Fotoblur Magazine Issue 10 Preview

fotoblurSUMMER 2011 / ISSUE 10

MinimalismScenes of the StreetDream World

Mont Sherar

Issue 10

Fotoblur Magazine Issue 10

Editor & publisher: Lance RamothEmail: [email protected]

Web: www.fotoblur.com/magazineISSN: 1944-0006

Printed on demand by MagCloud fotoblur.magcloud.com

Images published in Fotoblur Magazine are the sole property of the contributing

photographers and are copyrighted material. No image may be reproduced without the

express written permission of its owner.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, electronic or

mechanical without the prior written consent of the publisher.

© 2011 Fotoblur Magazine. All Rights Reserved

2 / www.fotoblur.com

Themes

Minimalism 05Scenes of the Street 37

Dream World 55

Featured Photographer

Mont Sherar 26

Mohsen Daemi - Moments Before Resurrection

Fotoblur MagazineChange the world one photo at a time.

Fotoblur Magazine is a unique publishing project created by the online photo community at fotoblur.com. Submit your best photos, receive votes, and get published.

Become a contributing photographer today.Learn more @ www.fotoblur.com/magazine

Issue 10 fotoblur / 3

Cover Photo


Minimalism


Isa Fröhling - Green... for Àgnes!


Syaza Mohd Shakharulain - Lil’ Miss Sunshine


Ausadavut Sarum - Stairs To Your Door


Eric Frey - A Dream


John Kosmopoulos - Purity in the Age of Sin


Alex Korolev - B2


Dimitri Bogachuk - Pipes


Dimitri Bogachuk - Lonely Cloud


Kazuyuki Iijima - Something Inside




Mont Sherar

Fotoblur Portfoliohttp://www.fotoblur.com/portfolio/mont

Websitehttp://www.montsherar.com

[email protected]

At Fotoblur, our community represents many of the worlds most talented photogra-

phers. Mont Sherar is no exception. For Mont it doesn’t just end there as his talents

are broad and diverse, developed upon the unbeaten path of creativity and individu-

ality. Mont was born in Canada in 1962 and now lives in Denmark. As a young boy

he was recognized as an artistic child prodigy, highly influenced by the great Ren-

naissance artist, Michelangelo. His parents, in keeping with his insatiable appetite

for drawing, used to buy him huge rolls of paper from the local newspaper printing

house. In the 80’s he was a leading progressive music DJ in Miami Beach’s “The

Kitchen Club.” Mont has been a key figure in the world of ice hockey where he is

known for designing the Matrix Mask, a hockey goalie mask popular among profes-

sional goalies throughout Europe during the 90s and displayed in the Hockey Hall of

Fame, in Toronto Canada. When he is on the ice he goes by the name “MONTster.”

Through his hockey training camp, Monster Goalie Academy, Mont teaches the art

of goaltending to young players. Its our pleasure to introduces this issue’s featured

photographer, Mont Sherar.

Mont, how did you initially find out about Fotoblur and what drew you to it’s community?

I was originally a member of Photo.net and really didn’t know much about anything

else. I heard that there was another photo-site that did not have the obligatory “rat-

ing” system for photos, but instead used a totally unique interactive system where

“real-time” communication was a key element. After checking it out, I realised how

ingenius this completely new concept was! Here, there was no chance for anyone to

make you look “bad” simply because they didn’t like your picture for all the wrong

reasons. At Fotoblur, either you show you like it - or you leave it alone - the way it

should be! Why should anyone have the right to make a rating of an image look bad,

simply because they either dont like the genre, understand your art, or worse, just

dont like your personality? Furthermore, the interaction among fellow “artists” keeps

things flowing, moving, ALIVE. It is truly a one-of-a-kind experience to be a part

of the community here. It’s as if one is in a virtual world of all cultures, tastes, and

opinions BUT with a common interest of every citizen - creating visual art!

How has being a member of Fotoblur helped and/or influence your photography?

There is no doubt that Fotoblur has provided me an uncanny amount of creative

stimulation and motivation! As a participating member, I am constantly moved by

a flowing river of endless ideas, points of view, different tastes, approaches, tech-

niques, and amazing creations of all kinds! On top of all this, the constant feedback

one receives is a fantastic indicator as to how the international “population” reacts

to what one produces. Compared to other sites, there is very little “negativity” on

Fotoblur. I feel this is a good thing. The reason is simple. With a completely different

approach to rating /commenting, one can easily judge others works on a “relative”

basis. While some might get more “promotion” and comments than others - the

result is the same when looking at things “relatively.” If one feels they need help -

they just ask. There are plenty of other sites out there for in depth, long and drawn

out “critiques.” Fotoblur allows me to refine “my own style” and the direction I want

to go by using all this real time activity to judge my work (as does everyone!). I prefer

to stay away from in-depth “critque” forums as on other sites, because I think this

leads to “more of the same” results where everyone is telling everyone what “they”

would do. Originality comes from within, and the great challenge of a true artist is to

find his way through observation and inspiration. Fotoblur is perfect venue for that.

