Center Stage~Philipo

[karenc]

Philipo

Early Morning on the River Stour
This image means a lot to me as it was the first time I saw two otters playing in the water and also the first time I ever saw a Kingfisher, plus it was the image that won me my first ever trophy…

Preferences

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

• My camera is a Nikon D300 with a hahnal pro remote control (unable to hand hold as I have a disability more about that later) Manfrotto 055XProb tripod with a Manfrotto 322RC2 head Manfrotto 681B Monopod. Manfrotto 804RC2 tilt & Pan Head (used for landscape work)
  Nikon Speedlight SB-600 flashgun
  Lenses:-  Sigma 1.4-5.6 DC HSM 10-20mm, Nikon  AF NIKKOR 50mm 1:1.8D, Sigma DC 17-70 2.8-4.5 Macro HSM, Tamron SP AF  90mm Macro 1:2.5, Sigma APO DG 70 – 300 1.4 – 5.6
  Filters: - Full set of Cokin P series ND Grads, Grads & sunset filters, circular Polarisers, 55mm & 72mm 7dayshop.com 8 stop grad filters...
  Memory cards: - six 16GB compact flash cards….
  I also use OP/Tec camera neoprene straps on all my cameras and tripods as these help distribute the weight.
  All this equipment is crammed into a Calumet back pack….
  Oh and the most important piece of equipment is my elbow crutches as without these I would not be able to get about, plus my good photography friends who drive me to the various photographic locations.
  

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

• Some consider me to be an expert with natural history photography and most other types of photography but as far as I am concerned I am just a humble keen amateur who enjoys all genera of photography
  

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

• Oh yes many a time I am asked to take the family shots and friends of my wife often ask and the hardest group I had was 10 adults, six children and two dogs, oh what joy that was….the children were ok it was the adults who were the problem…”I don’t want to stand next to her etc.”…

• What is your "Ultimate tip" for beginners?

• Take your time with the composition and try to get the settings correct within the camera and not to rely on Photoshop to put your images right…
  

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

• I would really like to travel to Canada to photograph their Wildlife, Landscape including the Niagara Falls.

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

• I would like to travel back in time to when Nelson Mandela was released from his long time in jail and to cover all the celebrations in the township’s following this…

Amber in the Making
Taken in one of Suffolk Wildlife trusts reserves I used a flash gun hand held to add some side lighting to the sap which in several years’ time will become Amber…

Performance & Plans

• When & how did you get interested in photography?

• I first started taking photograph’s of artefacts whilst being employed as the manager of Swaffham museum with an Olympus compact camera, then on a trip to visit friends living in Cullen North East Scotland,  I started to take photographs of the Scottish landscape and not long after that I purchased a Fuji S9500 Bridge camera and then the photographic seed was planted and after meeting Collis (my wife of 6months) some 7 years ago I joined Ipswich & District Photographic Society and I haven’t looked back since, and my photography has gone on in leaps and bounds…

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

• Because I now have mobility problems I would love to be able to take photographs further away from the car, so an all-terrain motor scooter/buggy (camouflaged) with a long range battery would be top of the list that way, I would then be able to return to my love of natural history photography, Off course a AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR and converters mounted onto the scooter would also help. I would also like to be able to have the resources to set up a wildlife centre totally disabled friendly so fellow disabled photographers could have a try at photographing all types of wildlife… 

• What are your photographic goals?

• My main photographic goal is to remain positive within my photography as my disability at times takes over and I have to adjust how I go about things, also I now have had to change what I photograph plus I would really like to obtain more knowledge on using Photoshop to make creative pieces of work from ordinary images, plus I would like to gain my ADPS Associateship of the Disabled Photographers (same as ARPS)
  

• Have you won any awards for your photography?

• Back in November 2009 I gained my LDPS (Licentiateship of the Disabled Photographers Society) www.disabledphotographers.co.uk   I have had work accepted internationally, nationally and locally and I have won several trophies, medals and cups, these were for photo journalism, natural history, landscapes and creative work
  

• Does your lifestyle influence your photography?

• As I mentioned I have a disability (prolapsed discs, arthritis of the lower spine and hips) this has been with me some 20plus years (now 53) and just in these last three years it has got worse and at times I fall without warning so one could say this lifestyle has changed my photography somewhat. So these past few months I have been trying a new style of photography which is new to me, that being adding two white layers to certain styles of images, this then gives the image a misty effect, of course this is done using Photoshop, but because of this mobility problem I am now trying to take my photographs as close to the car as possible and I am trying to take creative images within camera.

• Are you aiming for a particular achievement right now?

