What, How & Why: A Closer Look - Featuring Phil Pantano

At iPrintfromHome.com, we work with artists and photographers from across the United States and Canada. We're inspired everyday by the images that they send to us and by the stories they share.
In our "What, How & Why" interview series, we take a closer look at some of these fascinating people.

We've asked each participating artist or photographer three simple questions:

1. What do you do?
2. How do you do it?
3. Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?

Please read on to find out more about Phil Pantano.

Phil Pantano
Photographer
Buffalo, NY 

What do you do?

I am a photographer from the Buffalo, NY area. I started taking photos in 1968 when I was 12 years old. My mom had a decent Japanese camera and I started playing around with it and also developing and printing. I continued throughout the years, but not doing any serious work.

I got back into it about 2 years ago and have been obsessed. I am a history buff so I concentrated on taking photos of older industrial facilities that have been untouched by vandalism and graffiti. I like to see it as if a door had been shut 50 years ago and I am opening it back up after all these years. Being a fan of black & white classic movies and TV shows, including Alfred Hitchcock, shows in some of my darker more dramatic shots. I think a photo taken on an overcast and cloud dark day tells more of a story.

Up until this past Winter, I told myself that I would never take pictures of people. That was a big fear of mine. To overcome that fear I started work on a portrait project, The American Worker. I felt that if I could shoot it in my dark and dramatic style, it could work. It turned out to be a success and now I am constantly reading and watching videos on how to improve my portrait shooting.

How do you do it?

I currently shoot with a Canon 5D Mark III. I look for detail, lighting and shadows. It’s hard to describe but when I look at the subject I am photographing, I “see” what the end result will be. After that I process the photo in Photoshop to fine tune the detail and make it look how I “saw” it when I took the shot. I think selective lighting can “tell the story” the best.

Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?

Why wouldn’t I? I am so lucky to have a fantastic place right in my backyard! I order my prints and pick them up the next day…customers order from my website and they are shipped the next day…customer service is spot on. When I’ve had a problem (because of my mistake) they have been quick to point it out and make sure it gets resolved before it goes too far. On top of that, quality is top notch and pricing is very reasonable. I have never had a complaint from any of my customers. One of my top selling photos is a highly detailed 20x30” print that always wows at any show we have done

Contact Information: 

Phil Pantano
www.greatlook.com
www.facebook.com/GreatLookPhotos

What, How & Why: A Closer Look - Featuring Pat Diemand

At iPrintfromHome.com, we work with artists and photographers from across the United States and Canada. We're inspired everyday by the images that they send to us and by the stories they share.

In our "What, How & Why" interview series, we take a closer look at some of these fascinating people. 

We've asked each participating artist or photographer three simple questions:

1. What do you do?
2. How do you do it?
3. Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?

Please read on to find out more about Pat Diemand.

Pat Diemand
Artist
Orefield, PA 

What do you do?
Eclectic would be an understatement if you ask me to describe what I do. From painting in oils to mixed media drawings to creating PetMats -- feeding place mats for dogs, cats and house rabbits -- to photo note cards  I find an excitement in creating beautiful and useful things. I attribute our many relocations around the country with inspiring an appreciation for diverse settings and colors that I incorporate in all that I do.

How do you do it?
Depending on the subject matter, I paint and draw from photos I've taken or still life arrangements I've constructed. The still life subject matter usually involves fruits and vegetables and the role light and shadows play on the elements. The landscape mixed media drawings are of places visited that have made an impression on me. In my drawings I combine pastels, colored pencil and pen and ink for more realistic and detailed renderings. The oil paintings are bright and colorful with underlying subtle textures. Many times I will use my fingers as well as a brush to achieve a rubbed, blended effect.

Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?
Bar non, iPrintfromHome is the most professional and quality-based on-line printing service I have ever used. Customer Service is helpful and responsive, turn around time -- speedy fast! (especially if you sell your prints on a website as I do) but most of all the quality and pricing are what I like best. iPrintfromHome allows me to sell high quality prints of my original artwork at a reasonable price. 

Contact Information:

Pat Diemand
www.patdiemand.com 
www.etsy.com/shop/myartfulhome

What, How & Why: A Closer Look - Featuring Juana Almaguer

At iPrintfromHome.com, we work with artists and photographers from across the United States and Canada. We're inspired everyday by the images that they send to us and by the stories they share.


In our "What, How & Why" interview series, we take a closer look at some of these fascinating people. 


We've asked each participating artist or photographer three simple questions:


1. What do you do?
2. How do you do it?
3. Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?


Please read on to find out more about Juana Almaguer.

Juana Almaguer
Mixed Media Artist
U.S.A


What do you do?
My art focuses on portraits and figures. Recently, these works are 9” x 12” or smaller. Some of my figure paintings are as small as an ACEO (2.5 inches x 3.5 inches). My figure and portrait drawings can be found at galleryjuana.etsy.com. I also love cats so they are often in my paintings. To keep my perspective fresh, I like to branch off into other subjects, so you’ll see drawings of vintage cameras along with enso and koi paintings in my online shop. I’m slowly moving my non-figure art work over to my second shop at galleryjuanaart.etsy.com. I enjoy traveling, hiking, photography and blogging. Currently, I am working full time on my art in the U.S.A.

How do you do it?
I studied traditional sumi painting while I was living in Japan. Those principles influenced my style. Shortly after leaving Japan, I started to paint figures using sumi ink, watercolor and rice paper. I then expanded to collage and line drawings on paper. My mixed media art works usually start with a line drawing. From there, I’ll add other elements such as watercolor or ephemera. My favorite art materials are pen, pencil, watercolor, acrylics, ephemera, rice paper, and watercolor paper. 




Why do you use iPrintfromHome.com?
I was living overseas at the time. i needed a giclee printer where I could order online and ship to a u.s. residence where i’d be visiting. my first order was easy to complete and arrived as planned. the ease of ordering online with roes, the wonderful customer service and quality prints keep me coming back to iprintfromhome.



Contact Information:

Juana Almaguer 
juanaalmaguer.com 
www.facebook.com/juana.almaguer.galleryjuana