Photonotes
About my photography, equipment and philosophy.
Philosophy
In my view the most important part of photography is the person behind the camera and the ability to use it to its full advantage. As I say on my welcome page, photography for me is the meeting of art and science. This also applies to the technical paraphernalia which enables the creative side of this equation to be expressed. You need the combination of both elements to successfully produce the desired outcome.
Equipment
For my photography I use digital SLR.
I currently use a Canon EOS 40D. The lenses I use are Canon EF-S 17 - 85mm and 55 - 250mm image stablilised zoom lenses.
To maintain the highest levels of quality and sharpness possible I always use a sturdy Manfrotto Tripod. If I am travelling very light or the situation demands it I may occasionally use a monopod. Both are fitted with Manfrotto ball and socket heads which give the maximum flexibility.
Attitude and Approach
Patricia Caulfield in her book Capturing the Landscape With Your Camera sums up the need for positive attitude and approach to photography. “Looking, plain, hard looking will carry you far along your way to making better nature pictures, but there will be times when no amount of looking results in pictures that please you”.
In her view the answer is perseverance and flexibility. Perseverance is needed when the weather is just not working to your advantage or when you are unable to gain access to the desired location for the best shot. In these cases flexibility is needed. If I can’t get the photograph I was after then I adapt to the situation and look for alternative pictures until the situation changes.
It is surprising how being flexible can throw up unexpected photographic opportunities and by persevering I can also come away with the original shot I was after in the first place. Going into the field or an assignment with an idea of what I want is important, but so too is having an open mind to the opportunities available at the time.
In my view the most important part of photography is the person behind the camera and the ability to use it to its full advantage. As I say on my welcome page, photography for me is the meeting of art and science. This also applies to the technical paraphernalia which enables the creative side of this equation to be expressed. You need the combination of both elements to successfully produce the desired outcome.
Equipment
For my photography I use digital SLR.
I currently use a Canon EOS 40D. The lenses I use are Canon EF-S 17 - 85mm and 55 - 250mm image stablilised zoom lenses.
To maintain the highest levels of quality and sharpness possible I always use a sturdy Manfrotto Tripod. If I am travelling very light or the situation demands it I may occasionally use a monopod. Both are fitted with Manfrotto ball and socket heads which give the maximum flexibility.
Attitude and Approach
Patricia Caulfield in her book Capturing the Landscape With Your Camera sums up the need for positive attitude and approach to photography. “Looking, plain, hard looking will carry you far along your way to making better nature pictures, but there will be times when no amount of looking results in pictures that please you”.
In her view the answer is perseverance and flexibility. Perseverance is needed when the weather is just not working to your advantage or when you are unable to gain access to the desired location for the best shot. In these cases flexibility is needed. If I can’t get the photograph I was after then I adapt to the situation and look for alternative pictures until the situation changes.
It is surprising how being flexible can throw up unexpected photographic opportunities and by persevering I can also come away with the original shot I was after in the first place. Going into the field or an assignment with an idea of what I want is important, but so too is having an open mind to the opportunities available at the time.