Page 3 - GRW Wilderness Photographer 2021

| 35
MEET THE JUDGES
Ryan De Dominicis GRW: As a judge in the Wilderness
Photographer of the Year comp what are you looking for in a stand- out image?
I’m a big fan of images
with lots of drama. I love dramatic light, weather conditions and a sense of scale of the surroundings in outdoor images. I will also be looking for a well-composed image that draws the viewer in and keeps them interested.
GRW: What advice would you give to get good photos WITHOUT a tripod? Personally, I rarely use a tripod. I often find them to be restricting. When shooting without a tripod, take advantage of the freedom and move around. Experiment with different compositions and angles. Make sure to keep your shutter speed nice and fast to avoid camera shake and don’t be scared to bump your ISO up. Most modern cameras can handle high ISO shooting surprisingly well.
Stephanie Vella
GRW: What are you
looking for in a stand- out image?
I am looking for an image that tells a story, something that can convey the mood
and emotion of a scene through the composition and creative choices made by the photographer. Images stand out when they have a unique perspective which evokes emotion and helps draw your audience through your scene and subject.
GRW: What’s the best time of day to shoot in the wilderness?
It really depends on the scene and the subject you are shooting. Morning and afternoon light (sunrise/sunset) is usually the most popular time of day to shoot due to the softer tones and beautiful colours you can get at those times. The time of day and even the time of year
you shoot will all have an impact on your scene. If possible, it’s always good to plan ahead so you can hopefully get the most out of your images, however, nature can’t be controlled and sometimes can’t be predicted either. Sometimes you just need to work with the conditions as they are and utilise your other creative choices to adapt to what you have in front of you.
Mike Edmondson
GRW: What are you
looking for in a stand- out image?
An image that has the Wow! factor and makes me want to go there.
GRW: What’s the best advice you can give a photographer?
Keep it light: Multi-day hikes into the wilderness means you’ll have a pretty heavy pack full of clothes, food, camping gear. Lighten your load.
Take handheld images where possible:
This means more time for compositions, especially in wet, unstable ground and windy conditions. Save your heavier tripod for twilight, astronomy and pre-dawn shots.
Have your camera handy: Use a Lowepro chest pouch for easy access to your kit. Buy one with an inbuilt rain cover and a fastex waist strap so it doesn’t swing around.
Be adaptable: The weather can change quickly and unpredictably in
the mountains. Be flexible to change
your location for your own safety
and enjoyment. Be grateful for the opportunities provided to you and respect the wild will of the mountains.
Be present: Tune into the energy of
the environment. Use your intuition and connection to nature to guide you to photo opportunities. Challenge your expectations.
Create a story: Aim to locate something interesting in the foreground, midground and background. Look for angles coming into corners.
Julie Fletcher
GRW: What are you
looking for in a stand-out image?
Images that are fresh in content, not cliched, and well executed in camera and post production.
Show me this and a story in the shot and you will definitely have an attention grabber.
GRW: How important is it to have a ‘subject’ in an image?
It’s crucial to have a subject or “hero” in your image to achieve not only a great shot that draws you in and adds an element of depth to the composition. When you are out and about think in terms of creating a shot, not just taking it. This will get you a step closer to a winning shot. Congrats to all the winning entries.
PRESENTED BY