David Fleet

Me: So lets start with the basics, what’s your full name, age and where can we find you on the web?

David: I’m David Fleet, 29 and you can see my work on my website at www.davidfleetphotography.com

Me: How did you get into photography?

David: I first got into photography during a round the world trip i took after graduating from university. I bought a little compact to take with me, which got lost after a few drinks one night in South Africa but it introduced me to the wonders of capturing the world around us. When I got back from that trip I realised that making images was something I enjoyed and so I started to take a more serious interest to enable me to take better photos.

That eventually lead to me buying my first DSLR (a Canon EOS 450d) and then really immersing myself in everything photographic. I read a lot of books on composition, light and technique so that I could try to better capture the landscape around me and produce images that do it justice.

Me: If it started with a hobby, how did you transition into making money from your work?

David: I knew quite soon that I wanted to make a career of photography and in particular landscape photography so I planned how I would turn professinal quite early on. It took about 3 years of working an office job to buy the right equipment and save money to enable me to move from the midlands upto the Isle of Harris in the Western Isles of Scotland where I have now setup my business producing and selling images of the local landscape.

Me: Wow I admire you for taking the risk and I hope it all pays off, What camera gear do you use?

David: I have been swapping my gear around a bit since moving up here, trying to find what works best and what earns its keep. Right now I’m using a Canon 5D MK2 and have a 40d as backup. My lenses include the Canon EF 17-40mm F4 L, EF 50mm F1,8 and EF 70-200mm F2.8 IS L. I recently sold my EF 24-105mm F4 L lens as I seemed to shoot at the wide end a lot and I find the 17-40 performs better at those focal lengths. Being a landscape photographer you will find me lugging the obligatory tripod around everywhere I go. I find the Manfrotto 055 xprob to be a pretty good combination of sturdy and light enough.

Me: What’s your next camera related purchase going to be? And Why?

David: Well I’m trying to hold off buying anymore kit at the moment until this tourist season has passed so I can guage my finances. Saying that I do have my eye on a Canon TS-E 17mm F4 L tilt shift lens because the ability to shift focus allows for extreme depth of field and the creation of incredibly sharp images. The optical performance on this lense is superb and I’m always looking for ways to improve the quality of my images.

Me: What is your favourite subject / area of photography?

David: Without doubt my favourite subject is the landscape, particularly the Scottish landscape. The weather up here is always changing and its a constant challenge to work in, but it produces the most beautiful light as the weather blows in straight of the Atlantic. I am also developing a passion for black and white photography, it seems to stir a greater emotional response in me than most colour images. It is also a wholly different skill to be able to produce good b&w images without the benefit of colour to get the viewers attention. Composition becomes much more critical and I enjoy this extra challenge.

Me: Other than your website where can we find your work?

David: The website is an important part of my business but I have recently been asked to exhibit my work at a new gallery in Seilebost which is on the west coast of the Isle of Harris. The gallery is going to feature the works of local artists alongside my photography. Il be posting information up on my website when its all finalised. You will also be able to buy some of my images from the visitor centre at Callanish Standing stones which are the Western Isles equivalent to Stone Henge.

Me: What is your favourite photograph from your collection?

David: Its very hard for me to pick a favourite as I change my mind all the time. At the moment I would have to go with The Rocky Shore

The Rocky Shore

Me: Nice shot, Which do you feel is one of your most under-rated photograph?

David: As far as most underated, well thats difficult to say as it is very difficult to rate your own work. I’d have to go with Silky Water as its very different to most of my work and it just feels right somehow.

Silky Water

Me: Again great shot I love the movement in the water. Are there any photographers out there who inspire you who you would like to give a mention to?

David: There are so many photographers out there who’s work blows me away. Everytime I open the pages of Outdoor Photography magazine im amazed. Hans Strand’s images of Scandinavia and Iceland are incredible, they make me want to book a flight and go there now! Helen Dixon is a very talented photographer who has a beautiful collection of coastal images. I couldn’t not mention Joe Cornish and Ian Cameron who both seem to capture the essence of the landscapes they shoot. If I can one day be half as good as these guys I’ll be very happy.

Me: What can we expect to see from you next photography wise?

David: Ill be taking more images of the islands, particularly some locations on the Isle of Lewis. I’ll also be heading to mainland Scotland and England to start taking images there. I will certainly be looking for opportunities to produce more black and white work and I plan to capture the coast here using long shutter speeds and possibly moonlight.

Me: Thanks well that brings us to the end of the interview, thanks for sharing your story with me and I’ll keep an eye on your websites for future updates.

David’s work is available for purchase via his website: www.davidfleetphotography.com

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Jennifer Sarah Woods

An interview with fellow photographer Jenni Woods

Me: Ok question 1. So what’s your full name and flickr ID?

Jenni: if we are being formal..Jennifer Sarah Woods! flickr ID is noodles88

Me: formal is right :p

Jenni: Haha

Me: How did you get into photography?

