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The subject of our second Masterclass feature this edition is 32-year-old freelance photographer Colby Katz from Fort Lauderdale in Florida, USA.
Colby is one of the growing number of photojournalists embracing the world of
multi-media to make the most of her work. You can see examples of her presentations
here by clicking multimedia. In the recent past, her images have been featured
in Spin, GQ
and Newsweek.
Colby, how did you get started in photography and what was your biggest break?
My biggest break, I suppose, was meeting some great people who became my mentors
- among them Maggie Steber and Robert Pledge, both of whom were involved with
World Press Photo. Their help and guidance was invaluable.
What qualities does a top photojournalist need?
I think you need to be empathetic and easygoing.
What is your most memorable assignment?
Being one of the photographers at the wedding of Mary Kay Letourneau to Vili Fualaau. (Mary Kay is a former schoolteacher who became notorious in the US for having an affair with a student when she was 34 and he was 13.) I was supposed to cover an unusual angle of the wedding. While talking to some paparazzi, taking pictures in front of the resort where the wedding was being held, I found out about a couple of photographers dressed in military-grade sniper suits, complete with fake leaves covering their entire bodies and camouflage wraps to help hide their 1000 mm lenses. It took some time but I found them and they actually let me tag along for a little while. After that shoot I became friends with the guys and followed them on a few more shoots, stalking celebrities from helicopters and hiding out in the woods.
Are you – or will you ever be – fully digital?
I’m not fully digital but most of the assignments I get call for it. I never thought I would say this but I would consider going fully digital if I owned a medium format digital camera.
What essential equipment do you travel with?
A Canon 5D, Mamiya 7, Fuji Film.
What is your favorite camera and how do you use it most – do you prefer natural light, for instance, or artificial/mix?
I don’t have a favorite camera. I wish I owned one of the Hasselblad medium format digital cameras. When it comes to lighting, I prefer balanced & strobe light.
How, when under pressure, do you try and make sure your results are as good as possible?
When working on my own projects, I'm never under pressure. Working for a client though, this happens all the time. The main thing I try to do when a subject won't give me much time is to shoot them from as many angles as possible so that the client has a variety of pictures to choose from, even if the setting remains the same.
How important do you think multi-media skills are for photojournalists now and in the future?
I think multi-media skills are essential. A lot of publications these days are looking for web content other then just stills. It’s definitely a bonus for the client if the photographer can provide video or sound.
How much involvement do you have in producing the multi-media presentations containing your work?
All.
If you produce much of the multi-media yourself, how do you go about it? What tools do you use?
I use the programs GarageBand,
Soundslides, and iMovie.
What ambitions do you have left?
I just don't know what to say here. I really want to finish a project I've been working on for the last 4 years on child beauty pageants. I ran in to some legal problems last year when some of the pageant moms tried to sue me. Unfortunately, that put a temporary halt on the project.
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Colby Katz
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