In our regularly scheduled, bi-weekly photographer interview series "SmugMug Corner," we meet 42-year-old photographer David Cusworth. Scroll all the way through to check out 17 of his favorite/best photographs. What a great way to kick off the weekend!

Name: David Cusworth
Website: www.davecusworth.com

Tell us a little about yourself.

David Cusworth; Age 42; Torrance, California. I work at Toyota Motors Sales in the parts division.

Salton Sea

What is your background/training in photography?

I have no formal training. I'm self-taught. I just went out and started taking pictures and experimenting.

Slot Canyon

Energy Lab Kona Hawaii

How long has photography been a passion for you? When, where and how did it start?

Ever since my dad got me my first Canon AE1 film camera, at 13 years old. I started to take pictures of my dog, plants and just random things around the house that I thought were interesting. When I developed the pictures, half of them I wonder what I was thinking about, but the rest where very interesting and visually attractive. That's all it took, a few good shots and I was hooked.

Pipeline

Quinceanera

What equipment is in your camera bag? What piece of equipment will be added to the collection next?

I currently use Canon 1D Mark III, Canon 40D, 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS lens, 16-35mm f/2.8 L II lens, 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS L lens, 24-105mm f/4 IS L lens, 50mm f/1.4 USM lens, Lensbaby Composer lens for a unique perspective look, Canon 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye lens, Canon 580, 430EX II flashes, Canon 1.4x extender, B+W 77mm ND9 and polarizer filters. What will be added this year will be a new Canon 5D Mark II, 1D Mark IV, Canon 400mm f/2.8 IS L super telephoto lens and Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L lens.

Pipeline

Bodie Ghost Town

What are your favorite places/subjects to photograph? Why?

Hawaii has been my favorite place for sometime, I love the diversity in landscapes and weather climates and people that allow me to shoot a variety of different scenes. I also like Canyonlands like Utah, Arizona, and Colorado for dramatic landscapes. I love travel photography because it allowes me to be shoot a wide range of different subjects and places.

Mono Lake

Lanikai

Who are your biggest photographic influences? Why? What about their work influences your work?

Vince Laforet is one of favorite for his unique tilt-shift lens miniature look, Sports and Arial photography also Peter Lik for his awsome colorful landscapes. Their influences allowed me to be more open to widerange of endless possibilities... I see it in my photography.

Drag Race Tiltshift

LA Freeway

How long have you been Smug with your photographs? What features do you most enjoy with your SmugMug account?

I think about 3 years. I like the website customization features, endless storage space, and sharing features.

LA Tiltshift

Bodie Ghost Town

If you had do sum up in 50 words or less the impact SmugMug has made on your photography/photography business, those 50 words would be...

SmugMug allowed me to share, sell, and promote my photography.

Hawaii Big Island

New York

If you had to give one piece of advice to those wanting to pursue photography, what would you tell them?

Take a lot of pictures, see other photographers work.

Big Island Road

New York