If you are into photography, you probably have Stuck in Customs on your list of inspirational photo blogs and there is no need to tell you what a compelling, deep and truly artistic photography you might find there.
Today we are happy to interview Trey Ratcliff, the guy behind the Stuck in Customs, a master of HDR photography, a passionate traveler, a writer and man of other numerous talents, more of which you can learn on his detailed “About me” page.
We thank Trey for finding some time in his, undoubtedly, very busy schedule to share his thoughts and photos with our readers.
What does it take to be Trey Ratcliff?
ACD DAB DDB…. (bad genomic joke)
What influenced you to explore HDR photography?
I had a nice DSLR camera and took a photo of a beautiful sunset. Later, when I looked at it on the computer, it was very disappointing. That wasn’t what I saw! So I embarked on a long path to change the way I process these photos.
What is your favorite photography accessory, other than your camera?
I got this new awesome tripod head from Really Right Stuff. It’s amazing!
Do you have some recent images you can share with us? What are your favs among them?
Some recent images I have released in the past month that stick out in my mind are some of the ones from Yellowstone. I released a video along with them that describe how I shot the photos. Sometimes I forget everything I did in the production of the images themselves, so it’s kind a trip down memory lane for me too.
All images © Trey Ratcliff
What’s the most unusual description of your work you’ve ever heard?
A gal on the BBC was talking about my work, and I can’t remember what exactly she said, but it was in a wonderfully poetic and British manner.
Who was your wedding photographer? Were you satisfied with the photos?
It was my wife’s uncle. It always seems to be someone like that, doesn’t it?
Did you shoot the first moments of your kids’ lives? Is it possible to overcome the emotions and keep a firm hand at such moment?
Yes, I find that using a prime lens right when the baby blows out the birth canal gives for a nice bokeh effect on the mother’s nethers.
How important is a website for your business?
For the photography business, which my wife runs, it is extremely important. It’s the nexus of all activity, whether it be licensing, fans, students, or lurkers.
A website and/or blog you visit often?
One of my favorite sites for inspiration is www.Abduzeedo.com
What product or item do you wish you had designed?
The keyboard. I heard that they purposely put the keys in inconvenient conditions to slow down touch-typists who would occasionally jam commonly grouped letters if clicked in quick succession.
If you could travel in time where would you go for a shoot?
I’d like to go to France in the late 1800’s to document the Impressionist movement.
You are a perpetual traveler. What is the most hospitable country you’ve visited? Have you ever experienced a cold/hostile reception?
The most hospitable was probably Japan. The people are so nice there and happy to serve you. The roughest place was probably Ukraine. There is still a patina of communist distrust that pervades the attitude of the society there. People walk down the street, not showing anything.
If you were offered to work on the final episode of the TV show? Would it be Lost or House? Why?
Lost. I think their blending of fantasy and reality is right up my alley. Also, I share many of the same philosophies as JJ Abrams. (But House is great… who doesn’t like that guy?)
If there was no Twitter, would you wish it to appear?
Yes - Twitter is fun.
And the last question, if you had one wish…
That airplanes would stop showing me Miss Congeniality 2 every flight.
Trey thanks for making this interview available, it’s been a real pleasure talking with you.
To view more of Trey Ratcliff’s photography head on over to his portfolio: http://www.treyratcliff.com/
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Naveed Javaid and Julia May, Karen Myers. Karen Myers said: Interview with HDR Photography Guru Trey Ratcliff on ReadyPhotoSite! http://bit.ly/7NB1xZ [...]
Haha, except of being a great HGR photographer Trey seems to be a guy with great sense of humor! Funny and easy interview, thanks for it. And thanks Trey for not falling into deep philosophy.
thank you very much for a chat with such a wonderful man who knows what he wants. Great questions, great answers and incredible photos
His HDR photos are perfect. Not overdone!
[...] new short interview went up yesterday over at ReadyPhotoSite. It’s a short and sweet [...]
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by ReadyPhotoSite: Interview with HDR Photography Guru Trey Ratcliff on ReadyPhotoSite! http://bit.ly/7NB1xZ...
Nice photos
Cool photos, thanks for sharing!
[...] This tutorial is made by a renowned HDR photographer and the guy behind the popular travel photography blog Stuck in Customs, Trey Ratcliff. It’s considered to be one of the most comprehensive guides on HDR. By the way, you can read a quite interesting interview with Trey Ratcliff on ReadyPhotoSite. [...]