Interviews

Today’s interview comes from Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex in the UK and features an extraordinarily talented Photographer named Howard Kearley. With a passion for sport and nature, Howard’s photographs exhibit his love for spending time outdoors. Howard’s body of work is quite expansive and his passion and drive for photography speak for itself.

If you would like to see more of Howard’s work, you can visit his website. You can also follow him on Instagram and Flickr.

Where is home?

Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex, UK.

Can you please tell our readers a bit about yourself?

I have a passion for sport and nature. I particularly love the outdoors, going kitesurfing, snowboarding, and of course, taking photos.

After browsing through some of your work, I see that you’re truly immersed in the field of photography. What is it that led you towards photography and how long have you been working in it?

I started taking sports photos due to being off the water due to injury, one of my friends is an avid birder and he took me along one day and my interest in nature photography grew from there. I have been taking photos seriously over the last eight years or so.

Is photography your full-time career?

No, (an expensive hobby) although I do sell prints and have given talks at local photography clubs.

In regard to marketing, how much of your time do you dedicate to social media? Do you use any special programs or services?

I post regularly to social media when I have something worth sharing.

Locations and weather conditions seem to be a crucial aspect of a successful picture. How do you handle these unpredictable factors?

I like adverse conditions, if the subjects there I will take the photos. We all would like perfect conditions, but the weather is what it is. Some of my best shots are in the rain and poor light, so I keep an open mind on the light, if you don’t go out you won’t get any photos.

Regarding your styles of photography, which do you prefer the most (landscape, wildlife, etc…)?

Wildlife.

Regarding your photos, which truly are remarkable, what advice can you offer to those who would like to begin taking these types of photographs?

Have loads of patience, then practice, practice, practice.

What do you do to keep your photography fresh and how do you stay motivated?

I enjoy improving and seeing how to improve, motivation is not something I have needed on something I love doing.

Share with us your favorite image and why.

I have dozens! But here is one from last week.

What do you hope viewers take away from your images?

Pleasure, motivation and a smile.

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with? What is your favorite lens?

Nikon D850, Nikon D500, 800mm lens, perfect for the Owls.

What is in your camera bag?

All Nikon gear.

What is your favorite photography accessory?

Promedia gimbal head.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have yet?

Nikon new 500mm PF lens

How important is Photoshop or other image editing software in your final images?

Very, photography and PP work go side by side.

Are there any areas of photography that you have yet to explore and that you’d like to learn?

Generally would like to improve at what I’m doing at the moment.

What do you think the future holds for you? Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

Semi-retired now (just) so more kitesurfing, snowboarding, photo nature trips in the UK and abroad would be cool.

Today’s interview comes from Staffordshire, England, in the UK and features the award-winning and published wildlife Photographer and natural history Photojournalist Scott Latham. Scott finds inspiration for his photography through a close relationship with wildlife and nature. With a unique approach and understanding of the natural world, Scott’s work provides the viewer with an awareness of its fragility.

Thank you, Scott and it’s my pleasure to share your thoughts and experiences with our readers. Your work is brilliant and you are someone who is definitely worth following. Also, congratulations to you on your recent win at the British Photography Awards. What a remarkable achievement!

If you would like to see more of Scott’s work, you can visit his website. You can also follow him on Instagram.

Can you please tell the readers a bit about yourself?

I am a nature photographer, field ecologist, conservationist, and filmmaker. Dedicated to compelling ecology and conservation stories through visual media formats. My aim is to provide factual videos and articles backed by ecological research and stunning photography.

I’m a proud father; an Aston Villa fan and I’m super lucky to be married to my best friend Claire.

Where do you call home?

I live in Staffordshire, England, UK

After browsing through your website, I see that you’re truly immersed in the field of photography. What is it that led you towards photography and how long have you been working in it?

I’ve always had a passion for wildlife and the natural world. My granddad was a Royal Photographic Society member and that led me to first playing with a camera. Naturally, I focused on wildlife after first getting a Sony Bridge camera. Then I purchased a Canon DSLR years ago before full-time in 2014.

Are you satisfied with your choice of getting involved with this industry? Is there anything else you would rather be doing?

100% the best choice ever, I love photography. Everything about it. All genres fascinate me from street images to landscapes. Naturally, for me, I take nature images, but I love the work of so many visual artists. There is something so special about being able to tell a story from 1/2500th of a second in time.

My purpose is to help save endangered species through my images, and tell the story of their struggles, so people can be made more aware and act on saving habitats and wildlife.

If there was one thing you would want prospective clients to know about you, what would it be?

Be ready for a laugh as much as learning and taking great images. Remember the subject comes first not the photo! – That’s a couple of things I know but hey.

What type of photography shoots do you look forward to?

Endangered Primate conservation projects. Nothing beats sitting 4000 feet above sea level in the mountains with gorillas.

When shooting subjects, what do you find most challenging?

Light… Much of the primate work I do, the light is terrible. But it also makes you think out of the box and try different images.

Who or what inspires you in your personal life and work?

My Wife & Kids… I do everything I do because they 100% support what I do.

What’s the best part of being a photographer?

Being with wildlife in their natural habitats.

What is your favorite part of heading out to a new location?

The challenge. The first few days of meeting the local people, children and communities and speaking to them about their heritage and how they find living the subject affects their lives.

What do you hope viewers take away from your images?

I hope it inspires them to realise the state of our natural world and how as humans we’ve been the leading cause to mass extinction. I hope if just 1 person changes how we buy palm oil products, for example, can make a huge difference in saving endangered wildlife.

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?

Let your passion show! Keep working hard, it won’t come overnight, but the rewards are worth every sweat, tear and empty bank account. Never work for free!

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with? What is your favorite lens?

Canon Bodies… I love my 300 f2.8 – it’s my go-to all-rounder.

What is in your camera bag?

At the Moment, hmm… Canon 7Dmkii – 300 2.8, 2x & 1.4x tc, batteries and laptop.

What is your favorite photography accessory?

Bean Bag! I hate tripod so restrictive but couldn’t live without my beanbag.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have yet?

Sony A9 body! (yes I know I’m a canon user but still! What an awesome mirrorless camera)

How important is Photoshop or other image editing software in your final images?

A final image is everything. I was a graphic designer for years, so naturally, I love PS!

Can you tell me about one of your favorite or most memorable photo shoots? What made it so great and why did you like it so much?

My first ever trek with mountain gorillas. I instantly fell in love. To be able to document the families daily life was more than special. It was a life changing experience.

Do you have any projects that make you look back and shake your head? What made the experience so unpleasant?

Nothing comes to mind. Every moment out with nature is special. Even on days when you don’t get to take any photographs. Just been there and watching is just as special.

What do you think the future holds for you? Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

I have just launched a not-for-profit organisation called 98% HUMAN. A photography and artwork movement to help save the world’s remaining primates. It means getting out to document the 4 main species of Great Apes that hold a 98% or higher DNA match to humans. I guess this will take up the majority of my time.

I’ve recently had the distinct pleasure of interviewing a very talented Photographer based in Asheville, North Carolina. His name is Neal McClure and he strives to provide his viewers with a unique view of the every day beauty in which the world brings. Through his travels, Neal captures and conveys his passion for every day moments and makes them into something rather extraordinary. As you browse through his photos below, I think you’ll agree that he’s quite accomplished at his craft.

Neal, thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us and thank you so much for all your thoughtful responses. You have given the readers an opportunity to glimpse into the mind of a person who truly enjoys what they do.

If you would like to learn more about Neal, please visit his website. You can also follow him on Instagram.

Can you please tell the readers a bit about yourself?

My name is Neal McClure and I grew up in sunny Fort Lauderdale, FL. I’m 33 years old, married, and love photography. I shoot mostly landscape and street photography in my free-time. However, by trade, I shoot interior architecture (hotels, private residences, real estate, businesses, offices, etc). I love traveling and exploring new places.

Where is home?

Asheville, NC.

After browsing through your bio, I see that you are truly immersed in the field of photography. What is it that led you towards photography and how long have you been working in it?

I grew up performing, producing and mixing music throughout my teens and twenties. As I grew older, I found myself wanting to do something else creatively. Around that time social media was booming and I found myself posting a lot of photos I was taking with my cellphone camera. My friend Chris Bellus noticed I had an eye for the photos I was posting and offered to lend me an older camera he had. He suggested that I borrow his old Canon 40D and 50mm 1.8f lens to play around with and instantaneously I fell in love. This was about 5 years ago. Around this time also I worked at a craft beer bar named Laser Wolf that had many locals/regulars that I became friends with. One of my regulars was a lifelong professional photographer by the name of Chris Kakol. He became like a mentor to me as I immersed myself in photography.

