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       Mikes Photography Forum Index -> Members Under the Spotlight!
Venom

Under the Spotlight - hil26

Full Name - Dave Hilton

1) What gear do you use?

Nikon D200
Nikon Speedlight SB800
Nikon kit lens - 18-70
Sigma 50-500 zoom
Sigma 105 Macro
Sigma 70-200 f2.8
Manfrotto 190pro tripod
3+, 4+ close up lenses
1.4 Kenko teleconverter
Polarising filter
ND filter - Cokin P holder

2) What got you interested in photography?

Always loved looking at landscape and wildlife images and wanted to be able to take similar pictures from an early age, but money was tight at home in my early years, did a bit at the youth club with their kit but only managed to get hold of a good camera when I married. Managed to build up my kit to a decent standard, Chinon manual SLR - wanted to learn about exposures etc, number of lens electronic off camera flash) and went to sell it to upgrade. A "friend" borrowed it to see if it was what he wanted, never got it returned and money was tight so could not re-invest.Time passed and cheap cameras came and went, finally got a decent one Olympus camedia 1.3Mp, images are very good, and my father is still using it. Wanted an SLR but went for the prosumer Fuji S5000 great camera and images BUT shutter lag was a problem, traded it in for D70 and now thats been traded up to the D200 which will be with me for a while now. - and now I am still learning about exposures etc, will get it right one day and this forum is helping me down that route..

3) Do you have a favourite category of photography and if so, what is it?

Favourite category I suppose is landscape, closely followed by wildlife - why, most likely because I am in a world of my own when out and about taking everything in. There are times I take the camera, but don't take any images due to me listening to what is going on around me. You will see that most of my images do not contain people, I am not what I call a people person image taker, its alien to me, although I am trying to change a little in that direction. I just love reading how the wildlife photographers go out to capture their images. I admire most landscape photographers for their dedication is taking years, sometimes, to get that image.

4) What is your most memorable photographic experience to date?

Going on a landscape photography course in the Peak District - as it was the first time I have been out and about with professional photographers. I learnt a lot, although I have still to put it into practise properly.

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 have no problems with image manipulation if its done to improve the image, after all, film photographers were doing it first in the darkroom.

6) What, if any, are your photographic ambitions for the future?

Like everyone I suppose, sell some, get something in a magazine - we can dream

Now for Dave's favourite Five -

5 favourite images - difficult...
I always think of my pictures as memories and they may not be the best images to be had, but the memories are great.

In no particular order:

First one - banner drive, near Waterford - lunchtime in Ireland and this
scene unfolded in front of me, the boat was moving around on the tide
and I waited until it came into position.



Second one - Boats on Bowness, Went out early morning, no people around, mist on the lake, no wind .... BLISS



Third - Millennium Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne - Weekend break, early
morning sunrise



Fourth - Water and leaf - taken during my landscape photography course,
just loved the way the leaves were held in place



Fifth - Reeds, had to include this one, as its now on canvas hanging on
the lounge wall



Many thanks Dave for sharing that with us.
If you would like to see more of Dave's work then check out his website See Here
OK the floors now open, do you have any questions you'd like to ask Dave?
If so post them below.
Simonzphotoz

Wow, thanks Dave, those images are fantastic. Really love the newcastle one and the reeds.

thanks for sharing...
Venom

Yeh I think the Newcastle bridge shot is great, can't remember seeing this one before. Nice spotlight Dave many thanks for sharing.
hil26

thanks
derek

The boat shot is stunning. Very Happy And the Newcastle sunrise too. Very Happy
Blue

Hi Hil!

First of all, I want to say that as I write this, I am enjoying a Newcastle Brown Ale, the label of which features the very same bridge that you have showcased here! I thought that was a neat coincidence.

Secondly, I have a question for you about cameras. I will soon be purchasing a DSLR, and I either want the Nikon D80 or the D200. Since you have had both (or close enough for government work)... do you think it would be worth it for me to invest in the D200 over the D80? What, primarily, do you feel are the advantages of the 200 over the 80?

Third (more on a personal note, if you don't mind), what is your (non-photography) day-job? Other interests?

Fourth, I think your website is great. Have you found having a website to be a good means of selling your work? Was it hard to set up?

Fifth, how has it been going with the picture library?

Sixth, it seems like the vast majority of your work is shot outside. I know you had mentioned that you got some studio lights, so I was wondering if you had been doing any work with those lately, and how you liked them?

I hope this wasn't too many questions. Feel free to pick and choose what you answer. Very Happy
hil26

Blue wrote:
Hi Hil!

First of all, I want to say that as I write this, I am enjoying a Newcastle Brown Ale, the label of which features the very same bridge that you have showcased here! I thought that was a neat coincidence.

