PHOTOGRAPHY
After a commission from this very magazine about a cruise to the Mediterranean, Fiona Walker discovered a new passion for photography
Iguess my other passion came about through boating, or to be more precise, through Motorboat & Yachting. In 2009 I proposed writing a series of articles about our future exploits on board Zaffina, our Azimut 62, which we were taking from Chichester down to the Med, with a view to cruising from west to east over a period of a few summers. Hugo commissioned the articles but said that I needed to provide around 25 top quality edited photographs with each article.
In a previous life, I worked as a video journalist for the BBC in the Channel Islands, so I was used to the logistics of imagery: how to set up a good photograph, what balance to aim for, how to use light to my advantage, considering unusual angles and so on. But I had always concentrated on moving images and especially on how to inject some interest into what were – for local news bulletins – often fairly dry subjects. Now I could experiment with far more interesting themes, whilst trying to avoid simply producing an egocentric range of holiday snaps.
Marinas are wonderful venues for photographic shoots.
There are plenty of interesting subjects, from the boats themselves to some of the characters frequenting the ports, be they boat owners or simply visitors strolling around. The light on the water creates some fascinating shots, and of course the reflections are a bonus. One of the things I love about the marine environment is that things change so rapidly, and a photograph taken on a still morning often looks completely different to one shot two hours later. I have avoided getting into big cameras or massive lenses; I had enough of that when carrying a weighty video camera for the BBC! My camera has to fit into my handbag, and although that may restrict the lens size, it does mean that I have it with me nearly all of the time. I use an Olympus Stylus 1, which gives me high-resolution images, a 10.7 x zoom, and a tilting touchscreen. It is easy to use and compact without feeling fragile.
The massive improvements in phone cameras ensures that on those occasions I am without my ‘real’ camera, I still have means of getting a quick shot, and I have learnt that there often isn’t a second chance; wildlife in particular won’t wait around whilst you focus, choose the right light setting and zoom in. I took many, many photographs of empty seas before I got a decent image of a dolphin, and even now, I’m still waiting for that truly exceptional shot.
I don’t pretend to be anything more than an enthusiastic amateur when it comes to photography, but I love the achievement of taking a good photograph. I am constantly on the lookout for an interesting way to frame an image, or a quirky take on a familiar view.
Living in Jersey, we are lucky enough to have an unending choice of beautiful landscapes and seascapes. My hobby recently led me to producing calendars, and a small range of greetings cards featuring local bays, which are sold on the island with a donation to a local charity. So thank you MBY, for opening this new pathway for me, and giving me a pastime that will hold my interest for years to come.