• I am working towards getting photographs accepted into the Ipswich & District Photographic Societies annual exhibition and I am also working towards gaining my ADPS

• Have your photographs ever been published?

• Although being an unpaid amateur several of my photographs have been published, six of my earlier Scottish landscapes were used for a charity calendar, other photographs have appeared in various town council magazines and photographic bulletins and next month my photograph of a little egret with a fish in its beak (see image no3) is being included in the disabled magazine” Possibility” of course now my mobility is limited I am not able to get out and take so many images for publication.

Little Egret catching his lunch
My friend Matt and I were at one of Essex wildlife reserves and we spotted this egret going along the frozen water and I was lucky enough to capture the shot just as it caught a small fish…

Passion

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

• I am really passionate about all wildlife photography and filming I also have a passion for landscapes, as this planet of ours is constantly suffering from the effects of erosion and global warming  and I therefore feel we should do all we can to record the effects of this, at present I am enjoying watching the marvellous programme produced by BBC TV that being “The Frozen Planet” I admire all the guys who spend many hours and days filming and taking those still images that make this programme so good…

• Do you have any famous photographer that you get inspiration from?  If not, where do you look for inspiration?

• I have three famous photographers I get inspiration from, that being Ansell Adams for his black and white photographs, Andy Rouse for his natural history photography and finally Joe Cornish for his Landscape photography….I was lucky to see the two latter photographers presenting their work at the Inner Visions event in Wadhurst (near Hastings UK) back in December….Whow what an evening of good photography that was…

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

• I must say I really enjoy looking at the photographs in the gallery but not one person’s work really stands out above the rest as to me it’s a joy to see everyone attempts at producing a photograph and we can all learn from each other…

• Which Cafe members inspire your photography and why?

• As I previously mentioned all café members’ work I enjoy, as each different photographer brings something different to the table whether it is landscapes, natural history, creative etc. it’s also great to be able to comment and help each other along the way…

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

• The most interesting thing I have photographed is Amber in its early form, as some of you may know Amber is formed from various sap from a tree and whilst I was at Arger Fen (A Suffolk Wildlife Trust Reserve) I saw a large piece of amber coloured sap on the side of a tree trunk, it was back lit and had a small insect in it, I used remote flash gun to add some side light to show the trunk up more and this shot was my first ever international acceptance as it was accepted into the RPS International  projected image exhibition…
  The most boring?  Now that’s got to be group photographs especially with 10 adults, six children and two dogs…lol

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

• I still think film has its place in photography, however I have little experience in using it as it’s now an expensive medium however when I started a freelance photography course my online tutor advised me to purchase an old 35mm camera as he said that way you would learn the correct way to take photographs…but with the digital cameras of today you are able to take your photographs without having to worry about paying for the processing so I will still stick with digital.

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

• Now that’s strange you have asked me this as I have just written a magazine article about this subject. Earlier this year because of all the pain I was in and all the mobility problems associated with it I was in a very dark place within my life despite having my wedding to look forward to…
  I was ready to sell all my kit and give up on photography all together, well not just photography I was just about to give up all together. Thanks to various friends and my now wife Collis I was given a good kick in the backside and I started to think more positive, but it was Irene Froy a photographer who was giving a lecture at Clacton who really got my photographic mojo up and running once more as like me she has mobility problems  and all her work is taken close to the car, it was her positivity that really got me to think, “if I give up my photography I will have given in to my pain” and deep down I’m not really like that…
  

Benacre Broad (Suffolk UK)
Taken using a wide angle lens as I wanted to capture the beauty of the sky and also to show how large the area is…

Practices

• Have you ever taken any classes in Photography

• None what so ever I am totally self-taught, although I have been helped by some more experienced photographers when we go out for a day…
  

• Do you shoot in Manual mode?

• I usually shoot in aperture priority, however now I have various filters I am now starting to learn to use my camera in manual mode as you then have more control when you make your photograph.   
  

• What's your viewpoint on photo editing?

• I’m all for using it although sometimes a heavily manipulated image can look overdone and it ends up looking unreal. But I always try to take my photograph correctly in the camera.
  

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

• When I first started photography I would take hundreds of images, but now I take my time and I am more selective, however when doing natural history photography I tend to use a continuous burst, that way at least one should be sharp, but on average I keep a good 70% of what’s taken.

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

• Oh no!! Some of the best images can be got on overcast and rainy-days and with the waterproof lens and camera covers I have from wildlife watching supplies I am able to photograph in all conditions…mind you, you do need the correct clothing for yourself…

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

• At present the first one would be Landscapes (the highlands in Scotland) and then Natural History of course for me to do this justice I would need better mobility…
  

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

• I think it’s because I feel at home and I’m most relaxed when out in the great outdoors especially when I am close to any water...
  