In regard to marketing, how much of your time do you dedicate to social media? Do you use any special programs or services?

I don’t post as much as I would like. On IG, I aim to publish a photo once a week and to post some stories/snapshots every couple of days. I have a Tumblr page that receives a lot of questions from aspiring photographers. So, I check that daily and respond with my tips/tricks that I think may help them. Twitter and FB I am not that involved in as my engagement seems a lot lower on those platforms. As far as IG, I won’t spend that much time on there unless I am posting a photograph that day. When I do post, I want to make sure to respond to every comment that I receive and invoke engagement.

What industry sites and blogs do you read regularly? Would any stand out as particularly motivational or inspirational for someone who might be interested in learning about photography?

I frequent fstoppers.com. I visit kenrockwell.com for reviews/tech specs on new gear. I don’t follow that many blogs, but I am subscribed to a bunch of YouTube channels that involve photography. AdoramaTV, PiXimperfect, PHLEARN, The Art of Photography, Mattias Burling, etc. As far as inspiration/motivation I would suggest subscribing to Lynda.com’s creative learning services. Ben Long is a pro photographer/instructor that has a class on Lynda that’s called ‘The Practicing Photographer’. His classes/techniques are so easily explained and fun to watch. After every segment, I wanted to go out a shoot and practice what I just learned.

What type of session do you look forward to the most vs what type of session you most often do?

The type of session I look forward to most is street photography. I love exploring a city with only one prime lens and chasing interesting moments. The sessions I now do most is interior architecture shoots.

If there is one thing you would want prospective clients to know about you, what would it be?

One thing that I would want prospective clients to know is the amount of focus, time, and energy I put into my workflow and images. I am a perfectionist. I strive to deliver the highest quality images possible.

What is your favorite part of being a photographer?

The exploration, adventure, and the privilege to be able to take the beauty back home with you.

What is the most challenging part of being a photographer?

Standing out among the other million talented photographers.

What do you do to keep your photography fresh and how do you stay motivated?

I keep my photography fresh by trying new editing techniques and compositions. I have never had a problem of staying motivated, but I will say that the more I shoot, the more I WANT to shoot. You just got to get out there and shoot anything to get yourself going.

Who or what inspires you in your personal life and work?

My wife. My daughter. My family. This vast unknown world. All things in life inspire me, even the mundane.

What do you hope viewers take away from your images?

I would hope viewers take away the boldness and beauty in a single moment that can be relived over-and-over. Most photographs I publish I intend to be printed. I want viewers to be able to enjoy my images time and time again.

Share with us your favorite image and why?

My favorite image is of an abandoned roller-coaster shot in Dania Beach, FL. The theme park was called Boomers. It is my favorite image because I shot this early on in my career, and it was the first long-exposure night shot I ever attempted. I was very ill-equipped to sneak into this abandoned theme park as it was my first time ever doing something like this. Aside from the overgrown grass that hid snakes, or the curious raccoons and patrolling security, I somehow managed to capture the roller coaster in pitch black darkness.

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer?

Learn the basics, the rules, the foundation. Start with one lens. Start with Black and White photography. Chase the light and composition. Once you feel comfortable with a camera in your hands, and understand all the settings and parameters – go wild. Get creative. Go and find what you really enjoy shooting, and master it.

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with? What is your favorite lens?

I am a full-frame Nikon DSLR shooter. I have an older D610 and the current D850. I try to also carry around a pocket-sized Ricoh Griii for everyday street shooting. My current favorite lens is the Nikon Zoom 28-300mm F/3.5-5. It replaces a bag full of lenses when traveling and is sharp as a tack.

What is in your camera bag?

It really all depends on what the subjects are I am going to be shooting for that day. But, usually, it’s one camera body, 16-35mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm lenses. I’ll always carry a 50mm 1.4 lens as well. One speedlight, tripod, various filters (polarizer, ND, etc), cable release, multi-use tool set, lens cloth, air blaster, extra batteries + charger, flashlight, headlamp, etc.

What is your favorite photography accessory?

My favorite accessory, hands-down, is my L-Bracket. This bracket allows me to switch between landscape + portrait orientations without having to adjust the ball head on my tripod. Game changer.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have yet?

High-powered battery pack strobes + modifiers. Flash photography is something I haven’t dived into yet, but want to start working with soon.

How important is Photoshop or other image editing software in your final images?

For me, I couldn’t live without it. Post-editing is just as important (and fun) as the images you take in-camera. The landscape images I take have a huge dynamic range I need to balance in post. Without Photoshop, for me, the final images I post would not look the same, at all. They would most likely have blown out skies, or muddy-pure-black subject areas. Photoshop or any image editing software allows me to retain highlight + shadow detail and optimize the high dynamic range of my camera’s big sensor.

Was there a point in your journey when you started to feel really good about your work? If so, what did it feel like to get past that ‘tipping point’?

The moment I started to feel really good was when I started to sell prints of my work. It’s not that difficult to post some pretty images online and get a few likes, but it’s something entirely different for folks to want to purchase your work, frame it, and have it hung in their living room. That was definitely the tipping point for me to continue investing time + money into my craft. Every image I create, I create with the idea that it will go to print. Editing images to look great on a smartphone is vastly different from getting an image to print nicely. For me, there is a lot more involved in the editing process to get it to that point. It’s easy to cut corners during editing if you aren’t printing your work. It makes me feel good that the time spent processing an image is justified when it becomes framed.

What do you think the future holds for you? Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

I would hope the future holds more travel and adventures. It’s nice to be able to make money off of photography, but really I just want the opportunity and free time to be able to photograph new places. That’s all I ask for, is the chance to enjoy the trip. I see myself in the next few years traveling and solely selling prints. For me, that is a dream come true.

Today’s interview comes from Franklin, Tennessee and features an extraordinarily multi-talented Photographer named Matt McGee. Matt is a seasoned photographer with an interest in many areas and styles of photography including landscape, fine art, fashion as well as underwater photography. During this interview, we will showcase Matt’s underwater work, where his photography journey began. Through the natural beauty of the world, Matt finds inspiration for his work with careful observations of wildlife in its natural surroundings. Matt has successfully photographed marine life such as sharks, mantas and an array of other species of small creatures. Matt’s body of work is quite expansive and his passion and drive for photography speaks for itself.

Matt, thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us and thank you so much for all of your thoughtful responses. It’s not every day we get a behind the scenes viewpoint of someone with such passion for the natural world.

If you’d like to learn more about Matt’s underwater photography, please visit his website. You can also see more of Matt’s work on his other website and you can follow him on Instagram.

Can you please tell the readers a bit about yourself?

My “real job” is dentistry, and I have been practicing for about 20 years. I’ve been into photography for about 15 years. I’m married with 2 kids, but I can’t seem to get either of them interested in photography.

Where is home?

I live in Franklin, TN which is a suburb of Nashville. I’m not really a fan of country music, but I’m right here at the epicenter of all things that are twangy. Most of my photography is done in locations other than home. There’s only so many abandoned barns I can shoot. I should probably shoot more around here because there’s a lot of pretty mountains, fields, rivers, etc. I think that since I live here, I can shoot it anytime, and I’ll get around to it one day.

What inspired you to be a photographer?

I bought a nice camera to use at my office, and started taking it home to just play around. I started noticing that some of my images were kinda good. It just grew from there. I started looking online for examples of good photography, and wanted to learn how to take those types of images. I would see a beautiful image, and would be really impressed, or couldn’t stop looking at it, and I wanted to be able to create images like that so people could see the world the way I do, and make them feel like that.

From looking through your portfolio on your site, I can see that you are interested in a variety of photography styles. Of the styles you have explored, which has been your favorite and why?

That’s difficult to answer. It’s almost like trying to tell which one of your kids is your favorite. That’s one of the things about photography that’s so great; there are so many different styles. If I had to pick one, I would probably say underwater because you get to enter a part of the world where we aren’t meant to live. Every time I dive, I think “I’m not supposed to be able to stay underwater this long”, and that’s really cool. Then you get to interact with animals. Having a shark or a giant manta ray come within inches of you, or actually bump into you is such an amazing experience. Where else in the world can you have a wild animal that weighs several hundred pounds come right up to you and lock eyes with you. There’s a connection there that I can’t describe. I’m very lucky to have had these encounters, and share them with the world.

