The team at ONA loves to highlight emerging photographers and feature established photographers: it’s less about renown or experience and more about the feelings stirred by the images created. We’re constantly amazed by the incredible variety of photographers who use ONA bags: there’s no standard background, education, subject, inspiration, industry. The only constant is that they’re trying–and usually succeeeding–to tell a story in one captured moment.
Matt wears the Leather Bowery in Antique Cognac
As part of our #ONAMoments contest (tomorrow is the last day to enter!), we've been loving checking out our favorite film blogs and photographers. Matt McDaniel is one of them: we met him via Develop and Fix, a blog and online shop dedicated to film photography. However, one of our favorite things about him is his approach to the difference between digital and film photography: "I’m not going to distinguish which images are film and which are digital here, because when it comes down to it, it's about the image and not how I captured it." Word.
ONA: How did you get into photography?
MM: I’ve been interested in photography since I was young. My grandfather was a pretty good amateur photographer and inspired me to practice and learn.
ONA: What camera do you shoot with? What is your “go to” lens of choice?
MM: I shoot with a few different cameras, but my favorites are my Rolleiflex 2.8f, Leica M3 and Fuji X-Pro1. I enjoy any lens I can find for the most part, and also love to mount my old Leica lenses on the Fuji. I also dabble in Wet Plate photography and love my Aero Ektar lens.
ONA: What sort of project drives your creativity? Follow Up: What is your dream project?
MM: I enjoy shooting simple things. Fewer distractions in the frame make a better image in my opinion. My dream project right now would be to get into an RV and travel around documenting small town life, both on film and wet plate.
ONA: What is the hardest thing about being a photographer?
MM: Finding time to dedicate to work.
ONA: Describe your style of shooting.
MM: I don’t usually like to interject myself into the situation. I would rather let the moment evolve itself.
ONA: In one sentence, what advice would you give to a photographer just starting out?
MM: Do not trouble yourself with what others are doing, focus on your own work.
ONA: How did you hear about us?
MM: Researching leather camera bags on the internet.
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