Name: Karl Lindsay Photography
Home Location: Bonnells Bay, NSW
Website: http://karllindsayphotography.com
Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/karllindsayphotography
What is your background and how did you get into photography?
I remember being given a camera in the early years of primary school, so I guess the interest started there.
But it wasn’t until the family got our first digital camera right before a camping road trip around Australia when I was in grade 9 that I really got into it more.
As I finished school, photography didn’t play a part until I went on a mission trip to Africa. That experience was amazing, and it’s just grown from there.
What type of photography do you shoot?
I shoot all kinds of nature photography. For me that includes majestic landscapes, starry night skies, and incredible wildlife (especially African wildlife).
What is your favourite type of photography?
My cousin once made the comment that “when you get up early for the sunrise, it’s like you know the day better than anyone else, because you’ve seen it since its dawn.”
I think that’s so true, and for me, landscape photography is a good reason to get up and start enjoying the day with the sunrise.
But a very close second is night photography — It’s amazing what the camera can capture and I love being able to stand out behind my camera under dark skies and enjoy and appreciate what most people never see for themselves.
What is your photographic style? How did you develop this style?
When I look at my portfolio, there isn’t a style that immediately jumps out at me.
I feel like each photo requires something different. It’s something I’m still developing as a photographer.
What is in your photography kit?
I primarily shoot with a Nikon D610 and Nikkor 28-300mm. My night photography lens is a Samyang 14mm and I have a nifty fifty for when I want a wide aperture for low light or video work.
I also recently picked up the Fujifilm X-M1 and kit lens as a light weight option. I carry an Induro CT-014 Tripod along with a couple of filters (ND400 and Circular Polariser).
I’ve also got a Rode VideoMic Go for whenever I need to do some video work. It all gets packed into one of my F-Stop bags for travel.
What is one piece of photography kit you just couldn’t live without?
My tripod. It comes with me everywhere. I never want to be caught without it.
What post processing tools/software do you use?
I mainly process with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop CC. Combined with my Nikon’s dynamic range, they are incredibly powerful pieces of software.
What is your best photography tip and post processing tip?
Be the first to get there and the last to leave. When it comes time to process your photos, do it once, then come back the next day and look again with fresh eyes.
After staring at an image for hours sometimes, I find it helps to look again on another day before sharing on social media or a blog.
What was your greatest challenge so far as a professional photographer?
I’m not to a point where I can call myself a professional photographer, but I think the greatest challenge I’ve had so far in my photographic journey is finding an audience. It’s not easy out there.
What is your favourite InkFX medium to have your work printed on & why?
I love Shane’s canvas prints. They look fantastic and are such high quality. But a Milky Way photo printed on metallic paper is hard to beat!
If you were able to give any advice or recommendations to someone starting out in their Photography career what would it be?
Fill your Facebook feed or Instagram feed with photographers whose work you admire.
Study it, read their blogs, and allow their work to inspire you and shape your vision.
But don’t lose sight of your own vision, and above all, don’t let their work get you feeling bad about your own work. Rather, let it be motivation to improve.
Any last words of wisdom or advice?
Don’t buy a new lens. Buy a plane ticket. Travel will open your eyes to a new way of seeing and help improve your photography.
Karl LindsayLandscape & Night Photographer
Bonnells Bay, NSW