The Z-Finder Pro 3x is another one of Zacuto’s Optical Viewfinders that allows DSLR cameras to have the correct form factor for video. It offers 3x focusable magnification (2.5x is available),a 40mm diameter Zacuto optical designed lens, an anti-fog coating protective cover, an eyecup preventing extraneous light leakage, a diopter and a field of view perfectly matched to 3” LCD screens.

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Daniel Riera has worked for a variety of international publications as: Fantastic Man, The Gentlewoman, Vanity Fair, GQ Magazine, Hercules, Monocle, Stiletto, Les Cahiers Purple, A Perfect Guide, View of the Times, Marie Claire, Elle USA etc.

¿Cómo llegaste a la fotografía?
De pequeño quería hacer cine, luego estudié bellas artes pero me especialicé en imagen, y al acabar empecé a publicar algunos trabajos en las revistas independientes que había en la Barcelona de finales de los 90 y una cosa llevó a la otra… más revistas, más trabajos…

¿Cómo describirías tu trabajo? Nombra 4 adjectivos que lo identifiquen.
Uf… Es un trabajo de observación sobre el otro, naturalista, cinemático… libre! Y también mi herramienta de comunicación con el mundo…

¿La fotografía analógica juega un papel importante en tu trabajo?
Me he formado en analógico y disparé exclusivamente en película hasta 2006 que me compré la primera cámara digital y me horrorizaron las fotos, lo veía todo feo. Los desenfoques y los contraluces en analógico eran bonitos y en digital eran como falsos, y al contrario cuando se enfocaba se enfocaba todo demasiado, hiperreal… en fin, me gusta haber empezado con analógico y tener esa base y ahora lo utilizo para proyectos personales, para retratos, en vacaciones… para revistas que aprecian la película…

¿Qué características de tu cámara son indespensables para ti?
Que funcione… poco más. Nunca he valorado la técnica por encima de otras cosas, aunque cada cámara aporta particularidades interesantes…

¿Imagina que tienes una suma indefinida de dinero en tu cuenta. Qué equipo de iluminación comprarías definitivamente?
Creo que el sol es el mejor foco que ha existido nunca y es universal… en la mayoría de mis sesiones, los focos se quedan en la caja… afortunadamente!

¿Tu trabajo está influenciado por otras tendencias o el trabajo de otros fotógrafos, o trabajas sin referencias y sólo expresas tus ideas?
Creo que llevamos todos dentro montones de referencias de todo lo que nos gusta o las películas que vemos, los libros y la experiencia que tenemos sobre las cosas, así que de alguna manera esto sale o puede salir en los trabajos que uno hace…

¿Una foto excepcional: Coincidencia o intención?
Da igual si es excepcional! Pero tiendo a sentirme cómodo con el azar, creo que siempre juega a favor nuestro… a veces luchar demasiado por hacerlo de una manera lleva a perderse otro punto de vista, o a que el trabajo se vuelva rígido quizás… Y las fotos que vienen de la coincidencia son como grandes regalos inesperados, aún hacen más ilusión!

¿Tiempo libre: tu cámara está en casa. La fotografia ha cambiado tu forma de observar lo que te rodea?
Si, es un poco inevitable pensar en fotos, ya que utilizamos los ojos cada momento de nuestra vida… observas, y ves fotos… especialmente cuando no tienes la cámara, desafortunadamente…

¿Cuáles son tus proyectos para el futuro?
Seguir disfrutando con mi trabajo!

For more information, please visit www.bamboobcn.com. Thanks goes to Mr. Riera and Bamboo Agency.

The FEP (Federation of European Photographers) opens the door for the annual competition, sponsored by Epson. There will be six categories to compete in: Wedding; Commercial; Portrait; Reportage; Landscape and Illustrative. Even young professionals up to 25 years can contribute their works  due to a new created category “Young Photographers & Students”. Deadline to register is July 31st, 2011. SPOT offers you a huge discount on lighting equipment for your work participation within the competition.  For more information please call +34 690380205.

Details: www.europeanphotographers.eu

A usual day in spring 2010 in Germany. 400 photographer captured at the same day their personal interpretation and point of view. The result is an impressive volume of book that shows the diversity and beauty of Germany. It cleans up with a national brand of “Sausage and Sauerkraut”. For all of those who you are interested in  understanding German tradition and contemporary thoughts – this book is the right choice.

Details: D-Punkt Verlag; 640 Pages

Doors open for Sonimagphoto 2011. Unfortunately this year we cannot present big news. Especially  within the professional level  did not show up with big innovations. Samsung presents digital cameras with touch screen elements, similar to smart phones handling. Nikon did not present new professional cameras, just some news in the Coolprix series. Overall, if you are interested in testing and seeing photographic equipment we recommend passing by. The admission charge of 9 Euros is affortable. For all of those who are interested in light shaping tools, we recommand to go to the Innovafoto (www.innovafoto.com) stand to get familar with new HMI products from Profoto that have been released recently.

