Gaz78

    I am a photographer based in Rhyl, Denbighshire. I started photography in 2016.

    I must stipulate that I do not nor would not pay models for shoots. As a photographer I provide my own studio space, lighting, A range of backdrops. In addition I provide my knowledge and skill. I only work in manual mode and have a good understanding of the cameras functions. As a result of this I feel reasonably confident that I could potentially create images in different styles and create similar looks to suit the models wishes.

    I would say my weakness is directing, but feel that's something that comes with time and experience.

     My current cameras are a 5dmk4, 5Dmk3 and 7Dmk2.

    I am open to do TFP work but, I do stipulate that the produced images are not used in/on any paid format, as then I would want to be paid. With TFP shoots I provide digital copies of the shoot within a reasonable time (after I have edited) in Jpeg format, I shoot in raw but do not give those files out.

 

A peek into my beginnings:

  I started off my photography path in 2016 pretty much by accident. A friend asked what it was like where I live, and if I would take some photos to show. Armed with my phone I went out cluelessly and winged it. On my way around I was distracted by a butterfly. I found it very frustrating that I couldn't focus at all on it with my camera phone. Looking back that butterfly has cost me a fortune lol. I'm pretty sure within a week of this I had found a listing for a tiny point and click camera for £40 on facebook for sale sites. I bought the camera and started to explore locally. Before I knew it I was increasingly going out with the intention of taking photos. In all honesty prior to this I had no interest in photography at all, barely took photos of anything at all. If I had to pin point my starting motive, I would say it was detail. My photos back then where nothing great but, I had never really looked at thing. When I actually started to look I found it fascinating to look at the feathers a bird had or detail in a flowers petal. I had become addicted and wanted more detail and more zoom. My 3rd camera was a bridge and I paid around £300. After winning the bid on Ebay it dawned on me I should really learn how to used it.  I binge watched youtube videos and gained a basic understanding. My second trip out and I plucked up the courage to turn that dial to manual. From that day onwards I only use manual. My hobby was wildlife, then I was asked if I would photograph a christening. That lead to a guest asking me to do their christening and that was my 1st paid photography. Since then I have done birthdays, christenings and a couple of weddings.

 

My photography mindset:

    I'll start with a highly debated photography term 'PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER'. Elitists would have you believe it is a photographer who lives solely on their photography income. I personally believe that is nonsense. That living could in fact mean they are good at selling themselves. You could argue it is about the photographers knowledge of the camera and its functions, but again I would disagree. If you hired a chauffeur, would it actually make any difference to his professionality if the limo was automatic or manual? So in fact I would argue his professionality came down to his competence and how he treated the passengers. I would say I believe the same applies with photography. 

 

    My next conclusion is the image. Fact, nobody cares about our work! It's harsh it really is, but it's something we need to accept. This again is a huge elitist debate lol. But seriously think about it. If I presented two pictures of a rare bird, both pictures looked really good. One photographer spent days under a camo net outside in the cold and wet. just waiting for that perfect capture to present itself. The other photographer went to the zoo one day, spent 10 mins at the enclosure and got a photo they liked. Does the circumstances of the image really matter? I would argue that to most people, the only thing that matters is the final image produced and the journey leading to that image only matters to the photographer who made the image.

    I also believe there are many aspects to an image and no wrong ways. The camera, the functions, the photographers eye, editing are all tools. I again believe it doesn't matter which combination is used, only the final image.