Say hello to Pete Gyftaki, one of our featured Instagramers!
Pete is a photographer based in Metro – Detroit and he spent some time documenting the people and buildings of Detroit.
Pete, how did you get interested in photography?
I can honestly say that Instagram is the source that fueled my passion for photography. So many doors have opened, providing me opportunities to meet talented people, photograph, inspire, be inspired, and tell stories. This little app is amazing!
How would you define your style?
It’s hard for me to define one style; it depends on what I’m shooting.
For my Urbex type shots,I typically shoota clean but classy HDR look that sometimes contains a hint of the “VSCO film look”, my goal is to capture and preserve these abandoned places which are typically dark and translate into a creepy tone in the final product.
When I’m shooting conceptual photography, I strive to make the concept look as realistic as possible, even when the concept might favor a fantasy type theme. Overall, I would say my style is evolving.
What tips do you have for other Instgramers?
-Post good content on a regular basis (Don’t upload too many selfies or shots of your cappuccinos)
–Engage with the community by commenting and liking other people’s photos. If you show love to others, you’ll get some back.
–Don’t get caught up in how many people “like” or “follow you” post good quality shots and the rest will follow.
–Use relevant hashtags that are directly related to your pictures and/or the creative hubs you follow.
-Follow a creative hub/community – @JoshJohnson is one of the largest creative communities on @Instagram, they have daily themes which you can submit your photos to for a chance to get featured and connect with some very talented people.
What Instagramers do you follow and get inspiration from?
I really like; @JJcommunity, @NatGeo, @Littlecoal, @AndriaWatha,@_soliveyourlife_ , @VonWong, @JJ_Abandoned, and @IGers_Detroit
What are you shooting with these days?
I use the Sony A7ii (hyperlink) with several lenses from Sony/Zeiss, Rokinon, and Canon. When lighting is needed, I like using the PhottixMitros+(hyperlink) system.
You can see Pete’s work on his Twitter account@PeteGyft or his Instagram accoount@Panog
Learn more about Urbex here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_exploration
