"I really like ViewBug. To be honest, I'm not so concerned with the "winning" of contests. I like to come to ViewBug because the contests stretch my creativity. They allow me to try to focus on a given shot. Then, I absolutely love going through and seeing who other photographers have expressed their vision based on the challenge. It's really inspiring and quite often inspiration has struck from seeing some of the contest participant's work." - Brendan
Brendan Von Son is a Canadian travel photographer and writer. He has been on the road as a travel journalist for over 5 years now and have seen over 80 countries. He is also the owner of the adventure travel magazine Vagabundo Magazine and is leading a photography workshop in Peru this coming May, find out more! To see more of his photos follow Brendan on ViewBug.
Tell us a bit about yourself, how do you describe your photography style?
I'm a professional travel photographer originating from Alberta, Canada. I've been on the road for the past 5 years consecutively without a break. During that time, I've seen around 80 countries on 6 different continents. I've done some crazy stuff like driving a scooter down the west side of Africa from Mali to South Africa. My travel photography has been featured my major publications such as the Guardian and Bing. My travel exploits themselves have been featured my The BBC, National Geographic Traveler, and loads of other publications.
As for style, I like to think that I don't have one. As a travel photographer, you have to be sort of a jack of all trades rather than a specialist. I think think is the same in regards to my style as well. I do a bit of everything. I do have a tendency to prefer really colorful images, though.
In one sentence what has photography done for you in your life?
Photography has allowed me to capture the world in a way my imagination and given mood sees it.
When did you start taking photos and what inspired you to get started?
I've been taking pictures since I was 13 years old on a summer exchange in Japan. I brought a couple disposable Kodak cameras and shot about 150 images. I still have the film prints in a stack somewhere in my basement. I started shooting professionally because I was working as a travel writer and needed images to go with my work. I found that my articles sold better if they were accompanied by great images. Then, it just took hold and I became completely photo-addicted.
Do you have any influencers?
Absolutely. I really like the old photographers who shot nature in Black and White. I think it's so hard to capture a really cool landscape in just black and white. Classic photographers like Ansel Adams and Nicholas Morant were so good at capturing the beauty without the need of colour. More modern photographers that really inspire me are people like Richard Bernabe who is an amazing nature and landscape photographer, and obviously the work of Steve McCurry speaks for itself.
What do you carry in your camera bag?
Most travel photographers like to stay light, and I seem to just be accumulating more and more gear. I shoot a Canon 6D and a Canon 60D. For lenses, I have a 70-200mm f/2.8 IS, 16-35mm f/4 IS, 50mm f/1.8, and a Sigma 10-20mm for the cropped sensor. I use a Brian Blue tripod by Three Legged Thing, and a whole heap of filters. I don't shoot a lot of flash and don't carry one 90% of the time. I also have a GoPro 2 for some action shots here or there.
Do you have a favorite subject to shoot?
I like variety. If I'm in Europe, I get sick of the buildings and architecture, and then when I'm away from it, it's all I want to shoot. Thus, it's variety I seek out. I think the one thing I never tire of photographing is wildlife. I don't really have the equipment to do it that well, but I try. I love a good landscape, too. Nothing beats some nice light at a location out in nature by yourself.
Do you have a favorite location and time of the day to shoot?
I mentioned this a bit above, but I love a good landscape at dawn. I love the fact that you seem to get it all to yourself. There's also something so powerful about watching the light hit a magnificent scene. It's like slowly watching an image develop in the darkroom, you just see the world wake up. It's almost an emotional feeling.
Can you share a couple of tips with your fellow photographers?
Don't take shortcuts and don't be lazy. Lots of photographers seem to take the easy way out of a good image. They hand hold when they should be on a tripod, and they HDR when they should just get up at dawn for the good light. Good photos are about 90% planning and patience, and 10% execution. Also, don't blame your gear or make excuses. For the first 2 years I spent on the road, I did most my shooting on a Canon t2i and a kit lens. It's not the gear, it's getting the most out of it.
