When Australian actress
Gemma Pranita, now working
in the US, took up photography
she found an absorbing passion
and a way to capture the life of
her creative community.
“I am completely self taught.
It is a big deal for me to say this out loud
because for some strange reason I feel
like it doesn't make me a legit
photographer or something. But screw it!
Today I'll say it loud and proud. "I AM
SELF TAUGHT EVERYONE!" I
figured that if my photos are visually
pleasing to someone and can elicit some
sort of emotional response, even if it's as
simple as intrigue, I've done my job.
“How did I teach myself, you may
“I only ever use natural light. You just can't beat it. Plus I love being
ask? This wonderful thing called
outdoors. My favourite time to shoot is late late afternoon/early evening
YOUTUBE. You can find lessons on
to capture the golden rays of magic hour. The sun is so low you can snap
anything on YouTube. So yep, since I
a beautiful backlit shot with lens flare (Oh how I love lens flare!) And
decided to dabble in photography, I have
then there's twilight. The illumination that is produced by sunlight
spent hours upon hours watching SLR
scattering in the upper atmosphere just as the sun is out of sight and the
camera tutorials on YouTube. I cannot
light becomes deliciously desaturated. Heavenly!
recommend this enough. There are some
“It is important to get your model (or as I like to call them 'my
serious gurus out there who have taken
muses') to relax. Chat to them. And never take your eye off your muse.
the time to film themselves broadcasting
Sometimes you can capture those beautiful candid moments like a burst
their wisdom.
of laughter or a second of pensiveness as they ponder a question you've
asked them. There's beauty in every moment.”