Today, we’re getting to know Ilze Fourie a little bit better! This is part of a series of interviews we will be having with KIKI members. If you would like to be interviewed go to our interview page and answer a few questions!
1. When and how did the photography bug bite you?
Been interested in photos since school, and played around with kid brothers ‘starter’ Nikon. Never had a real grown up camera of my own, so had to make do with his and dad’s. Around 5 years ago, Louis Barendse (RIP) went with us on a botswana trip and he got the passion for photography really fired up in me! Been taking ‘snaps’ since then, but middle of last year hubby bought me an awesome Nikon D90 and used that to take my own maternity shoot. And that was that… the bug really dug in his little teeth and held on for dear life! I’m hooked! Now I’m a freelance photographer and just got my studio kit. Watch out, here I come!
2. Your house is on fire, your family, equipment and pets are safe, but you only have time to take 2 items, what would it be?
My harddrive (all my libraries – visual research, personal admin, personal photos, wedding photos, baby photos, music, ideas, dreams, etc. etc) are on there. My baby’s changing cupboard as it was mine first, and hopefully her baba will inherit it after her. An heirloom as such :) Although its quite delipidated and not at ALL vintage… just old
3. If you could have a conversation with anyone about anything, who would it be and what would you talk about?
With God!! I’d love to know where was the missed oppurtunities, neardeaths I didnt know about, the most awesome adventures still lying ahead, and the answers to Life, the Universe, Everything. I’m pretty sure it’s NOT 42 … ;)
4. What can you talk about for hours? (apart from photography)
Alternate realities and theoretical uhm.. theories! I love the fiction about science and what if’s in different scenarios. Makes you wonder about all the tangible things and the punity of humanity really.
5. What makes you really angry?
Abuse (any kind – physical, verbal, animals, children, women, the geeky kid in the corner). Unfairness – Whether it be accusations or how you judge. Right up there with abuse. People that cant drive. Those that drive too slow, those that drive too fast, those that drive like a w@#$% and those that just skip robots and stop streets. My dad is one of them. But I do love him, promise. I just dont drive with him… Ever!
6. You help an old lady load her groceries in her car; only to find out she is extremely wealthy. She wants to buy you something to say ‘thanks’. What would you choose?
EXTREMELY you say..? Hmmm, I think an open return airticket anywhere in the world would be quite nice thank you very much.
7. What subject matter do you love shooting?
Still life. Anything I can zoom up to real close for some artistic shots. I like detailed shots, not micro, just detailed. Subjects that capture the feel of a scene and tell a story.
8. If you could only take one lens on every shoot (even if you don’t currently own it), which one would it be and why?
Probably a very nice zoom-lens for all the sneaky people portraits
9. If you had all the time in the world to do one photography project, what would it be?
Sho… I think I’d like to capture the essence of different cultures – people – at sunsets across the world. A hobo smiling toothless with the sun setting on the New York backdrop, a Mozambiquan boy selling his fish on the beach, you know what I’m getting at right?
10. Have you ever had one of those embarrassing moments at a shoot? Would you tell us what happened and how you survived?
Not really (not yet anyway). Just begging some really difficult people to please smile nicely for the camera… please.
11. What music do you listen to when you have to get through long hours of admin and editing?
The Angel Monitor beeping in the background. Have to do editing when baba is sleeping. No rest for the wicked!
12. Which aspect of your craft are you the least and most confident in?
Least – bad lighting. Ogh, I suck at taking crisp photos in low light. Oh, and I need to learn to work with negative space. I zoom in too often. Most – I have a good eye for composition
13. When you have to make big decisions, which do you prefer? “Flipping a coin”, “Comparing the pro’s and con’s” or “going with the flow”.
Comparing pro’s and con’s – and going with my gut feeling.
14. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Switzerland. It just looks so crisp and the sky so vast! And everything seems highly saturated and happy.
15. Give a link to one of your recent shoots that you absolutely loved shooting? Why did you enjoy it so much?