Locations and weather conditions seem to be a crucial aspect to a successful picture. How do you handle these unpredictable factors?

First off, you have to have the proper gear to deal with bad conditions. I’ve done a lot of photography in Iceland, and the weather there is terrible. And it changes quickly, so you need to be prepared for snow, or sleet, or rain, or high winds. The other thing is having a good guide. Whether it’s hiking gin the highlands of Iceland, or scuba diving (especially while diving), a good guide can make or break you shoot. While some locations or animals can be easy to find and shoot, if you want something more unique, you have to know where to find it. My guides while diving in Indonesia have helped me find all those little critters I want to photograph. I’d ask for a particular animal to photograph, and they knew where to go look for them. If I want to photograph a certain canyon or waterfall in Iceland, you have to know who to ask to get you there.

Do you prefer studio work or photography on location?

Location. No question. I mean, I’ve got the equipment to set up a studio in my garage, but to me it’s just not as fun. Maybe I haven’t found the right project yet. It’s hard to beat the feeling of standing in front of a beautiful place, and creating an image. Even if your wet and cold, it’s being able to share a beautiful part of our planet with people.

What is your favorite part of heading out for a photo shoot?

The anticipation. I generally do a lot of study before I go on a shoot. I’ve watched lots of videos about a location, or a particular animal. I’ve looked at other people’s images. I’ve read articles. So when I finally arrive at a location, it’s like I’m walking into a final exam. I don’t know exactly what’s going to happen, but this is my time to shine and show what I can do with a certain subject. The is especially true when diving. On the boat ride out to a spot, I’m thinking about what animals I might encounter. How can I capture their essence, and create an image that can connect with a viewer. When you’re at the surface, you literally have no idea what’s below the surface, so when you back roll into the water and look down, it’s almost always a surprise. The problem is that you only have so much air, so the clock is ticking, and you’ve got to do your thing quickly.

What has been your most memorable shoot and why?

2 shoots. One was a dive site a Cocos Island, Costa Rica. We descended as a group to about 90 feet. after we settled in, a massive school of scalloped hammerhead sharks moved in above and all around us. It was one of the most memorable moments in my life. The second was photographing the aurora borealis at Vestrahorn mountain on the east coast of Iceland. It was one of those times where you just had to sit back a watch what was happening before your eyes.

How do you keep yourself motivated and your photography fresh?

I think I go through phases of motivation. Sometimes I’m really excited about new projects, and other times I don’t shoot for long periods of time. For me, I have to step away from photography from time to time, and then come back with a fresh attitude. Too much of something begins to wear on me. I think that’s why I moved away from underwater photography, and started shooting landscapes.

Who or what inspires you in your personal life and work?

I guess just the creative process. I like coming up with a concept, and then learning how to make it reality.

What’s the best part of being a photographer?

Putting a frame around a part of our world so that a person viewing the image can stop and appreciate the beauty of that small part of our world. It’s also pretty special when you look at the screen on the back of your camera, and KNOW that you just captured something special.

What is your favorite and least favorite part of being a photographer?

I think my favorite part is seeing people’s reaction to my images. It always amazes me that people will really connect with an image that I don’t particularly care for, and at the same time they are unimpressed by an image that I love. My least favorite part is having one chance to make something special, and failing. Or at least not getting something you can use.

What do you hope viewers take away from your images?

I hope they take away an appreciation of the beauty of our world, and realize that it is worth protecting.

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer just starting out?

Hang in there. It takes a long time to get to a place where you feel like you’re creating quality images. The nice thing is that there is so much free instruction and inspiration out there online.

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with? What is your favorite lens?

Most of my images are shot with a Canon 5D mark 2 or 3. My favorite lens for landscape photography is the Canon 16-35mm 2.8L. Wide angle underwater is my Sigma 15mm fisheye. Macro underwater is the Canon 100mm 2.8L. I’m at a point that I really don’t buy lenses much anymore. I just rent them. It gets expensive to have a bunch of high-quality primes on hand, so I just rent. I’ve found that a high-quality lens can make a big difference.

What is in your camera bag?

ND filters. Batteries. CF cards. A plastic cover. Peanut butter crackers. I’m often hiking to a location, so I try to travel light. I also have some sort of tripod, but it doesn’t fit in the bag.

What is your favorite photography accessory?

Drones. I love those things. In fact, lately, I’ve been more into drone photography for landscapes. There’s a lot of restrictions for flying in the USA, but I’ve done some great work in Iceland and the Faroe Islands. I love the aerial perspective you can get with a drone. It’s just a whole new way of doing things, and I love it.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have yet?

There’s always new gear coming out, so I can usually find some new toy. Mirrorless cameras seem to be quite popular lately, but I haven’t made the switch yet. I really think I would like to get an old Roliflex medium format and go old school. I don’t know how to work in a dark room so that’s what’s holding me up.

How important is Photoshop or other image editing software in your final images?

I primarily work in Lightroom, and don’t use Photoshop unless I want to remove something like a power line, or scuba bubbles. I’ve toyed around with the idea of some surreal photography. Look up Brooke Shaden, she is amazing. That type of work would be all PS. But for me LR does most of what I want. I play around with the RGB curves, and experiment with the sliders in hue, saturation, and luminance.

Was there a point in your journey when you started to feel really good about your work? If so, what did it feel like to get past that “tipping point?”

I think when I started shooting in manual mode all the time was when I started to feel good about my work. It felt like I was taking total control over what I was doing, and allowed me to try different things. I also felt more independent. I wasn’t asking for guidance from other people as much, and I felt like I knew what was going on.

What do you think the future holds for you? Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

Who knows. My next project in a shoot in the backcountry of Greenland. Beyond that, I have no idea. At some point, I might like to run small group tours to out of the way locations in Iceland. Maybe I’ll publish a book.

Do you see yourself as a photographer many years down the road?

Probably, but I never would have guessed that I would be doing this, so maybe there’s some other interest out there that I haven’t discovered yet that will consume my time. The other thing is that the technology is getting so good, that pretty much anyone with a smartphone can take an okay image. The art and talent are figuring less and less into the equation. I also think stills from video may be the future. For me, I try not to turn this into a job, because I want to only shoot what I want, and not what someone else wants. I’ve been asked to do weddings and senior portraits, but have turned them all down. As long as I can keep it fun, I’ll do it.

I’ve recently had the pleasure of interviewing an extraordinarily talented landscape and nature Photographer from beautiful Southern California. His name is Ed Clark and he finds inspiration for his work with his love for the beauty of the world and finding new places to explore. Ed, thank you for allowing us to learn about your passion for photography and for allowing us to get to know a bit about you. Your body of work is truly inspiring.

If you would like to learn more about Ed, please visit his website. You can also follow him on Twitter.

Can you please tell the readers a bit about yourself?

I am a retired Systems Engineer from the Aerospace Industry. I am 61 years old and have been married for 41 years. I have two adult sons, Daniel 34 and Steven 28, who live about an hour away. My other interests include bowling, hiking and woodworking.

Where is home?

I live in a city called Torrance which is in southern Los Angeles county, in Southern California.

What inspired you to be a photographer?

I originally got interested in photography back in the film days. A couple of friends from work were photographers and they invited me to a model shoot. I started using my mother’s Canon AE-1, but the time demands of family and work, not to mention the cost of developing film caused my interest to wane. About five years ago my brother got into digital photography when he received a Nikon DSLR. It was the conversations with him about photography and my need for being creative that renewed my interest in photography. This time I really had the bug. I couldn’t learn enough. I was constantly online learning what I could.

Is photography your full time career or a hobby?

Photography is still a hobby for me even. I do sell my images on micro stock websites I really don’t want the pressures of making it a full time job as I am enjoying it too much as it is.

Are you formally-taught or self-taught?

I am more or less self-taught. What I mean by this is I never took any classes in a school or university. Though I did learn a HUGE amount from classes on a website called Creative Live. One instructor in particular, John Greengo, did a great job of using visual tools to explain photography in great detail. I still sometimes go back and watch classes to reinforce what I had learned.

In regard to marketing, how much of your time do you dedicate to social media? Do you use any special programs or services?

