PRO CASE STUDY
I’m a Devon-based wildlife and landscape photographer with a passion for British nature. In 2013 I set up my own business, selling photographic cards, prints and other items. In 2015 I was Highly Commended in the British Wildlife Photography awards for my fighting corncrake image. I also work for Carousel Calendars as a photographic administrator, which involves selecting images for publication in calendars and diaries that are published around the world.
I choose images for a huge range of titles, from British regional landmarks and landscapes to comedy photos of pets, from trains to wildlife. With regional titles, I look for picture-postcard imagery of well-known landmarks – there are some locations that you would expect to see in a calendar, such as Edinburgh Castle in the Edinburgh calendar. The best images are aesthetically pleasing, with nice light and not too much contrast. The use of leading lines, symmetry and rule of thirds to make a pleasing composition will always go down well, as images need to stand out and catch your eye. Images for covers in particular need to have space – ideally sky – in the top-third of the image for the title.
The most common reason for rejecting an image is sharpness. I look at each image at 100% magnification before selecting it, so it needs to be acceptably sharp at the point of interest. Other reasons that images aren’t selected are scaffolding or temporary fencing, any identifiable people, images featuring crowds, waste bins or other distracting elements. Images need to be visually accurate, as I often select up to 18 months ahead of time, and things can change. I also tend to avoid grey, flat skies.