Interview with Seth
We recently did an interview with teen photographer/editor, Seth.
View the interview between Anna L. and Seth.
View the interview between Anna L. and Seth.
Seth: I’m Seth I’m fourteen and I live in Cumbria, England. I’ve been doing photography for just over a year now, and photo manipulation for eight months. I am completely self taught and do all the work on my iPhone, which can sometimes be a challenge. I do enjoy doing it though, and hope to carry it on way into the future.
Question 1: When did your interest in photography/editing first start?
Seth: In one way or another I’ve always wanted to do it, but I’d never really found out how. I used to spend a lot of time on the internet wondering how people took such amazing photos and then I discovered to world of ‘photoshop’. I decided right then that I wanted to learn everything about it and pursue photography. I guess when I started to enter competitions and promote my work is when it really took off though.
Question 2: How long does it typically take to edit a photo?
Seth: It’s such a wide range. Sometimes it can take me 45 minutes if I know exactly what I’m doing. Other times it can take a day to two or even three. It really just depends on how much preparation you’ve taken and how well you know the techniques. Also the editing is only a part of the process; you still have to plan, find models and shoot which can take a while.
Question 3: From your point of view what makes a good picture?
Seth: Obviously rule of thirds and leading lines are part of what makes a good picture, but I think it has to tell a story. I see many photographers just shooting the first thing they see like ‘wow it’s a bird!’, but what does that show you? A truly good picture shouldn’t even have to rely on text to tell you a story, it should just make you think and question everything. As for myself, I don’t think I’m there yet, but I hope to be soon.
Question 4: Do you find inspiration from any other photographers or photographs?
Seth: Definitely! The photography community has so many incredibly talented artists within it that you’d never lack inspiration. I’ve got friends within the community that inspire and help me every day, and I admire so many other digital artists. Whenever I see a image someone’s created that I like I’ll save it, and come back to it when editing or when lacking in ideas. I hope others find inspiration in my work too, as I have with theirs.
Question 5: What’s the best advice you have received regarding your photography?
Seth: So many people have just told me to “never stop” and “never give up” and it’s true. I’ve given up on so many different hobbies in the past and at some point have come to regret it. If you give up half way through you’re only going to be half as talented as you could have been. Of course, Pursuing something long term is challenging, but at the same time, it’s worth to time and effort.
Question 6: What traits do you think make a good photographer?
Seth: The only trait you need to do well is patients. You have to be able to understand that picking up the camera (or phone) and pushing the shoot button does not make you a photographer. Taking the time to learn and having the patients to adapt will get you much further. You don’t have to be the best photographer, but you do have to put in the work for the title.
Question 7: What type of pictures are your favorite to shoot?
Seth: I love taking pictures of people or animals - anything with a face! You can show so much through a subjects expression and although I often remove faces from to photo, body language is just as important. With animals is exactly the same apart from the challenge of communicating, which I guess can make it more fun. All the models used are people I know personally so the shoots, as much as they are for my photography, they also symbolize different points in my life and the memories that happened at that point in time.
Question 8: Does school or other activities get in the way of photography? If so how do you juggle photography and other responsibilities?
Seth: Most of the time it’s alright but sometimes I do take breaks to keep up with school or revision. I’m pretty awful at getting back into it once I stop though! I try to edit at least one photo a week and if I feel like I won’t be able to keep up I’ll spend a day of the weekend completing a series. Finding time AND people to take photos of is the hardest part. I take most of my photos during half terms and holidays but I can run out quite quickly and have to find time to take them.
Question 9: What is your goal in this career pathway?
Seth: I haven’t really thought about it that much. I guess at some point soon I want to start selling my work or promoting it further. I may start making videos too, as either tutorials to the software or just a general aid. Right now, that’s as far I plan to go. Photography does seem to be a dream career to me, but also a risky one that I’m not sure I’m willing to take.
Last Question: Thank you for doing this interview! Do you have anything else you would like to add?
