"My wife encourages me to get into yoga but, to be honest, photography sort of is like my yoga." - Corin
We are excited to share with all of your our conversation with Corin, an amazing photographer from Sydney, Australia. You can follow Corin's work and see the full portfolio - visit Corin's profile!
Hi Corin, tell us a bit about yourself, how do you describe your photography style?
I'm an (over)enthusiastic amatuer who works around the world in the corporate sector, so photography for me is an outlet to create, and to relax. My wife encourages me to get into yoga but, to be honest, photography sort of is like my yoga. Just less bendy. I'm not sure I have a distinctive style yet, although I try to shoot what I see in the moment and remain fairly invisible during this process.
In one sentence what has photography done for you in your life?
Given me a passion that is limitless in terms of where you can take it, and no less engaging from one day to the next.
When did you start taking photos and what inspired you to get started?
I started in my early twenties, buying old second-hand OM1 bodies and compatible lenses off eBay, and using a darkroom that was conveniently at the end of my street in Maida Vale, London, to learn all aspects I could. Entire weekends would disappear in the darkroom. I loved it.
Do you have any influencers?
I find I learn a huge amount from fellow photographers, and try to attend at least two multi-day workshops with professionals each year. Even how they set up a tripod, pack away their gear, or hold a camera is of interest to me. I think given photography is largely an observational activity, it rewards curious people who want to learn.
What has been your favorite shoot and why?
Antarctica! Honestly, as a place it exceeds any expectations you have. Just magical.
Do you remember a difficult photo shoot session? What happened?
Weddings. I hate doing weddings. I'm always asked but I think it takes a certain type of person with broad shoulders for criticism and a very nailed down efficient workflow. Having said that, our wedding photographer was utterly remarkable.
What do you carry in your camera bag?
The first thing I always pack is my Canon 85mm 1.2 prime. A monkey could take an amazing picture with that lens, and given I am not that much more evolved, it has become my favourite piece of kit. I then pack a Canon 1Dx body, simply because it's bomb-proof, and a second-hand 300mm 2.8 prime which is bigger than a bazooka but I enjoy using it. The third, but no less important lens is my Zeiss 21mm 2.8 prime. Jonathan Critchley recommended it and immediately my images improved. I love the weight of it. I like my equipment to weigh a lot. It gives me faith in the quality and robustness. The other lens I find to be an absolute workhorse is the Canon 100-400mm 4.5. It has a push-pull zoom, which means you have to be careful around dust or sand, but given how much I've dropped it and banged it around it's amazing. Other than this my kit is your usual repertoire of essentials.
Do you have a favorite animal to shoot?
Three: 1, Siberian Tigers, albeit in captivity, because they are just ginormously preposterously large. 2, Antarctic fur seals because they are born with a rampant aggressive streak in them. The pubs will attack you and gnaw at your feet and clothes, in between barking at you. It's like being attacked by a gang of three-year old infants. In fact, I think some were even carrying knives. And finally, 3, King Penguins because I couldn't believe how social and orderly they were. On South Georgia island in the Southern Ocean I was able to sit in the world's largest colony (400,000 birds), and rather than being chaotic, it was like a city with clearly defines suburbs, roads, and highways. If I sat down, below the eye-level of the birds, they'd merrily go about their business around you, occasionally stopping for a chat or a gentle peck.
Do you have a favorite location to shoot?
The far north of Scotland in winter. I think regular trips there means I'm very familiar with the area, and in winter it's just magical. Caithness in the north-east is just vast and flat with beautiful frozen lochs, and then Sutherland in the north-east has huge jaw-dropping valleys gouged out by long-since gone glaciers and lone deer stags dotting the hillsides.
What are you currently working on?
I don't really pursue projects, per se. But I'm definitely focussing my activity around getting to far off places of interest such as Antarctica, Galapagos Islands, Bolivia etc.
Can you share a couple of tips with your fellow photographers?
1. Always carry a camera with you - mine is an iPhone5.
2. Accept that there's always someone close by, probably in the same room, substantially better than you. Use this as an opportunity to observe and learn.
3. Don't stop.
