Our featured Instagrammer for the month of April is the lovely Tracey-Lee Lusty, i.e. @traceface_za. As long-standing fans of Tracey’s Instagram gallery, we couldn’t let another month slip by without featuring this passionate and thoroughly talented portrait photographer! A fun down-to-earth creative and an attorney by profession, outside office hours you’ll find her dining with @instaeatscapetown, taking photographs or climbing a mountain.
The Interview
1. What gear do you use? What do you use most: DSLR or Smartphone?
Nikon has been my brand of choice for as long as I can remember. I purchased a Nikon D5100 in 2011 which served me very well until I recently saved up enough money to purchase the Nikon D750 from Cameraland – something that has been a dream of mine since it launched in late 2014. I absolutely love the Nikon D750 and have been extremely impressed with its performance thus far. Since most of my subject matter is portrait-based, my go-to lens is the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 G lens but I am looking to upgrade to the Sigma Art 50mm f/1.4 lens very soon. When I am not shooting with my DSLR, I shoot with my Apple iPhone 6 but mainly use the latter for lifestyle and food photography content for my new fitness account (@fitnessgirl_za).
2. When and why did you start taking pictures?
My love for photography began the second my parents bought me my first plastic Fisher-Price camera at the age of three! I started taking my photography seriously in 2005 and from there on it has become my favourite hobby.
3. When did you start your account and why Instagram?
I joined Instagram in 2013. Between 2013 and 2014 my Instagram was purely used for documenting my day-to-day happenings. It was haphazard and had no theme. It was only in 2015 that I learned that Instagram can be used for more than just “selfies”. I attended my first Instameet with @IgersCapeTown in early 2015 and from there I started taking Instagram more seriously. I began curating my feed and spent more time carefully choosing the material I wanted to post. Instagram also reignited my love for photography and soon thereafter I began shooting every weekend.
4. What's your favourite image you've posted and why?
Gosh, there are so many images that resonate with me but I think one that stands out the most is a portrait I shot of an elderly man who is a resident of Woodstock. It was the perfect “lucky shot”. Photo below
5. Are there any photo apps that you would recommend?
I do 90% of my editing on “VSCOcam” and “Adobe Lightroom”. I also use “Retouch” to remove unwanted marks/specks from my images and occasionally use “Facetune” to smooth skin, remove blemishes, whiten teeth and make my subjects’ eyes really pop.
6. Have you had any formal photography training?
I haven’t had any formal training. I have attended one photography workshop but mostly I am self-taught through lots of trial and error (and practice!).
7. Would you classify yourself as a hobbyist or pro? If hobbyist, what's your 9-5?
Besides photography, I hold a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Cape Town. During the hours of 08h00 to 18h00 I am a Candidate Attorney and am currently completing my final year of Articles at a Family law firm in Cape Town. Photography will always remain a (professional) hobby for me. I have always used it as my creative escape as my academic life has always been far less creative.
8. Instagrammer you most admire?
Locally, I really admire Zeno Peterson (@zenography). Not only is he an extremely accomplished portrait photographer (if not the best in South Africa), he has also inspired a generation of young local photographers through his craft and through his genuine desire to help others succeed in their own creative ways. Internationally, I am forever blown away by the work of Lee Jeffries (@Lee_Jeffries) because he is able to capture raw emotion in such a compelling and gut wrenching way. I am also inspired by the work of Dani Diamond (@danidiamondphotography) particularly for his exceptional use of natural light.
9. Any advice for those just starting out?
For those starting out, and for those who are specifically interested in portrait photography, these are my 5 rules for great portraits:
Rule 1: Make the person you are photographing feel comfortable;
Rule 2: Make an effort to learn something unique about the person;
Rule 3: Try to capture the essence of their story in your photograph;
Rule 4: Smiling is OK contrary to popular (Instagram) belief; and
Rule 5: Refer back to Rule 1
10. 3 Photos | 3 Stories Feature
I call this the “lucky shot” because it was completely spontaneous in that it wasn’t thought out or planned. I attended an Instameet in Woodstock early last year and I was approached by this gentlemen while walking the streets. As he walked past me, he quickly struck a pose which I was fast enough to capture. This was the end result.
This is Amber. She has quickly become my muse as can be seen by the many photographs of her that litter my feed. Amber is effortless. She is every portrait photographers dream. This series was shot in the middle of the road on the famous Chapman’s peak drive. A couple of us had gone up to shoot the sunset…but I had found something more beautiful to photograph that evening.
This is a recent photograph I took of Jenna. Jenna is part of a creative collective on Instagram known as the #breadcrumbssquad. The Joburg based squad were in Cape Town recently and I attended one of the Instameets they had organised. I managed to get this sneaky shot of Jenna in front of the Parade in the CBD. It was a gloomy morning but suddenly the clouds opened and the light became magical.
