INTERVIEW WITH NINA KLING
We love to share and chat about who we have a photo crush on.
When we ask Kathleen Clemons, this is what she has to say about her crush.
““One of the greatest joys I experience as a teacher is watching my students take the concepts I teach and make them their own. Nina is an amazing photographer and her flower images are truly beautiful, but her street photos are brilliant. Watching her grow, find her own style, genre and way to share the way she sees the world makes me so happy. I love the way she tells stories with her images, and always makes me want to see and know more. I am also grateful to call her my friend.””
Now here is a bit about Nina Kling...
Nina Welch-Kling
Q: Tell us a little about your background and how you started making photos.
A: I am a New York City-based street photographer, originally from a small town in Germany. I earned a B.F.A. with a focus in Interior Design from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and an M.F.A. in Architecture from University of California, Los Angeles. I have lived in New York City since 1995, I'm married, and have two, now college-aged, daughters. While raising my children, I continued to explore creative outlets and re-discovered my passion for photography. Initially, I took online photography classes and this is where I first met Kathleen Clemons who became my friend and mentor. Kathleen’s flower photography classes helped me to understand manual camera settings, natural light, composition, as well manipulating an image in Photoshop. Many of these tools strongly guided my vision in street photography. Through classes and mentoring sessions, my passion continued to develop as well as define my voice as a street photographer.
Q: Your street photography images are full of mystery and magic, you tell stories in every photo. Do you head out with a particular subject in mind?
A: I rarely have a specific subject in mind. I do predetermine the location by time of the day as well as weather. I often return to the same locations in the city - familiar locations help to eliminate some of the variables. Street photography is about being reactive - about accessing a scene in front of you and making it come together in a frame. It helps to know where the light hits the people and how pedestrians move through a scene..
Q: Some photographers seem to “see” in black and white, but your photos are strong in both color and black and white. How do you decide which to use for a given photo?
A: If the color adds to the photo and to tell the story, I use color. If the photo is more graphic and black and white helps to clarify the visual, I will use black and white. I shoot in color but I can usually see in my head if it will be a black and white, or a color photo.
Q: What is the hardest part of what you do?
A: Letting go - the fact that there is never a retake. You need to learn to let go of missed opportunities and know that a new one could be just around the corner.
Q: What is the easiest part of what you do?
A: The joy of roaming the street and connecting with people.
Q: What advice would you give to a photographer who wanted to give Street Photography a try?
A: Stick with it and go out and shoot often. You can only get a good shot if you go out and try to find it. For the most part, people are open to be photographed - if you are open and appear confident, people will feel unthreatened. A smile and a sincere compliment will go a long way!!!
Where can we see your work?
https://www.instagram.com/ninakling/
We are so excited to announce that Nina Kling has joined the Gather team! Stayed tuned for information on when she will be teaching her upcoming workshop.
