Featured Picniker – Paul Carr
Since graduating from university and chucking in his 4-month European backpacking tour for 20 years in Japan, our sixth Featured Picniker has devoted himself to art, short film-making, nurturing relationships with the people he meets in his profession, and the varied and rewarding aspects of life that come with marriage and fatherhood. Paul Carr, native to Birmingham, England, has lived in Sataima, Japan, teaching high school English and developing his interests in multimedia and computer based education through his ESL video blog, and collecting a wife and child along the way. Recently, though, all that came to an end: One day last spring, perusing BBC online’s Webscape program, Paul discovered Picnik.
Picnik: How has Picnik changed your life?
Paul: Sadly, I am now an addict and it’s all your fault you awful people. You should be ashamed of yourselves, creating fun software and ensnaring poor dupes like myself. I’m OK for now, but at the end of August, it’s back to work so I‘m going to have to turn over the camera to the Mrs and go cold turkey. I hope you’re happy with yourselves!
How many people have you got started using Picnik?
Absolutely millions. Where do I claim my ten percent?
What did you like the most about Picnik when you first started using it, and what do you like the most about it now?
First of all, it’s ease of use. Like a lot of people have mentioned, you can upload a shot and process it in a very short time, without the hassle that programs like Photoshop put you through. What I enjoy now though, is just experimenting. I’ve come up with a lot of images that I would never have managed to do without Picnik.
What do you use to shoot with?
I have a Canon G9, which I got last year and is absolutely fantastic. Before that, I had a little Nikon Coolpix 3500, which my five year old son has recently attached himself to and uses to snap everything that moves.
Heroes or Lost?
House. I’m a Hugh Lawrie fan.
What gets you to pull out your camera?
Recently, the drop of a hat! Actually, whenever I’ve got free time, it helps to get me out of the house and then I try to slow down and look around until I see something that would make a good image. I’m always looking for simple shots where the composition and color draw the attention. A lot of my photos over the summer have been macros involving insects or animals, but that is mainly to satisfy my son, whose interest in wildlife is in direct proportion to the number of legs, eyes or feelers it has! I prefer calm images, so taking photos in crowded places is hard for me, though on the other hand I love festivals, and in Japan, there are many!
If any feature of Picnik were to be renamed after you, which would it be?
At first, I used the desaturation tool and Orton quite a bit, but as I mentioned earlier, I’ve been experimenting a lot, so lets throw modesty to the wind and rename the whole thing PicaPaul
You’ve got a fair number of festival and urban photographs, and also a lot of pastoral type pictures in the country. Which do you prefer to photograph?
Well, I’m not sure I have a preference, but I tend to take more photographs when I have the time to relax and search out good shots. This is usually when I am on holiday and is probably why a lot of my photos are pastoral or of festivals.
What’s one new feature you wish Picnik could have?
That’s hard to choose, but one feature that comes to mind would be a lot more choice of frames and the ability to position them within the picture as well.
What’s the best Picnik effect for a Brummie expat in Japan?
Hmmm. That’s a toss up between the Orton effect and focal soften. I have used both of these a lot when editing my photos.
September 6th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I lived in Japan for 1 year.
The pictures you take are amazing, by the way.
September 7th, 2008 at 7:58 am
WOW, omgosh
I always wanted to go to Japan :P Its my dream vacation
Japan has such a nice scenery and surroundings..
I love the kimonos and festivals
always a good event to take photos
anyways your picnik photos are nice, especially of Japan :P
GL on ur future photos. ^^
September 7th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Paul is my brother and I have to say the photos he has been publishing recently are absolutely fantastic, and I know when he see’s this comment his head is going to get extremely big but you cant deny they are very good, I love the black and white pics with small vivid sections of colour in them, they are stunning, I will have to try picnik out for myself and see if I can give him a bit of competition.
September 7th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
u have sum gr8 pics~!
September 8th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Many thanks to everyone for the great comments. And especially to my brother Ian who knows very well that my head cannot possibly get any bigger :)
September 8th, 2008 at 7:32 am
great job! i really admire your works! :D
September 8th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Congratulations on being the featured Picniker. Your work is beautiful, and your life story is fascinating.