I have an entire community to thank for the positive results I have achieved since

being here. I think we all learn from each other - directly or indirectly. If there are

100,000 members on Fotoblur, I can easily thank each and every one of them for any

good results I may have had on my creative journey!


At an early age art was a major influence in your life. Can you tell us how that experience helped shape who you are today?

If I could describe my childhood, it would be with three things. Art. Music. Hard

work. All of them are what drives me today. Growing up on a remotely located ranch

in northern British Columbia, Canada (the local town had a population of only 500),

I immersed myself in both art and music after long hard days of farm-work. Thats

all I did for many years from as far back as I could remember. My interest in artists

of the Renaissance, taught me both the beauty and complexity of human anatomy.

How the great masters posed and lighted their subjects, long before there was such

a thing as a camera. How perspective and POV influences the viewer, how colour

provides emotion, and other vital ingredients to this great period of history. My pas-

sion and studies were not limited to this however, because I was also a great fan of

comic book artists like Al Capp and Gil Kane - both of whom excelled in their knowl-

edge of human anatomy. The painter Norman Rockwell was also a huge influence

in my childhood, and I have read several comments on Fotoblur where there has

been a comparison with him and my own work. Again, the wonderful interactivity of

Fotoblur! There can be no doubt that when I am thinking up ideas, posing my sub-

jects, making compositions and processing, Michelangelo, Gil Kane, and Norman

Rockwell are all in the mix of my crazy, creative mind! ;-)

Your family are main subject in many of your images. How do they feel being the subject of your work?

Naturally, my own family provides me very easy access to “models” when needed.

I have four kids plus my wife - and the entire age spectrum to choose from. They all

know what to expect from me at this point. They also know that my approach to a

photo session can sometimes be similar to my coaching of ice hockey players. In

other words, if I start screaming and shouting - they just laugh at me!

As a previous hockey player and now instructor do you see any parallels between your creative, artistic side and the way you play and teach the game?

Another huge part of my life has been professional ice hockey (my canadian roots

of course!). My instruction on the ice is as creatively put together as I try and do

with my photography. The success of my hockey camps has been largely due to the

“uniqueness” of the programs. While most coaches are running their camps based

on the “books” from others, I do everything I can to take completely new approach-

es - sometimes bordering on the edge of crazy! I guess I’m thinking like a “punk”

whether on or off the ice! But the kids love it - and that is what counts the most! :-)

What are your thoughts on creativity? How does one discover and develop their own creative potential?

I have very strong beliefs on this subject. I believe it is better to be “flawed” but

unique in what you do, than it is to be “perfect” but formulated. I also believe that as

artists, everyone can find their own, “signature style”. Something that makes their

work stand out on its own, something that tells the viewer “this is me!” For some,

finding this comes easy - for others it’s just a matter of persistence - creating and

experimenting until it appears. Observing and appreciating others, even those that

have styles completely different than your own, is probably the best way to stimulate

the creative process. Push the boundaries. And dont fall into a “formula.” Learn

from others - but dont try to be like others - otherwise, who’s art is it? I also believe

strongly that there is no “right and wrong” when it comes to art. My “shyness” from

participating in “critique forums” has nothing to do with ego - it has all to do with the

belief that it is the artist that must find his way based on observation - and his/her

own interpretation of that observation. If one applies too many differing “opinions”

to their work, the work becomes too “safe”, too “more of the same.” Originality

and uniqueness are bred from within ones own choices and decisions. Only YOU

know what YOU see and feel. This is why I pride myself on “learning from others” by

“observation” and self-interpretation - not by text book play-by-play.

Take us back to your years as a DJ in Miami. Do you feel this experience drew from and further shaped your love of art and the creative process?

While music is dear to all of us, it has definitely had an influential role in my life.

During the entire 80’s I became one of the leading progressive music Dj’s in the USA

and ran an iconic discotek called “The Kitchen Club” on Miami Beach Florida. I also

did re-mixes and several productions, including my own album. This experience

in the music world, has given me the courage to take bold and daring chances -

including the way I compose my art. It might also explain why I am so attracted to,

and appreciative of anything that I find “off the beaten path.” My early music roots

were in punk rock, and punk was all about individuality, governing one’s self, and

being original.

