Name: Franz Josef Duenas Sarmiento but please, call me F.J.
Date of Birth: August 27, 1982
Current Location: Toronto, ON. Canada

Bio:
Everywhere I go, I have to have a camera with me. You never know what you could miss!

The very first time I picked up a camera was back in ‘96. I borrowed a cheap plastic point and shoot film camera for my grade 8 grad trip. A few clicks of friends later, I thought to myself, “Hey, why not take some “artistic” photos?” I remember one particular scene the most – a tree with bare branches reaching over the edges of a dreary river with hundreds of rocks obstructing the water. Although I was only a beginner, I was very proud of that shot and I started to see how much fun it was to compose and take pictures. Sadly, I somehow misplaced that camera and consequently, it took about 7 years for photography and I to cross paths again.

At that point, the internet had become the norm. One day I was just browsing when I randomly came across someone’s website titled “58mm”. He described how filters were able to enhance images beyond the capabilities of the naked eye. I was so intrigued by this concept and spent the next hour analyzing all his photos. As I gazed at his inspiring work, the colours seemed to pop in a way I hadn’t noticed before. My eyes were opened, if you will. Shortly after, I came to the realization that it was about time I owned my own camera… not just any camera, but a good one!

I didn’t even know what ‘SLR’ meant at the time so I did what anyone else would do – Google it! I came across an awesome website (www.webslr.com) and spent hours learning how everything worked. The wonders of adjusting apertures and shutter speeds to properly expose a shot and how one subject could be viewed in so many different perspectives just blew my mind.

Digital was way too pricey at the time so I started with film. I researched several camera models for roughly 3 months before I finally decided on my first Single Lens Reflex camera body. My biggest debate, as is for most people, was Canon or Nikon? The winner turned out to be the Canon EOS Rebel Ti. The kit came with a couple zoom lenses and it felt like Christmas all over again when I opened the boxes. Before long, I had developed hundreds of photos of pretty much everywhere I went – my room, my office, the parking lot, the sky, the mall, the snow, the street, traffic, you name it! For those wondering why I chose Canon… really nothing technical since they’re pretty much the same… it just felt better in my hands – that’s it.

Just a few months later, I was beyond hooked and decided to upgrade. I became obsessed and what many people classify as a “gearhead”. This vicious cycle of buying and selling lasted quite a while before I realized that it was no longer financially reasonable to maintain this hobby. I bit the bullet and finally went digital 2 years later to transform this artistic hobby into a profession.

At first, I loved to shoot nature and landscapes simply because of my appreciation for the Earth’s natural beauty. I also experimented with other genres of photography, such as macro, architecture, and still life. I, however, found most joy when shooting people. Creating art with a snapshot of someone’s true emotion is unbelievably fulfilling.

Stemming from my desire to capture natural beauty, it wasn’t long before this passion evolved into my love for capturing the beauty that exists between two people… IN love. If you haven’t already figured out, I’m a pretty big sap. Who doesn’t enjoy and appreciate a little bit of romance in their lives? Being able to share in these moments by photographically documenting them is a privilege and an honour. I now dedicate my craft to embrace life’s every moment and my goal is to capture these moments to cherish them for a lifetime.

For all you gearheads out there…

Camera Equipment:
Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II
Canon EOS-1D Mark II
Canon EOS 50D + Phottix BP-40D
Canon EOS 3 + PB-E2
Canon EOS Elan 7e + BP-300
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8
Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
Canon FD to EOS adapter
Canon FD 50mm f/1.8 S.C.
Canon FD 100mm f/4 Macro
Canon FD 50 Extension Tube

RECENT UPDATE – Yes, I switched to Nikon:
Nikon D3
Nikon D3
Nikon D700 + Phottix BP-D700
Nikon AF NIKKOR 24mm f/2.8D
Nikon AF NIKKOR 35mm f/2.0D
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G
Nikon AF NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4D
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED
Nikon AF NIKKOR 35-70mm f/2.8D
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR
Nikon Extension Tubes

I also love to dance and sing : www.youtube.com/fj5