Seth: No problem at all! It’s amazing that I was considered for this and it’s amazing what you’re doing here. All I want to say is thank you!
Anna: Thank you!
Seth's Instagram: @woahitseth
Click button below to view his work!
Question 1: When did your interest in photography/editing first start?
Seth: In one way or another I’ve always wanted to do it, but I’d never really found out how. I used to spend a lot of time on the internet wondering how people took such amazing photos and then I discovered to world of ‘photoshop’. I decided right then that I wanted to learn everything about it and pursue photography. I guess when I started to enter competitions and promote my work is when it really took off though.
Question 2: How long does it typically take to edit a photo?
Seth: It’s such a wide range. Sometimes it can take me 45 minutes if I know exactly what I’m doing. Other times it can take a day to two or even three. It really just depends on how much preparation you’ve taken and how well you know the techniques. Also the editing is only a part of the process; you still have to plan, find models and shoot which can take a while.
Question 3: From your point of view what makes a good picture?
Seth: Obviously rule of thirds and leading lines are part of what makes a good picture, but I think it has to tell a story. I see many photographers just shooting the first thing they see like ‘wow it’s a bird!’, but what does that show you? A truly good picture shouldn’t even have to rely on text to tell you a story, it should just make you think and question everything. As for myself, I don’t think I’m there yet, but I hope to be soon.
Question 4: Do you find inspiration from any other photographers or photographs?
Seth: Definitely! The photography community has so many incredibly talented artists within it that you’d never lack inspiration. I’ve got friends within the community that inspire and help me every day, and I admire so many other digital artists. Whenever I see a image someone’s created that I like I’ll save it, and come back to it when editing or when lacking in ideas. I hope others find inspiration in my work too, as I have with theirs.
Question 5: What’s the best advice you have received regarding your photography?
Seth: So many people have just told me to “never stop” and “never give up” and it’s true. I’ve given up on so many different hobbies in the past and at some point have come to regret it. If you give up half way through you’re only going to be half as talented as you could have been. Of course, Pursuing something long term is challenging, but at the same time, it’s worth to time and effort.
Question 6: What traits do you think make a good photographer?
Seth: The only trait you need to do well is patients. You have to be able to understand that picking up the camera (or phone) and pushing the shoot button does not make you a photographer. Taking the time to learn and having the patients to adapt will get you much further. You don’t have to be the best photographer, but you do have to put in the work for the title.
Question 7: What type of pictures are your favorite to shoot?
Seth: I love taking pictures of people or animals - anything with a face! You can show so much through a subjects expression and although I often remove faces from to photo, body language is just as important. With animals is exactly the same apart from the challenge of communicating, which I guess can make it more fun. All the models used are people I know personally so the shoots, as much as they are for my photography, they also symbolize different points in my life and the memories that happened at that point in time.
Question 8: Does school or other activities get in the way of photography? If so how do you juggle photography and other responsibilities?
Seth: Most of the time it’s alright but sometimes I do take breaks to keep up with school or revision. I’m pretty awful at getting back into it once I stop though! I try to edit at least one photo a week and if I feel like I won’t be able to keep up I’ll spend a day of the weekend completing a series. Finding time AND people to take photos of is the hardest part. I take most of my photos during half terms and holidays but I can run out quite quickly and have to find time to take them.
Question 9: What is your goal in this career pathway?
Seth: I haven’t really thought about it that much. I guess at some point soon I want to start selling my work or promoting it further. I may start making videos too, as either tutorials to the software or just a general aid. Right now, that’s as far I plan to go. Photography does seem to be a dream career to me, but also a risky one that I’m not sure I’m willing to take.
Last Question: Thank you for doing this interview! Do you have anything else you would like to add?
Seth: No problem at all! It’s amazing that I was considered for this and it’s amazing what you’re doing here. All I want to say is thank you!
Anna: Thank you!
Seth's Instagram: @woahitseth
Click button below to view his work!