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Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 11:09 am Post subject: Under the Spotlight - Simonzphotoz
Full Name - Simon Harrison
1) What gear do you use?
Nikon D70
Af Nikkor 28-80 G
Sigma 70-300 D 1:4-5.6 APO DG
Nikon remote release Manfrotto 055CLB
Manfrotto 488RC2 head and quick release
Lowepro Nova 3 AW
A few filters, memory cards and other bits.
2) What got you interested in photography?
In 2005 my girlfriend and I went travelling round the world. I had only a small Nikon APS that I felt wasn't giving me the results that I wanted, I felt that I wasn't doing the amazing scenery and the stunning sights justice with my small point and shoot. So as we passed through Singapore I went shopping and bought the D70, and from then I haven't looked back.
3) Do you have a favourite category of photography and if so, what is it?
I am not too specific on a category, I will take pictures of anything that interests me. But if I sift through my library the majority of it seems to be Floral Macro work, which I really enjoy, so perhaps that would be my favourite.
4) What is your most memorable photographic experience to date?
I think it would have to be the day about three months ago that I was just browsing through the PM websites readers selection and spotted one of mine on there.
5) Do you like to manipulate pictures? Or do you prefer them as a true record of the event? What is your view on Photo manipulation?
I personally like my shots to be unaltered. I like to think that I take a picture because the view or subject is perfect the way it is and I want to keep a record of that moment. However, that is seldom the reality and I nearly always tweak levels and contrasts just to bring the most out of the image. My view on photochopping is that it is and art form in itself to a certain degree, take creators for example, we've all seen what he can do with an image!! I wish I had the time and the patience to spend more time tweaking my images but I seem to never have it.
6) What, if any, are your photographic ambitions for the future?
I have a few I guess, I would love to sell an image. I will at some point, sort out my web site so that they are available to buy. But the ones that are closer to being accomplished are -
I want to win a trophy within my Photographic Club next season.
And take more pictures....
Now for Simon's favourite Five:
Lake Mahinapua.
This was take whilst travelling two years ago. We were camper vanning it around New Zealand and stop at a pub for the night. This was the view that greeted me first thing in the morning. It is my all time favourite shot, and was simply being in the right place at the right time.
Oz Flower.
Not even sure what it is, or where I took it in Australia. It just came out rather well.
Pebble Stack.
This was one of those messing around shots that actually came out well. I was sat on a beach in Pembrokeshire and trying to get some pictures of the water with that funny misty quality but didn't have the appropriate filters to extend the exposure. Anyhow, I got bored and built this and snapped it.
The Drip.
This took ages...nearly 150 shots later and I got the one I wanted. However, after seeing Adams and taking a good look at it, I think it needs a rethink cos the colour is dull and needs sorting.
White Rose.
I am the worst for getting motivated about taking photo's, I'll go for weeks and the suddenly get the urge. I was at the mother in laws and decided to go in the garden. It was a beautiful sunny day and I have no idea how I manage to get this shot to turn out like it did. I had a look at the view finder and they were all under exposed but instead of deleting and starting again I decided to see what they looked like on the computer. The wonders of RAW hey...
Many thanks Simon for sharing that with us.
If you would like to see more of Simon's work then check out his website See Here.
OK the floors now open, do you have any questions you'd like to ask Simon?
If so post them below. _________________
Hi Simon, great spotlight and thanks for doing it. You raised this when I was up the other weekend and mention it again here... so what would winning a trophy do or mean for you, and where does that go, is it a one off thing or is it an important motivator for you? I'm sure I have an aging hippy thing going on here, that I just do not understand the motivation around the whole comp thing. And.. do you think striving for that level of excellence inhibits your general photography? _________________
Simon,
'Lake Mahinapua' is a stunning capture - I'd be incredibly happy to have that in my portfolio. I can't begin to imagine what a wonderful sight that must have been to wake to! _________________ see my photography at john.seelbinder.org
so what would winning a trophy do or mean for you, and where does that go, is it a one off thing or is it an important motivator for you?...I just do not understand the motivation around the whole comp thing. And.. do you think striving for that level of excellence inhibits your general photography?
