Kelly Michael Charles Lind Photography
Personal
  1. I heard you were a child actor, do all child actors end up in porn?
    I think most of them do. Although I can't watch a TV show without seeing someone I used to go on calls with as a kid, all grown up in a leading role. The acting thing was something my mom wanted for me. As soon as I was old enough to speak my mind without guilt, I moved on from it. For the record I was reasonably successful. I landed over a dozen national commercials for companies like KoolAid, Cheerios, and SweetTarts to name a few. I was also featured in countless print ads. Everything happens for a reason, and knowing what its like to be on a professional set and endure the entire experience has helped me become a better photographer among other things.
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  2. I heard you're straightedge, whats that about?
    The term "straightedge" can mean many things. For myself, its a lifestyle choice that I adopted years and years before I ever knew there was a name for it, let alone others that had the same beliefs. It means that I don't use illegal drugs, drink alcohol, or smoke cigarettes. The movement also encourages its followers to engage in only monagmous sex with a partner you truly love. Although I've had my fair share of casual sex, I no longer practice it. In contrast, the drug and alcohol use has never been a part of my life. To clarify, I don't even know what alcohol tastes like and the closest thing I've been to being high is watching an old Cheech and Chong movie. Why do I chose to obstane. Theres tons of reasons, but I'll list a few. I believe that ideally we all should be able to get along and have a good time without needed to get drunk in order to do it. I believe that the risk of addiction is not a risk I'm willing to take, especially given my family tree. I believe that one of the few ways you can actually be different from the rest these days is by obstaining rather than endulging. I believe that those who use recreational substances are weak. I believe that drug and alcohol use prohibits you from living a truthful life. I could go on and on about this topic. But the more I speak, the more you'll probably hate me. Although I am very strict in my personal beliefs, I couldn't give a shit what others do with themselves.
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  3. So you're a retired pro skater? What does that mean?
    I worked for Rollerblade Inc. from the time I was 12 until about 18. I worked in many different capacities for them. I was their first Junior Stunt Team Member. Performed stunt exhibitions in front of large audiences all over the US. Appeared on videos and box covers for their products. Instructed large groups of adults how to skate at many of their events. Was in charge of Beginning Skate Instruction at their camps. Skating was my life for many years. The stunt skating had to end simply because newer kids started entering the scene and learning tricks that it took us old folks months to learn in a matter of a couple days. I definitely could have kept on teaching, but it just became boring. It was a challenge for me for years because not only did I have to teach, I also had to convince adults two or three times my age that I knew what I was talking about. Once I perfect a skill all I can think of is moving onto the next thing.
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Equipment & Techniques
  1. Are you looking for an assistant?
    Probably not. The only thing i need help with is building sets. If that's your thing, feel free to contact me.
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  2. Do you retouch your images?
    Hells yes. I remove flaws in my subject's skin. I up the contrast a bit to make the colors pop. And occasionally i'll rework an image to give it a particular feel that may have been impossible to achieve within the camera. I use Photoshop the same way a film photographer would use his darkroom.
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  3. Do you use gels or filters to get those colors?
    As of this writing (1.24.2006), i've used gels exactly once. I've never used filters. For the most part, the colors you see in my images are not made by gels or by photoshop trickery, they're produced using those crappy decorative garden lights you find at the hardware store.
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  4. Do you use strobes or hotlights?
    As of this writing (1.24.2006), i've used strobes exactly once. I normally use those construction lights you buy at the hardware store. They're $20 and they come with a tripod. Now that's a deal!
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  5. What camera do you use?
    I primarily use the Sony DSC-F828. For other projects I might use a small Aiptek camera that produces a whopping 3 megapixel photo. Why chose a cheap camera? The biggest reason for me is the freedom of movement the F828 allows. Im not forced to squint through a tiny eyepiece. I can view the photo on a small LCD viewfinder from a few feet away if I wish. Another reason is the punk ethic I try to live by. I'll go into that somewhere else.
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  6. What lighting equipment do you use?
    I only use lighting equipment that I can find at my local hardware store. Ive made a few custom pieces from multiple parts, but mostly I just use the lightbulbs and clip lights that they offer prebuilt. Why not buy a "professional" lighting setup? Many reasons. One being that I believe most photographers use this equipment as a crutch. They become obsessed with buying that one piece of equipment that will magically make their photography "good". My belief is that if you can't take a decent photo with lighting that you can find around your house, you should probably quit shooting. One day I will purchase pro lights. But not before I've learned everythigng I can from the lights I already have, and not before I've purchased every lighting fixture offered at Home Depot.
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  7. What settings did you use for (insert image name here)?
    No clue. I honestly don't know the difference between an F stop and an ISO. I read my camera manual a couple times to get an idea, but beyond that I'm not the type of person to get all technical. I can recreate any image i've taken in the past, but i do it based on reading the image rather than looking up any meta data.
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Advice
  1. Can i use your photos to make icons, wallpapers, and club flyers?
    Nope. Unless you wanna pay me.
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  2. How do I become as successful as you are?
    Ummm, I'm not that successful. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't trade places with anyone else in the world. But as far as photography goes I haven't made it to success yet. That will come with a lot of patience and good decision making. So far things are on the right track. I'll know I'm successful when I'm able to employ a few more people, offer consisitent paid work to others in my industry, and have a few DVDs for sale.
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  3. How do i get published?
    You're asking the wrong person. Getting published is the farthest thing from my mind. From where I stand, being published is just a way for people to feel validated by others for their work. Most publishers in my community don't pay for a photographer's work. In my eyes, payment is the ultimate form of flattery. So I sell my work directly to my fans as well as to other businesses that will seek to profit from the work elsewhere. Maybe one day I'll change my mind, but for now I'm happy just producing content for my website.
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  4. I want to become a photographer, where do i start?
    Stop reading this website and go take some pretty pictures. Go ... now.
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  5. What is your philosophy regarding photography?
    I have adopted much of the beliefs that originated from the punk movement. Its not about the equipment you use, its what you do with it. Its the feeling, emotion, and creativity that people identify with. From my experience the measure of your artwork has little or nothing to do with the equipment you use to make it. In keeping with that spirit, I use only the tools that are around me to create my photos. Natural lighting, old lighting fixtures, clamp lights, flood lights, and a camera thats a step above a point and shoot. Thats all you need. So my advice to new photographers is this: stop worrying about what camera I use, stop saving your pennies for the brand new 18 megapixel monster, stop talking about light meters and soft boxes and fill lights. Start thinking about what you want to show the world. Start obsessing over creating something that hasn't already been done. Start talking about how you want your work to be remembered.
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  6. What makes a good photo?
    In my opinion, what makes a good photo is whether or not it's memorable. You probably have some still photographs lurking around in your subconscious. Some will be photos from ad campaigns, others will be snapshots from your childhood, and a few may even be some artistic photos you saw at a museum or in a magazine.
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  7. Who built your website?
    I did. On occasion I'll whore myself out as a web designer at the rate of $150 per page. I don't have much time for it anymore so i usually only take on one site/project every month or two.
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Rumors
  1. Are you that photographer who runs FetishGossip.com?
    Its a possibility.
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  2. Did you really burn your mother alive?
    Nah. I did take photographs of her dead body though. The cause of her death was natural, i assure you.
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  3. I heard you don't like (insert model name here), is that true?
    Probably. From my experience, for the most part, models are a pain to deal with. You ask them not to crop your images, and they do it anyway. You ask them to take down said cropped images and they make you out to be the bad guy. I don't put up with other people's shit, so as a result, I'm known for being a meanie. And i'm ok with that.
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