LizzieConey, Amateur photographer and ViewBug member, shares what photography has done for her in her life and what inspired her to get started:

"Photography has opened my eyes to the detailed beauty of the world around me." - LizzieConey 

1. Hi LizzieConey, how do you describe your photography style?

I prefer to concentrate on the 'unseen world' by simply capturing the shots that other people may overlook, this often manifests as shots of the natural world as I rarely set up shoots. However I do occasionally enjoy the process of going from an abstract idea such as the scrabble pieces used in this photo or using spaghetti, to then creating a completely unique photo. 

2. In one sentence what has photography done for you in your life?

Photography has opened my eyes to the detailed beauty of the world around me.

3. When did you start taking photos and what inspired you to get started?

I was around 13 years old when my friend got a SLR camera for Christmas and we spent hours on end taking photos together, and it was this that inspired me to become more involved in photography.

4. What has been your favorite shoot and why?

My favorite shoot was in a Cypriot monastery a few years ago, it was incredibly beautiful and isolated with only a few other visitors there at the same time. I remember it so vividly as the majority of the other visitors walked past the outstanding architecture with no more than a appreciative glance however by looking through my lens I was able to admire and capture the magnificent symmetry of the tunnel walkways which were being drenched my shafts of sunlight as well as the ancient environment.

5. Do you remember a difficult photo shoot session? What happened?

often see a scene that I think has great potential however due to the unpredictable nature of environmental photography it does not always go to plan. For example I recently tried to document a major scene of deforestation which occurred very close to me however the photos disappointed as I had to fight against fading natural light and restricted access.

6. What do you carry in your camera bag?

The spontaneous nature of my style drives me to work with very little equipment so I only carry my Nikon D40X.

7. Can you share three tips with your fellow photographers? 

- Look at the big picture right down to the tiny details.

- Think imaginatively about the simplest things around you.

- Never believe you are limited by your equipment.

9. Can you tell us which is one of your favorite photos and the story behind it?

During one of my first visits to ViewBug I was totally amazed by a macro shot of morning dew of moss, and ever since I have been striving to achieve the same detail in a photo.

 

I took this photo in my garden in rural England, I woke up around 5am to capture the freshest shots of the morning dew. The lighting is completely natural. I used my Nikon D40X at f/5.6, 1/125 sec exposure time, ISO-160 with no flash. During one of my first visits to ViewBug I was totally amazed by a macro shot of morning dew of moss, and ever since I have been striving to achieve the same detail in a photo. This photo was cropped to create a liner focus on the tips of the grass blades as well as small alterations to the brightness and contrast to enhance the detail of the water droplets.

10. Please share some thoughts on your ViewBug experience as a photographer!

To me ViewBug is an outstanding website which is very user friendly and has inspired my passion for photography by driving me to achieve more with each photo.