” Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

Lao Tzu








My first interview was an honor…
My second one… Well, I really don’t know how to describe it…
I found *Ex-po-zure in the gallery of a great artist and decided to check it out…
I must say it was love at first sight…
*Ex-po-zure is there to give YOU a chance to get noticed and where your work will be shown…
A club where people meet and share the same interests about photography…
So I become a member…
As days went by I started to notice something, the club’s founder amazing work…
Lady Marianne aka `babyducks…
She and her work are an inspiration, so I have challenged her to do this interview… And as always she was kind enough to say yes…

So with no further delays… I give you the wonderful…




So, let’s start from the beginning: Who are you Marianne?


I was born on Long Island New York.
I have 6 brothers and sisters, 2 of my brothers share a love of photography. *SteelCowboy has an active account here.
They have both had experience with film and darkroom. I have not.
I now live in Florida, for the past 16 years, my 3 sisters followed me to Florida.
I live with my family in New Smyrna Beach and my sisters all live very close by.
I have to say my life here in New Smyrna Beach is perfect.
I work in a small hospital, I am a Social Worker, and I dabble with photography mainly as a hobby.



Photography: What got you to go into that world?


I started to get into photography before I moved to Florida, bought my first SLR a Minolta and I loved it.
I had a pretty amazing lens, it was a Sigma, but it was awesome.
Although I did not develop my own work, I very quickly learned that I loved shooting. You know the excitement you have when you get your
photos back and there is that one "awesome" shot that just makes you want to pee yourself.
I remember going to the Airport and photographing the big planes at LaGuardia Airport as they were coming in for a landing.
Yes I used to stand just outside the fence at the end of the runway. Man, you would think those suckers were going to land on your head.
It was thrilling.
At this point in my life, photography was not something I spent an enormous amount of time on.



Have you dad some kind of formal training?


I have no formal training.
I have to say that although I've used a camera as many people do for many many years, that it wasn't until the past 2 years that I began to
truly want to learn more about photography, and about using my camera.
I'm still learning, and I still have so much to learn.
I continue to dabble with it, my time is very limited and I don't get the opportunity to shoot as much as I'd like to.



How would you describe your evolution as a photographer my dear?


Since I don't really consider my self a photographer, this is a hard question to answer.
I guess I could say that I'm evolving slowly, and more so in the past couple of years. So like a snail, hee hee.



Did you ever took photos with a film camera? If so, how did digital photography change your view of photography?


Yes, I started out using film. Was very happy with my camera, loved it.
I remember when digital was first introduced. I thought I'd never buy a digital camera.
What for? My film camera was perfect.
I refused to think that digital could compete.
I have to admit that I'm so glad that I made the switch. Digital has opened a world of possibilities and more room for personal growth.



Marianne, I am sure you had some important influences and inspirations which have shaped a little your vision as a photographer, care to share some with us?


Without any formal education in photography, my influences and inspirations are limited to the world of DeviantArt.
It's like being a kid in a candy shop.
I found DA by mistake as I used to be a Wallpaper addict.
I found DA by searching the web for Wallpapers and for the first year never ventured outside of this, would just search for Wallpapers.
I told you I was a snail.........
When I finally started to really look around I thought I'd try submitting some of my work, and was sorely lacking.
I have grown so much just by being a part of this community.
I can actually say that for the past 2 years I've been here on DA every single day. WOW and that is alot of influence.
Can I name one person, I don't think so, as you encounter so many many talented people here, and as time goes on the list grows.



What subject matter do you prefer to photograph?


I love to photograph children.
Funny, because my family at social gatherings look for me to take all the photographs.
I think they have finally given up on me as I do not like to photograph these types of events and they soon found that all the photos were of
just the children.



What are your favourite tools when photographing as well as those you don’t like that much but find it essential?


Well I started with a Minolta/film. Moving into Digital I bought my first Kodak camera and upgraded that before I moved into the DSLR's.
I bought a Canon Digital Rebel, had that for about a year and now I'm using a Nikon D80. I coudln't be happier with my camera, feel like I have found a perfect fit for me personally. I also have a 50mm f1.8 lens, and an 18-200mm with VR. I did not get the kit lens.
I also have the SB800 Flash, an inexpensive tripod and your usual filters UV and Polarizer.
My arsenal of equipment is small, due to lack of funds. I'm sure many of you can relate to that.
For post processing work I usue Lightroom, PSP Pro Photo XI, and CS2.



What does photography means to you? What is its most important aspect, which makes you want to go out and shoot?


Photography has opened a whole new world for me. When I'm not shooting, which is 80% of the time, I get to be part of a community of photographers at all different levels of expertise. I'm inspired by what I see on a daily basis. The types of photos that inspire me are amazing landscapes, HDR, IR. I love minimalism as well. I'm also a big fan of water drops, flowers and of course an amazing portrait. I'm also in a position to help inspire others through *Ex-po-zure I can honestly say that I get just as much if not more from sharing the great works of others, as I do from sharing my own work. I adore running my club.






Now lets talk about dA…


DA....well I have kinda been talking about DA, and I think it goes without saying that DA is truly an amazing place.
I"m not sure how my life would be without it. Although I'm not as dependent as I was in the beginning, I know that DA will be part of my life for a very long time as long as I can find the time to devote to it.



I must say that I am a great admire of yours Marianne. Really. The way you “command” *Ex-po-zure is an inspiration. How did *Ex-po-zure appeared in your life?


Managing your personal as well as the Club’s account isn’t easy, I believe, how to you manage do it so wonderfully well?...
I know that managing a Club is alot of work. When I first opened *Ex-po-zure I had the help of my brother *Reedabah. He helped me to develop the Club and some of the projects that are currently in place.
I have had my ups and downs with maintaining the club as well as my own personal account, and there have been times where my personal account has suffered.
I've also taken some time away from the Club to regroup.
Now I am running the Club alone, and I think my secret is being organized. I try not to start too many projects at the same time.
Limiting submissions to one per month has tremendously helped, but the Club has grown and continues to grow.
Communication I think is Key, and if you let Members know what you expect, this helps the process. I have to say 90% of *Ex-po-zure 's Members are awesome and would do anything to help keep the Club running smoothly.



Are there any deviants who have inspired you, either socially as friends or artistically? Why?


I have so many friends here. `cdaile was my inspiration to open my own club, as she ran the =flower-club by herself for so long.
I've had some amazing support from my Best Friend `WaitingForTheWorms She's helped me through thick and thin.
^hellfirediva is a definite inspiration, both due to her photography, and to the dedication she gives to the community as Gallery Director.

I could give you a list of other Deviants who inspire me on a daily basis, but there are far too many to name, and I wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings for fear of leaving one person out



I don’t have any more questions my dear, for now, anything you care to add?


I just want to thank you for this opportunity. It was a pleasure.





No my dear… Actually I am really the one who has to Thank You…
It was a pleasure making this… More than an interview this was a sharing of a piece of you…
I am honored to have been a part of it…

you…






...

It was obvious I would start with a Portuguese talent… A self made photographer that is brilliant when it comes to work with light and shadows… I have now the honour of calling him friend… Ladies… And gentlemen I give you…
André Brito

An Australian gifted photographer… You all know him I am sure… He gives us emotions in the form of photography… He gives us beauty through the beautiful women that pose for him… My sweet friend:
Gerhardt

Last but not least, a German… A great photographer… His web site is still only in German, but you will find it is wonderful… UPDATE: We can see the English version already… Weeeeeee…
Sasha Huettenhain