Meet This Week's Judge: Ken Hoskin!

This week we have Ken of Just a Guy Who's Into Photography, sharing his lush landscapes, and rich glimpses into Canadian farm life, along with some inspiration. Enjoy!

1.      Tell us about yourself...

I was born and raised in Alberta Canada and work at a not-for-profit agency that assists folks with disabilities and barriers in finding and keeping a job.  I feel lucky to have grown up on a farm and continue to live in the country on a piece of land that was once part of that farm.  I find myself in the minority on these Facebook photo pages in that I’m not a professional photographer in any sense of the word and that I’m a male.  So, I’m lucky in that there is never any pressure on me to produce a great photo – and that’s not because I’m a male…  lol

2.      What ignited your passion for photography, and what fuels it now?

Man, where to start?  As a kid, a had a little Kodak Instamatic (anybody remember those?) so I’m going to say that my passion started way back then.  I’ve always found beauty in the outdoors and have always tried to capture that beauty on film – sometimes with great success – sometimes, not so much.  It’s still something that I have a passion for, but now I find myself trying to find beauty in images that may not appear to be special at first glance - roadways, barbed-wire fences, even gravel roads.  The countryside and abandoned farmhouse/barns have become the things I find myself looking at most through the viewfinder.  Well, those things and family…  Plus, I really like the way I find myself looking at the world when I have a camera in my hand.  I tend to notice the little things more, I think…

3.      What's in your camera bag right now, what do use the most? the least?

A Canon 5Diii, an 85mm f/1.2, a 70-200 f/2.8, a 24-105 f/4 and a 16-35 f/2.8.  I use the wide angle and 70-200 the most and probably the 85mm the least, but I’m guessing that I’ll be using it more once winter comes and I’m shooting indoors more. 

4.      What's your dream project or shoot?

I don’t actually have a dream project.  My next road-trip or my next holiday is invariably the project I look forward to the most.  Traveling, whether it’s cruising down a gravel road a few miles from home or whether it’s in another province or country, is where I get my inspiration and drive (no pun intended).  Maybe it’s ALL my dream project!

5.      What is the biggest challenge you face as a photographer?

For me, the biggest challenge is trying to find a new way to capture a commonplace scene. And that new way is always there, it sometimes takes me a while to find it.  Sometimes it takes me several visits to the same place.  Okay, you’re right…  sometimes I don’t ever find it…

6.  If you had $500 to spend on photography...

How should you spend it?

I should spend it on getting my camera and lenses professionally cleaned and recalibrated.

How do you wish you could spend it?

As a down-payment on a 100 – 400 f/4.5 lens.  Sometimes, you just want to get in a little closer, you know?

How would you really spend it?

Probably on a down-payment on a 100 – 400 lens…  J

7. Is there any one thing you wish someone had told you at the very beginning of your photography journey?

Take your time – there’s no hurry.  Good things truly do come to those who wait.  That, and never let holding your camera stop you from enjoying life.  By its nature, taking photos makes you an observer.  Sometimes you just have to put your camera down and participate…

Thank you so much, Ken, for joining us this week!