When I first got into digital photography, I did a lot of marketing in social media. Lately, I don’t spend nearly as much time marketing my photography as I used to. I do use an app called Buffer. It allows me to easily post a page from a website to several social sites at the same time.

What has been the easiest part of learning about photography?

As I had said, learning photography from John Greengo on Creative Live made understanding much easier for me. I guess the engineer in me likes the details. Also, the immediate feedback of seeing your image on the LCD screen and the ability to take a lot of images almost for free allows for a lot of experimentation.

What has been the most challenging part of photography?

The most challenging part of photography for me is that I live in the big city. Except for the coast, getting out into nature takes a lot of effort. Also, deciding on the best composition is not always easy. Of course there are times that I look and just know this composition will be a good image. Other times I wonder if I should shoot this angle or that, should I include this foreground element, etc. In this day and age its easy to shoot thousands of images (i.e. spray and pray) with the hopes of getting good shots, but I try very hard not to do that. One last thing I sometimes struggle with is the selection of the best images. I find this is easier as my brother and I review and comment on each others images. Sometimes I have to put away my work for a few days and come back to it to get a fresh perspective.

What is your favorite part of heading out to a new location?

First of all, I love the great outdoors and exploring new places. So I would do this even if I wasn’t into photography.

How do you keep yourself motivated and your photography fresh?

Being that I have other interests that don’t require much travel, this is pretty hard for me. I have slowed down in the past year.

Who or what inspires you in your personal life and work?

As I have said my brother inspires my photography. When we review each others images, we don’t always agree, but I respect his point of view. His insights have made me a better photographer.

Share with us your favorite image and why.

The first image is one of my favorites. The second image is straight out of the camera. It shows what you can do with an image if you can get creative with lighting and color. I must give my brother credit for the original idea for this one though. I probably would not have published this image had my brother not suggested the edit.

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with? What is your favorite lens?

I currently have 2 cameras I shoot with. My first DSLR was a Canon T5i. This is a crop sensor camera and I learned digital photography on it. I recently have bought the full frame Canon D6 Mark 2. I find this camera is much better in low light situations is as often needed in landscape photography. The lens i shoot the most with now is the Canon 24-70 mm f/4. I like it because of the great results I get with it and it is not nearly as heavy as the f/2.8 version. On my last outing I had to hike a mile through the rain forest and then climb over many large driftwood logs. The heavier lens would have made this much more difficult.

What is your favorite photography accessory, other than your camera?

One of my favorite accessories is my remote shutter release. It is actually meant as a off camera flash adapter, but it also functions as a wireless shutter release. Its easy to use and I don’t have to worry about causing vibrations from a wired shutter release. I also have a very nice carbon fiber tripod made by Benro. It’s a good combination of height and light weight.

What is in your camera bag?

I normally use a backpack designed for photography equipment as my bag. I used to try to carry everything but I have learned only to carry the basics of what I will need. The weight is just too much. Now what I carry depends on where I am going. The longer I have to hike the less equipment I carry. Besides the camera, lens and tripod, I will always carry extra batteries, extra memory cards, a couple of head lamps. a flashlight and lens cleaning equipment.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have yet?

My next equipment purchase will likely be a high quality fast fixed aperture wide angle lens. Besides using it for landscape, I could also use it to experiment in night time photography including Milky Way images.

Do you use Lightroom, Photoshop, both or other?

When I got back into photography, I was shooting in JPEG and using Photoshop Elements. Now I shoot in Camera Raw. So I always have to make some sort of adjustments and I usually use Lightroom for that. If I want to get really creative or want to create a composite image, I will switch to Photoshop.

Can you tell me about one of your favorite or most memorable photo sessions? What made it so great and why did you like it so much?

Actually, my last photo session was my favorite. My brother and I went to the north-western most tip of the United States. We went to 2 places, one called Cape Flattery and the other called La Push. What really struck me was how beautiful these 2 places were, each for their own reason. Cape Flattery was all sandstone cliffs where the ocean had carved out many caves. At La Push we went to Second Beach. Second beach has many sea stacks and is so flat that the water recedes over 100 yards between high and low tides. Both places require hiking through beautifully green rain forests. I have never seen anything like it.

Do you have any projects that make you look back and shake your head? What made the experience so unpleasant?

I have been pretty lucky in this area. I have not had much bad luck. What I hate the most is seeing a scene that I know will make a great shot and not being ready to capture it. Luckily it doesn’t happen often but it does happen.

What do you think the future holds for you? Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

So for now I am somewhat content where I am at now with my photography. Do I sometimes wish I could do more, of course. My wife is planning to retire in a couple of years and we plan to do some traveling to the National Parks and other places. I expect my photography to take a big leap then.

I’m excited to share an interview with a very passionate Photographer from London in the UK. His name is Peter Cooper and he draws inspiration for his work from a great variety of subjects. Peter’s body of work is quite expansive and his passion and drive for photography speaks for itself. As you browse through his photos below, I think you’ll agree that he’s quite accomplished at his craft.

Peter, it was wonderful getting to know you and thank you for taking the time to participate in this interview. Your work is inspirational and I hope to see more of your wonderful work in the future!

To learn more about Peter, please be sure to visit his website. You can also follow him on Instagram.

Can you please tell the readers a bit about yourself?

Hi there, I’m Peter. I’ve been into photography for about 6 years now, and feels like more and more of my time is taken up by it! Sadly, I have a completely different day job.

Where is home?

I am based in London in the UK, but I’m originally from the Isle of Wight, which is just off the south coast.

What inspired you to be a photographer?

Back in 2012, I had been backpacking around the US and Canada for several months and I was staying with some family friends for the last couple of weeks. They kindly offered to take me to Yosemite National Park, and on the way, I was surprised to be presented with a Sony NEX mirrorless that I could use for the day. Up until then I was just using an old HTC phone to take all my photos, not having a digital camera. In fact prior to the trip, one of the 2 cameras I’d ever personally owned was a little film camera that I got by saving up tokens on the back of a cereal box!

I absolutely loved the experience of shooting with this thing, and being in an inspiring place like Yosemite, I started really putting some thought in before I pressed the shutter. When I started looking through my photos on the house TV, I was really impressed with how they looked (although I wouldn’t be now!) and promised myself I would buy myself a camera when I got back home. I picked up a Nikon D3100 with a kit lens a few weeks later and I was constantly searching for places to take it out after that.

Are you formally-taught or self-taught?

I learnt the basic concepts like the exposure triangle from websites and YouTube videos, but there’s no substitute for hours and hours of time out shooting, which I feel is where you really learn photography. It was fun (and a long process) to figure it all out!

From looking through your portfolio on your site, I can see that you are interested in a variety of photography styles. Of the styles you have explored, which has been your favorite and why?

My favourite is definitely wildlife photography. I just love animals, and being able to spend time observing them – I think each species is really impressive in its own way. I’d say it’s also the style that creates the most evocative memories most of the time. One of my favourite experiences in photography was the first time I saw a Kestrel hunt a mouse in some long grass.

In regard to marketing, how much of your time do you dedicate to social media? Do you use any special programs or services?

I only really use Instagram for photography, which is now my favourite social network. I find people on there are so supportive and appreciative of each other’s work. It’s very refreshing compared to something like Twitter, where things seem to get unpleasant fast!

What has been your most memorable shoot and why?

I think my most memorable shoot was when I managed to get seats on Centre Court at Wimbledon that were pretty much the same view as the photographer pit. My other passion is tennis, and getting to watch my idol Roger Federer from a prime photography position was really a dream come true! Got some shots that I was really happy with, especially considering the lens size restrictions they have for entering the grounds.

How do you keep yourself motivated and your photography fresh?

I think just by just introducing some kind of different element, be it a new style, new location, going out on a shoot with someone else or even visiting the same location but a different time of year. I think looking at the work of other photographers and being open to try new ideas also really helps. One of the good things about photography is that as long as you’re not on a job, if you try something and totally mess it up, no one need see it apart from you. So there’s really no downside to having a go at something.

Who or what inspires you in your personal life and work?

Nature is definitely something that inspires me, and photographing it is my way of showing my appreciation for the amazing planet we live on. I also get a lot of inspiration from my Instagram, though! I love the work of famous wildlife photographers like Paul Nicklen and Frans Lanting, but there are lots of less well known accounts producing some really nice work from different places around the world. I get to see a huge variety of different animals, cities and landscapes from my phone!

What do you hope viewers take away from your images?

