John Brainard

author

I’m a software engineer by trade and love what I do. The creative freedom it offers opens up limitless opportunities to explore and try new things. My many Raspberry Pis keep me busy with small projects ranging from a DNS server on my home network to a clock to help ensure I’m not sinking too much time into video games. Boredom with those projects simply means I can try something else, such as generative art, video games or 3D. Opportunities are boundless!

Like computers, photography offers countless opportunities for creating. I have explored landscape and portrait and product photography. I have entertained the idea of real estate and event photography and even hoped to fund my passions through professional photography on the side. Photography is a nice break from sitting at my desk and staring at a screen for hours every day. I have relieved myself of the burden of justifying this hobby by making it pay for itself and now just create for its own sake.



Abstract Photography

Since I started my photography journey over 10 years ago, I have become more and more drawn to the basic elements of a composition. Focusing only on shapes, color, texture and contrast is very freeing. Abstract photography doesn’t require interesting locations, timing or even a subject’s willingness to participate. It doesn’t require being able to communicate.



Street Photography

I’m very introverted. I enjoy country life and prefer to have more room around me than what urban and suburban environments provide. In spite of this, I love photographing people living their lives. Urban environments provide the textures, light and color that I enjoy most when photographing human and abstract subjects. Street photography is a skill I’m slowly learning as I’m naturally more reserved and not very interested in encounters with other people. The beauty of this is being able to switch between abstract and street photography seamlessly in the same environment.



Gear

Cameras

  • Fuji X-T4
  • Fuji X-T2
  • Fuji X-E3
  • Canon 6D

Fuji Lenses

  • XF16mm F1.4 R WR
  • XF16-80mm F4 R OIS WR
  • XF23mm F1.4 R
  • XF27mm F2.8
  • XF18-55mm F2.8-4
  • XF55-200mm F3.5-4.8

Canon Lenses

  • Canon EF 24-105 f/4L
  • Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L
  • Canon EF 100mm F/2.8L Macro