Hi Armend, please tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into photography.

My name’s Armend Muqkurtaj. I’m a 22yo guy from Sweden almost done with my 4th semester studying Advertising, Graphic Design and Visual Communication at the University of Kalmar.

I’ve always been fascinated with colors and shapes which is what drew me into the world of Art and all it’s depth, including photography. Taking photos has always been a fun thing to do, but never really got into it or explored the possibilities photography had to offer until I got my first real digital camera, which was on my 17th birthday. That’s when it all started, when my passion for photography was lit.

What kind of camera do you use, and do you use any additional gear when shooting?

I started out with a Canon EOS 300D which was a great “professional” camera for beginners. You weren’t limited to the possibilities of taking amazing photos by your hardware.

Today, not many years later I’m still a loyal Canon user. Unfortunately due to my living situation, being a broke-ass student most of the time, I’m limited to sticking with reasonable cameras and equipment in my price range, meaning a Canon EOS 400D. Other gear in my backpack other than the 400D house and 18-55mm kit-lens are my Sigma 55-200mmD 1:4-5:6 DC, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, an Canon RC-1 remote controller and a Hama Star 62 tripod.

Have you had any professional training as a photographer?

None. I’m a self-taught amateur photographer. Google really is a great friend! There are endless help-sites, tutorials and inspirational sources out there to help you grow and inspire you for photo ideas.

Being a graphic designer, how does that influence the outcome of your photos?

Having a background into graphics, it’s allowed me to view things differently through my viewfinder when it comes to form, colors and especially composition. Being able to set up an image in my head and going a step further in thinking as to where and what possibilities the photo has of being used and applied on to print, websites etc. Also being able to compose a photo with a message, a way of communicating with the receiver on the viewing end, without really saying anything “The medium is the message”.

This doesn’t mean I sometimes don’t simply see something nice and have to capture it because it’s pretty, but mostly there’s a process of thought behind it, or so I’d like to think!

Do you have any hobbies apart from photography?

I’m a huge music fan, which is also a major source of inspiration for me, as well as movies. I’m also a web designer/webmaster maintaining a few websites online on my spare time. Other than that my responsibilities don’t leave much room for other stuff to do so I try to spend what little time I have with friends, family and at the gym.

What are your plans for the future?

I’m currently applying for a transfer to study Graphic Design in Melbourne, Australia, which is also something I’d like to do once I’m done with my education. That is move to the United States, UK, or Australia maybe? Somewhere interesting to work as a graphic/web designer with photography on the side where I can do some more personal and creative projects.

Have you done anything silly lately, a funny story perhaps?

Usually crazy and funny things seem to follow wherever I go (I wonder why!), but lately not much has happened. Other than accidentally peeing on my cat (crazy cat jumped up on the toilet seat), and watching my friend being forced to eat a pizza slice in Denmark due to a similar-language misunderstanding (she was saying 18kr (SEK) but it sounded like ‘Ät den’ (eat it) and well… he started force-feeding himself).

Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions, it’s a pleasure to have you as a photographer here at stockvault.net

Thank you for a wonderful site. I know myself and my classmates have used it’s content during assignments and projects we’ve had.