Shari Nees
Shari Nees
Welcome to the Artists Blog
When did you first become interested in art, in general?
Since I could first hold a pencil.
When did you first become interested in photography, specifically?
When I was a young teen, was always taking photos. When I was a bit older I took three years of photography lesson, which included how to develop film.
In what other forms of art do you also work, if any?
Pen & Ink with watercolor pencil wash and graphite for the most part. Some times I use water based Oils.
Cool Morning
On which style(s) of photography do you specialise?
I prefer real life. Taking the best possible photo straight out of the camera.
Has your style changed from when you first began?
No, pretty much has stayed the same over the years.
What kind of equipment do you use?
Right now I have a Olympus E-510 digital SLR and the lenses that come with it are, 40-150mm f4.0-5.6 Lens and 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 Lens. Also have a Zuiko Digital ED 18-180mm F3.5-6.3. Will add better lenses as I can. Have a tripod of course.
Evening Facerhododendron
My computer is a Dell XPS M1710 lap top with a older Vista OS. APS7, which sort’a works.
All pretty basic but it does well enough for now.
What made you choose that equipment?
For the camera… Price, more storage options,sensor-shift image stabilization, comes with two lenses,Live View screen,Dust Reduction System and so on.
For the computer…was the only one at the time that was fast and powerful enough to game on and handle large amounts of photos. Also had the best screen on the market at the time.
How do you choose what you’re going to photograph?
Just what ever takes my fancy at the time for the most part. Can be the color, shape, scope..any number of reasons.
Old Barn on Small Oregon Farm
What kind of editing do you perform on your photographs, if any?
I try to keep it to a min. Will sometimes crop or lighten a bit if needed. But I prefer to take the best photo possible, to be just what I was looking for straight out of the camera.
That is not to say…there are rare times I play with a photo just for fun. ;O)
How much time (on average) does it take to complete a work?
Depends on the photo. But on Average about 20 minutes from downloading it to the computer till the time it is ready to go into a file or online shop.
How do you know when a piece is finished?
With the photographs, I pretty much know right away. Find it easy to walk away.
Salutation Pansy
What do you do to overcome a ‘block’?
So far, have not had one.
How well do you take criticism and how do you make use of it?
I don’t take it well as I know I should but I will look into what a person says and use it accordingly.
Who is your favourite photographer?
Humm…. Have to say Ansel Adams is one of my favorites. Also have to add, Art Wolfe.
Which one of your photographs is your favourite?
That changes by the day but right now it would be “Cool Morning” which is a photograph of a waterfall at the Portland Japanese garden. That early morning everything came together and I got the photograph I have been trying to take for months.
Have you exhibited any of your work in galleries?
No
Waiting To Go – Icelandic Horse
Will your work be included at any upcoming contests or galleries?
Yes, I have a number of my works submitted in online contests. You can read about a number of them on the 1st Angel forum.
What are your plans for the future?
To keep taking photographs, to keep learning and hopefully some day, be noticed.
What advice do you have for budding photographers?
Since I am basically new in the ditigal world of photography..having only had this camera a year now (is a way different beast than 35mm film)…I can’t add much here other than… just do not get discouraged. Everyone has different ideas on what a good photograph is but only you know what you are looking for and like. Stick to your values.
Thank you very much Shari for an excellent interview! I know how busy you get on your farm so it is very good of you to contribute to the site 
Shari is also a talented artist and has in fact filled out an artists interview too which will be of interest to other artists.. Read It Here
You can see more of Shari’s work, and keep up with her life at http://www.inkandbrushcreations.com
