Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
The local photography series will include an interview and relevant information about local photographers. Although the set of questions remain the same, each photographer has sent in their different viewpoint and opinion on several subjects.
Photographer: Linda Manyisha Facebook Page: Photographs by Linda M.
Native: When did you become interested in photography?
Linda: Ever since i was a little kid i always loved looking at photographs… i could spend an hour literally just staring at one photograph… if it was a family photo i loved that a slew of memories would immediately flood to my brain. most of the time i would remember how i felt that day or a certain song that was playing in the background or something and i loved that feeling. so i think the interest started there but it wasn’t until i was a freshman in high school when i took photography as an elective course when i really became obsessed with it..
Native: What equipment are you currently using to photograph?
Linda: Currently i’m using a nikon d40. no it’s not the best camera out there but i’m a firm believer that it doesn’t matter what kind of camera you use. it’s all about you’re eye and if you have a strong idea or vision of what you want to capture or express and you have the passion and desire to execute it then you’re guaranteed a piece that you can be proud of. lately I’ve been borrowing lenses and a ton of gear from “borrowlenses.com” .. they are awesome.. you can borrow all this gear for a really reasonable price and you can play around with the latest and greatest before you actually commit to buying it.. which is nice.
What is your opinion on the way photography has changed with the arrival of digital photography?
Linda: digital photography is for lack of a better word, amazing. it’s gained a lot of people’s trust.. i know that when i’m meeting with prospective clients one of the first questions they ask is if i shoot with a digital camera. it’s changed in the sense that it saves a lot of time and there’s really no second guessing. it’s very convenient (and a huge perk of the impatient like myself) to see what your image will look like instantly. but that’s just one way…
Do you prefer digital photography or traditional photography?
Linda: At the moment because of how busy I’ve been in the field, i guess i prefer digital… but i fell in love with traditional photography.. there is nothing like being in a dark room and processing your own film and developing your own prints it’s addicting.
Native: Is there anything in particular you like to photograph? Nature? Objects? People? Bands?
Linda: People .. i love capturing genuine smiles & laughter but on the flip side i love how dramatic a person can be in a photo. a scowl or a tear soaked face can all be beautiful especially if that’s what the subject was truly feeling. i rarely try to force an emotion out of someone unless i’m shooting for my own personal collection and i have a story i want to tell. but you know, i would love to get into band photography… i have a strong passion for music so it would be a win win opportunity for me.
Native: What life experiences have influenced your photography?
Linda: I come from a very very passionate family… whether it’s passion for music or art or food or whatever… we’re all heart, and super emotional beings, haha…so just growing up in that environment has had a huge influence on my photography… when im shooting i love to see the passion and emotion behind every captured moment… my nieces and nephews have also influenced my work… children are the real deal!! so raw…innocent…emotional and unpredictable! when they smile it’s genuine and honest and gorgeous everything you would want to photograph to be.
Native: What are your current and future plans? Do you have any projects you are currently working on?
Linda: I would love to take my photography to the next level… I’m always so open to learning new tricks and techniques so i would love to work for a photographer who’s been in the business for a while and have some hands on training.. learn the ropes. but not get too enthralled in the “business” side of things.. at the end of the day i want to still be in love with photography and not tire myself out or get caught up… oh and i hope to “learn the ropes” in london!!… or anywhere overseas, there are so many beautiful countries and cultures i would love to capture. i would also love to get into fashion photography.. i love everything about fashion and would love to learn more…i’m always so eager and excited to style a shoot… so mixing the two is definitely in my future… as for current projects… i have a ton of weddings this season… i never thought i would be shooting weddings so its definitely something new and very exciting. i also have a couple personal projects i’d love to execute sometime soon but they will have to wait until after wedding season is over 
Native: What type of things motivate you and inspire you to continue in your work?
Linda: Love… as cheesy as that may sound… i’m in love with love.. that and fashion… i have a huge collection of fashion magazines… mainly Vogue and Elle.. the articles always come last cause as soon as i pick one up im checking out all the photographs drawing inspiration from the clothing, the atmosphere, the lighting … just from everything.. its all so visually stimulating and i would love for someone to say that about my work some day.
Native: What obstacles/issues can you run into when shooting?
Linda: LIGHTING!!! i shoot mainly in natural light so that can be interesting… unpredictable…and i’m soo not as technical as i could be so when i have to shoot indoors it can be tricky… i’m still learning
Native: Do you have a website, blog, facebook fan page you would like to mention?
Linda: photographs by linda m. on facebook.. website coming soon!
Native: Do you have a favorite photographer? Have any photographers influences your work?
Linda: I’ve always loved Annie Leibovitz… LOVE her. i’ve always been drawn to her and she mostly influences my work.. i would love to posses her ability to make everything look so beautiful in an understated way…her pieces are classic…timeless pieces of art… i also love the late the great herb ritts, alexi lubomirski, mario testino, mike rosenthal… just recently david slijper and carter smith… and so many many more i’m always seeing someone’s work that i love… i also have a ton of photographer friends 2 in particular (corie howell (andhercamera.com) and david lees (http://seeldivad.tumblr.com/) ) who constantly amaze me and influence my work.
Native: What advice would you give to someone that is becoming interested in photography? What helpful tips could you give to a beginner?
Linda: If you have a love and passion for it i say just have fun with it…never comprise your vision, take risks. oh and dont let the fact that you don’t have the latest and greatest gear scare you or let other photographers intimidate you so much so that you stray away from photography all together… your art matters. no matter what anyone says.
