Digital
Icon Gets To Know : Nino Batista!
DI: Thanks for taking the time to let some of the others get to know you.
NB: Hey thanks for the mention!
DI: Where are you from?
NB: Technically, I was born in San Juan,
Puerto Rico. That was in 1975, but I moved to Houston in 1979, and have
been here since. So for all intents and purposes, I'm Houstonian.
I do wish I went back to the island more often; took the wife in 2010.
Definitely going back, so many shooting opportunities!
DI: Self-taught or photo classes
NB: Sort of self taught. I've never been
to a class, or college for that matter, but I did grow up with my father who
has been a professional photographer since I was born. Learned tons from
him. I'm also a lousy student, though, as I tend to listen 5% of the time
and just "do" 95% of the time. I like to figure things out.
Still, my father's formal teachings definitely made a difference on how
fast I learned when I decided to do it on my own (I was an assistant for him for
ages)
DI: How long have you been into photography?
NB: Casually, 20-25 years or so, thanks to
dad. Focused, about 5 years.
D: Who are some of your inspirations’? / Who is your favorite photographer?
NB: I admit I don't follow dozens of
photographers, or have any obvious "heroes", but I do cite Dean
Bradshaw as a more recent inspiration. Easton Chang (I shoot a lot of
automotive work) is definitely a huge inspiration. Portrait wise, I still
adore Jaime Ibarra's work though I've heard some say in recent times they've
grown tired of his style - I haven't. And when it comes to
conceptual/abstract work, Dave Nitsche is my main go to guy right now. Has been for a few years.
Amazing work, and such a nice guy.
DI: What is your current set up?
NB: Canon 7D, gripped, and Canon / Tokina
glass, 550 and 580 speedlites. Most of my lights are Paul Buff, as are
most of my light mods.
DI: What is your “go to” lens?
NB: I adore and will always adore my 50.
I mean, doesn't everyone?
DI: What is your “I wish I had this” piece of equipment?
NB: Automotive shoot capable studio. :)
DI: Natural light vs Studio light?
NB: I'm mostly comfortable and at home with
studio lighting, but I'm warming up (pun intended) to natural light a lot more
this year. Admittedly, clients don't ask for natural light work from me
too much.
DI: Raw vs Jpeg?
NB: Depends on what the end results of the
shots are to be. And that is a whole discussion in itself!
DI: What is the best music to shoot to? Artist or type
NB: If I'm working with a model, I try to
accommodate what the model likes. If the client is there, I try to
accommodate them too. If I'm by myself, or no one else cares, it can
range from Floyd to RATM to Beatles to Paul Simon to Primus to Gipsy Kings to
Hendrix to Rush to King Crimson to Phish to Mos Def...you see where this is
going...
DI: If you could work with any model in the world, who would you pick and what kind of shoot?
NB: I've been asked this before, and I have no
idea. But location wise I'd love to shoot in and out of an old castle
somewhere in Europe. Do something high fashion and sexy, with
supplemental lighting outdoors, some studio style indoors...etc.
Actually the wife, who models for me often, would love to do that shoot too.
Maybe that's the model I pick then! ;)
DI: Best piece of advice you would give an upcoming model?
ND: Don't undervalue what you do.
Everyone else will. Don't compromise, don't sell yourself short.
Don't JUST seek out photographers as your path to success - find either
agency representation or other potential clientele and get to know them.
Network with the right people. If you want to succeed, for real,
stop shooting "just for fun" and make every project a step forward on
your career path, with intentional goals and expected results.
DI: Best piece of advice you would give an upcoming photographer?
NB: Don't undervalue what you do.
Everyone else ABSOLUTELY will. Grow and learn everyday. Never
settle for what you're doing now, as every artist and professional has to
expand and learn in order to succeed. If you can't tell the difference
in the caliber between your shoot last week and your shoots 3 years ago, you
might be doing something wrong. Everyone can learn something everyday.
DI: Harpers Bazaar wants to see your #1 best image what do you show them?
NB: What's great about this question is that
NO ONE will agree with me. As I am sure no one would ever agree with an
artist when asked such a question. It's really a difficult
question. However, recently I paused at a shot I did earlier this year,
and wondered to myself "Is this my fave shot? It could be." but
I didn't make a final decision on that. Anyway this is the shot: http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/037/0/9/096b6565d26eb42a4c786d917a86e3b9-d4ox08d.jpg
DI: What do you hate about the industry?
NB: It isn't respected by most of the general
populace. Tens of millions of people really believe what we do is as
simple as "having a nice camera".
DI: What do you love about the industry?
NB: Quite simply, the work it produces.
Some of the most amazing visual experiences I've ever had have come from
the photography industry.
DI: Thanks I love your work and I know many others do too!
NB:Many thanks, as I
said, I do appreciate it.
You can check out Nino Batista at the
following links
NB: Thanks Raph!
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