Secondly, I have a question for you about cameras. I will soon be purchasing a DSLR, and I either want the Nikon D80 or the D200. Since you have had both (or close enough for government work)... do you think it would be worth it for me to invest in the D200 over the D80? What, primarily, do you feel are the advantages of the 200 over the 80?

Third (more on a personal note, if you don't mind), what is your (non-photography) day-job? Other interests?

Fourth, I think your website is great. Have you found having a website to be a good means of selling your work? Was it hard to set up?

Fifth, how has it been going with the picture library?

Sixth, it seems like the vast majority of your work is shot outside. I know you had mentioned that you got some studio lights, so I was wondering if you had been doing any work with those lately, and how you liked them?

I hope this wasn't too many questions. Feel free to pick and choose what you answer. Very Happy


Thanks Blue

To answer your questions
Not too sure about the D80 but the reasons I chose to go from D70 to D200 were - d70 needed a lot of controls to be set by the menu selection rather than on camera (manual/auto/continuous focus for example) and the body is more robust - its weathersealed magnesium alloy, its quicker also - only gripe between the two - battery life - D70 was brilliant - D200 not so, but have managed so far with only 2 batteries, but I do make sure that they are both fully charged before venturing out, got caught once and lost some picture taking time. Keith can probably give a better low down on the D80

Day job - I am a Building Surveyor by profession, which is why a lot of my images are taken during lunchtime and travelling. Other interests, which go well with be enthusiastic with photography are walking and birdwatching (I'm no BIll Oddie - just like being outside)

Thanks for your comments on the website - unfortunatelly none sold from there - haven't really promoted it - living in hope. It was real easy to set up as it done by the host - have a look at clicpik ( www.clicpik.com) you can see how its all done for free and its relatively cheap.

Picture library - viewing of the images is gaining momentum - again living in hope that a sale will come soon.

Studio lights - I don't have, I am hoping to borrow some soon, so I can see if its a direction I would like to take - I have family members wanting portraits - might be cheaper to hire a studio for a couple of hours - if I can find one reasonably local to all those who want images taken.

Many thanks for the interest and questions.
Blue

Thanks for answering all my (many) questions!

I guess I thought you had some new lights because of those portraits of you and your grandson... but now looking back I see that you were using your flash. Smile
creators

Great spotlight Dave and good to see you up there. I recall our first forum meet while you were on your landscape course, or immediately after, and you were still buzzing from it, and a top bit of advice that I shall never forget, 'use a tripod whenever and where possible'. That has rung home a lot over the past few months, when I consider how much shake I get if I try to use the camera for close work, it's still there on landscapes, just disguised by distance.

Do you think that your interest (landscape and nature) might change when you aren't travelling as much as you do now, or does that do it for you? When you do portrait work is that because others want you to but it doesn't really float your boat?

Interesting what you said about people in photographs, When I am out and about I avoid getting people in the shots like the plague, but do enjoy doing people shots in the studio. I just wondered if, like me, that's about being wary of peoples reactions. because that really bothers me?

Aside for Blue - I really regret getting the D80, I am so not happy with it. We can pick that up elsewhere if you want to discuss it.

And lastly, a thank you, you are such a strength on the forum. All the best mate. Keith.
hil26

creators wrote:


Do you think that your interest (landscape and nature) might change when you aren't travelling as much as you do now, or does that do it for you? When you do portrait work is that because others want you to but it doesn't really float your boat?


Don't think my interest in Landscape will wane, its been with me from schooldays when I was in our Natural History Club - the travelling was a bonus but don't think I will miss it too much, getting used to sleeping in my own bed all week now, rather than 2 nights in hotels. In addition, the part of the world I live in is just glorious , house is just 200 yards from the promenade and 25 minutes from the bottom of Snowdon.

Portraits have never really interested me up to now, its probably me, maybe even the fact that I don't have any "volunteers" - grandson apart. Having said that I am getting interested as a result of seeing some marvellous portraits on here, which is why I going to give it a try and see how I get on. Comfort zone is about to get tried out

creators wrote:

Interesting what you said about people in photographs, When I am out and about I avoid getting people in the shots like the plague, but do enjoy doing people shots in the studio. I just wondered if, like me, that's about being wary of peoples reactions. because that really bothers me?


Have to agree, not happy, very conscious of people and their reactions

creators wrote:

And lastly, a thank you, you are such a strength on the forum. All the best mate. Keith.


Thanks Keith, much appreciated
pasvorto

I will have to say my favorite is ther leaf and water. I like the abstract quality of it.
Evolution104

Hi Dave,
As Keith has already said, thanks for being a stalwart member of the forums. Always here to help, guide and share.

I really like your Boats on Bowness - amazingly, it's nearly identical to a 35mm film photo I took nearly 15 years ago Shocked of neighbors' moored sailboats on Upper Saranac Lake in the Adirondacks. Brings back a lot of warm, sentimental, memories.

Cheers, John
GREENWIZARD

#2 ...very tranquil

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