ViewBug community member Vemsteroo loves shooting landscapes but is also attracted to portraiture and street photography. "I'm a freelance professional photographer and educator working out of the city of Birmingham, UK. I've been creating images for half a decade. Shooting on all formats and learning my craft slowly and methodically. I love to take photographs and to share my work with the world."
Read our conversation below and get inspired!
Tell us a bit about yourself, how do you describe your photography style?
My name is Verity and I’m a photographer based in the UK. I predominantly shoot landscapes, but also dabble in street, portraiture, and nature photography.
In one sentence what has photography done for you in your life?
Photography has completely changed my life for the better, taking me on a wondrous journey of discovery.
When did you start taking photos and what inspired you to get started?
I first picked up a camera when I was 25, so I was a little late to the games, however I had previously had aspirations to become an artist, so I took to photography like a duck to water. It’s hard to recall what got me started, but I’ve always been happier when I’m outdoors, so taking a camera with me felt like a natural extension of something I already enjoyed.
What has been your favorite shoot and why?
There are some shoots that you’ll always remember. Then one that immediately jumps to mind for me happened on the shoreline of Derwentwater in the Lake District (UK) one autumn morning. Dawn gave colour to the mist clinging to the water and as the sun rose, light streamed across the dramatic landscape, bringing out the autumnal colours. It was one of those mornings when virtually every shot was a keeper, the sort of conditions that happen once a year if you’re lucky.
Do you remember a difficult photo shoot session? What happened?
Shooting commercially when you’re at the mercy of the weather is always difficult. Whilst shooting an ad-campaign for Yorkshire Tea, I was completely dependent on the light landing in the correct position on the hillside I’d chosen to best represent the beauty of Yorkshire. It took three days of waiting until the conditions were perfect and I was able to get the shot in the can.
What do you carry in your camera bag?
Currently I carry a Canon 5D Mk III (that is rather beaten up now and in need of an upgrade) + 24mm TS-E f/3.5, 100mm Macro, 85mm 1.2 & 24-70mm f/2.8. I also shoot with a Fujifilm X-T2 + 50-140mm f/2.8, 56mm 1.2 + 90mm f/2. I use a Gitzo tripod and have a full suite of Lee Filters at my disposal.
Do you have a favorite location and time of the day to shoot?
I’m a big fan of sunrise, there’s something majestic about the world waking up. I’m often the only person around and appreciate the quiet solitude. In terms of location, I’m particularly fond of the Lake District in Cumbria as it has so much to offer, from woodland to dramatic lakes, fellsides, tarns, and valleys. I’ve spent many mornings on the shoreline of Derwentwater and the Borrowdale Valley, especially in autumn and winter.
Can you share three tips with your fellow photographers?
1. Always carry a camera, even if it’s just your smartphone, because opportunities can present themselves at the most inconvenient moments.
2. Use your smartphone to help compose a scene. Often it can be cumbersome to move your tripod up and down to check on a perspective; a much easier solution is to compose with your smartphone (the iPhone has an equivalent lens size of around 24mm, so it’s similar to a wide-angle), and then position your camera in the spot that works best.
3. Learn the rules of composition, and then break them. Don’t be afraid to think outside the gridlines!
Please share one of your favorite photos with us with a short tutorial:
My favorite photo is "In Flight Pt. II"
a. Where did you take it
Derwentwater, Lake District, UK
b. Time of the day and lighting details
About an hour after sunrise, with the mist lifting and the sun breaking through the cloud.
c. Equipment used
Canon 5D Mk III + 70-200mm f/4 + Lee Filters Circular Polariser
d. Inspiration behind this photo
The lighting on the island was enough to create an epic atmosphere, but when I saw the three ducks flying so low to the water, I wanted to capture them caught in the light, in contrast to the autumn colours. The three ducks just add a little something else to the image. It’s possibly not my most popular image, but for me, everything just works.
e. Post-processing information
Ran through Lightroom and Photoshop. Lightroom for basic adjustments, Photoshop for more intricate adjustments relating to the lighting, especially the line of light hitting the island, and the moody atmosphere.
Please share some thoughts on your ViewBug experience as a photographer!
Really enjoy using ViewBug, entering contests can be especially addictive. Online networks for photographers are rather saturated and it can sometimes be difficult to get noticed. ViewBug have an intriguing approach, and I enjoy participating in many aspects of the site.
