Mikes Photography

Venom · Last edited by Venom on Thu Nov 15, 2007 8:21 am; edited 1 time in total

Full Name - Neil Gilchrist

1) What gear do you use?

I use a standard point and shoot Canon SD800IS, although I rarely use the automatic function. I have been using this camera since about April, and before this I used a Canon PowerShot S50 that I got as a birthday present 3 years ago.

2) What got you interested in photography?

My Dad was in the British forces, so I spent a lot of my childhood moving house (and country) every 3 or so years. My Dad had a film camera with a number of lenses, which I was never really allowed to play with. I got my own SLR at 16 or so, off a mate who bought "all the gear but had no idea", and it went from there. My new found excitement for photography comes from my girlfriend who carries a camera EVERYWHERE she goes!!

3) Do you have a favourite category of photography and if so, what is it?

I try to live my life outside. I am lucky in that I have seen more than my fair share of the world, and I always think myself lucky that I have had the chance to see some things that most people dream of. In this respect I'd say Landscape is my favourite category.

4) What is your most memorable photographic experience to date?

Wow - I spent the millennium at Annapurna base camp in the Himal region in Nepal. I slept in a tent at minus 20 on 31st December 1999. I woke to a super sub zero new millennium where EVERYTHING was frozen solid other than me and my SLR, which spent the night in my sleeping bag. Sitting there and watching the first sun of the millennium rise over the worlds tallest mountains blew my mind. I wish I had a digital camera back then...... all my pics from then are still on negative strips!

5) Do you like to manipulate pictures? Or do you prefer them as a true record of the event? What is your view on Photo manipulation?

Ha ha ha if only I knew how to manipulate my pictures!!!!! I'd love to be able to play with my shots more. I am a relative newbie to PS, so I guess my answer is right now I prefer my pictures real!

6) What, if any, are your photographic ambitions for the future?

I look up to photographers like Ansel Adams, and aspire to being able to draw that much depth and awe into my photos. Living in British Columbia, Canada, I have some of the worlds best vistas on my doorstep, and just need to learn how to capture them properly for those who don't have the fortune to see them for themselves. I'd also like the chance to revisit some of those places like Nepal with a better camera and a better eye for photography.

Now for Gilly's favourite Five -

The Grand Canyon - November 2005. I was sent to Vegas for work (ha ha ha fools!!), and took the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone, and fulfilled two of my dreams in one. Took a helicopter flight, and visited the GC all at once! The cactus, canyon walls, and general solitude made my trip worth it. I had a champagne breakfast just before i took this shot!!

Cypress September - 10 minutes from my door step. I snowboard past this at least once a week in winter, and took a hike here in summer / fall to see it without the snow. I was greeted with this site.

Galliano Island - BC. This was taken in August last summer, on a bank holiday weekend. I got up and suffered the mild hangover to watch the sunrise on the rocky beach. Me and thousands of purple starfish. Pretty amazing morning. Went back to my friends to find them cooking breakfast!! fantastic!

This is the top of Whistler Mountain in spring. This is where I'll be in a month or two when I'm not at work!!!! This place is 'Gilly' and everything I live for. Snow, blue sky, mountains and gravity!

This is my girlfriend, Melissa, in the Caribbean this summer, on our vacation to Cuba. I love this photo because it was taken whilst we were messing about and laughing in the ocean without a single care in the world. I go back to this picture when I'm having a crap day at work, or when the rain is hitting the window at home! Its one of those shot that makes me feel content!

Many thanks Neil for sharing that with us.
OK the floors now open, do you have any questions you'd like to ask Neil?
If so post them below.
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Venom · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 2:45 pm Post subject:

Gilly,

From what you say and the pictures you've posted your obviously a very well travelled man, who's seen some fantastic scenery but which would you say is the best/most memorable photography apart?

Mike
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jonH · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 3:02 pm Post subject:

Whistler eh.. some day i'll get there.. mountainbiking mecca and then some PDT_Aliboronz_31

Canada's a place I'd love to visit for the scenery too - you see no end of wonderful views on flickr so I'm rather jealous of you right now!!

Love the shot of your girlfriend btw - no wonder it's a pic that lifts your moods!
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hil26 · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 5:09 pm Post subject:

That was one nice read of your experiences and giving me a bit of envy at your himalaya experience - what a mind blowing time - would love to see some of those images scanned and posted on here some time.

You have named in your spotlight three of my "places to go to see before I go and see that man up in the Sky" - Himalayas, Grand Canyon, and Canada (although did do a very very brief stop in Canada ones - 2 hours in Montreal)

Thanks again for uplifting me
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Always in search of that magic moment

pasvorto · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:32 pm Post subject:

I'm really liking the 3rd and 4th ones.
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Gilly · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 11:14 pm Post subject:

jonH · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:59 am Post subject:

Gilly · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 3:40 pm Post subject:

jonH · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 4:30 pm Post subject:

Lol well to be fair that pic was taken within minutes of me getting it home from the bike shop :D

The forks are 36 van rc2's and they're the nicest forks I think I've ever ridden. I've not been able to spend a lot of time on it so far but it's plush - the Orange was really harsh (5th element rear, manitou sherman firefly front) - skitted over the top of stuff and I never really ever felt like it was me doing the steering, this is planted and extremely nimble; I thought my old bullit was a stunning descender but this is so much better, and it climbs much better too!!

I really need to get it up to Scotland but events are conspiring against me, time's running out before winter and now ruth's gone and given me her cold Mad

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There is nothing in life that cannot be improved with either monkeys, pirates or ninjas
NPU Member

creators · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 9:15 am Post subject:

You know, something the 'Powers that Be' just don't get is that humans cannot be contained in CCTV world. I loved what you said, 'This place is 'Gilly' and everything I live for. Snow, blue sky, mountains and gravity!'. I don't much care what it's called, spirituality, or our capacity to experience awe and wonder, but we are more than function and form, and you have touched on that all the way through your Spotlight, Neil. I loved reading through your spotlight, sometimes awe and wonder become quiet and I forget briefly that they are what I live for as well, but when they awake, they are as fresh and new as the first time I was touched by them. I think the times I feel most human and alive are those times when I completely forget myself, when I am caught up in something much bigger than me, that shot of Whistler is amazing. I can't imagine what snow boarding down that would be like. Thank you so much for your spotlight.
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GREENWIZARD · Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:47 pm Post subject:

love that shot of your girlfriend .....i can see why it brings joy to your heart

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