September 8th, 2008 at 9:24 am
I remember quite clearly that you were into photography even when you lived in England 20 plus years ago! So its great to see you have continued with it. Your pictures are impressive and very professional looking, whilst being artistic. I like how vibrant the colors are. Congrats on your recognition.
September 17th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
You take amazing photographs.
I’m going to be an English teacher in Japan when I’m older. :’D
September 22nd, 2008 at 8:05 pm
wow really good photos!
i have a question
how do u make it so just one color stands out?
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:40 pm
I love that one with the little boy standing in front of the dinosaurs. It’s like his imagination really put him back in time to visit the dinos. Reminds me of my brother when he was little. Very sweet. =)
September 25th, 2008 at 6:20 am
Many thanks to Diana, Fefe and Amy for the kind comments. In answer to Fefe, I used the black and white effect and then the paint brush to selectively bring back the color. Hope that helps.
November 16th, 2008 at 9:20 am
I LOVE JAPAN I RELLEY WHANT TO COME TO JAPAN.. OH…, by the way.The pictures you take are amazing
December 11th, 2008 at 1:19 am
..that was true art…youre very good..btw like the boat picture!
December 11th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
adoreei sua fotos ,, são lindas
December 12th, 2008 at 9:46 am
wow your pics are amazing :)
im in love with japan and japanese culture
and WOW!
your awesome
December 12th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
AHH-MAZING, i love the use of the focus and blur efects<33
–INspired*
December 12th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
i recently visited japan and your pictures are amazing!
great job
December 14th, 2008 at 3:59 am
Fabulous!!
you & Japan make an amazing photo couple :P
Fabulous work!!
December 14th, 2008 at 8:41 am
your photos are amazing! :O
December 21st, 2008 at 11:49 pm
cool, a Brit too!!! YEAH! I commented on your dinosaur photo a while back then I see it here! I am on Okinawa so we are Brit Neighbours! Have fun shooting! Pam
December 22nd, 2008 at 6:27 am
cool! Very amazing photos!
December 24th, 2008 at 9:38 am
your pretty good. :)
December 24th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
nice! nice!!!
December 25th, 2008 at 10:30 am
is very beutifull (:
December 25th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Japan rule (:
tu no buscas que una foto se vea bien ,
buscas que una foto de algo a conocer , o mas bien que muestre algo que esta oculto en la foto n______________n’
un beso y un abrazo;*
addis_natalia@hotmail.com
December 25th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
osea estan de lo mejor las fotos, son geneales & asi :) biiien por el 8): & eso
December 26th, 2008 at 2:07 am
Your shots are amazing!
December 26th, 2008 at 7:36 am
Cool photos!
December 26th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
hey sweet pics
December 27th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
Wow ! I went to Misono, in Saitama, Japan, this year for camp in the last week of October, and it’s a great place to Photograph !
Love your photos =]
December 28th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
All right! Hugh Laurie fans unite!
Anyway, you’ve got some awesome pictures.
December 30th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
these are so simple.
i think they’re fantastic,
these pictures are really inspiring.
December 31st, 2008 at 11:53 pm
wow. great pictures! i am sure you hear it a lot, but i love the simplicity and the soft focus in the pics… :D
good luck!!
January 1st, 2009 at 2:15 pm
nicee stuff there ; all i edit is pictures of people im not really a senary based person :S
January 2nd, 2009 at 10:04 am
i love your pictures, im a huge fan of picnik, i hope i can be as good as you one of these days,
cheers
Eduardo
January 4th, 2009 at 12:23 am
Just noticed all the new comments. Many thanks guys for all the kind words.
January 5th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
omgeeee
ur pics r amazing
especially the one with the bus………and ur cute to=)
January 7th, 2009 at 9:48 am
hii,
I really like your pictuers!
they’re so pretty!
January 9th, 2009 at 8:37 am
hi! chili and I’m much liked your picture, you know you could give me a premium code, esque I need urgent because in my school are calling me but I need pictures qe fix the premium for good grades get me out, I would be very happy if I do that request, that you are well and thank you for your attention!
