Another interview who will make discussion. Steve Huff is one of the biggest names in photography on the web. Steve answered my questions without sparing himself. This is the interview.

Hi, Steve. We start this interview with the ritual question. What or who got you started in photography?
Hey Alessio! Thank you for inviting me to do this interview. As for your first question, well, I have always been into photography. By the age of 7 I was always carrying a camera and while the images i snapped back then did not amount to much I knew even then that this is something that I would love to do all of my life. I felt a connection to the cameras I carried, even the really awful 110 and disc cameras back in the day. It all started with a Polaroid camera that my Mom bought for me from a garage sale. That camera was the one that got me hooked. I am not sure what drew me to it originally but I knew even then that this instant camera could be a powerful thing. I mean, a box that holds film that can capture any moment in time, at any time. It is about as close as we can get to a time machine because we can record these moments and memories and always have them to look back on. Without a camera and the pictures taken with them our brains would be blurred with foggy memories. The images created with a camera bring those memories back and keep them fresh in our mind. All we have to do is pull out the old shoebox of photos or pull them off of a hard drive. It’s really amazing when you really think about the power of photography. Back when I was 8 or 9 I really had deep thoughts about it and have carried a camera pretty much ever since (though I deviated to video in the 90′s for a while).

Your work as a photographer is strongly linked to your site, to be one of the most popular bloggers. In your about you define yourself a photoentusiast. But now I ask you: who is Steve Huff? A photographer, a blogger, both or what?
Great question! Maybe you can tell me? Lol. Actually, I never considered myself any kind of “pro” photographer and I never really wanted to be one. I have had this talk with so many pros and people I have met through my site. Not sure why this is but almost all of the pros I know are really not happy people. They bitch and moan about money, jobs, others stealing their jobs, gear, expenses, travel..it goes on and on. So I never wanted to be or even tried to be a “Pro” but I do consider myself a “photographer”. I am just a guy who has a passion to record memories. To tell stories. To be there in MY moment and snap it, then treasure it forever. I also have a passion for cameras, and believe me, many of us have that same passion. I am sort of a nerd. A tech geek. I like technology and electronics and I also love it when I own or use a camera that speaks to me.

One day as I sat in my office chair thinking about all of this I said “why not take this passion and turn it into a blog, where I can share my feelings, thoughts, photos and ideas with others who have the same passions”? I never wanted the blog to be about “me” but my idea was to make it about all of those who read it. This is why I allow others to share their images, stories, thoughts, and reviews. It works for me, it works for them, and it keeps the audience involved. I am an extremely happy and cheerful man, so I will let the “pros” stick to the hectic day jobs and I will keep plugging away with the site, which is where I belong.

So to answer your question. I am both a photographer and a blogger and gear geek!

This interview will raise many discussions. You’re famous on the web. And the more famous you are, the more you attract detractors: this seems a law that no one escapes. What do you think about your critics?
Well, I have a super thick skin and when I read comments from those who dislike me it bounces right off while I smile. I then remind myself that A: I am happy in all aspects of my life. B: I have a successful site doing what I love to do and C: I am happy I am not the ones who are so angry in life that they feel the need to put others down!

Basically, there will always be critics. Everyone in the public eye has them and they have a right to say what they want to say. In other words, they do not bother me and I do not focus on them. I keep negativity out of my life because negativity sucks like out of you, keeps you down, makes you lazy and gets you nowhere, fast. I am all about being positive, happy, upbeat and up-lifiting. That is me. That is my life. I do not have time for those who dislike me because if they do not like what I do they do not have to read what I write. Plain and simple.

Even if you hold the secret recipe for you, how to build a successful blog?

