Tell us a bit about yourself, JoniNiemela. How did you get into photography and why?
My name is Joni Niemelä and I’m from Finland. I work as a web designer in my own firm and photography is mostly (a serious) hobby of mine.I guess the biggest reason to get into photography was the desire to save those moments in photos and to look my surroundings more closely.
Why are you on DeviantART?
I have been on DA since 2007 (wow that's a long time). This is a great and unique place to share my work.You shoot a lot of Animals, Plants and Nature Photography. Why APN and not something else?
I live close to nature so it was just natural to me to start photograph world around me.Animals, Plants and Nature is such a vast and diverse category on DeviantART. What are your favourite and least favourite subjects to shoot relating to APN?
Definitely macro and other small details in nature. I don't really have least favourite subject but birds are my least photographed things in nature.Why are birds your least photographed things in nature?
I guess I don't have the patience needed for photographing birds.
How do you usually prepare yourself for a photoshoot?
I don't really ever prepare anything when I'm going to shoot. Sometimes I'll scout places a bit before going there with a camera.Do you have a favourite location to shoot at?
Foggy forests are definitely on of my most favourite places to explore and photograph but I can find something interesting also right at my backyard when doing macro work.Have you ever experienced photography that didn't turn out the way you wanted it to? If so, how did you go about rectifying it?
All the time. One has just to try it again and hopefully learn from the earlier shortcomings.Do you do a lot of post-processing? If so, what do you usually adjust?
I do all of my basic adjustments in Lightroom/Photoshop. I also use often Color Efex Pro by Google. Every now and then I like to try something new with more intensive post-processing.What would you classify as more 'intensive post-processing'?
More creative colors, creating a photo from several different shots etc.
What is your biggest pet peeve about photography or photographs?
I guess I shoot too much same things sometimes. Although I don't think that's a bad thing to do for certain subjects (like ants).Do you use a specific technique when shooting?
Depends what I'm shooting but there isn't really anything special about my way of photographing things.What are some key things that you always bear in mind regarding your photographs?
Keeping it simple. I try to include only what's needed to make a good photo. I like to shoot with large aperture and I also often tend to shoot with backlight.What is your favourite piece and why?
I don't know if there's just one that rises above all others. One of the photos I really like is called "Acid Attack" where ant sprays acid as a defense.
What is your equipment list? What made you choose your equipment there?
Right now I have Pentax (K-3 with several lenses) as my crop camera and Nikon (D800 plus couple of lenses) as my full frame camera. These are just tools for me and they work.Are you doing any projects at the moment, photography wise or not?
Nothing major currently but that can change soon.
What advice would you give to aspiring photographers?
Be patient and do your own thing. You have to do this for yourself. It will show in your photos when you enjoy photographing. Everything else will come afterwards.
Thank you JoniNiemela!
3wyl, posting on behalf of CRPhotography
