Aaron Van Dike / Past to Present

 

Aaron Van Dike / Mogadore, Ohio 

 

1) What and/or who inspired you to pick up a camera? 

Ever since I was a kid I have been shooting with my moms Canon AE-1 Program 35mm camera. In High School I got more and more into the field of videography and editing. I actually applied to a college for broadcasting and did two semesters of it. In College I met Dave Shepherd (www.flickr.com/bearandyeti), he sold my first real camera, a Canon Rebel XT, I was amazed by it. Ever since getting that camera I have spent everyday spending time thinking about my photography, the ideas, the gear, all of it. I love it.

 

2) How did you come to the conclusion that photography was "your thing"?  

In early 2008 I shot some band promos for Outrun The Gun, it was my first promo shoot using "real lighting" (3 Speedlite 430exs and 1 Vivitar 285HV). When I posted those photos I had such a big response from people wanting me to shoot thier bands, working with bands and all of my friends I have done a countless number of photoshoots using in depth lighting. I think what made me realize it was my thing was just the large amounts of feedback I have gotten from friends/family/random strangers and Flickr!

 

3) What kind of equipment advice do you have for beginning photographers? Specific websites, stores, etc. I would definitely consider myself a beginning photographer still, I can't even wrap my mind around the amount of things I need to learn. I am just a beginner who is very broke. Some good advice is, ditch photography schools. I don't think there is any need for photography schools. Learn everything yourself, that's what me and the Five Giants did. None of us have formal training in photography. Anyways, back to gear advice. Start simple, I purchased a Vivitar 285HV (a very good flash and it's under 100 dollars) A few of those are a great place to start to learn lighting. If you want to throw some more money at it check out www.alienbees.com and get yourself some AB800's, www.bhphoto.com, adorama.com, amazon.com. I also have to say DO NOT buy camera gear from stores like best buy, might as well just throw away your money.

 

  

4) When you started taking photography what was your favorite thing to shoot? And why.  

When I first started photography I spent a lot of time just walking around Akron and Kent, Ohio. I took pictures of whatever I saw, people, buildings... anything! When I started getting more serious about it my focus turned to people. I definitely prefer individual people to groups. I love getting people in their environment, you can watch the videos of me shooting and see that I am very personal and fun with the bands. I CAN not stand uptight, boring photographers. I also can't stand up tight douche bag bands! I love working with fun people.

 
 

5) Was it difficult to acquire the good quality equipent? If yes, how'd you manage to acquire that equipment? I have been shooting for over two years and would consider my gear to be turning better quality. I had a 30D since 2007 and sold it along with my 17-40 lens just so I could purchase a 5D. I spend a lot of the money I get on my photo gear, sometimes it puts me in a tight financial situation, but with every new piece of gear it allows me to shoot more and more shoots. I can definitely say I have made back nearly every penny I have spent. I also work a full time job that helps me get that pay check. If you want the good gear, look for deals and work very hard. Networking yourself out there also helps, I have gotten some pretty good deals on accessories because of people I know that work at camera stores!

 

6) What are your future plans during your quest in the photography field?  

I am not quite sure. I plan on hopefully supporting myself full time with this. I have a job that could turn into a career now (Graphic Designer) so I am not a starving artist. As good as that is, it is also a negative thing because with this job I don't have the time to shoot as much as I could and it also doesn't have me striving as much as I should. I do love my job though and sometimes I get to do pretty cool photo shoots for it! 

ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY AARON VAN DIKE 

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Twitter >> http://twitter.com/aaronvandike

Five Giants Studio >> http://www.fivegiantsstudio.com 

Flickr Account >> http://www.flickr.com/photos/aaronvandike/

 

Movie Review: The Haunting in Connecticut

Based on a true story, The Haunting in Connecticut charts one family's real-life encounter with the dark forces of the supernatural. When the Campbell family moves to upstate Connecticut, they soon learn that their charming Victorian home has a disturbing history: not only was the house a transformed funeral parlor where inconceivable acts occurred, but the owner's clairvoyant son Jonah served as a demonic messenger, providing a gateway for spiritual entities to crossover. Now unspeakable terror awaits when Jonah, the boy who communicated with the dead, returns to unleash horror on the innocent and unsuspecting family. Written by Lionsgate 

I'd say if you enjoy movies that are thrilling, creepy, intense, and based on a true story, you'd like this film. It has all of that in this movie, and you never know what'll happen next. Personally, I was freaked out, and I drove home from the movies that same night and there was a lady standing in the middle of the street at 11:00pm. Pretty freaky, but I didn't hit her. But the movie is okay, wasn't too impressed, I'm still a fan of the Saw series.  

8/10

Movie Review: Fast and Furious

Heading back to the streets where it all began, two men rejoin two women to blast muscle, tuner and exotic cars across Los Angele's and floor through the Mexican desert. When a crime brings them back to L.A., fugitive ex-con Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) reignites his feud with agent Brian O'Connor (Paul Walker). But as they are forced to confront a shared enemy, Dom and Brian must give in to an uncertain new trust if they hope to outmaneuver him. And from convoy heists to precision tunnel crawls across international lines, two men will find the best way to get revenge: push the limits of what's possible behind the wheel.

The beginning of this movie was just so intense that I knew this movie was going to be worth watching, and it defiantly was. Out of all the movies before this one, I liked this one the most. Mostly because it was intense the whole way through. If you like car movies, it's a must see.

10/10

Movie Review: Seven Pounds

Haunted by a secret, Ben Thomas looks for redemption by radically transforming the lives of seven people he doesn't know. Once his plan is set, nothing will be able to stop him. At least that's what he thinks. But Ben hadn't planned on falling in love with one of these people and she's the one who will end up transforming him.


Seven Pounds started off very slow, I was semi-confused in the beginning, but as it works it's way to the end, it all hits you like a blow to the head from a shotgun shell. It's truly amazing how great of an actor Will Smith is; in every movie he brings something from his own character to the movie, and it makes the movie magical.

If you didn't cry while watching this, there's something wrong with you. No, I'm only kidding, I didn't cry but my mom was balling, so for all you criers, be prepared and have tissue handy at all times. This movie does not just make you cry; it makes you smile, laugh, and it surprises you the whole way through. Your anxious to find out what's going to happen next.

I enjoyed this movie through it all. It's a must see, and it's on DVD.

10/10

Movie Review: Notorious

The story of Christopher Wallace. Through raw talent and sheer determination, Wallace transforms himself from Brooklyn street hustler (once selling crack to pregnant women) to one of the greatest rappers of all time; THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G.


This movie was okay, not really as impressed as I should of been. I didn't like the actors as much as I like them in other movies. I felt the movie could have been much better. But, it's defiantly worth watching. So, if you've listened to B.I.G's music then go watch this movie, and learn a little something about his life.


7/10

Movie Review: The Day The Earth Stood Still

In the original movie, a flying saucer orbits Earth, and lands in Washington, DC, on the Mall. Klaatu steps out and is shot by a jumpy soldier. Gort, an indestructible robot steps out of the spacecraft and proceeds to melt all the weapons, including tanks. Later, the Earth comes to realize that Gort has used very little of his power to make this happen.


Personally, I think you had to watch the original to enjoy, or find alien movies fascinating. I found it to be a bit of a bore; it put me to sleep. Not much to say about this movie besides go see it if you'd like.


5/10