Danny Diaz is an up and coming photographer (disclosure: I just happen to know him pretty well) who currently has work on iStockphoto among other places. He was born in Denver Colorado in 1985. He has lived in Orlando since 1986 and is a student at the University of Florida. He agreed to sit down to talk about his craft and tell us what it’s like to be a photographer in the digital age.

Hey Danny, thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions. First, digital photography has changed a lot in the last few years with the prevalence of internet delivery systems like iStockPhoto and Flickr. Has the internet changed the way that you market yourself and your work?

The internet has made a huge difference in the way that most photographers work. I think that the changes have been mostly good but there have also been some drawbacks. The internet makes it easy for me to show my portfolio to clients anywhere in the world by just sending them a link. The down side is that because of this, image theft and piracy is much easier as well.

Yea, I imagine. A few weeks ago I wrote about another photographer who has some of his Flickr photos stolen and used to promote someone else’s portfolio. It must be tough. You have taken some really beautiful photographs. How did you start? Also, of all of the things out there that seem photo-worthy, how do you decide on the perfect subject?

I got started in photography when I was about fifteen years old. I’m twenty-one now so it hasn’t been that long ago. Most of my family has been into photography for a long time before me. My father, uncle, and grandfather, are all great photographers themselves.

One day when I was about eight years old, my dad gave me a disposable camera that was just for me and told me to go outside and shoot. After taking the photos a had wanted, we had the film developed and my father was surprised that I had a pretty good eye. I used his camera every now and then but it was way too expensive for me to be trusted with at that time. For my sixteenth birthday, he bought me my first SLR. It was a Nikon N80 film camera and I was on my way.

As far how to make a great photograph and find the perfect subject, the rule is: there are no rules. There are rules of composition but rules are made to be broken. Good photographers shoot what they like. Great photographers shoot what they love. If you don’t love your work or have a purpose for it, it won’t be good.

That’s some great advice and I think it fits into a lot of other areas. Your best work comes from doing what’s important to you. One last question. Danny, you have some of your work up on iStockphoto now. What’s next? Do you have any other plans for your portfolio? Where can the readers go to see more of your work?

Well, I would love to do more photojournalistic projects. I think documentary photography would be very interesting. I just keep shooting everyday and making new photographs so my portfolio is always growing. I have some of my work on a deviant art account. www.menace601.deviantart.com

Thanks so much for sitting down with us.

If you would like to get into contact with Danny for projects, or just enjoy his art, here is contact information:

Digital Deviants
Menace601 at gmail dot com
Phone: 407-832-8001
www.Menace601.deviantart.com

If you enjoyed that why not find a job or read our guide to working in the 21st century. You can also join our Kiva team or hire me for your project.