All I’d like to think is that people take the time stop and have a good look at one of my photos. We’re really in a time now where we are absolutely bombarded with images on a daily basis, and I think it’s now more difficult to grab someone’s attention and make them stop and think for a bit.

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer just starting out?

I think the main piece of advice I would give is just to get a camera (any camera – all the big manufacturers make decent kit despite what can be said in forums) and just start shooting anything and everything until you find what you like. The only way to get better is to practice. Shooting outside your comfort zone is always great, and sometimes you’ll be surprised what you can learn trying a new style of photography that you can apply to something you think you have more of a grip on.

This also helps with buying gear. Start with a kit lens and use that to death, and this will naturally uncover what other kit you might need. Maybe you’ll try shooting birds and realise that you need to be able to get closer, so you would look at getting a telephoto lens. If you find you’re regularly shooting bands in a dingy music venue, struggling with noise using an f/5.6 aperture on the kit, maybe it’d be useful to get an f/1.8 prime? I found the best purchases I made were the ones where I’d identified a specific need and found a product to fulfil it, rather than buying for the sake of covering all the focal lengths, or something like that.

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with? What is your favorite lens?

I have 2 camera systems now that I shoot with. My main camera is a Nikon D750 DSLR, which is my go to when I’m going out specifically to take photos. I love this camera – such a good all-rounder and very good value for money, although I do look enviously at D500 owners for that extra autofocus speed and FPS! Obviously pairing this with a couple of lenses makes a pretty heavy kit to lug around so for more casual days I have an Olympus E-M1 MFT camera. I have a kit of mostly pancake primes and I can fit my whole kit in a tiny bag. It’s getting on a bit now as it came out in 2013, but I find it really nice to use and great for street photography.

My favourite lens is the Nikon 200-500 f/5.6, my go to for getting closer to animals, sometimes paired with a 1.4x teleconverter.

What is in your camera bag?

Obviously this varies a lot depending on what I’m going out to shoot, but I always have spare memory cards and batteries just in case, plus a wireless shutter remote, lens cleaner and maybe a filter or two. I usually take my Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 along for the ride too – as I’m sure many other photographers find, it’s such a useful set of focal lengths in so many situations.

What is your favorite photography accessory?

My favourite accessory is probably my 3 Legged Punks travel tripod! This thing folds up small enough to fit in my rucksack, meaning it’s so much easier to carry about than my old one and makes me want to actually take a tripod out a lot more.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have yet?

I feel like I’ve got most of the kit I need at this point for what I do… I am tempted by one of the big Sigma ART f/1.4 primes though. My friend has the 35 and the 50 and the bokeh is beautiful, I’m just not sure how much I would really use it. I’d also like to get some more lighting gear at some point.

How important is Photoshop or other image editing software in your final images?

Really important. It took me a few months before I decided I should switch to RAW from JPEG, but I never looked back after that. I tend to mainly use Lightroom to adjust levels and a bit of cropping if it needs it. I’m not a fan of superficial additions in post, though. Fake lens flare, for example.

Was there a point in your journey when you started to feel really good about your work? If so, what did it feel like to get past that “tipping point?”

I’m not sure there’s ever been a point like that, to be honest. The times I realise I’ve made progress are when I’ve looked back at stuff I shot 2 years ago and thought “Oh my god, what was I thinking?”. That’s when you know the standard you hold yourself to has changed. Hopefully I’m still improving – I think if I look back and am totally happy with something I took a long time ago, that might mean my photography has become a bit stagnant.

Do you see yourself as a photographer many years down the road?

I can definitely see myself still being into photography in the distant future, I definitely have the bug and I think that is a hard thing to lose. Whether I’ll be doing it professionally I can’t say, but I do like the idea. Time will tell!

Today’s interview comes from Barrington, New Hampshire and features an inspirational and talented nature, landscape, and wildlife Photographer. His name is Jeff Sinon and he excels at capturing breathtaking images of the natural world. With a unique approach and keen eye, Jeff has the ability to capture and convey his connection with nature in all its beauty. Jeff’s body of work is quite diverse and his passion for photography speaks for itself.

Thank you, Jeff, for taking the time to respond to each question and giving the readers a glimpse into the mind of a person who truly enjoys what they do. It was a pleasure getting to know you and about your work. You are a remarkable photographer and someone who is definitely worth following.

If you would like to see more of Jeff’s work, read his blog or learn about his services and workshops, please visit his website. You can also follow him on Instagram.

Can you please tell the readers a bit about yourself?

My “Real” job is as an auto mechanic, which I’ve been doing for almost 35 years now. The funny thing is the statements of surprise I get when people who know me through my photography first, then find out that it’s not my full-time job (I wish!), and that I’m an auto mechanic in my other, non-photography life. I guess the mechanic and the artist are hard for people to reconcile.

Where is home?

Home for me currently is Barrington, NH, where I live with my wife and daughter.

After browsing through your website, I see that you’re truly immersed in the field of photography. What is it that led you towards photography and how long have you been working in it?

Better sit down, this could take a while.

While I was always pretty artistic as a kid, drawing, painting, almost went to art school, it was a brief interest in astronomy that accidentally led me to photography back in 2008. Reading various astronomy magazines and online forums I was in awe of some of the photographs people were making through their telescopes with DSLR cameras. This led me to think “I could do that.” At which point I started looking at cameras. I liked the idea that I could use a camera to photograph celestial objects, then be able to use the same camera to go take regular day to day kind of photos.

During all this time I was also an avid hunter, so I spent a great deal of time outdoors in nature. It didn’t take long for me to realize I derived just as much pleasure from walking through the woods carrying a camera as I did while carrying a shotgun in search of grouse.

It was this realization that soon had me giving up hunting, selling off all of my guns, and pursuing photography with a passion.

At first, photography was just for me. I simply fell in love with being out in nature and taking pictures. But then people started telling me I was pretty good, some even asking if they could buy prints. So slowly but surely I started taking photography in a more professional direction. I started a blog, a Facebook page, later adding Instagram to the mix.

That being said, with the exception of some of the commercial work I do, I still photography primarily for me. I refuse to let the desire to sell a print change what I photograph or the way I photograph it. I believe the best images are the result of the photographer having a passion for the subject. I think a skilled photographer can make a good photo of anything, but I think great photographs are the result of a love of the subject.

I also discovered I loved sharing the knowledge and experience I was gaining as a photographer. At first, it caught me off guard when people would ask me for advice and tips. I mean, who was I to be giving anyone advice on anything. But I loved it. This, in turn, led to me offering workshops. I was receiving too many requests via both my blog and Facebook page to ignore. So about 5 years ago I started offering small group workshops, mostly in the White Mountains here in New Hampshire.

Which brings me to present day, where my waterfall and fall foliage workshops regularly fill up, and my images have been purchased not just as prints, but for use in magazines, books, even on an award presented to one of the directors of the EPA in Washington, D.C.

The funny thing is, I never did take one single picture through that telescope that started it all.

When shooting subjects, what do you find most challenging?

For me the most challenging thing can still be seeing photograph within the wider scene. No matter the beauty of the scene before me, isolating the few key elements that really convey the beauty and grandeur can sometimes be difficult.

What would you say your most remarkable wildlife encounter has been?

That’s easy. A few years ago I was camping in Crawford Notch, NH. Early one morning, after returning to my campsite after I’d gone out shooting, I heard this noise. Looking up there, not 100 feet across the clearing was a mother black bear with three cubs. My first thought was, “Time To Go!!” But I realized Mom was sleeping while the cubs played. She did eventually wake, which allowed me to capture what is still one of my most asked about photos. Then, apparently deciding I wasn’t a threat, she put her head back down and went back to sleep.

Location and weather conditions seem to be a crucial aspect of a successful photograph. How do you handle these unpredictable factors?

When it comes to weather, I have a prepare for the worst and hope for the best philosophy. I feel dramatic weather is as important as location when it comes to landscape photography. With this in mind I pay very close attention to the weather prior to heading out to photograph, this helps me decide what gear to bring, or whether or not I’m even going go in the first place. Rarely will I plan a day out when it’s going to be a crystal clear, blue sky day. I’m after the drama a cloud-filled sky may bring.