Hi Keith,
For me winning a trophy would be a recognition of the quality of my photo's, or photo. Essentially, I suppose it is a feel good thing, I don't need it, but it makes me feel good, so I'll strive to achieve it. In order for me to win a trophy I not only have to win several competitions I have to achieve a certain score or be nominated for the award. Within my photo club there is a small group of us that are at the top of the intermediates group, or a small minority that consistently come in the top 8. Within that there is some friendly competition growing, which I think is healthy and motivates you to take better pictures.
No I don't, I take pictures because I love taking them. If I happen to pull it all out of the bag and all the factors add up to a great shot then that shot will get entered into a competition. I think that everyone strives for a certain level of excellence, I find that the competition side of it motivates me to go out and take new photo's and seeing what other people produce gives me ideas for what I am going to try in the future, it also is a good places to see what works and what doesn't.
Competition photography is very different to just taking photo's for enjoyment at home or on your computer, it has to have great composition, lighting, interest and all the 'rules' that the judges have to look for. Some of the photo's I take because I like them, others I take because they make a good competition entry. Much the same as you would look at something completely differently if you were taking an image in mono instead of colour.
Thanks Evo, right place at the right time. It was rather a good thing to wake up to, especially since we didn't know it was there. _________________ The sun cannot set,
Because you are not here,
To see it,
The day cannot end,
It can't be right,
That night will come,
Without you.
Thanks Simon, yep, one of the things I thought about after our get together was the criteria for a comp shot as against say general portrait work. If I am doing portraits I am not striving for award winning shots (such a shot would be a surprise bonus, kind of thing), just 'good' shots. Because I am moving towards making a living from photography and image enhancement, there are a lot of thoughts going on about the motivation behind shots for me right now. So thanks for your answer, I appreciate it. _________________
No worries Keith. _________________ The sun cannot set,
Because you are not here,
To see it,
The day cannot end,
It can't be right,
That night will come,
Without you.
any favourite photographers out there that inspire you?
Thanks Dave, by photographers I presume you meant famous ones, and to that I would have to say no. There are some amazing ones out there and every now and again I have a look through their stuff, but there isn't one perticular person that I like.
However, as corny as it sounds I do get a lot of inspiration from the members of this forum. I find your HDR work and Adams portraiture very inspirational and Carl's macro stuff is something to aspire to. So if there are any that do, I think its you guys. (and on three . . . Ahhhhh!!) _________________ The sun cannot set,
Because you are not here,
To see it,
The day cannot end,
It can't be right,
That night will come,
Without you.
Nice photos and must say you have inspired me to go out and get some landscapes especially with your Lake Mahinapua. Im a bit spoilt really take a trip down the road and i can see landscapes like that living here in kiwi land take it a bit for granted really so i think this weekend i will head off and see if i can find some nice landscapes to take.
I'm glad that i have inspired you DK, I am very jealous, you have some of the most beautiful scenary that I have ever seen. Get clicking and show us some of your amazing country. _________________ The sun cannot set,
Because you are not here,
To see it,
The day cannot end,
It can't be right,
That night will come,
Without you.
Has noone got anything they want to ask me, my month of fame is nearly up.
News my end, had my sisters wedding over the weekend and was asked to take lots of informal shots, I have tomorrow off work so am going to sift through the rubbish and find the good shots. I'm sure someones got something to quiz me about... _________________ The sun cannot set,
Because you are not here,
To see it,
The day cannot end,
It can't be right,
That night will come,
Without you.
Yes, but only just, the journey took a little longer than expected due to one fuel stop, one food stop, one sleep stop and two vomit stops!! beaut. She's fine now, giving me abuse again so its all back to normal!! _________________ The sun cannot set,
Because you are not here,
To see it,
The day cannot end,
It can't be right,
That night will come,
Without you.
Thanks Norwell. I agree, its also surprising how often you miss something that is right under your nose, or in this case my feet. _________________ The sun cannot set,
Because you are not here,
To see it,
The day cannot end,
It can't be right,
That night will come,
Without you.
out of a portfolio of nearly 6000 shots those are the best five of the top ten, so feel free to be inspired. but i think i was kinda lucky with some of them... _________________ The sun cannot set,
Because you are not here,
To see it,
The day cannot end,
It can't be right,
That night will come,
Without you.
Thanks BB, much appreciated. _________________ The sun cannot set,
Because you are not here,
To see it,
The day cannot end,
It can't be right,
That night will come,
Without you.
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Hands down, Pebble Stack is the best photo I have seen on this forum so far! Wow! Really love it! It looks almost 3d! Fab! Bravo!!! 