Ibarionex Perello

Ibarionex Perello is a photographer, writer, educator and host of The Candid Frame photography podcast. He has over 25 years of experience in the photography industry.

In his role as host and producer of The Candid Frame, he provides frank, insightful interviews with some of the industry's top established and emerging photographers. The popular show has featured guests including Jay Maisel, Joel Meyerowitz, Pete Turner, Lynn Goldsmith and Gerd Ludwig, and enjoys a following among photo enthusiasts from all over the world. The weekly program is consistently ranked among the top programs of its type.

Ibarionex is also the author of 5 books including: Chasing the Light: Improving Your Photography Using Available Light, Canon 5D Mark III: From Snapshot to Great Shots, and Adobe Master Class: Photoshop. He is also the co-author of Visual Stories: Behind the Len with Vincent Laforet.

His photographs and articles have appeared in numerous publications and websites including Digital Photo Pro, Outdoor Photographer, Rangefinder, Shutterbug, Popular Photography, DP Review, and Scott Kelby's Light It magazines.

As well as his work in the world of photography, he is currently a production fellow for Maximum Fun, which produces NPR’s Bullseye with Jesse Thorn.

He currently lives in the Los Angeles area with his wife and their two dogs, Spenser and Zooey.

Visit Ibarionex Perello’s website at www.ibarionex.net.

DOMINIQUE JAMES: How did you get started in photography?

IBARIONEX PERELLO: I was introduced to photography while attending the Boys Club of Hollywood. A counselor restored a darkroom that had fallen into disuse and introduced us to photography. From the very moment I made my first print, seeing the image appear on that blank sheet of paper, I was hooked. I have been doing photography ever since.

DJ: What kind of pictures do you like to take?

IP: I like all kind of photography, but I especially love street photography. Every day that I go out shoot is a completely different experience. I enjoy the challenge of not knowing exactly what I’m going to get, and in being able to capture something from the most ordinary of circumstances. It’s a tightrope walk, but when it happens, there are fewer things that are more satisfying.

DJ: Who or what would you consider as influential to your photography?

IP: There are a lot of photographers from whom I’ve drawn inspiration, but my favorite photographers include Joel Meyerowitz, William Albert Allard, and Gordon Parks.

DJ: What’s your favorite camera and lens?

IP: I don’t have a favorite anything. I tried not to get too tied up in gear. Currently, the cameras that I use most often are the Samsung NX500 and the Fujifilm x100s. For my shooting, I prefer a 35mm fixed focal length as opposed to a zoom lens.

DJ: Any other particular piece of photo gear that you feel is essential or like using?

IP: Extra batteries and memory cards. I like to keep it simple.

DJ: How you edit and enhance your pictures before showing them? What is your post-production process like?

IP: I use Lightroom for my post processing. I will make global adjustments using levels and curves adjustment; and in the case of color images, I work with vibrance and individual color channels when necessary. I will use the adjustment brush a lot in my work to make more selective adjustments to my images. I don’t spend a lot of time on post. I prefer to be out shooting.

DJ: How do you share your pictures and to whom?

IP: I have written more than 5 books on photography and countless magazine articles. So, I’m lucky that I get to use my own imagery for the articles and books. I share some images on Flickr and Instagram, but mostly they are for various projects that I work on.

DJ: How do you store or archive your pictures?

IP: I have several backup hard drives and a network drive connected to my computer. I have some key image stored on the cloud.

DJ: What do you think of today’s state of photography?

IP: It’s a great time to be a photographer. You can learn so much online. You can meet some amazing photographers. The resources are almost limitless. Most importantly, it allows you to connect and build relationships with people who share your passion for photography.

DJ: What is that one all-important lesson you’ve learned when it comes to photography?

IP: You only get better by doing the work. You have to shoot regularly and consistently.

DJ: What is the best piece of advice you’ve received and can share with others?

IP: You have to keep your promises to yourself. If you say you are going to do something for yourself, for your art, you go out and do it. Excuses are just that—excuses. They don’t get you any closer to anything.

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Notes: All photographs on this page, used with permission, by Ibarionex Perello. Copyright © 2015. All rights reserved. For the complete set of interviews and photographs of all the amazing photographers featured on this blog’s exclusive Q&A, please click here.