Paying attention to the weather is doubly important when I’m heading into the mountains. I love the White Mountains of NH, and my favorite time to photograph them is in the winter. Mountain weather can vary drastically from one hour to the next, with the forecast for the local area rarely being accurate for what it will be like at elevation. For this, I rely on the Mount Washington Observatory’s Hight Summits Forecast to plan my mountain adventures, or if I’m even going to go at all. Weather that in the valleys might be forecast to be in the high 20’s to low 30’s with a slight breeze, can drop into low single digit temps with wind gusts as high as 80 mph once I’m above the tree line.

Since I regularly hike alone I need to rely on a carefully selected collection of winter hiking gear to keep me warm and safe. That being said I have a self-imposed 50 mph sustained wind speed limit that I will willingly endure, if the Higher Summits forecast is calling for higher, I’ll reschedule my hike. Hiking when it’s -15° is one thing when there is just a mild wind. It’s a whole different level of adventure when the wind picks up, and above all safety is my primary concern. No photograph is worth risking injury, or worse.

What’s the best part of being a photographer?

I think the best thing photography has taught me is how to see. The way light and shadow play across even the most mundane objects, that there is beauty in almost anything given the right light, is something I never really noticed before.

What is the most challenging part of being a photographer?

What challenges me most is finding unique ways to photograph something. Whether it’s a waterfall or a lighthouse, or a mountain top, I’m always looking for interesting and unique angles when composing an image.

Share with us your favorite image and why.

Currently, my favorite image is this one I took last spring in Tuckerman Ravine. My friend Chris and I started up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail at about 3 a.m. in hope of some spectacular alpenglow on the headwall of the ravine at sunrise. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans for us. As we arrived into the ravine we were greeted by snow, temps around 15-20 degrees, with winds gusting between 30-50 mph. The visibility was so poor we initially couldn’t see the walls of the ravine even though we were standing right at their base. Initially, we took shelter from the wind by the first aid cache located at the top of Little Headwall in hopes the sky would clear. As sunrise came and went without a hint of the sun, we decided to head back down the trail. Just as we were packing up our gear there was an opening in the sky through which this amazing beam of light shone down. What makes this image my (current) favorite is how I’m able to recall that day, everything from the hike in the dark, the windblown snow stinging my face, to the amazing scene that played out before us that day.

What do you hope viewers take away from your images?

There is immense beauty in nature, and through my images, I hope to inspire people to get out to enjoy and protect it.

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer just starting out?

You have to be there when Mother Nature is showing off! I think that, in a nutshell, is one of these biggest things an aspiring landscape photographer can do to improve their photos. You’re going to get rained on. You’re going to give up on a lot of sleep. You’ll hike miles in the dark. You may on occasion even come home without ever pressing the shutter button because the weather didn’t cooperate. But if you’re willing to suffer through all of that, and more, in order to be there when Mother Nature is showing off, you’re going to make great images.

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with? What is your favorite lens?

Currently, I’m shooting with Fujifilm X-Series cameras, having switched from using Canon cameras and lenses a little over two years ago. I have both an X-Pro1 and the X-T2 along with several outstanding Fujinon lenses.

My favorite lens? That’s a tough one. It’s a tie between the XF16-55 f2.8 and the XF50-140 f2.8. Either one of these lenses rivals any of the L lenses from Canon that I’ve owned in the past, with the advantage of being smaller and lighter.

What is in your camera bag?

Besides camera and lenses, I keep a bulb blower, at least one microfiber lens cloth, spare batteries, at least one headlamp, and an assortment of ND (neutral density), graduated ND filters, along with a circular polarizing filter as well.

What is your favorite photography accessory?

My tripod, which I don’t think of as an accessory so much as I think of it as a necessary piece of equipment for the landscape photographer. There isn’t much that will improve your photography like a good sturdy tripod. Using a tripod enables you to securely mount your camera for good sharp shots. Using a tripod also has the added benefit of slowing you down, allowing you time to think about your composition.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have yet?

Fuji released the X-T3 a couple of months ago, I’m hoping to add one to my bag in the near future.

How important is Photoshop or other image editing software in your final images?

In a word, Extremely! As far as I’m concerned pressing the shutter is only the beginning. Since I mostly shoot in RAW, so all of my photos, regardless of how well I composed the shot and the exposure is spot on, will require some enhancements before I consider it done. My current images editing tools are Lightroom and the Nik Collection of plugins.

Can you tell me about one of your favorite or most memorable photo shoots? What made it so great and why did you like it so much?

This is a tough one, so I’ll give you a type of photo shoot rather than a specific shoot. My most memorable photo shoot involves extreme weather. Whether it’s a storm front moving out to sea at sunrise, or high winds and blowing snow in the mountains, when the conditions are right the results can be spectacular.

Do you have any projects that make you look back and shake your head? What made the experience so unpleasant?

As cliche as it may sound, I don’t see anything I’ve done since picking up my first camera as a failure, rather I see it as a learning experience. Though there is one thing I do that often has me shaking my head. I like to experiment a lot with compositions, and I’ll try just about anything that pops into my head while out on a shoot. Quite often, most of the time actually, when I look back at the photos I can’t help but wonder what the heck I was thinking.

Are there any areas of photography that you have yet to pick up on that you’d like to learn?

I would like to do more portrait photography. I have a basic knowledge of how to light people, I just haven’t done it enough for it to become second nature.

There are several areas of my photography I hope to expand on in the coming years. I would love it if my workshops were to really take off. My spring waterfall and fall foliage workshops are quite popular, but I’d like to do even more. I’ve also started photographing mountain running races, and I’d like to pursue that even further, expanding into other outdoor adventure sports.

What do you think the future holds for you? Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

In short, I’d like photography to put the final nail in the coffin of my day job. Wouldn’t we all?

I’m excited to share an interview with a self-taught and very passionate commercial Photographer from just outside the city of Leeds in the United Kingdom. His name is Ade Wilson and he strives to create unique and professional images for his clients. Ade’s keen eye and consideration for meticulous detail provide the perfect formula for his inspirational photography.

Ade, thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us and thank you so much for all of your thoughtful responses. It’s not every day we get a behind the scenes view of someone with such skill and passion for what he does.

If you’d like to learn more about Ade, please visit his website. You can also follow him on Twitter.

Can you please tell the readers a bit about yourself?

I’m from a tiny village which had 70 people in when I left for university. I spent most of my childhood working on farms and damming streams!

Where is home?

I live just outside Leeds, UK, but home is the tiny village where mum still lives – I visit fairly regularly so am well in touch with everyone back there. It’s just an hour away.

What were you doing before you decided to jump into the world of photography?

I was a software engineer. I’d been working in the banking and insurance arena for around 13 years when the banking world exploded and finally got made redundant in 2010. That career has saved me thousands of pounds because I can do all my own websites and IT.

What inspired you to be a photographer?

In the beginning, it was something to do on a weekend. I got a Canon Ixus 3 and used that most days on the walk to work – then having bought a book on photography, realised you could not choose settings like f-stops or shutter speeds, so saved up and bought a Canon 300D which arrived on New Year’s Eve 2003.

From then I immersed myself in photography – going out every weekend to learn how everything worked and discover the beautiful countryside around Yorkshire.

When I got made redundant in 2010, I had enough funds for about 1 year’s basics – mortgage and bills. I spend this time learning fast about business – made very little money, but never gave up going to meetings, networking, talking to people and gradually got a few jobs which I could then use in the blog and build credibility.

Are you formally-taught or self-taught?

Self-taught.

Are you satisfied with your choice of getting involved with this industry? Is there anything else you would rather be doing?

Love the photography world – and working for myself.

You choose what you shoot, who you work with, when you work and answer only to yourself. That’s good and bad, depending who you are – if you’re not a good self-starter, you’ll just sit around watching TV all day!

I was in a successful touring band, playing keyboards in theatres across the UK and Europe – that was great to start with, but after a while you get into a rut – and not being “in charge” I could not really change that. So despite the buzz of going on stage in front of 500-5000 people each weekend, I left to free up time for photography.

How do you keep yourself motivated and your photography fresh?

I think it’s a healthy curiosity – always asking “what if” on every shoot. What if you get low, or go high up, or add a back light, or increase the left flash by 1 stop… or use the 90mm tilt shift lens….

It’s that kind of approach which keeps it exciting – sure you need a formula which works and is repeatable to make sure you get the job done, but then start varying things to get a new look.

Who or what inspires you in your personal life and work?

Locations inspire ideas – anywhere with great lines and drama is perfect for portraits.

Subject inspire – so a meticulously created cocktail, with lots of props and all the ingredients to hand, that kind of thing really inspires me.