Wednesday, June 9th, 2010
Company: Sonoma Wire Works
Website: www.sonomawireworks.com
Tell us a little about yourself and what you do for Sonoma Wire Works.
My name is Daniel Codella and I do artist relations for Sonoma Wire Works. Basically, my job is to establish and develop relationships with artists and companies. I provide artists with our software and get valuable feedback which I then pass to our engineers. We also benefit from any press that artists get using our products, so we try to develop quality software that artists will actually use. Bands contact me every day to request software, tell me of their upcoming projects, or ask me about software we have given them, which I also assist with marketing which has me doing everything from writing press releases to designing t-shirts. We are a small company, so I wear many hats. We all pick up the slack whenever things get busy, so that may mean I do tech support or shipping on some days.
>Who are the other members of the team and how do all these members interact on a typical day at Sonoma Wire Works?
Doug Wright is the president of the company as well as the lead software developer. Hayden is our other software developer and works with Doug to write all of our software. Muss is our third engineer and has been working primarily on improving RiffWorks’ collaboration features. Doug’s wife, Michelle, is our VP of marketing and handles our press inquiries, print and web advertising, and relationships with distributors. Peter is our director of operations and makes sure all orders go out in a timely manner and Jason is our tech support. Like I mentioned earlier, because we are small, we all might have to wear different hats depending on the needs of the day.
Describe the company name, brand and vision/goals.
Sonoma Wire Works makes software and apps that don’t get in the way of songwriting. So many music programs just keep adding more and more complicated features that you spend more time trying to figure things out rather than actually writing music. We try to make simple, yet great sounding software that any musician can pick up and create art with. All of us in the office are either musicians or work with audio, which helps us to really understand our target user. Each of our software titles are easy to use yet produce stellar results. We want to continue to use the latest technology to create amazing software that helps musicians write amazing music. As far as the name? You’ll have to ask Doug
What products/software does Sonoma Wire Works offer the consumer?
Sonoma Wire Works offers a wide range of music software and loops for both the pro musician and the amateur hobbyist. Currently, Sonoma Wire Works makes RiffWorks, Drumcore, Kitcore, instantDrummers, FourTrack, StudioTrack, and the entire Discrete Drums product line.
What are Sonoma Wire Works current/future plans and projects? Any brand new software in production?
Currently we are working on making updates and new versions of all our existing software. We will be unveiling a new product at Summer NAMM in Nashville next week. I am not at liberty to speak about it, but I feel it will be a real game changer.
Where does the Sonoma Wire Works team view themselves in 5-10 years?
That’s an interesting question. I know that even if he were to retire next year, Doug is an extremely creative and hardworking individual who will probably always be creating new things. Ultimately, I think all of us are excited to see SWW grow and expand into even more aspects of music creation. We have many things in the pipeline, and I get the feeling this will be an especially important year for us.
How has Sonoma Wire Works product line changed with the arrival of the iPad?
We had the privilege of being a launch app for the iPad with our StudioTrack program. StudioTrack is a multitrack recording app that includes effects on each channel, 8 mono tracks, and WiFi sync. Currently, StudioTrack is our only product specifically for the iPad, but we have been tossing around several ideas for future apps. The iPad device is really unprecedented, and we believe that most developers have only scratched the surface. The full potential of the iPad has yet to be realized.
What are the current plans to keep up and integrate Sonoma Wire Works software with emerging technologies, like the new iPhone 4 and iPhone OS 4 (iOS 4)?
We here at Sonoma Wire Works try to monitor all emerging technologies and incorporate them into our products. We are very interested in the iPhone in particular and are already developing for it. Mobile devices are getting so fast that the need for expensive desktop systems is almost a thing of the past. All of us try to keep up on emerging trends and actively support new technology if it will benefit our users.
Does Sonoma Wire Works have plans to expand their product line across different operating systems and mobile operating systems?
Currently our desktop software works on both PC and MACs with no plans to develop on Linux. Other mobile platforms do not allow us to both play audio and record at the same time which make it impossible to develop our software for them. Once they make that available to developers, we will consider developing for them. Additionally, it is very inexpensive to develop for the iPhone. There are currently three models of iPhone to develop for and troubleshoot, unlike other platforms which have multiple companies producing multiple handset configurations.
Are there any relevant websites and/or social networking sites you would like to share?
RiffWorks has a collaboration feature which allows users from around the globe to work on music together called RiffLink. Users can post their creations and join collaborations on our RiffWorld.com site. Feel free to check out what our users are coming up with!
What musicians actively use the software?
Countless artists are using our software including M83, Chris Stein of Blondie, Rikki Rocket of Poison, Dave Kushner of Velvet Revolver, Al Di Meola, Daniel Bedingfield, IAMX, and David Gray. A list of artists that have been using FourTrack can be found here: http://www.sonomawireworks.com/iphone/artists/. I also maintain a page on our site called “Artist Spotlight” which features interviews I have conducted with some prominent artists which can be found here: http://www.sonomawireworks.com/artists/.
If there is one, point to a link or download of an MP3 or iTunes download that has been created using the software?
The 88 recorded their single “Love is the Thing” entirely on the iPhone using FourTrack. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKITWfS41zw
Friday, May 28th, 2010
Setlist
Start a war
mistaken for strangers
anyone’s ghost
blood buzz ohio
i’m afraid of everyone
secret meeting
slow show
squalor victoria
vanderlyle crybaby geeks
little faith
conversation 16
apartment story
daughters of the soho riots
abel
sorrow
england
fake empire
encores:
runaway
lemonworld
mr november
terrible love
