Artist Interview: Ben Goode (aka kwest)

Every month we feature one of our illustrators or photographers. This month we talk to Australia’s Ben Goode, who goes by the alias kwest.  His portfolio is full of dramatic and powerful landscapes, roads, farmlands and beaches that make up the beauty of Australia.

240636 © kwest

How did you get started in photography?

BG: I got my first digital camera as a wedding gift back in 2005, and took lots of photos on my honeymoon in the Cook Islands. The results inspired me to continue with outdoor photography.

Ben Goode

Who or what inspires your work?

BG:  Ken Duncan, a well-known landscape photographer here in Australia, is someone who definitely inspires me.

What’s your favourite subject matter?

BG: Landscape Photography without a doubt.

Describe your style. What do you try to capture in your images?

BG: I have 2 main styles. With my ‘stock’ style, I try to capture a photo that I can work with in Photoshop to create an image that will sell a product. With my fine art landscape style, I simply want to take the best photograph I can of a certain location. Something that will get a ‘wow’ response from someone if hanging on a wall.

If you had to pick just one camera to work with from now on, what would it be?

BG: My current camera – Canon 5d MKII

If you won the lottery, what’s the one place or person you would run away to photograph?

BG: I would go straight to New Zealand and spend 6 months there shooting.

1053613 © kwest

209740 © kwest

What do you do when you’re not shooting?

BG: Web design, graphic design, post processing, golf, basketball.

What one tip would you share with someone who’s just starting out in the stock industry?

BG: Try and make images that stand out from the crowd. Work out the areas you want to focus on and then look on the stock sites and work out ways you can make your images better than the competitors, or try to put a new slant on them. Dont just settle for taking the same photos as everyone else. Also – learn Photoshop. Well.

4244947 © kwest

1605237 © kwest

Do you have a favourite artist/photographer at Crestock?

BG: I admire the success that andresr has had. Like me, he came from a graphic design background and not a traditional photography background.

See Ben’s portfolio or check out his Facebook Page.

770881 © kwest

4458875 © kwest