For this edition of the Photoshop Interviews series we have quite the interviewee, if I do say so myself. Friend-of-the-Blog Andy Smith of Visual Realia posed a few really interesting questions of me this time around and I appreciate the time and thought he put in. So, here we go!

Andy Smith: Is there a processing technique, camera feature or other photography related item that you don’t get why others are so interested in?

Jason D. Moore: There are a couple of things that pop into my head right off the bat. The Lens Baby. I’ve used one briefly from BorrowLenses.com and have seen a number of shots that others have taken but I’ve never really seen what the big deal was. I can see the draw, and I appreciate and respect the drive and desire to get it right in-camera – even, and especially, when it comes to special effects – but I also think that you can get the same results in post and have more control to get the results you want.

The other thing is certain examples of HDR. Not all HDR, mind you. I really like most HDR images, it’s just when people process the images so much that they look cartoony or like alien worlds that I start to lose interest. You know when you see a gymnist going through their routine and it looks effortless? If you see the effort, the art of it would get lost. And that’s kind of how I feel about HDR. Once you get to that almost over-processed look, I think the art of it gets lost for me.

AS: Looking at your own portfolio, what category(s) of photographs don’t you seem to take very often?

JDM: I’ve got a number of city shots, nature, landscapes, still-lives, etc. but I’d have to say that I don’t shoot a lot of portraits.

AS: Why do you think that is?

JDM: I’m not sure. I really wish I could do more portraits, more photography as a whole, actually. I suppose I don’t do a lot of portrait photography because I know I’m not very good at it. I just wish I had the time to practice.

AS: If time, location and money (if necessary) were not a factor, what would you like to do more of, in terms of photography?

JDM: If money weren’t an issue, I’d do it full time. I would love to have more time to practice and hone my style. I’d like to be able to set up a real studio with proper lighting equipment and a dedicated system for editing, video recording, storage, and backups. I’d also like to get to the point where I could do some writing, more video tutorials, and lead seminars and workshops so I could share my knowledge and skills so others can develop theirs further.

Thanks Andy!