What message would you like to leave behind in your artwork? What are you trying to say through your images.

Most of my work conveys a simple message that is relatively clear. However, due to

the fact that we are all different, and with different backgrounds and experiences,

I never provide specific descriptions. I respect the viewpoints of all people when it

comes to interpretation of my work, and prefer to let that work speak different things

to different people. Just like music. The same song will have many different reac-

tions/interpretations to different people - even if everyone has the same positive or

negative opinion about it.

What do you think the world is missing today and how can we improve it?

Technology, communication, and information are essentials for quality of life no mat-

ter where one lives. All of this is constantly improving which in many ways is a good

thing (there are always plus/minuses of course). Theoretically, the more knowledg-

able we are about one another, the more we tend to understand one another. And

the more we understand, the more personal we become. The more personal, the

less likely for conflict (in general). In short, Fotoblur is a great example of how this

works, because I know there are many genuine friendships created between many

different people from many different cultures. The more we “humanize” our relations

by personal contact, the more we enjoy and appreciate each other - its a simple

fact. Perhaps we all need to stop voting for government, and vote for each other -

just like on Fotoblur! ;-) We just vote and tell each other how great we all are - and

then there would be no more wars haha! ;)

Continued on page 35

Featured Photographer Mont Sherar

Mont Sherar - La Femme Pivotante



Mont Sherar - Mariposa



Mont Sherar - Future Pacifist



Mont Sherar - Honour The Fire



Mont Sherar - One Giant Step



Mont Sherar - Illustrative Viewpoint



Mont Sherar - Stop on Red34




What can we expect to see from your photography in the future? What areas would you like to explore?

Recently, I have begun to delve into the realm of non-human photography, such

as architecture. However, in doing so, I want to portray this genre in some kind of

unique way. I dont know if I have succeeded, but my goal is clear. Perhaps I can find

a way of “humanizing” it - or simply finding a look we havent seen too often. Another

subject matter I want to explore is humour. I want to bring my interest in cartoons

to life with photography. Reality that has a “comic-like” feel to it. To try and get a

reaction where people feel good. With so much sadness going on today, I feel that

focusing in this area would not only be appropriate, but a tough challenge as well.

I’m truly like a “kid in a candy store” in terms of how I view the world around me. I

want it all! Everything is to me, one huge pose. Composed of many different “sub-

poses”. My challenge is to find them - but without limits on what to capture and how

to do it. Even the most mundane things can reveal something interesting - if one

takes the time to explore the possibilities.

One of the few “genres” I have never tried is macro photography. Its one of those

areas where I simply feel I could never improve on it - never make a “difference.”

But at the same time, I LOVE to enjoy what others are doing in this field. It’s truly

amazing, and requires an enormous amount of skill to get it right. There are a lot of

fantastic macro photos on Fotoblur, and most of it is mind-bogglingly great. I think

the world is better off without me trying this category - but, who knows, never say

never they say!

Lastly, who are your personal heroes?

Chef Gordon Ramsey and Bear Grylls! Both have amazing human qualities of excel-

lence, and both have achieved success without following the normal standards.

Unique and original is an understatement!

ContributorsPaolo Barbaresi 41

Yury Bird 17

Dimitri Bogachuk 12, 13

Barbara Corvino 45, 49

Neil Craver 57

Mohsen Daemi 56

Martin Danovski 24

Christophe Dessaigne 64, 65

Saud A Faisl 43

Eric Frey 09

Isa Fröhling 06

Zurab Getsadze 58

Hilde Ghesquiere 44

Kazuyuki Iijima 14

Caras Ionut 70

Nobu Ito 52

Michael Ken 42

Alex Korolev 11

John Kosmopoulos 10, 23

Hengki Lee 39, 68, 69

Harry Lieber 21, 25

Brenda Lindfors 20

Robert Moran 22

Alexandr Nesterovskyi 16

Lucian Olteanu 59

Shigehiro Ono 63

Akira　Ota 50

Pierre Pellegrini 19

Enzo Perrazziello 67

Peter Petzold 51

Bjørn Pretzel 66

Yusuke Sakai 40

Ausadavut Sarum 08

Erik Schottstaedt 60

Syaza Mohd Shakharulain 07

Junie Suh 46

Tatsuo Suzuki 38

Tsutomu Takahashi 48, 61

Qin Yongjun 47

Vahid Ghasemi Zarnoosheh 18


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