Other photographers – not so much. I used to copy other’s styles when learning the craft, it’s often the fastest way to work. Get something which you know is “good” and recreate it… the process is a great teacher. But these days, I tend not to spend time on photo sharing times looking at others. I find the “popular” stuff is very formulaic, for example, all popular architecture is moody mono with a 5 minute exposure and black sky with clouds whooshing by. It looks good, but once you’ve seen 1 of these, you’ve seen them all!

What do you hope viewers take away from your images?

They are paying me a lot money, so I hope that I’ve captured them in a positive, friendly approachable way – and how they want to be seen!

Same with the food photography, I spend ages lighting the stuff with 4 or 5 flash heads, use at least 4 lenses – all to create images which jump off the web site or stand out on Trip Advisor. If just 20 people are swayed to eat at their restaurant instead of elsewhere, that has usually paid for me.

Generally I do create bold images – lots of contrast and colour, selective focus… it’s not delicate or fine art in style as I think that look is well covered by other photographers.

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer just starting out?

Make sure your work is good – don’t listen to friends on Facebook though, they will always encourage you even if the work’s bad!

You do need some honest feedback from your potential customer base – there’s really no point in starting if no one likes your work, they are not going to hire you.

Once you’ve got a great portfolio, which doesn’t have to be huge, then get out there networking – it’s all about the people you meet. If you work on the theory that for every 100 people you see, 98 will not hire you, you know that 2 will – so every “no” is 1 step closer to a “yes”.

It’s like that initially – but as you keep going, your work will evolve, each job gets you visibility to the world, clients will recommend you and gradually it gets easier.

You don’t always “need” hugely expensive equipment – the most important thing is that you understand how it works and can use it in any situation.

You need to work smart in processing – time is money, so spending 20 hours on 1 photo, like you may do for a photo competition entry, is not a savvy use of your time unless your client has budget to pay for it!

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with? What’s your favorite lens?

Canon 5D 4

Canon 70-200 F2.8L IS is amazing – use it on every shoot

What is your favorite photography accessory, other than your camera?

Ummm – I got a ball head tripod which has a rotating platform on top. So you level the camera on the ball head and lock it tight – then you can rotate just the platform so the camera spins 360 degrees on a totally level plane. Fantastic for Tilt Shift work, saves so much time.

How important is Photoshop or other image editing software in your final images?

I shoot RAW so massively important!

Most of the processing is in LIGHTROOM, any serious tidying is done in Photoshop, and if I need a creative look I’ve got NIK EFEX and ON1 Effects filters.

Was there a point in your journey when you started to feel really good about your work? If so, what did it feel like to get past that “tipping point?”

Yes – 2006 I got a 5D mark 1, I’d been using the 300D then the 10D and was getting a technique nailed – but when i got the 5D I was out more often as I was excited to use it. I also got Capture One and shot RAW for the first time – all this combined to a paradigm shift. I became the “moody landscapes” man – sitting around on hills at sunset well into the blue hour!

What do you think the future holds for you? Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

I’m working on the world of restaurants and chefs, so lots of marketing in that direction. Also hotels – I like shooting architecture and food, that’s what hotels are!

Kit wise, I’m well past the kit-lust stage, talk of kit bores me and I try to move off it as fast as I can!

Subjects – Well I’m doing Iceland in 2019 which is a bit of a dream location. I also want to do India again – that was an amazing country.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing a very talented professional freelance Photographer based in Hailsham, East Sussex in the United Kingdom. His name is Ben Hurst and he has an inspirational and diverse body of work, along with a true passion for his craft. With a kind heart, Ben can be found supporting good causes by donating his spare time and talent. He helps a variety of trusts by aiding in their promotional gain. When not behind the lens, Ben will often be enjoying time outdoors and looking for more inspiration for capturing moments in time. As you browse through some of the photos from his collection below, I think you’ll agree that he’s quite accomplished at his craft.

Ben, thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us and thank you so much for all your thoughtful responses. It’s not every day we get a behind the scenes view of someone with such creativity and talent. I can’t wait to see more of your future works!

If you’d like to learn more about Ben, please visit his website. You can also follow him on Instagram and Facebook.

Where is home?

Hailsham, East Sussex United Kingdom

Can you please tell our readers a bit about yourself?

I am a freelance photographer of landscapes, events, portraits, equestrian and business-related images for an array of private and commercial clients.

I like to support local good causes and as such can often be found to give up my spare time helping a variety of trusts for their promotional gain.

When not taking photographs, I spend as much time as possible out on the waters kayaking and cycling across the southeast with the trusty Nikon camera in hand, attempting to find a hidden gem to capture. I am also a keen motorcycle rider, always out and about to and from various locations across England.

After browsing through some of your work, I see that you’re truly immersed in the field of photography. What is it that led you towards photography and how long have you been working in it?

Ever since I was a child I can remember being fascinated by photographs and paintings capturing moments of time, trying to find the story from the image, the emotions of the subjects, seeking to see what that photographer or artist’s intentions were in their work and so forth. It was not until I was at the age of 29 whilst out and about mountain biking which was a new hobby of mine that I began to start taking images of landscapes and wildlife a little bit more seriously, up until this point all I used to do was point and shoot without much care and attention on a small HP compact camera or smartphone etc… In May 2017 I brought my Nikon DSLR and my passion has just evolved so much that I feel naked without it.

Are you self taught or formally taught?

Self-taught through trial and error, watching videos on YouTube and books for tips and tricks and social media for constructive feedback but I have also been lucky enough to know a couple of professional photographers who have encouraged and aided me in any questions I have had.

Regarding your styles of photography, which do you prefer the most (landscape, wildlife, etc…)?

To be honest I have a passion for most styles and at least try and give it a go. I love landscape photography because I can get so lost in the moment and forget about time whilst capturing and showcasing some of Britain’s stunning countryside and coastline. I love shooting people at events, for instance at weddings when you can photograph people in the moment when they are naturally happy or thinking which is my most favoured form of photographing events and portraits.

Regarding your photos, which truly are remarkable, what advice can you offer to those who would like to begin taking these types of photographs?

It is like that old saying goes “…Rome was not built in a day” and this holds true not just with my style of photography but for any style. Persistence and the ability to learn and research into mistakes, play around with the camera settings and angles, in some cases even dropping or raising the camera level 4 inches can make all the difference. I always work in Raw format which is helpful if you need to make slight tweaks in editing and the quality of printing is increased massively. Personally, I either do very minimal editing as I want to show what it was my eyes had truly seen or I go the complete opposite and use shapes and colours to create something completely different, just be creative and love what it is you are photographing.

Is photography your full-time career?

Part-time as I also have another business that still takes a lot of my time up but the end goal is to become full-time in the next 12 – 24 months.

What is your favourite part of being a photographer?

Trying new ideas, being creative and seeing them come off as you had intended or even better than anticipated.

What is the most challenging part of being a photographer?

For me having dyspraxia and reading books on photography can be daunting and hard to grasp whilst my slight social anxiety can make verbal explanations of how I go about my photography difficult and sometimes near impossible.

What do you do to keep your photography fresh and how do you stay motivated?

I try very hard not to go with the masses on what is being photographed so I can separate my work from others, at times this may not be possible so instead, I will seek to find a way of changing such things as angles, aperture and exposure settings whilst just having fun with it all.

What has been the biggest source of inspiration in your work?

For me seeing the vast array of creative images on social media platforms such as Instagram has been one of my biggest sources of inspiration and it can really motivate me to get back behind the lens.

Share with us your favorite image and why.

So I have several images that I favour above others but one that I truly love is this image shot at the end of August 2018 from an abandoned slate quarry mine in Wales up a mountainside looking out to Mount Snowden and its peak which after three hours of climbing up jagged edged steep inclines and walking along hair raising sheer drops and unstable ground, the summit of Mount Snowden revealed itself to me and the valley below took your eye through creating a lovely depth to the photo in what is a lush, rich and stunning part of Britain. It just felt really special to be there at that moment in time where I felt a connection with the landscape that is indescribable. Every time I look back at this photograph I can feel that feeling again, that’s why I love landscape photography.

What do you hope viewers take away from your images?

I hope viewers of my images will feel compelled at the need to come back to take a second look whether they love it or do not understand it, at least I have produced an image that has viewers thinking.

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with? What is your favorite lens?