Well if it is a secret, why would I tell it here? Lol. The fact is there are indeed a few secrets to running a successful blog but for me it has nothing to do with search engine optimization. It has nothing to do with advertising or tricky secrets or dirty tricks, none of which I have ever done. Basically it boils down to being YOU. Writing what comes from your heart. Writing what you feel even if it results in people bashing you for your opinion. Don’t worry about being “safe”.  Be honest with yourself and your readers and they will sense this, appreciate it, and come back. I always tell those who write me asking how to start a blog that it is NOT easy and could take years of hard work before you make any kind of money at all. Many are in it thinking they can start a blog and make a ton of cash and sadly,  if they go in with that notion then they will fail miserably.  I blog because I love what I do and feel blessed to be able to do it. I also live a very simple and down to earth lifestyle so I can live off of a bloggers pay

But the main secret is this: If you do what you love, you can easily succeed. Never give up, stay away from negative people who always bitch and moan and stay true to yourself and BE yourself!

My blog is mainly about Street Photography. What’s your thought on the boom of this kind of photography?

I have seen a huge boom in Street Photography over the past few years and in my opinion it has gotten a bit out of control but from what I read and see it is creating a nice outlet for many people, and that is fantastic. I am not a “street photographer” but you know what? I enjoy doing it. I enjoy walking and witnessing every day life. Most of it is totally boring but every once in a while you see something that deserves a click of that shutter. A slice of life, a moment in time captured. I feel that street photography can also help to break some photographers out of their shell. I feel it helps to build confidence in many and overall it is enjoyable. At the same time I do not look into it like some of crotchety old timers and purists who get angry that so many are getting into this kind of photography. If you enjoy something in life then by all means do it and enjoy the experience. That is what life is all about.

Your reviews are always very complete, and I think that’s the reason why many brands choose to send you their products. How this thing started?

It all started because I was not a fan of all of the technical review sites that were flooding the internet at the time. Everyone was trying their best to copy DPreview and it was all of the same and very lame tech talk. I did not want to see how a Nikon D700 would shoot a chart or newspaper. I wanted to see how that camera would shoot in normal everyday situations. Family, low light, portraits, landscape, kids and overall real life. Real life is what 98% of camera buyers use their cameras for (as very few of the camera buying public are pros). So I was sick of all of that and just for fun I decided to write about the Leica M8 and I did it with genuine enthusiasm. After a little while I realized my enthusiasm was infectious and it was so cool to hear from readers thanking me for my reviews. I remember keeping all of my Leica M8 and M9 emails from those who said they purchased because of my reviews. After two years I had over 3500 emails, and these were from those who chose to e-mail me and tell me they purchased due to me! CRAZY. If only they used my affiliate links, hahaha.

Camera companies took notice and realized that if I liked or loved a camera of theirs, it could mean sales for them. I mean, that is obvious right? But I do not like everything that is sent to me and sometimes I just send them back without review or I go ahead and review it, warts and all. I have always said..if I review a camera it usually means I liked it. If you do not see a camera reviewed by me then I probably did not like it or have zero interest in it.

Like I previously mentioned, this is a passion of mine. When I get a new camera that I like I get excited. It drives me to go take a trip, to go shoot and to really use the camera. So by injecting some of that passion, love, and feeling into those reviews they eventually get noticed. I was also the very first blogger to do “real world reviews” and I was scoffed at by many when I started. I was told I was dumb for starting a review site, lol. I was told I would last 3 months. Well, here I am three years later with 70-100K page views daily and things are as good as ever. The reason for this is because I write from the heart. I write with genuine excitement. When camera companies see this they kind of excitement, energy and community participation they want to see what I think about their cameras.

I argue that it is always the photographer to take photos and not the camera but your website is definitely gear oriented. Two incompatible locutions?
Well my belief is a little different though I am sure I will get attacked for this. It is true you need to have a photograher that knows what he/she is doing but at the same time, if you give this person a crappy $100 point and shoot and tell them to take a portrait, the image will look like it came from a $100 pouint and shoot. Give that person a Leica M9 and Noctilux and the image will look MUCH better. Of course if this person has no clue what they are doing their photos will mostly look like crap but like I said earlier…there are people that LOVE camera gear more than taking photos. Is that bad? Hell no! Why is it? It is no different than those who buy expensive gold clubs but have no clue how to play, or those who buy a $3000 guitar and barely know three chords. It’s a hobby for many and again, it brings many people enjoyment. So what if a total amateur buys an M9? It’s their money and their life!

