Meet Ewen Bell

About The Photographer
Ewen Bell is a travel photography specialist. Some say that he doesn't know how to use a flash properly and that's why he keeps heading outdoors to take photos. He loves animals, especially slow moving ones that don't runaway from the camera. They are the best. He doesn't particularly like climbing up hills and prefers cool climates, which is a shame because all the best food is usually found in tropical places like Thailand. Ewen can't wear saffron robes in Laos because people confuse him for a monk.

Publications
Presently Ewen is the "Editor at Large" for Digital Photography magazine in Australia. He produces features that share both technical and conceptual ideas to develop your photographic skills. Most of Ewen's work appears in the travel industry though, with about 10,000 images currently in image libraries of tourist boards in Australia and beyond. Ewen also writes travel editorial, shoots brochures for tour companies and generally avoids being home to wash the dishes.

Awards
Ewen has won a few awards, some of them for photography too. His Elephant Camp exhibiton in the 2011 Ballarat International Foto Biennale won the Fringe Prize, in 2009 he had two images win prizes in the M.I.L.K. “Friendship, Family, Love & Laughter” competition. In 2008 he was awarded Best Australian Image by the ASTW, and the year before was named Travel Photographer of the Year by the ASTW.

Photo Tours
Ewen discovered the hard way that regular tours are rubbish when you want to take photos. After years of shooting brochures for low-budget tour operators Ewen had a pretty good idea what doesn't work for photographers, and began designing his own tours that really do work for photographers. His photographic journeys combine hands-on tuition with unique opportuntities, relying on his knowledge of local guides and experience to create sensational adventures.

Cameras
It doesn't really matter what you shoot with. Sort of. Ewen started photography with a Minolta X300 and got familiar with the charms of film. Since then the world of digital imaging has changed the business of photography, but not so much the principles. A great lens is still the key ingredient, along with the largest sensor you can lay your hands on. Size matters. My camera of choice these days is the Canon 1D, with Canon lenses and Phase One processing software.

Advice for Photographers
Ewen publishes a useful online resource for photographers that aims to share as many of his ideas and destinations as possible. Photography for Travellers is a unique collection of features, philosophies and photos offered to inspire and educate. And it's all free of course, as the web intended. Ewen's Manifesto for the Travelling Photographer sums it all up in one graphic.

Photos