Sugar (C)rush
I think geeks (and nerds, for that matter) get a bad rap. We’re often depicted as introverts who are socially awkward, afraid of the world outside of our books and video games. Like all stereotypes, this one needs to die yesterday. The only characteristic that is true of geeks, is that we’re good at what we do, and take pride in whatever the task set before us. Take young photographer Michael Scott, for example. Though a self-admitted geek, he certainly doesn’t fit the stereotype. While he may be able to tell you more about your favorite Netflix series than you want to know, or hand you your ass in a video game, there’s so much more to him. Looking at his work here, that should be apparent.
Michael hails from Stellenbosch, just outside of Cape Town, South Africa. It is a town considered to be the wine-lands of the Cape, because of its flourishing wine farms. Michael currently works for “a commercial studio that services these wine farms with stylized shoots, pack shots, landscape photography”, and so forth. He describes his town as “a beautiful place to be”, with “dozens of mountains for weekend hikes with friends”. The man is talented, with an eye (and camera lens) firmly focused on the future.
You’re barely out of school, but it seems you’re already on the path to a life in photography. How long have you been interested in becoming a photographer?
Well my family has always been creative, so I almost feel like it was bound to happen. In High School, I got a little into photo composites with Photoshop, and just fell in love. It was between this or something in the computer science/ IT direction, and I feel photography is a great blend of the tech and artistic worlds. So to answer your question, I think it was about eight years ago when I decided to become a photographer, and I haven't looked back since.
Is there any specific type of photography you were interested in when you began?
It's funny actually; when I started beauty and fashion were my two most hated genres, because I didn't get it just quite yet. The strange poses, over the top clothing, and struggling to pose models, and source good clothing. I hated it, but now it's the two genres that get me most excited. When I started I was convinced I'd become a national geographic photographer, focusing on landscapes and wild animal photography.
Did your studies at Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography help you to improve your skills, or focus your direction?
The studies did help, but not in the way I originally thought. The technical side of photography, like how to operate a camera, use different lighting set-ups etc can easily be picked up from the many great YouTube tutorials out there. But what helped me the most from my studies was the way they teach you to think about your photographs. In terms of concept development, creating a sense of narrative, color theory. The things that an extra layer of depth to a photograph, which is not something I could imagine just picking up. So I'm definitely grateful for that.
What kind of equipment did you begin with, and are you still using that same equipment now?
My first camera was a Canon EOS 500D, which I worked in the Video Store during High School to save up for. I have upgraded since to the New Canon Mirrorless range. I own an EOS R now. It's the first full-frame camera I own, and it's amazing. Now I just need to organize more shoots.