January 10th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
nice pictures on flickr. but there’s a glaring typo in this article: as google would say, did you mean hugh laurie?
man, i need to go to bed. what the hell am i doing pointing out typos on blogs in the middle of the night? i must be a total loser, i guess.
anyway, picnik, yeah, great, use it a lot.
January 14th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
bardzo wysmakowane zdjecia. I like it
January 16th, 2009 at 8:34 am
I Just looooove the picture with the boats!
January 17th, 2009 at 4:50 am
try to get some focus, pictures are not sharp and out of balance.
sorry
January 17th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
konichiwa. genki desu? i just started learning japanese this year and i might be going to japan next year, and i just wanted to say i look forward to going there, since the pictures you take are so amazingly beautiful, they just completely attract me to japan in a whole different way.
January 19th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
i like ur shots :)
January 25th, 2009 at 8:51 am
Hello, I wanted to know how do I change the background of a photo! Thank you, if you know someone please send me the answer by e-mail.
January 26th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
good stuff.
January 30th, 2009 at 9:29 am
I love Japan.I love the photography.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
helloo me llamo amaury y me gustan tus fhotoos son increibles esos efectos qe woow
te dejo mi mail para unos consejos sime puedes dar por favor!:)
filse_10@hotmail.com
February 16th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Wow!!!!! those photos are incredible, very inspiring and i love the one with the bus, it looks 3D! outstanding!
Keep it up! :-)
February 18th, 2009 at 5:22 am
n___n Qe bello *-*
February 20th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Your shots/pictures are awesome! They’re funky and colorful, which makes them fun to look at <= Really cool!
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:37 am
Very good…Me add natan.idpb@hotmail.com MSN
February 27th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
WOW!! I love all of your pictures. My favorite pic is the canoes. I’m inspired to be more creative with Picnik. Thanks for sharing them with us.
March 1st, 2009 at 1:26 am
Haven’t checked on this for a while so surprised to find so many kind comments. Thanks a lot for the support guys.
March 14th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
ola pz geniales las fotos en serio
gran creatividad xao
March 15th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
wow. i have looked at alot of pictues from alot of different people, but your art is effortless, it captures those moments that you wish you had a camera, or that others simply miss. thank you :)
March 22nd, 2009 at 8:38 am
Прикольно))))
March 23rd, 2009 at 5:47 pm
cool stuff there! i lik the one of the girls in the kimonos it is rlly simple :)
April 7th, 2009 at 10:44 am
You take really good photos Paul! I like the picture taken from behind with two women, it´s nice :) I live in Sweden and im only 15 but i love taking photos outdoors and indoors, it is fun. Good luck in the future :)
April 8th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
hola! coomo andas! mi correo es peettuu_-r-_13_@hotmail.com
y si queres pasar http://www.metroflog.com/ara_kapa mi espacio bueno un beso ah soy de argentina no de mexico ni nada XD
Chau un beso!
April 9th, 2009 at 4:11 am
wow.!I am dancer I love it!
April 9th, 2009 at 4:12 am
good job
April 10th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
u love House.. so do i XDD
i love ur pics too!!
they’re so amazing!!!
April 12th, 2009 at 12:30 am
mu gustaron muchiisimo tus fotos,
me encantaria tener ese tipo devision para poder hacer tomas tan perfectas mis fotos son todas personales y no tienen nada de especial,pero me gustaria hablar con vos y nose que me cuentes un poco como haces no?
mi mail es soi.bldatotaaal@hotmail.com contactame,me encantaria!
April 14th, 2009 at 5:03 am
your pictures look/are really professional :)
x
April 19th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Great photo, as a newcomer to photography it’s always good to see other peoples work for inspiration and this picture certainly does that.
April 25th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Hey Paul! I just tried to ring you guys to discover the phone number I have now belongs to someone else! I thought I’d lost you – so glad to have found you surfing. Fab photos, no surprises there. Drop me an e-mail: leannegundry@westnet.com.au
L
xxx
May 10th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Great pics!
May 16th, 2009 at 1:25 am
Amazing pictures!