This is another installment in our continuing series where we talk to photographers whose work we’ve appreciated on Flickr.
This week we feature kolored.
Give us your quick bio.
My name is Paul Birman. I’m a full-time visual artist, currently residing in Manhattan with my wife, a cat and two turtles. I was born in Moscow, Russia in ’81, immigrated to Chicago in ’95, and moved to New York City on Halloween ’08.
Smith Magazine does this cool project called the six-word memoir. What’s yours?
Hmm…can’t really think of anything.
You grew up in Moscow. How does that affect your point of view in your work, if at all?
Russian society has this unique nihilistic take on everything. But at the same time, Russians are able to achieve amazing feats. I think it translates into my work in a lot of ways, mostly coming from my subconscious. I’m interested in things that are gritty, dirty, dysfunctional, yet beautiful and inspiring.
I read in the Bloginity.com interview you said you got over your trepidation of doing close-up street photography when you moved to New York. What made the difference?
I went to this huge anti-Israel rally in Times Square. The crowd was very intimidating and at times things got pretty violent. I’ve never experienced a demonstration so volatile. It was very inspiring to be able to capture the emotion and in some cases even hatred. After you stick your camera into the face of someone who is screaming “death to Israel” and waving a Hamas flag, you can pretty much take a photo of anyone.
You seem to take a lot of photos of pretty girls. Is that intentional?
I try to take photos of anyone or anything that I find inspiring or unique. I’ve noticed the trend with pretty girls, but I haven’t been able to explain it. Perhaps it’s just instinctual.
Do you ever get photographer’s block, when the inspiration just isn’t there? What do you do in those times?
Definitely. When that happens, it means that I’ve reached the end of a certain chapter, if you will. It means that I’m ready to explore a different style, take my work into a slightly different direction. Of course I can’t help being a little bummed out for a while, but I know that whatever happens next will be bigger, better, and I get pretty excited since I have no idea what it will be.
Do you remember the first photo you took where you actually felt, “Now, that was good”?
I do. I took a self-portrait with a little Canon A40 point-and-shoot. It was the first camera I ever used that had a “manual” setting on it. I took a table light, and pointed it at my face at an angle, so that only a part of my face was exposed. That was totally an “…oooh, OK, I get it” moment.
How do you know when you’ve taken a good photo?
When I have to change my underwear.
Having lived in New York myself, I would imagine people on the streets can be either blasé or aggressive in the face of a photographer taking their photo. What’s the reaction like?
I try not to leave a lot of time for a reaction. Some street photographers like to get into confrontations; I don’t. I like to get what I need to get and move on. I have techniques to avoid interaction with people. But I have gotten stares, lectures, smiles, winks, dirty looks and even a couple of bitch-outs. Nothing physically violent yet.
How often do you shoot – do you make a point to go out at certain times, when the mood strikes you, etc.?
I shoot pretty often, and a lot. Probably five to six days a week on average, both for myself and work-related projects. I’ve been shooting a lot of video too since I got a 5Dmk2 last year. If I’m going on an errand, I’ll try to bring whatever camera would be most practical. (I also have a 35mm rangefinder and a Canon G9.)
What’s your most favorite camera you’ve ever had?
The one I have now, Canon 5Dmk2. I keep discovering more and more amazing things about it every day. It’s a truly fantastic tool.
Who are your creative influences?
I’m a huge fan of abstract expressionism. Although it’s nothing like the work I do, I believe in the artistic process and the ability of subconscious thoughts to have a huge influence on the finished product. Although I think a thorough technical understanding and ability is important in visual arts, sometimes I don’t know why I compose the way I do or why I light the way I do. It just happens.
And what’s this about your wife creating a reality show that’d be “Jersey Shore” for Russians? For real?
Yea, it’s true. I’m actually working on this project with her. I signed on as the director of photography and I’ve been shooting a lot of interesting footage for the past week or so. We are currently casting potential housemates. This project has been getting a ton of press, from a spread in the New York Post to perezhilton.com, even Regis talked about it. We’re pretty excited and we’ll see what happens with it. You can check out more info about it at facebook.com/brightonbeach.
To see more of kolored’s work, check out his web site and Flickr page.
Interview by Julie Haire.
boywithgrenade.org 
I’ve been surfing online more than 4 hours today, yet
I never found any interesting article like yours.
It is pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers
made good content as you did, the net will be much more useful
than ever before.Secret Recipes Food Network
That is really interesting, You are an overly skilled blogger.
I have joined your rss feed and look forward to looking for more of your wonderful post.
Additionally, I have shared your web site in my social networks
Amazing! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a completely
different topic but it has pretty much the same page layout and design.
Wonderful choice of colors!\
Thank you for this webpage, can blissfully say we currently have a
steam shower of our own and we like it so much
Can you tell us more about this? I’d like to find out some additional information.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.
I will make sure to bookmark it and return to read
more of your useful information. Thanks for the post.
I’ll definitely return.
Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all folks you actually know what you are speaking about!
Bookmarked. Please also seek advice from my web site
=). We could have a link exchange agreement between us
Wonderful blog! I foundd it while searching on Yahoo News.
Do youu have any suggestions onn how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there!
Thank you
Hi there to every body, it’s my first pay a quick visit of this weblog; this web site consists
of remarkable and in fact fine material designed for readers.
You actually make iit seem so easy wih your presentation but I find this matter
to be actually something that I think I would never
understand. It seems too compex annd extremely broad for me.
I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try
to get the hang of it!
If you are going for finest contents like me, just visit this site everyday for the reason that it provides feature contents, thanks
Very energetic article, I enjoyed that bit.
Will there be a part 2?
Lots of fabulous advise on this site, truly want a steam shower
unit in my own bathroom
Was actually shopping for just a typical shower enclosures before I discovered this fabulous site,
did not have any idea there were such a thing as
a ‘steam shower enclosure’, really, may very well just have to get one
It’s going to be finish of mine day, however before finish I am reading this impressive
piece of writing to improve my know-how.
This looks similar to my own shower enclosure I bought recently,
extremely pleased about it for any individual on the fence with regards to buying
one, do it, you wont be sorry
Hi to all, how is everything, I think every one is getting more
from this web site, and your views are pleasant in support of new visitors.
Ok, I hope I have made you a better informed consumer, so that you can choose
Noise Isolating Earphones that would be suitable for you.
– You can easily get the formulas for making your own cleaning products.
investment, and you will probably be more hesitant
to pull it out for cash than.
Women chiefly succumb to unnecessary suspicion resulting in an eventual break up with their partners.
The women in Playboy magazine are called “bunnies,” making them cute little animals
or “playmates,” making them a toy. Scientific evidence now strongly supports an organic basis for all addiction.
3’5 tbsp (to taste) of powdered sweetener of your choice ‘ e.
The leaves of the plant are used to make a sweetener. Using sugar,
coconut oil, palm kernel oil, cocoa butter, chocolate, milk,
skim milk, milk fat, soya lecithin, barley malt powder,
vanilla and caramel flavoring, etc Lindt makes its assorted
Lindor Truffles.
This info is worth everyone’s attention. How can I find out more?
Have you ever considered about adding a little bit
more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is
fundamental and everything. But think about if you added some great images or video clips to give your
posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and clips, this website could certainly be one of
the greatest in its niche. Great blog!
I don’t even understand how I stopped up right here, but I believed
this post was once good. I don’t know who you’re however certainly you are going to a famous blogger in the
event you aren’t already. Cheers!
If some one needs expert view abokut blogging thsn i recommend him/her to visit this blog, Keeep up the
good job.