If you're a Flickr fan I'm willing to bet that whether you knew it or not, you've come across John Watson's work.  He goes by Flagrant Disregard and when he's not posting wonderful photographs for the Flickr community to enjoy, he's offering up a whole slew of amazingly useful Flickr Toys. 

If you follow the weekly PhotoBlog Spotlights on QJ Photography, you saw his work last week at LightProofBox.  Now here's your chance to find out about the photographer behind the view finder.


QJ: So what do you do John?
FD: I'm a parent. I'm married and have two children. I create software for a living. Primarily, I build websites for companies.
  
QJ: What was it that prompted you to create the amazing stable of Flickr tools that you offer up for use by the internet?
FD: I wanted to help people make neat stuff with their photos and experience all the enjoyment that comes with that. The first one was the badge maker. LarimdaME created a really neat laminated badge. But lots of people could only admire it because they either didn't have the training or the tools to make their own. It seemed a shame that people wanted to participate and make badges and mosaics and posters with their photos but just couldn't do it. I wanted to help them. And that's still the primary goal of everything I make for the site. I want to make it easy for everyone to have fun with their photos.
QJ: As if Flickr weren't enough of a time-waster for me, I've spent more time than I care to account for playing with your Flickr toys.  They're excellent.

QJ: How long have you been in to photography?
FD: I can remember having a camera in all but my earliest memories. I got my first SLR in my early teens. But I wouldn't say I was really "in" to photography until my kids were born in 2000.
QJ: That seems to be a trend amongst many people I know - have children, take up photography.

QJ: Are you self-taught, or did you take classes at some point in time?
FD: Self-taught. I'm a firm believer that people learn best by doing things for themselves. One of my favorite quotes is "If you want to learn how to build a house, build a house. Don't ask anybody, just build a house." (Christopher Walken). That's extreme but, whether you succeed or not, you're gonna know a hell of a lot more than you did when you started and you wouldn't have learned half of it in a classroom.
QJ: Anyone who quotes Christopher Walken has got to know what they're talking about.  Guess I'll have to go build a house next weekend...

QJ: What is your favorite subject to photograph?
FD: I'm a bit of a dabbler. But by far my most frequent subjects are my children and I really love photographing them. I'm a big fan of portrait photography. I think human faces are fascinating. But I've also got a fair number of landscapes, macros, and abstracts.

QJ: Of your own photos, which is your favorite?
FD: This one.
QJ: You're going to have your hands full with her!  Makes me glad I've only got boys to worry about.

QJ: For every 100 or so pictures of my wife and boys, there's MAYBE one of me.  Does your wife ever let you get out from behind the camera?  Do you surrender easily?
FD: Yep, same here. I don't mind being in front of the camera. But like most photographers, pictures of me are rare.

QJ:  love the PAPA-razzi shirt!  Do you wear it often?  (If I had one, it'd be worn-through with pride.)
FD: Thanks, I really like it too. My wife made it for me on father's day and I do wear it often.

QJ: How do you think Flickr stands apart from the rest of the photo sharing sites?
FD: That's a tough one. Flickr's unique and responsive user interface attracted me right away. But I stayed for the people. It's the one thing Flickr has going for it that none of the other sites do. Flickr users are a unique bunch and I love hanging out with them.
QJ: I'd agree with that.  The community aspect is really what has drawn me in to it.

QJ: And how would you say that Flickr has affected the photography world?
FD: I don't know if Flickr has affected the photography world (I don't know enough about the larger photography world to say).
QJ: Good point, I guess I should rephrase that as, "affected the photographers of the world". 
FD: I definitely think that Flickr is a sign of how times are changing. Computers used to be something only a few people used. Things changed when computers got into everyone's hands. Amazing things have been created with computers that might never have existed if computing hadn't become ubiquitous. It feels like digital cameras are following a similar path. Pretty soon everyone on the planet who wants one will have a digital camera. Who can say what will happen?

QJ: Has Flickr proven a place that you've learned a lot from?  Been pushed by commenter's to try something new and different?  Inspired you to try something new?
FD: Flickr is a very inspiring place. On many occasions I've seen a photo that used a special composition or technique or angle that I found really interesting and wanted to emulate. I've learned a lot by trying to reproduce a shot made by someone else.

QJ: Who are your favorite photographers: On Flickr? In the world?
FD: There are so many great photographers on Flickr. Visit my favorites and my contact list. In the world? Is it a cliche to say Ansel Adams?
QJ: Probably.  But I'd say it's a good answer none the less.

QJ: Share with us the best photography tip you've heard.
FD: See the shot in your head before you make it.

QJ: What about the best tip that you've discovered on your own?
FD: Learn to use your flash in the daylight. Properly done, fill-flash in bright daylight is pure magic.
QJ: 've found this myself.  Great tip!

QJ: In your opinion, where is the line drawn between post-processing and Photoshopping?
FD: Why does there have to be a line? A beautiful image is a beautiful image. Like the boy told Neo: there is no spoon.
QJ: I've heard a lot of purists that would disagree with you.  But I'm on board with your way of thinking.

QJ: When you're not taking pictures or coding, what do you do for fun?
FD: What is this fun you speak of? I'm a parent of two. I barely have time to take photos.
QJ: Sorry, I lost my head for a moment there.  Good point.

QJ: With so many weirdos out there, do you ever worry about having pictures of your children on the internet?
FD: It doesn't bother me. Photographs unshared are wasted. And anonymous people on the internet can't hurt you.

QJ: Can you tell us where the handle, Flagrant Disregard (fd) comes from?
FD: It's pretty stupid, actually. Only a few people in the world know what it really means and that's probably for the best. :-) It's been my nickname for about 9 years.

QJ: Is there anything else you'd like to share?
FD: In addition to my Flickr stream, I keep a separate photo blog at http://lightproofbox.com.  [Which we featured last week, coincidence?] I try to put only my best shots there whereas at Flickr I'll goof around and experiment a bit more. Consequently, lightproofbox has a lot fewer shots than my Flickr stream but I think the quality is more consistent. I also write stories about being a dad at http://flagrantdisregard.com.


QJ: Thanks for taking the time John.