A PRIZE, NO SURPRISE

August 25, 2018

I started photography so that I could have a creative outlet. This is and always will be my main priority for creating images. However I am human and I have to admit it's nice to get some sort of recognition for my work.

It was with this in mind that I submitted three images in a local competition and was delighted with my portrait entry winning that category. The fact that the judge was a renowned local portrait photographer added to my delight.

But I wasn’t overly surprised with a win. That might sound conceited or self-indulgent but it isn’t. I submitted entries that I thought represented some of my best work. As a new photographer it is vital that you build up a sense of self-worth and confidence with your work. That is not to say that you should believe all your work is perfect. You have to become your own best critic and weed out poor examples of your work and only let your best speak for you.

This is also important when letting your images represent you on social media such as Facebook or Instagram. Your uploaded images will form the viewer’s perception of you as a photographer. You only have one chance to make a first impression

My entry was a portrait of my niece Lauren on her first communion day. I was also pleased that my image of Killinthomas Woods got mentioned as a notable entry.

Making an exhibition of myself

August 19, 2018

2017 was a big year for me and my photography. In May 2017 I held my first photography exhibition which I called ‘Local through a Lens’. The subjects of my images were local landscape photographs from my hometown of Edenderry.

Ok so the venue might be just the local library but I had a chance to fulfil an ambition that I had for a few years.

I would highly recommend the experience to any upcoming photographer. Some people might think it is self-indulgent but if you believe in your work you are more than entitled to celebrate it.

I enjoyed every moment from deciding on which images to use, organising the venue, sorting out the opening night and finally hanging the photographs. Stressful yes, but good stress and definitely worth it.

To see my work hanging in public was an amazing feeling.

Finding my feet

August 19, 2018

I think one of the major emotions any new photographer has is self-doubt about their work and I was not an exception.

It was amazing getting ‘likes’ for photographs posted on Facebook but often in the back of my mind I was wondering if people were just been polite so as not to hurt my feelings.

It takes a lot of self-belief and developing a mind set over time that you must take photographs for yourself first and foremost. If you are happy with your work and you have created the image as you wanted it then photography has worked.

However one of the greatest boosts to my confidence as a fledgling photographer was when other visual artists drew inspiration from my work and asked to us one of my images as a subject for their paintings.

This has happened on a number of occasions and each time I am approached by an artist for permission to use one of my images I am as humbled and appreciative as the very first time it happened.

The journey begins....

August 19, 2018

I bought my first camera, a Nikon D3600, about 5 years ago and that’s when my journey into the art, science and creativity of photography began.

I can’t remember making a conscious decision to start photography. I do know that I wanted a creative outlet. I did write poetry but that was personal and not for public consumption.

I could not play a musical instrument despite owning a guitar for the last 20 plus years. I didn’t have the patience to sit at a canvas for days, weeks or months but I knew my creativity bent was going to be visual.

My camera arrived by courier and I remember ripping it from the packaging and rushing out to the back garden to start my photography adventure and been immediately disappointed and frustrated. My initial images were too dark, too bright or out of focus. I had not bothered learning even the basics about aperture, shutter speed or ISO.

As a profession I am an educator and am in my element standing in front of a class of students sharing my knowledge and experiences. I am a horrible, horrible student. I knew taking photography classes was not for me. I gave it a try and it just didn’t work out.

However the glory that is Youtube and the abundance of its photography tutorial videos became my university. Time spent soaking in the knowledge coupled with lots of trial and error led to where I am today.

As an educator I believe in how important learning is. As a photographer I am still learning. I never want to stop learning