Lens Masters

INTRO - A regular contributor to Kiteworld Magazine, Carlos Altamirano is a sales representative in Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico. In his spare time there's nothing he likes more than hitting his local spot – Villa Corona – with his Nikon D200 set-up to get snap happy. Carlos was the product of our In Focus feature back in Issue #34. Click here to read the digital version absolutely free...

Where did you grow up?
Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico

Where do you live?
Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico

How old are you?
32 years old

What's your full-time job?
I am a sales rep for a company called Rand Technology. We sell electronic components to the contract manufacturers that build the computers, cellphones, servers etc.

What was your first camera?
A Sony DSC F717 and a Ikelite Waterhousing for it.

What is your current camera set-up?
A Nikon D200 with a 80-400 Nikon lens

How did you get into photography?
I was wakeboarding for a long time and always wanted to have some nice pictures so I decided to buy a camera and started shooting. Then I met some photographers in the wake industry that gave me some tips then I bought a Nikon D70s. I used for maybe 2 years and then switched to the Nikon D200.

When did you get into shooting kiting and how did it come about?
Some of my friends started kiting back in 2003. I wasn't trying it I just hang out with them to help them launching the kite or picked them up 2 miles downwind. I always bring the camera with me to get some shoots. Then I got more involved into kiting watching videos to understand more about the tricks. Finally I started kiting in 2005 and every time I go out I bring the camera with me. A funny comment a friend said when he knew I was kiting: Who is going to take the pictures now that you are kiting???

Can you remember the first shot you got published?
Yes it was in 2006 a shot of a friend Jorge Alcala and it was on the Readers Section in your mag.

Who is your favourite rider to shoot with and why?
There are many good riders here. It is hard to pick one but to name a few will be Jesus Ponce, Pepe, Tiki, Jando & Zurdo. When I go to baja I try to get some shots of Kenji Jones. Last year we had some nice photo sessions. I will love to go to the Triple S and shoot some of the pros.

What rider / riders would you like to shoot if you could and why?
Andre Phillip - Master of Style
Lou Wainman - Godfather of the sport

Where is your favourite place to shoot and why?
Villa Corona. It is a lake that is 30 minutes from my office and it is knee deep so it is easy to walk with the camera and be in a perfect positon to get that great shot.

What's the best tip anyone's ever given you or that you could give any other budding photographers?
Always bring you camera with you, you never know when someone will be doing a good trick. And shoot until you ran out of memory in your camera.

Do you have any exciting shoots planned for the future?
I am going to La Ventana in Baja by end of the year so I hope to see Kenji Jones, Chente and some other friends that will be there too. Hope we get good wind conditions. And next year I want to go to Hood River for the summer and hope to see and shot some of the pros.