Jenni: hmmmmm good question. I guess its just something which developed as i became more involved with different media’s in art. My first EVER camera was a really terrible olympus film point and shoot. Then eventually bought a sony cybershot for a holiday to Florida. Then i just became frustrated with the limitations that i had, and didnt understand photography and how a camera worked! That was till i went to uni and was lucky enough to do a workshop with black and white film slrs, and from that point i fell in love with the creativity involved with an slr.

Me: So was that the point you decided to take the leap and get an SLR?

Jenni: yeah there was really only two months between picking that camera up, and getting my olympus dslr. The hardest part for me was deciding between the digital and the film. But the choice was made for me by santa

Me: What gear are you packing at the moment?

Jenni: I have my olympus evolt-410, with the kit lens 14-42mm. I then have my wonderful canon 450d, with the kit lens again 18-55mm, the 17-85mm (which ive fallen in love with) a tamron 70-300mm, a canon 50mm….and thats it really other than my tripod which i have noooo idea what make it is… think i got everything.

Me: How are you finding your kit? Pro’s / Con’s

Jenni: Im really happy now i have the canon. To be honest there isnt alot i can fault with it. After going from the olympus (which i felt was holding me back) to the canon, i just love it to pieces. As a whole the camera is fantastic, image quality, menus etc. But the real selling point for me is canons variety of lenses, already i have been able to purchase a few new lenses. Am trying to think of a con…but as yet i havent had one!! Im sure there will come a day when i will want to upgrade, but for now this suits me fine.

Me: Good answer someones been listening. What’s your next camera related purchase going to be? And Why?

Jenni: Haha…well i would love to reel off a list here, but realistically i hope to get a few new accessories, want a remote as the slowest shutter speed without bulb mode is 30seconds..so want the option of overriding that. I also really really REALLY want the sigma 10-20mm lens, but that involves saving a few pennies first!

Me: How come the sigma 10-20mm is the next lens on your list?

Jenni: Just due to the nature of the photography im shooting at the moment really. Just feel a wide angle is something to add something a bit more dramatic to landscapes and buildings. Seeing as urbex is one of my top favorite things to photograph, i feel its just a lens that would offer me something different from the lenses i have at the moment.

Me: Well its a good choice I’m sure you wont regret it. What is your favourite subject / area of photography?

Jenni: Yeah i hope not Erm well ive always loved the outdoors, and a beautiful landscape is something that no matter who you are always seems captivating. So i do enjoy getting out and about with my camera taking pictures of the middle of nowhere! Perhaps thats because i grew up in wales, where it isnt hard to find the middle of no-where. I also love abandoned buildings, even if it gets me into trouble… Im also starting to experiment with portraits, so linking those with urbex/abandoned places is something which seems to be ticking all the right boxes i suppose!

Me: Yeah? sounds great cant wait to some of your urbex inspired portraits.

Jenni: Me too lol

Me: Where can we find your work? Websites exhibitions etc…

Jenni: At the moment im just on flickr really. I do however have an exhibition going up (if i ever get my arse into gear) thats at my university Leeds college of art and design, from around the 2nd week of june…

Me: Is that going to be open to the public?

Jenni: Y.eah it will be its based in town, to anyone who knows Millenium square its just in a building off that on Vernon Street.

Me: Thats great you shall have to keep me posted with the details and I’ll stick something up on the website…

Jenni: Yeah as soon as i know anything i shall let you know.

Me: Next question… What is your favourite photograph from your collection?

Jenni: Oh dear, im not very good at this! Always pretty critical of my own work..hmmmm

Jenni: Probably that one, just because i love the subject so much.

Me: Great choice I must admit I love this photo.

Jenni: Thanks

Me: Which do you feel is one of your most under-rated photograph?

Jenni: Ooo thats tricky…

Jenni: Its one of my favorites, and yet i never really get anything from it.

Me: Don’t think i had spotted that one myself again nice shot really like the feather at the front reminds me of the old photoshop logo

Jenni: haha yeah it does!

Me: Are there any photographers out there who inspire you who you would like to give a mention to?

Jenni: hmm tricky!!! Back from my fashion routes i used to look at David Lachapelle’s portraits, but really flickr is my biggest inspiration at the moment, I truly believe it is home to some of the best and most underrated photographers! Also one of my favourite subject matters is Urbex so obviously this makes for a tricky situation as its not something that can ever really become famous.

Me: I agree flickr has some great tallent, thats where I draw most of my inspiration these days. What can we expect to see from you next photography wise?

Jenni: well, as mentioned already im working on my end of year exhibition. This is me trying to collaborate my fashion with photography, so im making some garments and then taking them out to an abandoned building for some self portraits. So hopefully if all goes well, this shall be my next instalment of photographs.

Me: great well thanks for agreeing to be the first photographer interviewed for the site dont forget to keep us me informed about that exhibition…

Jenni: No problem and i will do

Links:

Jenni’s Flickr

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