Browsing 500px’s Editors’ Choice is one of my favorite ways to find inspiration and discover new photographers to follow. You can easily get lost looking at the wide range of photography from all over the world. The curation of Editors’ Choice isn’t determined by popularity, number of likes, or followers. Instead, the photos are selected by two new 500px photographers each month.
This month, we welcome two new Guest Editors: Antonett Ewan, a portrait photographer based in Toronto and Austin Neill, a UX designer who specializes in music, sports, and lifestyle photography. Read on to discover more about these two talented artists and their brilliant photography.
Meet Antonett Ewan
When I bought my first DSLR in 2011, I never intended to pursue a career in photography. I was studying philosophy at the University of Windsor at the time and really just wanted to upgrade my point-and-shoot to “make backgrounds blurry.” After returning to Toronto and spending some time in “career-limbo” at a department store portrait studio, I enrolled in Seneca College’s Independent Photography program where I developed an interest in shooting still life and pursued it professionally after graduation. It wasn’t until last summer that I decided to explore portraiture again. I’m currently working on building a fashion and beauty portfolio.
Q: Who are two of your favorite photographers and why? What about their work interests you?
Antonett Ewan: My favorite photographer is Andrew B. Myers, who really influenced my still life photography (to a fault). My greatest visual influences overall are actually filmmakers: Wes Anderson and Michael Bay. I love Anderson’s use of color, symmetry, and color toning, and Bay’s lighting and rich skin tones.
Q: Tell us about a photo that represents a significant or memorable photographic experience.
Antonett Ewan:This image is from a set I shot recently. The shoot wasn’t particularly memorable, but I feel this image is significant because it is a culmination of everything I’ve learned over the course of 12 months, from networking to organizing shoots to lighting to retouching. It really set a new standard in my body of work.
Q: What’s the best photography advice you never got as a beginner?
Antonett Ewan: Collaborating with other artists is a great way to network and keep you motivated when paid work is scarce.
Follow Antonett Ewan
500px: 500px.com/antonettewan
Instagram: @antonett_ewan
Website: avephotography.com
Meet Austin Neill
For the past decade, I have been primarily focused on designing digital products and interfaces for small start-ups, agencies and even billion-dollar brands. More recently, I led a global team at Billabong as UX director across their many brands and regions. I have always had an interest in design language, whether I was solving an experience problem or designing an app from head to toe. Photography seemed to be another way of solving a design problem: searching for a unique composition or telling a visual story through the lens of my camera.
Q: Who are two of your favorite photographers and why? What about their work interests you?
Austin Neill: Chris Burkard is my all-time favorite because he is the one responsible for inspiring me to travel, capture, and share more moments. His images speak for themselves, but what I find most compelling about Chris is his outlook on life, and his ability to inspire through his work and travels.
Also, Aaron Brimhall because the overall appeal with Aaron’s photography is his aesthetic. His compositions are strikingly focused and very contrast-rich.
Q: Tell us about a photo that represents a significant or memorable photographic experience.
Austin Neill: Super Moon. This photo strikes a chord with me for multiple reasons. Due to its hype, I waited to shoot this for months. My best friend and I hiked to find the perfect spot to capture the moon in all its glory. Spontaneously, we introduced some long-exp light photography and unexpectedly, the shot created itself.
Q: What’s the best photography advice you never got as a beginner?
Austin Neill: Don’t over-think your compositions; simply chase the moments that inspire you.
Follow Austin Neill
500px: 500px.com/austinneill
Instagram: @arstyy
Website: autinneill.com
Now that you’ve gotten to know our Guest Editors, head over to Editors’ Choice and get inspired.
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