Center Stage~Willpower

[karenc]

Willpower

Resting 
In the dappled sunlight of late summer, a wheel rests.

Preferences

• What camera gear do you currently use, and what will be your next piece of camera kit?

• I currently use a Canon 40D. It was my first DSLR and suits me well. I have managed to get a range of lenses ranging from a 100mm Macro to a Sigma 50-500 so I can just about cover all my needs.  My carry around lens is a Sigma 18-200mm that is always on the camera and copes with most of the photography opportunities I throw at it. My next piece of kit?  I thought a 5D MkIII would be nice. But then I woke up.
  

• Are you considered an expert at any aspect of photography?

• An expert?  No way ! I am my own worst critic. I will agonise over two almost identical images looking at details to make a decision over which one is better.  It would be presumptuous of me to consider myself an expert.  I try hard to do the best I can.
  
  If that creates images that people like then I'm happy.

• Are you considered the 'go to' person for family shots and friendly portraits?

• Yep !  That's me. My poor suffering family have long endured my paparazzi tendencies and have now given up trying to hide. I always have my camera handy at every family function and have now become the “official “ family photog.  I love doing candid shots; people are far more natural if they forget you are there. It worries me sometimes that I am getting too adept at hiding round corners. 

• What is your "Ultimate tip" for beginners?

• Patience.  Don't hurry a shot. A few moments of consideration spent before pressing the shutter is always worth the time. The results will give you much more satisfaction.
  
  
  
  

• What would be your dream location, if you had the choice?

• The Amazon jungle.  I'm intrigued by the variety and beauty of the flora and the diversity of the wildlife . It is one of the most spectacular places to see so many creatures in their natural habitat and what is more incredible is,there are still more to be discovered. .

• If you had the opportunity to travel back in time what person or event would you like to photograph

• Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. I was fortunate enough to visit China last year, during which time I saw his Terracotta Army. He was a warrior king and not always a nice guy, but he had the power and the vision to make things happen. He was very controversial but must have been fascinating to be with.
  
  

We stand ready
A study of the Terracotta Army at Xian China

Performance & Plans

• When & how did you get interested in photography?

• I have been interested in photography since I was about 8. I was given a bellows type camera by my Grandfather (I still have it). I joined the RAF at 16 and wanted to be a photographer. That never happened and I ended up doing something else. The bug then lay dormant for many years, but I'm trying to make up for it now.
  
  
  

• If you had unlimited resources, what aspect of photography would you have a go at?

• I would love to do aerial photography from a powered hang glider or micro light. The freedom would be exceptional.  My “coffee table book” is Earth From Above, by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. Absolutely stunning.  I have always been keen to try and see to see things from a different point of view and am often seen in the most awkward positions trying to get the shot.
  
  There again perhaps I'm just weird. 

• What are your photographic goals?

• Simple. To get better at taking the images that people enjoy viewing. To bring something new and fresh to the community. I strive for constant improvement. I'm sure my camera's shutter mechanism will wear out long before my urge to get better.

• Have you won any awards for your photography?

• I have not entered any of my pictures into competition, except on Photography Cafe. I am still striving to get good enough to compete.

• Does your lifestyle influence your photography?

• Very much so.  Having just retired, I now find I have more time to get out in the countryside. There I find so much variety from Wildlife to Landscapes to catch my imagination. I have also had the time to concentrate more on studio work at home. Having more freedom, I try to take some pictures every day looking for that elusive “trademark image” that defines my style.

• Are you aiming for a particular achievement right now?

• I am trying to use less post processing. It has been a crutch for my bad habits during my very early days of digital. Now is the time to try and get it right without so much assistance.

• Have your photographs ever been published?

• Amazingly yes. BusyBee was kind enough to use some of my images in a recipe book that she published (available now on your I-pad. Can I have my referral fee now please Belinda ?)
  I also received a letter from a church fellowship organisation that had seen one of my pictures on Flickr. It was later listed in their photographic catalogue of churches.
  

Frosty Fingers
On the crystal clearness of a winters morning, the frost created magical designs on the trees.

