I’m John Quintero a journey and documentary photographer from Colombia and primarily based in London. I’m an architect, however my ardour for travelling and images was too sturdy after I was younger.
I began working as an intern for a number of newspapers and magazines whereas finding out on the College of The Arts in London. That is the place I gained expertise and learnt from different photographers, studying books and experimenting with my Nikon D70 digicam each time I had an opportunity. I used to be additionally taking pictures movie with my beloved Nikon F100, which I nonetheless use.
Ultimately, I obtained a job for the BBC as an image editor the place I stayed for a number of years; an unimaginable expertise that made me see images differently; nevertheless, my actual ardour was on the market, in distant areas of this world, documenting tribes, rituals, celebrations and traditions and no behind a desk.
After leaving the BBC, I purchased a single ticket to South East Asia and it was the most effective choices of my life. Since then, I’ve travelled to greater than 45 international locations and I’m not stopping but. I’m packing for my subsequent journey to Colombia, Turkey, and Kenya as I write this, main my subsequent photographic expeditions.
Moreover main images excursions and workshops, I additionally work as a lecturer for various images golf equipment, festivals and establishments.
My photographs have been printed in main newspapers all over the world equivalent to The Instances, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Sunday Instances, Dier Welt, and in campaigns for American Categorical, Nike, a number of airways magazines and Nationwide Geographic Traveler UK, Digital Digicam, Photograph Professional, and many others.
I’ve additionally gained some images exhibitions such because the second place skilled within the Sony World Pictures Awards in 2014, IPA, PX3 and lots of extra. Not too long ago, I gained the World Water Day Pictures Competitors which is at present exhibited in Italy.
Concerning my gear, I’ve been a Nikon shooter for a very long time. Among the finest cameras I’ve had is the Nikon D3s, a workhorse that now belongs to a good friend and it’s nonetheless working completely.
For the final 4 years, I’ve been utilizing a Nikon D850 and I adore it. Nonetheless, I’ve been contemplating transferring to a mirrorless system, to not comply with the tendencies however as a result of my again is paying the toll of a few years of carrying heavy gear.
I really like taking pictures movie for private tasks, so I at all times journey with the Nikon F100, an awesome digicam that permits me to make use of the identical lenses I take advantage of for my D850.
Concerning lenses, my first selections when travelling are the Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8, the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II and the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 lenses. Relying on the project, I add the 14-24mm f/2.8 or the Nikon 105 mm AF-S f/2.8mm Micro Nikkor lens which I really like for portraits greater than for macro images.
I not too long ago purchased the Nikon 80-400mm VR f/4.5-5.6 however I’m eager about upgrading to a Sigma 150-600mm quickly.
I even have the 60mm AF-S f/2.8 mm Micro Nikkor lens to make use of with a Nikon ES-2 digitizer connected to the D850 digicam to digitalize my movie negatives however I ended up utilizing it for portraits as effectively and I really like the outcomes!
For lighting, I take advantage of 2 Nikon Speedlights, the SB-900 and the SB-800, triggered with Pocket Wizard Plus III transceivers radios. I additionally use a Manfrotto Speedbox 54x54cm Softbox with the Nikon Speedlight.
I additionally use fixed lighting and my favorite is the Yongnuo YN300 Air II LED Gentle, which is nice as a filling mild or to make use of indoors producing very natural-looking mild.
I’ve been utilizing GoPro cameras nearly since they appeared out there. They’re nice for BTS movies and even to take photographs when a giant digicam isn’t best. My newest one was the GoPro Hero 6 Black however now I’m contemplating shopping for the Hero 9 Black.
I additionally carry a Macbook Professional 15’ laptop computer with me and several other 5TB Seagate Transportable Laborious Drives. Concerning modifying, I take advantage of Lightroom and Photoshop.
I’ve had a number of digicam luggage from completely different manufacturers, however the LowePro Whistler 350 BP AW II Backpack is my favorite.
I additionally personal a number of tripods in several sizes, however my favorite is the Manfrotto MT055XPRO3 and the Manfrotto 808RC4 3-ways head.
Moreover, I by no means journey with out Zeiss Pre-Moist Lens Wipes, a primary support package, sturdy Gorilla tape, carabiners in several sizes, an Anker 20000 mAh energy financial institution for my cellular and mosquito spray.
That’s all for me, thanks and good luck together with your images, bear in mind to take your digicam in all places you go! When you’ve got any questions, please be happy to contact me.
