InnerView: 1 on 1 Q&A with Carmella

Carmella:  When did you know you wanted to be a photographer? Like what happen to make you say, oh this is for me this is what i want to do.

Born (Mark Anthony):  wow, ... I'd like to say this - sometimes you're given something, like an ability or capability and you don't know why.  But the best thing to do is to make it work, be appreciative and do it.  It WILL open doors.

Out of all the things that i didn't want to be on career day in school; i surely didn't think that i wanted to be a photographer.  It's still hard for me to call myself a "photographer".  Back in the days, as the poetry scene began to grow and become more popular in Miami, i fell into the position of spinning some vibes (music) before, in the middle of, and after the show.  I had the equipment because i had owned a studio before.  I called myself helping out folks who wanted to do something positive; but when i would arrive with the equipment they would be like - "who's going to DJ?" and assign me.  I became known as a DJ and became highly requested.  I never thought myself to be a DJ.  I never thought myself to be a "photographer".  In 1994 I was a rap artist walking into a photography studio to pic up some comps.  Less than an hour i walked out an apprentice photographer for one of the best photography companies in Miami... Sharp Shooters.

We'd shoot everything from model portfolios to album covers.  I had been shooting for at least 2 years with Sharp Shooters before my photography mentor Bart Mervil suggested that I enroll in Miami Dade Community College for photography as a special interest (non degree).  He suggested I take "Intro Photography", I took "Intro, Black and White, Color and Lighting", up until the administrators told me I had to get a degree.

The story goes on, but to answer the question, truthfully it (photography) came to me.  It provided for me when I had no other way to provide for myself.  It was also my window to Media Marketing, at which I walked away from photography (on a professional level) to do.  Media Marketing introduced me to Interactive Media and Web Design at which I do now.  2010 marks my reuniting with photography.  She loves me and I love her.  She's changed a little since 1994 - and i like change. ***Kissing my Nikon***

InnerView: 1 on 1 Q&A with Adrian Anderson

Adrian:  The contrast of the hard bricks in the back ground with the soft, sensuality of the model is very nice. Was that purposeful?

Born (Mark):  I've been shooting Gabrielle since I became a photographer back in 1994, and I've known her some years earlier (Miami Central High School).  Out in the field, on the shoot, Gabrielle is going to do her "thang" - some times it's like just sit back, hold your camera and...shoot!  That's to say i was more focus on the bricks "A".

She can tell you best; when we shoot I step out into the area and survey my surrounding through my viewer and BING! - "over there".  Sometimes I'm driving down the street and because I know Gabrielle and her many looks - I'm like, "Gabby would go good right there..."  It's just one of those things that happens when a photographer knows his/her model.  That's to say i knew Gabrielle's elegance would bring out the character in the bricks before she was ever in the frame.

Very purposeful, but I wasn't going to publish this particular shot; I have others with her against the same wall that I think are better.  But it was a second look at her child-like personality that made me go ahead and publish it.

Thanks for the question Adrian.  Many blessing to you and yours.
 
Adrian Anderson (for more info on Adrian)

2010 Kick Off w/ Gabrielle Berwick

Gabrielle Berwick was my 2010 Kick Off return to photography - I often look over the frames and pinpoint my mistakes and think to myself, "how could I have shot that better." Sometimes as artist, we definitely can be our own worst critics. lol.

InnerView by Myna: Q&A With Me... (Born Divine)

Myna: What do you want folks to take away from your art?

B. Divine:  I might be repeating myself, but it's only natural and solidifies my consistencies... Perspective;  That's what I want folks to get out of my art.  Photography is like a photographic opinion, every body (photographer) has their own.  A musician makes music according to his or her inner ear - (as MJ explains it, R.I.P) - we shoot according to our inner EYE, and i simply want the world to know that this is how i see it.

For the subject (client) i want them to gain a sense of self through my eyes, something like a rendition.  Could be they didn't notice something about themselves that i helped to bring out.  Could be something that a person doesn't like about themselves that I help to make them see differently.  The service an artist provides for their subjects is definitely a win-win relationship that's far beyond monetary gain; In my opinion.

Photography by: Mark Anthony (Born Divine)
InnerView by:  Myna

InnerView by Folake (Carmella): Q&A With Me (Born Divine)

Q: If you could explain how you feel when you are behind the camera. What would that feeling be?

A:  It's a feeling of control. Just the thought of feeling like "I can make reality look however i wish it to be."  As a photographer you understand that just by shooting from a specific angle changes the mood or feel of the photo.  You're able to dictate what's important and what's not important according to depth of field and perspective alone.   I personally get a natural high - because the shoot has to be poetic and convey some sort of character.  An example would be my shoot with Gabrielle.  As beautiful as she is, the character in her photos displays a sort of tension - calm tension.  A vibe of contemplation; that's poetic...  If i can sum it up - I would say the feeling is powerful, having the ability to capture emotion, expression...character, as well as the beauty of the individual.

Thanks for the question Folake
Photography by: Mark Anthony aka Born Divine

Incense

Sitting at home on a rainy day... good time to spice up the house

InnerView by Sha'KMT: Q&A With Me (Born Divine)

"To visualize an image (in whole or in part) is to see clearly in the mind prior to exposure, a continuous projection from composing the image through the final print."

-Ansel Adams, The Camera



  Q:  What inspires you to be creative?

A:  God's creation, the world around me, existence; on the real - I don't think I'm creative... I just think I'm either imitating or capturing creation.  I do think i have an EYE for it, but that's because I'm in tune with creation (God's creation).  Truthfully, I appreciate other peoples EYE because I see the world from my perspective all the time.

Project "KEEP IT WARRIOR" Digitally Captured

This was a mistake shot from the BlackBerry as i was working out today at Stone Mountain Park, Atlanta, Ga. My mission was to change the R&B love song to a more Nas like gansta-righteous vibe on my BlackBerry. However, I did complete my mission, went up and down the mountain TWICE; went to check the BlackBerry and found that Project "KEEP IT WARRIOR" had been exposed. So now it's no big secret - ya boi do work out... lol (i happen to like this shot, the rock displays much character.

Daily Bread: Satisfaction

"Happy the heart that cannot be satisfied! For he that is satisfied with the mediocre will never attain the great; and he whose cup can be filled with earthly things has not the capacity to hold heavenly things."

~Isha De Lubicz

iNNer SpACE Confessions 1

"It's a natural right to love your SELF"
~Born Divine

Photography by Mark Anthony(Born Divine)
Photos from the "Natural Essence w/ Sha'KMT" series

Natural Essence w/ Sha'KMT Divine

In between classes I caught Sha'KMT at home. The scene was poetic, so i felt the need to take advantage - even with little time. NO MAKE-UP, NO FIX-UP, just everyday Sha'KMT, natural lighting and spontaneous photography. I can say I honestly enjoyed this shoot. I think I'm in love again...

Born Divine (Mark Anthony)
Photographer

Model: Sha'KMT Divine