Passion

• About what aspect of photography do you feel most passionate?

• I am passionate about all photography. Seeing the skill of other photographers spurs me on and gives me new ideas. They don't always work, but hey!  it's fun trying.

• Do you get inspiration from the pictures in the Gallery?

• Yes I do. There are so many accomplished photographers in the Cafe that it would be unfair to single any particular person out, but there are some incredible and inspirational images. Often I see an image, of which I have something similar in my library but it has been treated differently. This makes me revisit my picture, to see if I could improve it.
      On a slightly different subject, my list of “must visit” locations is getting considerably longer.

• What is the most interesting thing you've ever shot? The most boring?

• I find everything interesting because I am just inquisitive; therefore, to me almost all I shoot comes into that category. Life is a wonder and everything that goes on in it is special. There is always something new to see. I think my most boring shot was a patch of mud. But that was later used as a texture layer and became integral to the finished composition.

• As a digital photographer, would you ever go back to film and if not, why not?

• I am totally hooked on Digital. I can never see me returning to film. Mostly due to the freedom of not being limited to a set number of frames.  On a walk/cycle I will often take over 100 images (trying to get it right,as above) To be restricted by changing film cartridges would just be a tribulation to me. 

• Have you ever been so frustrated with the hobby that you wanted to quit?

• There have been times when I could just not get it right. But I have never been pushed to the point of abandoning photography.  I'm too stubborn to let it beat me.

Bob
A study of character. The silver grey hair shouted out for B & W conversion.

Practices

• Have you ever taken any classes in Photography

• I had a wonderful and very productive time in France with Graham & Belinda Berry (BusyBee) on one of their Images of France courses. The week spent with them was awesome and inspirational. I came away with a totally new concept of photography, which has driven me in all my photographic endeavours ever since. And the food was brilliant too.
  
  
  

• Do you shoot in Manual mode?

• Sometimes. I generally use either Aperture or Shutter Priority depending on the subject. I never use Auto.

• What's your viewpoint on photo editing?

• Most reading this will already know the answer to this.  I am a great believer of post processing. There are die hards who scoff at using Photoshop et al, but I have a credo in my sig line.
  
   Vision - It reaches beyond the thing that is, into the conception of what can be. Imagination gives you the picture. Vision gives you the impulse to make the picture your own..
  
  Photo editing is part of today's photography.  In my opinion the scope it lends to creating new images and the techniques it provides, far outweigh the condemnation it receives.

• In a normal session, how many photos do you take and how many would you expect to keep?

• That depends on the subject and location. I have been out walking for a couple of hours and only taken 4 shots. At the other end of the scale, when you know you will unlikely return to a place, the shutter actuation's rack up. On my visit to China I took over 700 shots per day for 10 days.  Retention is another thing. I will discard any out of focus or appalling exposure shots and keep everything else. I have 2 x 1 terabyte hard drives of pictures and countless back up DVDs

• Do you cancel outside shoots on overcast days, or go and shoot the misery instead?

• Never. Overcast skies do not affect close up work and I have also seen some wonderful rain reflection shots which I can never seem to get right.  Lack of colour is not a restriction. Black & White conversion can result in some stunning images.

• If you could only shoot one style of photography, what would it be and what would be your second choice?

• Hard one.  I love travel and documentary type photography. Macro and Nature would be my alternative choice.      Do I really have to choose? ? ? ?   

• Why do you concentrate on your favorite subject matter eg birds landscapes etc

• The answer to that is I don't. My photography is eclectic in the broadest sense of the word. Everything is my favourite. I always try to get interesting shots whatever the subject.  However for some obscure reason I do seem to take a lot of architectural shots.

• What are your favourite photos on the Cafe and why?

• I appreciate and enjoy the images created by Cafe members from all over the world. Places I shall probably never see, brought to my desktop by enthusiasts like myself and displayed for the enjoyment of others.  I also relish seeing new techniques. I am always looking for new ideas and there are some very clever people around.

Leave me alone
How only a cat, can give you such a disapproving stare.