Cameras do not make photographers but cameras can make those who want to learn photography more motivated to learn. A camera that feels good and speaks to your heart can do wonders for you if you want to learn.

What about the success of mirrorless? And if I asked you to choose one mirrorless now, what would you choose?

Mirrorless cameras are a success because they offer small size and high quality. 90% of those who buy DSLR’s are newbies and eventually they end up leaving that gear at home because its huge and heavy. These new mirrorless cameras offer 98% of a DSLR’s quality while giving you small size and fast operation. It’s a win/win for all of who are not pros but “enthusiasts”. If I had to choose one mirrorless camera to shoot with every day I would have to take the Fuji X100 or Olympus OM-D. Well, that is two but I really can’t decide between the two. The X100 has the style, size, and soul and the OM-D is blazing fast, versatile and an all around kick ass camera. The fact is I like many of the cameras out today but the little Fuji always speaks to me the most, warts and all.

Leica: dream for many, reality for few. The brand continues to enjoy great respect also in digital. Why did you choose the red dot?
I have a respect for Leica because no matter what the Leica bashers say there is something special about a Leica camera, even the digital models. The M8, M8.2 and M9…I have owned them all and I love each and every one of them. The way they work, the way they feel, what they stand for and the overall simplicity just makes you want to shoot with these cameras. Add in the incredible lenses and you have a camera system capable of gorgeous quality. Even today, three years after the M9 was released I have yet to find a camera I enjoy more or like more. Nothing has matched it for me to date. Expensive? Hell yea. Worth it? Well, that depends on the person looking to buy one. If you are sincerely passionate about photography  and can afford it then why not an M9? It does reward those who learn it and shoot with it.

Is there a project or photo that makes you most proud?

Well, I was very proud of my Seal Soul 2 Album cover and tour coverage. All shot with a Leica M9 btw

Can you tell us something about your workshops?
I am not a workshop Guru and do not have too many of them  but I enjoy doing 2-4 a year maximum. I think that keeping it down to a minimum makes them more special. When I have a workshop there are usually 25-35 people who attend and the most amazing thing is that by the end of the weekend so many of them will have made new lifelong friends. My workshops are laid back and all about shooting, learning, and INSPIRING. I try to have guest presenters as well as special guests. The last workshop in LA featured 3-4 guest speakers and a special celebrity guest, Jeff Garlin who did a comedy routine about street shooting. Was pretty awesome actually! With the speakers we also get out and shoot on the street to try and overcome our fears of shooting in public and taking images of strangers. We go over our work, do some critique and share the images via projection. I also throw in great food into the mix and everyone leaves happy. They are great fun and by gathering so many like minded people it turns into a really cool environment for networking as well.

I have a photo cruise coming up in September and then after that in 2013 I am planning a workshop with Ashwin Rao that will be pretty special.

Photo ever more integrated with the web and technology. The evolution of sharing photos is rapidly changing. How do you see the world of photography a few years?

Oh man..the future will be nuts. It’s already nuts! Everyone has a camera these days and everyone shares pictures. Every second of every day someone is posting a photo to facebook. It’s all about the internet. Gone will be the shoe boxes full of prints. Nope, all of our photos will be stored on the cloud and there will be billions of them. With text, social networking, and camera phones it is hard to say what will happen to pro photographers or camera gear just 10 years from now. Should be interesting, that is for sure.

And Steve Huff? Have you some project for the next future?

I always have projects planned…but at this time they are top secret! Just keep checking my site!

Thank you Steve! Hey guys, I hope that you like this interview. So, if you want to read some important gear review, check out his website.

All images courtesy by Steve Huff.