Magnum photographer Bruce Davidson will receive the Outstanding Contribution to Photography Award at this year’s Sony World Photographer Awards. Congratulations, Finally!

I. Recollections -Walter Niedermayr -

For his project, Mr. Niedermayr travelled to Teheran, Isfahan, Yazd, and Schiraz between 2005 and 2008. This book consists of photos that have been captured the beauty of historical towns in Iran. Niedermayr presents an outstanding view of historical and contemporary architecture that delivers a wide contextual approach of culture and history.

Details:  Hatje Cantz Verlag 2010. 170 Pages, 90 colored

II. Hollywood Portraits – Classic Shots and how to make them / Roger Hicks & Christopher Nisperos

A brillant guide how to set up light conditions. You will find famous icons like James Dean, Elvis Presley, Fred Astaire and Greta Garbo. The reader will not just find detailed information about every photo. Moreover the book outlines information regarding to recording techniques, camera settings, lens and much more. A must have for all, who are interested in how to set up impressive light conditions.

Details: Amphoto Books; 144 pages

Mr. Sean Mitchell-Henry is based in  Barcelona.

How did you get in touch with photography?
As a wedding present my father-in-law gave us a compact digital camera and it provoked a lot of interest in me. Not long later I bought a reflex and became immersed in the world of long late night exposures.I discovered photoshop and then one thing led to another and I realized how little I enjoyed my day job. Despite having no training nor experience,  shortly after I resigned to dedicate myself to photography.

How would you characterize your photographic work? Please name four Adjectives.
Spontaneous, Symmetric, Bright, Unassuming

Does analogical photography play an important role in your photographic world?
Not at all apart from being an inspiration. I entered into photography directly in the digital age and so while I aspire to shoot analogical as well in the future I don’t seem to find the time at the moment. This is one of my major regrets – that I entered into photography directly as a job and not a long standing passion over the years. This has meant that I have no choice normally but to shoot to pay the bills and not enough shooting for my creative development and personal projects.

Which characteristics of your own camera are indispensable for you?
I use a Nikon D3 so directly I would have to say that its high ISO capability is fundamental ( it really sets it apart from the rest). Apart from that the key is to use top quality lenses. It makes all the difference.

Imagine you would have an unlimited amount of money. Which equipment you would buy definitively? A  top of the range Hasselblad with all the accesories… not to mention a whole bunch of Profoto lighting. Its a difficult question because in reality with unlimited funding I would buy so much that it would just become stupid. I would love an analogical Leica as well… and…etc etc…

Is your work guided by other influences like important photographer or are you shooting without any references?
In general I would say I shoot without references but thats not really possible unless you live in a bubble. At the end of the day I’m influenced by what I see, my colleagues in the studio, the typical great photographers etc etc. Sometimes I find myself standing in front of the advertising at a bus stop for ages just trying to “reverse engineer” the photos – where and what was the light source, if the retouching is badly done…asking myself these questions often reflects later in my work.

An outstanding photo: Coincidence or full intention?
There are pure examples of both in every facet of photography but its normally a nice mix of the two. No  matter how much planning I do there is always something which is different from my original idea in the final product. If I’m shooting a person, for example,  I generally try to focus on getting them comfortable more than anything else and then letting the postures etc happen naturally. Also I think you have to be flexible sometimes… if you find yourself deviating from the original idea because you’ve felt inspired by a certain look or light… thats perfect!!

What are your next projects?
I’m becoming more and more interested in Product photography and soon I’ll have developed enough material to include it in my WEB page. Its not something that I would have imagined enjoying but I am, so I’ll I’ll definitely explore it. I’m still developing and maturing with the camera ( I hope that it lasts forever) so my projects are normally quite generic while I refine and define my taste. I’m currently working on a food blog as well with my wife – we love to cook and I love to shoot food.
I would also love to shoot for animal rights- I’m crazy about domestic animals like dogs and cats and quite concerned by the amount of them being abandoned. In the future I’m sure I’ll lend a hand with my camera.

10. Leisure time. Camara is at home. Has photography change the point of view of your environment?
Yes and no. I find myself always imagining a picture but ironically I see more pictures when I don’t have the camera at hand. BUT I have found with time that its very useful to leave photography behind and do other things in leisure time. Just as in music the spaces between notes are as important as the notes themselves – in photography time away from the camera is essential to develop as a photographer.

SPOT says: Thank you. For further information please visit web pages:

1. www.seanmitchellhenry.com 2. www.seanfotos.com/bodas/

What would be photography without a creative mind behind it? Correct, nothing! That is why SPOT will initiate his new column “Faces in Spotlight” to interview some selected national and international photographers. We are looking forward to share different point of views. Thank you in advance to all participants.