Get Closer
The most recurring theme for a travel photographer is to seek to understand something about your subject before you photograph it. The first step is towards understanding is physically getting closer to your subject.
Take More Photos
Simple enough advice. There are three reasons we stop ourselves from shooting more frames as we travel than we might otherwise. When you look more closely there is usually just one reason, and it can make a big difference to how quickly you develop your craft.
Philosophy
If you want to change the way you take photos you have to change the way you think. Photography is not just about F-stops and shutters. You cannot shoot what you cannot see.
My Other Birding Lens
Panasonic Leica DG Elmarit 200mm f/2.8 – Long term review of this superb telephoto prime. How does it stand up to the 100-400mm options and how much better is the image quality?
Light and Lovely Macro
Few people take full advantage of extension tubes, but they are affordable, light and easy to use. Turn your telephoto zoom into a macro lens within seconds and explore the world of all things small.
Andris Envy
The world is full of talented photographers but every now and then you see something that makes you truly humble. The limited edition trilogy of Fiordland books presented by Andris Apse is a unique offering filled with remarkable images. It also costs more than my 70-200mm lens.
The Best 35mm Lens for My LUMIX
If you appreciate the value of a 35mm prime lens, you’ll also appreciate that there are a good many 35mm designs to choose from now. Here are my favourite two 35mm lenses from Panasonic and Sigma, both for full-frame L-Mount bodies, and why they appeal to such wildly different photographic styles.
No Bystanders
It can be very very difficult to connect with people, to crack open a gap and peer inside the lives of others. It demands patience and honesty. There is no camera upgrade or new technology to make it easier.
Slow It Down
Walking with a macro is nice, but only works if you adjust your pace to suit the task. Macro photography is process of exploration. Slow it down. Slow. It. Down.
Be Positive About Negative Space
Negative Space is not empty space. It's there for a reason and it can help you find a path to better composition and more intentional composition.
Wildflower Country
This is a wildflower book unlike any other, a photographic essay that makes full use of digital technology to present images that could never have been photographed on film. It's beautifully captured, wonderfully presented and reveals a passionate talent on the part of the authors.
Soft Focus and Fine
Shallow depth of field is a powerful technique to have in your creative tool kit. It’s not just about funky portraits either, it’s good for almost every genre of photography.