The Village Ford
Taken in the picturesque village of Kersey in Suffolk

Willpower's Gallery

Many thanks to Willpower for giving us some insights into his photographic life.  We would appreciate seeing any other questions you would like to ask him   Please post them here and Willpower will do his best to give an answer.  When you have done that why not head over to Willpower's Gallery and see the rest of his wonderful work.

• Thank you for taking the time to read this. I wish you all the very best on your photographic journey through life.  You only have one chance, make the most of it, this is not a rehearsal.
  Willpower 

[Zoot]

Congratulations on Center Stage Willpower!  Fascinating reading, and stunning photographs!

[BigAl]

Great read!

In the sad old days of film we had a small stack of prints (possibly in an album or two) that would get taken around from place to place and shown repeatedly. But with 2Tb of picture storage there is obviously a big percentage that will never get seen by anyone else but you.
Do you have a print collection that gets a regular (or occasional) viewing by others?

[Willpower]

Thankyou  Al.
The fact that I have so much storage on Hard Drive, is down to just not having time within my lifestyle, to get them printed. Plus as I my photography has evolved, a lot of earlier shots are now in my opinion not worthy of dusting off and printing. However I am a photographic hoarder and don't throw anything away.
I have recently joined a well established Photographic Society who have regular competitions and exhibitions which require printed display entries. So I guess I shall be printing off a few more these days.
With regard to viewing, being a digital medium, I have only used my laptop, or have created a DVD to present my work.

[Willpower]

Thank you for your comments Zoot.  Much appreciated

[RockArea]

Hi Graham

It's good to find out more about you and great to see your images featured here.

It's clear from your words and your gallery that your Photoshop skills are extensive. I wonder how you came to acquire these skills? Are you self-taught or have you done any training?

David

[Willpower]

Hi David
Thank you for your comments. My "skills" and I use the word guardedly, in Photoshop are all self taught. I have never been able to attend, nor in fact afford, any courses or lessons dedicated to Photoshop.

Much the same as the process of actually taking a photograph, learning how to manipulate one in post processing I find is very much a case of trial and error. You try, but make mistakes. It all depends on how determined you are and how much patience you have.  But through those mistakes you learn and improve.


Graham

[jane_t]

Hi Graham, other than the Amazon are there other places on your "must visit" list?

[Willpower]

Hi Jane

How long have you got  ?   

The list is already impossibly long and getting longer every time I see a beautiful image on Photography Cafe.
I was just stunned by your pictures of Morocco. I have been to Egypt and saw some wonderful things.

Unfortunately you have to come to terms with your dreams and do whatever you can. So my list has to be brutally cut.      Given the time and my good health I would wish India to be my next adventure.

[jane_t]

Thanks,   I have not been to India or China yet,  but they are no my list too.  I really enjoyed Morocco and Tunisia. Iceland from where I have just returned (as if you could not guess) was stunning, but we really tried to do too much in a single week.

Did you do an organised tour in China? Any recommendations?

[RonP]

Hi Graham, Congratulations on Centre Stage, a great read and a good selection of images.
Really like your conversion to B&W of Bob.

[Willpower]

Thanks Ron
I appreciate your time looking.

[Chocky]

Congratulations Graham on you centre stage.  I got so carried away with reading it I forgot to comment and went out
Well here I am. What can I say . Great write up and excellent photographs. Well done

[Willpower]

Thanks Chocky. Glad you enjoyed it.

[busybee]

Hi Graham,
Just catching up and delighted to see you on Centre Stage. Thanks for mentioning me  - twice (def a discount next time round!).
It's fantastic to know that our course here helped and inspired you and now you are doing the same for others.

[Seven_Wishes]

The 5D Mark III ... set your sights higher the 1D-X is a better dream to have ... LOL
In all seriousness an interesting read and excellent set of photographs to accompany it ... congratulations on your Centre Stage moment

[branny]

Congrats on your Centre stage appearance. You obviously enjoy your photography and you are producing some super stuff.Your portrait of Bob is outstanding.
Danny

[Willpower]

Thanks Ed,  if only LOL    Thankyou too Branny.  I appreciate the kind comments from both of you as experienced photographers creating marvellous images of your own.