I currently have a Nikon D5600 DSLR with a 35mm 1.8g prime Nikkor lens which is my most used lens and my favourite for landscapes and portraits for a DX framed camera, 75mm – 300mm Sigma macro lens which I love almost as much and a 28mm – 85mm kit lens.

What is in your camera bag?

My Nikon D5600, three battery’s, my lenses, a tripod and a monopod, 3 memory cards. lens cleaning cloth and a USB battery charger just in case and most recently my GoPro Hero6 is always on me too.

What is your favorite photography accessory?

35mm 1.8g Prime Nikkor Lens

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have yet?

I would love to purchase a drone.

How important is Photoshop or other image editing software in your final images?

I have both Photoshop and Lightroom but for me Lightroom has become my most important editing software, allowing me to do subtle changes and cropping letting me work with my Raw files beautifully. When I use Photoshop it is predominantly for placing my watermarks on.

Was there a point in your photography journey when you started to feel really good about your work? If so, what did it feel like to get past that “tipping point?”

I am my worst and most difficult critic to please which is hard work at times but when someone buys a print of my work or when I shoot for clients and they are overwhelmed at the end result that makes me think yes, I really feel good about my work and I am able to produce images worthy of people investing. It took 6 months of continuous practice before I started to believe in my abilities, knowledge and skills I had developed.

Are there any areas of photography that you have yet to explore and that you’d like to learn?

I would like to explore drone photography and underwater photography and how it could aid my work.

What do you think the future holds for you? Where do you see yourself in the next few years?

I would like to become a full-time photographer with a few exhibitions in the next couple of years and continuously developing my photography knowledge and skill set along the way. I would love to build a more diverse and large camera kit too.

Today’s interview comes from the great state of Massachusetts and features an extraordinarily talented Photographer named Robert M. Ring. Robert finds inspiration for his work with a fondness for exploring all of the beauty that New England has to offer. With careful consideration and skill, Robert’s work effectively captures the essence of his surroundings.

Robert, thank you for allowing us to learn about your passion for photography and for allowing us to get to know a bit about you. You are a brilliant photographer and someone whose work is definitely worth following.

If you’d like to learn more about Robert, please visit his website. You can also follow him on Instagram.

Where do you call home?

I was born and raised in Massachusetts, so I am a long time New Englander. Living in Massachusetts, I really enjoy traveling around New England to photograph its beauty. Maine may be my favorite state out of all of them if I may say so!

Can you please tell the readers a bit about yourself?

I graduated from Northeastern University in Boston with a degree in Electrical Engineering. During my early years as an engineer, I bought a Nikon Photonic fTn (film) camera in 1971. Photography was my hobby up until 9 years ago when in 2009 I co-founded a small company (New England Photo Workshops) with one of my photography friends. Offering photography workshops provided me with the opportunity to help other photographers learn about all aspects of photography. I found then that I thoroughly enjoy teaching and helping others. My business partner has since moved on to a full-time position offering photography workshops for a local photography store in Massachusetts. I still do a few photo workshops during the year but am really enjoying retirement and practicing photography around New England. My passion today still revolves around helping others in the field of photography. I belong to two camera clubs here in Massachusetts and frequently provide educational presentations to the memberships and to other camera clubs as well around New England.

What inspired you to be a photographer?

Way back when I tried drawing and immediately recognized I didn’t have the talent to draw or paint, so photography was a perfect alternative for me.

Can you tell the readers about your day-to-day activities.

Being retired, my day-to-day activities frequently include going out to explore various locations to take photographs and to then process those images. Some locations are very familiar, and others may be new to me. Going back to familiar locations is a good thing to do for any photographer! After that I share images on my Facebook and Instagram pages and offer them for sale, either as prints or as files, on my own website www.robertmringphotography.com. Today’s internet and online websites enable me to share my images with others more easily than I ever could in the days of film. In those days I shot Kodachrome slide film and when family members came over to the house, I would take advantage of the ‘captive audience’ to put on an impromptu slide show for them! Oh no, not another slide show!

How do you keep yourself motivated?

I really enjoy photography and in particular, I really enjoy landscape photography. Having said that I want to be the best overall photographer that I can be. So, when given the opportunity to take portraits, photograph a music concert, do a commercial assignment or sporting event as examples, I jump to do it. I believe a photographer should not limit him or herself to one type of photography. The point is I enjoy learning as well as practicing all types of photography.

Looking back on my experience as a photographer, I believe things have really changed over the years on the ‘education front’. What I mean by that is new or aspiring photographers can easily go on the internet and learn how to take a photo. But that doesn’t mean they can take a great photo. Learning about photography from an accomplished photographer is a great way to get started in photography as opposed to ‘internet learning’. So, what’s the secret to taking great photos? I’ll tell you: it’s being able to ‘see’ the final image when you’re in the field taking photos. Knowing what will work and what won’t work. What will the final image look like? Some folks have that ‘skill’ and others don’t. I like to think I do! An accomplished photographer (one that you respect) is someone that new photographers should migrate to in order to help improve and grow their own photography skills.

What has been the biggest source of inspiration in your work?

I have to say that with digital cameras I’ve really come to enjoy the ‘processing’ part of photography. I would say that it has become 50% of my photography now. That part of it inspires me to capture images and to then reveal what I saw or want to convey for others to see. Browsing through Instagram is very inspiring for me and I would suggest it for any photographer. One can see new locations and what opportunities are out there for a photographer to pursue for their own work. You can get some great ideas to try for yourself.

What industry sites and blogs do you read regularly? Would any stand out as particularly motivational or inspirational for someone who might be interested in learning about photography?

I think it’s important to read up on what’s new in the photography industry, so I look at DPReview daily along with various ‘rumor’ and manufacturer web sites.

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?

The photography industry is a tough one to start a new business in today. ‘Everyone has a camera’ nowadays so you need to separate yourself from others by offering something unique to your customers. In my case, it’s education via workshops or camera club presentations.

Share with us your favorite image and why.

I am unable to pick a single favorite image of mine to share with you, but I am sharing this one that I took in 2008 of Boston Illuminale. I was with the camera club and helping members learn to take nighttime images. It was near the end of the night and the open-air restaurant behind us was wrapping up for the evening. I saw the table in the image and asked the waiter if he could hold off on cleaning that table. I then took out a flashlight and lit the table up (light painting) while the wind was blowing and using my camera with a24mm wide-angle lens captured the scene with Boston in the background. I call this image ‘Table with a View’. The camera club members that were beside me were all impressed at how I ‘saw and captured’ the scene to tell a story. It’s won various awards both locally and nationally.

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with? What is your favorite lens?

Over the years I have been fortunate to be able to utilize all types of film cameras from 35mm to medium format to 4×5 view cameras. In the ‘digital age’ I have been fortunate to utilize different brands and types of digital SLR and mirrorless camera systems. Throughout the years I have bought and sold a lot of new and used camera equipment. And I mean a lot! That experience has helped me with ‘new’ photographers to help them to understand their gear better by my having a hands-on experience with various cameras and lenses.

I am currently using 4 different, mirrorless cameras: a Leica SL, Leica Q and Nikon Z7 (full frame sensors), along with a Leica CL (crop sensor) with assorted lenses for each. My favorite focal length is something wide like 18mm or 24mm. I utilize wide-angle lenses to not only capture a landscape or scene but also on close-ups to help tell a story from that perspective too.

I believe that digital photography requires a strong understanding of ‘how to process’ an image. Yes, one should try to get the best image they can in their camera when in the field. But that is only half the battle. One must process an image to their liking to get the most effective result. That could mean boosting the colors of an image or converting an image to black and white as the case may be.

How important is Photoshop or other image editing software in your final images?

When it comes to processing images, I’ve found that Lightroom is my go-to software along with various plug-ins to help me get to the final image result I want. Photoshop helps on occasion but it’s just not as important for me in my work. The other advantage of Lightroom is its organizational capabilities that are quite valuable to help one to keep track of their image library! I’ve got thousands of images and need to keep them organized. I currently provide one-on-one training for photographers with Lightroom. No matter your skill level there’s always something new to learn!

What are your future plans?

As I go forward, I wish to continue to help other photographers to improve their own photography. I enjoy sharing my techniques and ideas with others and seeing their results. I’ll continue to offer photo workshops and to do portraits, scenics, assignment, or event photography. I enjoy it too much to stop! Thanks for taking the time to talk to me, Laura.