Every month, we induct a new set of 500px Guest Editors from within our incredibly talented community, and ask them to scour the site and pick their favorite images. The photos they select make up the Editors’ Choice section of 500px and one of the best ways to discover the kind of eye-opening work our vibrant community is all about.
But we don’t stop there.
The photographers who participate in Editors’ Choice are some of the best of the best, and so in addition to their normal Editor duties, we make it a point to sit down with each of them and ask a few questions.
Here’s what we learned when we spoke with black-and-white Paris photographer Eric Drigny, still-life master Natasha Breen, and ‘beauty, fashion and fetish’ photographer Peter Coulson. Put the kids to bed for this one… Peter’s work gets a bit steamy.
Black & White Paris Photographer Eric Drigny
500PX: How did you get started in photography?
ERIC DRIGNY: My real interest in photography began in 2009, when I bought my first digital camera. I particularly liked working in black & white and find inspiration in the idea that I was following in the footsteps of the great photographers of the past.
In Paris, I was lucky to admire many of them. I will mention people like Cartier-Bresson, Ronis or Doisneau of course, but also many others like Kertész, Brassaï, Boubat…
Can you describe a pivotal moment, occasion, or photograph that made you realize you wanted to be a photographer?
ERIC: It was really the discovery of the works of Saul Leiter in 2010 at an exhibition in Paris, especially his work on the reflexions in the streets of New York, that gave me the urge to photograph. Since the photograph will not leave me…
I immediately liked the pictures of this pioneer of contemporary photography, his poetic vision, and his interest in the human. Exquisite photograph that defies the rules, play with the plans, and allowed to express his instinct.
Saul Leiter once said. “To be successful, you have to want it. Me, I used to go home after work to drink a coffee or listen to music. I had no desire to conquer the world” His humility has no doubt helped to make him a great photographer.
Since this discovery, the verb: to imagine taking its meaning, and photography does not leave me. Now I like to wander the streets of Paris, stop time for a moment, and turn the routine into urban stories for the people who want to hear them.
What was your favorite Editors’ Choice pick and why?
ERIC: For this choice, it’s really difficult because I’ve seen so many wonderful photographs since my entry to 500px. Maybe I’ll talk about one of the first that I have put into my favorites — a picture by Igor Pavloff:
I like this picture because it is wonderfully Paris. Everything is subtle: framing, black & white, the grain of the image. Finger on the lips of the young woman takes us into her history, it challenges the reader and plunges us into her privacy. The flowery dress reminds me of a spring morning, and this young woman seems to ask us to let sleep some more the Eiffel Tower, the old iron lady, symbol of Paris.
To see more of Eric’s work, follow him on 500px, browse his Awesome Portfolio, or give his website a visit by clicking here.
Still-Life Master Natasha Breen
500PX: How did you get started in photography?
NATASHA BREEN: 6 years ago I gave my husband a camera as a present, and one year later he gave me one as well. We traveled a lot, and I started enjoying the process of shooting. I took some courses and decided to change my profession, devoting myself entirely to photography. Eventually I had to choose between genres, and I chose food still-life.
Can you describe a pivotal moment, occasion, or photograph that made you realize you wanted to be a photographer?
NATASHA: It’s very hard to say something exact on this point. When I started with photography, I really enjoyed the process itself. Later on I reviewed huge amount of works by different authors in different genres. It was hard to define the main theme, what I really want to shoot. The pivotal picture is the one below:
After its publication on 500px I decided to become a food photographer.
What was your favorite Editors’ Choice pick and why?
NATASHA: Being an editor during March, I decided to promote a little my favorite genre: food photography. I cannot say that I found a huge amount of interesting photographers in this area, but I still feel that I opened quite a lot of new names.
One of my favorite finds were the following photos. The technical performance as well as the atmosphere makes them stunning.
To see more of Natasha’s work or follow along as she continues capturing mouthwatering food still life photographs, follow her on 500px, check out her 500px Prime store where she licenses those creations, and show her some love on Facebook.
Warning: Some of the following is borderline NSFW. Proceed with caution.
Beauty, Fashion, and Fetish Photographer Peter Coulson
500PX: How did you get started in photography?
PETER COULSON: As far back as I remember, I have always taken photos. My first memorable experience was at a Chuck Berry’s gig, I borrowed my dad’s Minolta. I was photographing musicians and bands on the side initially. The passion grew over time, I just wanted to create. I can’t sing or paint, but photography I could do. I needed a way to express myself.
Can you describe a pivotal moment, occasion, or photograph that made you realize you wanted to be a photographer?
PETER: Maybe about 20 years ago, I was shooting a friends child, and without being rude and meaning no offense I’ll say that she wasn’t the ‘prettiest’ girl. I took one photo and was mesmerized at how stunning she looked. I wish I could find the photo, but I remember it clearly. It was that photo that made me stick to shooting humans, rather than fish (Before shooting humans, I photographed fishers and fly fishers).
What was your favorite Editors’ Choice pick and why?
PETER: That is so hard, there are so many pictures I love. If I flick through all the images, I keep going back to two:
I love this, the amazing capture of innocence and beauty in a young woman.
The attitude of the cigarette, the smoke coming out of her mouth, the gaze of the model, the water too, it is just stunning.
To see more of Peter’s work and follow along as he creates more, follow him on 500px, pay him a visit on his website, or say hi on Facebook and Twitter.
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