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

• I really enjoy looking at all the photographs one the Café but my favourites are good  Landscapes

Large White Butterfly (Pieris brassicae)
One of my more successful images, although it’s a common butterfly I really like the composition and again this one has been in several exhibitions

Cullen Bay (Scotland)
Now this place holds a very special place in my heart, it used to be where I went for a sabbatical when I was having hard times but now it’s even more special as it was the place where I got married to Collis back in June last year…

PHILIPO'S Gallery

Many thanks to Philipo 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 Philipo will do his best to give an answer.  When you have done that why not head over to PHILIPO'S Gallery and see the rest of his wonderful work.




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[karenc]

Hope you enjoy being on Center Stage 

[Julie]

Hello Philipo-it's great to see your shots here like this. Your CS made really interesting reading, particularly the way you are tackling your limitations, it will be interesting to watch your progress.
My favourite of all these has to be the amber-you have caught it so beautifully.The Little Egret is a cracking piece of timing!

And so to my question - You have been asked to take a shot which you would find extremely challenging and difficult to capture---what would it be!?

[Zoot]

Nice shots, and very interesting reading!

[RockArea]

Great photography and I find your write up inspirational!

David

[BigAl]

Great write-up and an interesting read, especially about how you are coping with the disability.

My question:
Do you think there is scope for adaptations to photographic equipment to suit yours, and others, disabilities.

[Philipo]

Hello Philipo-it's great to see your shots here like this. Your CS made really interesting reading, particularly the way you are tackling your limitations, it will be interesting to watch your progress.
My favourite of all these has to be the amber-you have caught it so beautifully.The Little Egret is a cracking piece of timing!

And so to my question - You have been asked to take a shot which you would find extremely challenging and difficult to capture---what would it be!?

The shot I would find very chalaging would be anything that is low down for instance any wild flowers or any insects that are hard to get to, I used to photograph butterflies using my 70 - 300 lens and this works well but at the moment this is now difficult as its such a hard job for me to keep up with the subject matter...

[Philipo]

Great write-up and an interesting read, especially about how you are coping with the disability.

My question:
Do you think there is scope for adaptations to photographic equipment to suit yours, and others, disabilities.

Thanks for comment Big Al...I do feel there is scope for adaptations to photogrpahic equipment and as a trustee and a committee memeber of the disabled photographers  society www.disabledphotographers.co.uk we work alongside companies who are adaptating equipment to suit indavidual requirments and if any disabled person becomes a paid up memeber these adaptations are on a free loan for the period of their membership....

At present we have manffrotto adaaptations that clamp onto wheelchairs and various other mecanisims for using a camera if the person has no use of thier arms etc...

[Plossl]

Nice to see you in Centre Stage Phil.......................I recognise some of your locations 

 

[Philipo]

So you should mate as you are a fellow Suffolk guy, I am now doing more landscape work as a good friend is taking me out and she has sold me her Cokin P-series filters as they did not fit her full frame Nikon...we went to Tollesbury yesterday and I have some stunning raw files to process....

[busybee]

It's very inspiring to see your photos Philipo and I'm so glad that you haven't given up on photography! I think your landscape photographs are beautiful. 

I know that you love the great outdoors but given your mobility issues, would you consider shooting inanimate objects in a studio setup?

[Philipo]

It's very inspiring to see your photos Philipo and I'm so glad that you haven't given up on photography! I think your landscape photographs are beautiful. 

I know that you love the great outdoors but given your mobility issues, would you consider shooting inanimate objects in a studio setup?

Thanks for your kind words...

This is something I am now working on as my good friend has a small indoor studio and in a few weeks time we are having a talk at my photography club www.idps.org.uk it is entitled "inexpensive still life within the home"

I have also been given a hide that is suitable for disabled persons and I am hoping to set this up in my small town garden and then photograph the birds on different feeding stations, I am also thinking of getting a moth trap and then photograph the traped species on certain types of wood and foilage before releasing them back into the wild...

[busybee]

Great ideas Philipo, I'm sure that your information and suggestions will be helpful to others too. 

How's this for an inexpensive set up - Today I shot some macro subjects just in front of the window, on a bit of black velvet.  I stuck a bit of baking parchment to the window to diffuse the sunlight, and a white envelope to bounce back a bit of light. You can see the results in the current Macro challenge http://www.photography-cafe.com/forum/index.php?topic=16822. It's great to have lights and so on, but being able to make the most of what's to hand is very convenient!