LomoGuru of the Week: Clownshoes

His LomoHome name is an interesting take on his personal life and his Lomographs, specifically his portraits, are eye-catchers you just can’t resist!

You might know him and maybe you already know him well. Being a member of our Communiity for more than two years, this lad from the coasts of South Florida has made quite an impression in this analogue world of ours. We’re pretty glad we snagged an interview with him for his story is a good hear! There are no silly faces and jokes on this one for clownshoes is this week’s LomoGuru!

Name: Blaine A. Vernicek
Lomography Username: clownshoes
Location: Florida Keys / South Florida
Number of years as a Lomographer: Since December 2010
Number of years in the Community: Since December 2010

Tell us something about yourself… What do you do for a living? What are your main interests?

I wear a number of hats for a living. Mainly, I am a program director for Star 102.1, a commercial radio station out of the Florida Keys. It works out great because I love music. I have a number of other interests like art, science, mechanics, engineering, communications, and video. All of them play a part in my life every day.

Tell us something about your LomoHome’s name. Why that username?

I am surprised that this question hasn’t come up sooner since I’ve been in the Community. I was in need of a new internet handle. The name is an insult; mainly in the context of being a walking joke. Also, I used to be a professional dancer and I have large feet. Like most people, I have developed a “Dancer’s Walk” and with big shoes like mine, I look like I have clownshoes.

Share to us your most memorable experience in the Lomographic Community.

Being a part of the Community! I’m really isolated because of my schedule and because of where I live. Lomography really started filling the gap that was developing as I was transitioning out of the dance world. But being here now has become a much healthier lifestyle and the Community is always so nice, helpful, and supportive.

Have you actually met people in the Community that you now consider as close friends? If yes, name at least one of them.

Never face to face. I talk a bit with a number of [Lomographers] via the internet, though. Also, I’ve had some friends from high school who have a Lomo camera or two; but I’ve never been able to get them into being serious Lomographers.

Do you think you’ll still be taking Lomographs in the next 5 years? Why?

Of course. Well unless the world blows up; just as likely I guess. I’m into it this way too deep — my room is littered with cameras, film, and other equipment. Plus, I make it a point to learn as much as possible about shooting film and developing it also. Much of the film world has shrunk and aside from buying film and chemicals, I have everything I’ll ever need at this point to keep shooting for another five years at the least.

What is your favorite Lomo camera and why? Do you have any memorable experiences while using this camera?

An oldie but goodie Lomo Smena Symbol. I had known about Lomography and the website months before joining and for some irrational reason I had been holding out from joining because I didn’t have a “Lomo” camera. I love junk shops so between teaching dance classes, I went into a consignment shop and found a Smena Symbol in a purple faux leather case. It was really roughed-up and had a large chunk of plastic missing off the top but that’s the camera that really started my Lomo-Addiction.

Please share your most favourite Lomographic photo that you took. Why?.

I think that every time I’ve been asked, I’ve picked this one out. There are a number of reasons why I always pick this photo but in a large part I believe it’s because I’ve grown so emotionally attached to it. There is this constant push and pull that happens here. Companies and people with money come in and try to build up the area but it always comes crashing down and we are left with some mess.

Please share a Lomograph you wish you took and explain why.

[A photo of] me with Bunny Yeager. I took some pictures at an event honouring her, got her autograph and we even talked at length; but for some reason we didn’t get a picture together. Overwhelmed by her presence I guess.

What’s the best Lomographic or photography advice you think you have given?

“Do it yourself” granted the answer can be more complicated then that.

If there’s one song or movie that best describes your Lomo life, what is that and why?

Icky Blossom – Perfect Vision.

Guess I haven’t quite figured out what I’m doing with all of this. I’m completely absorbed in photography, work, and family that it’s going to be a long time before I can digest everything and make sense of this.

Is there any advice you can give to new analogue shooters?

Learn as much as you can and keep shooting. If you’re not shooting, you are aren’t learning. Everything you need to know is out there and honestly there isn’t much you need. I constantly hear “I don’t have a darkroom” and a darkroom has “zero” to do with analogue photography. You only need to know how to shoot, develop, and scan.

Do you think you’re qualified as a LomoGuru? Got something to share in our Community? Then drop me a line at mayee.gonzales@lomography.com and you might become the next LomoGuru!

geschrieben von mayeemayee am 2013-08-25 in #Videos #lifestyle #lomoguru #clownshoes #community-interview