portfolio Site: http://steadyhandimagery.com
Preferred Social Network Account: https://plus.google.com/app/basic/101006001190131292549/posts?cbp=1vaw73ykinfzn&partnerid=gpmobile:ios&sview=2
What is your name?
Dave Ortiz
When did you begin listening to The Candid Frame?
Since 2009
How long have you been shooting and what inspired your interest in photography?
I have been shooting since early 2000's. My first camera was a Coolpix 700. It was a fixed lens 2.1 megapixel camera. I love the immediate gratification I gained with it and it ignited a passion.
Do you have a preferred genre or specialty of photography? Why?
I shoot portraits, weddings, and events commercially. I shoot street photography for myself.
What subject matter, themes, ideas do you like to explore or inspire your photography? Why?
Growing up in NYC and now commuting into the city daily I have always had a love affair with the city life and pace. I like to challenge myself to find a perspective of my own. My reflections series has been my way to honor the city and I have known all my life.
What creative or professional goals do you have for your photography?
I have accomplished one recently by having my work exhibited. My next goals are to have my images displayed on a NY Jumbotron, publish a book of my Reflection series, and create a weekly blog that will be home to a weekly image and a short story about it.
Do you have an interesting story or anecdote for one of the images you have submitted in your portfolio?
I have a phrase I use: "Street photography is to photography as Jazz is to music."
Do you have any personal projects that you have or are working on that we would find of interest? Please describe it and why it’s been important to you.
I have been shooting urban landscapes from a different perspective. I have made an obsession of shooting reflected images of NYC. My Reflections of NY series has been a passion for me. I literally look forward toward rainy days. Ive been working on this project since last year and hope to do something with the images soon.
What is your favorite piece of equipment, software or accessory that makes a difference in your photography? Why?
My iPhone is my favorite piece of equipment. I feel that it gives so much access and opportunity to shoot in a way that I get to shoot, process and share my art in real time.
What tip or suggestion has best helped your development as a photographer? Why?
There are two phrases have been instrumental to who I have become as a photographer. The best camera is the one you have on you-It is for this reason I carry a camera everywhere. Rick Sammon says: Specialize in not specializing. I think this phrase is so liberating as it tells me to experiment and shoot anything and everything until you find what you want to shoot.
Which episode of The Candid Frame photography podcast would you recommend to others? Why?
Episode 115: Noah Stephens is my favorite. It highlighted a photographer that was shooting to show his hometown for the beauty is holds and should be recognized for. He was tired of the seeing images of his beloved city in ruins. The urban decay have saturated the image one can make of the city. Noah wanted to show his Detroit. His self-imposed project resonated with me and may have initiated the desire to shoot my city to show it from my perspective.
