Page 50 - Australian Photography Dec 2020

CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: I’ve had this awesome stick in my studio for about 12 years and almost every bird who comes in gets to sit on it. When this rescued flying fox came in for portrait photos, he needed to hang off something, and the trusty stick was the perfect option. I placed it between two chairs and ensured it was stable, then gently placed him on it and allowed him time to find his comfortable hanging pose. I love the expression on his face in this image, even if he does need a tiny pair of pants. Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 lens
@ 57mm. 1/200s @ f13, ISO 100;
Macaws are phenomenal to photograph. They come in every colour of the rainbow and then some. This macaw was in care due to a form of vertigo. He had been taught to show his wings on command and delighted in doing this for the camera. Note: he is sitting on trusty stick. Canon EOS- 1D X Mark II, 24-70mm f/2.8 lens @ 31mm. 1/200s @ f13, ISO 100;
Dogs are my favourite animals to photograph. Most of them are easy to work with and are quickly won over by treats or toys. This sweet girl was a rescue dog who had been adopted and she was completely at home in the studio. Canon EOS-1D X, 24-70mm f/2.8 lens @ 24mm. 1/250s @ f13, ISO 100;
This bearded dragon had incredible colouring and a regal look about him. I photographed him very low, pointing my camera upwards to give a looming and larger-than-life impression. I see a baby dinosaur in the result. Canon EOS-1D X, 24-70mm f/2.8 lens @ 70mm. 1/200s @ f13, ISO 100.
“I sit about a foot away from them with a 24-70mm lens, right at the minimum focus distance. For the dogs especially it can be quite tiring as it’s a bit like a training session. I have the camera in one hand and a treat in the other, and from there it’s a matter of keeping them focused on me.”
Cearns’s lighting setup remains the same throughout the shoot – one or two lights when shooting on black, and two or three lights when shooting on white. For her black backgrounds, the lights will be positioned either side of her, pointing at her subject. For her white back- grounds, one light will be next to her and two will be used to blow the background out.
One of the challenges with shooting similar subjects in similar situations many times over is bringing something new to every shot. Is it always creative? Well, not always.
“I’m always shooting to a client brief,” explains Cearns. “The clients will have seen my previous work, and they want the same for their pet. This means I have to get the same range of shots, and in my mind I work through a list that I check off as I go – half face, looking down, looking up, side profile, tongue out, tongue in, eyes closed, etc.” At times, she’ll be the first to admit it can be repetitive and stressful in equal measure.
“Where it’s exciting is every interaction is different,” she says. “Animals are living beings, and they respond to me in different ways. Sometimes they give me an expression or pose I’ve never captured before.” And of course, experience helps.
PROFILE: ALEX CEARNS
| 50 | DECEMBER 2020 | AUSTRALIANPHOTOGRAPHY.COM