Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2007 2:39 pm Post subject: Under the Spotlight - adam
Full Name - Adam Coombs
1) What gear do you use?
Canon 350d with a battery grip
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Canon EF 28-105 f3.5-4.5
Sigma 18-50 f3.5-5.6 DC
Velbon untra maxi f tripod
Canon Speedlite 430 EX
Crumpler Shrinkle camera bag
Elinchrom D-Lite 2 Studio Lights
Casio Exlim Ex-Z750 compact camera
Lots of filters, batteries, memory cards, a shutter release, all that sort of stuff that quickly fills up the camera bag!!
2) What got you interested in photography?
In October 2005 Paula and I went on our honeymoon to Borneo and when we got back we pretty much went straight off for a long weekend in Venice. I came back with hundreds of great photographs that I took using a Casio digital compact camera but feeling a bit short changed and wondering what I would have been able to do in the jungle and round the streets of Venice with a “proper” camera…A month later I went out and bought my canon 350d…I have been totally hooked ever since!!!
3) Do you have a favourite category of photography and if so, what is it?
Macro photography. End of discussion! Nothing comes close!
4) What is your most memorable photographic experience to date?
Becoming a moderator on Mikes Photography Forum!!!!
No, seriously!!!…it’s probably not very exciting, but I would say my most memorable experience to date was the day I got my macro lens! 3rd June, 2006! I spent the day in the back garden taking pictures of spiders, dragonflies, bees, bugs, flowers…anything!! It was one of those days when everything went right, and considering it was the first time I had used it I thought I was a natural!!! Turned out to be beginners luck!! But it was the best day in the garden I have spent in years!!!
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?
I have no problem with photo manipulation! Apart from the fact I would like to be better at it!!!! Deep down I wish I didn't’t have to manipulate pictures, I would prefer them to come straight off the memory card looking stunning!!! But it’s amazing what a tweak of the levels and a bit of a crop can do to a photo! The less I have to do to a photo, the happier I am, but I will go as far as putting in a new sky into a landscape or giving a portrait shot that model look if the photo is worth it.
6) What, if any, are your photographic ambitions for the future?
OK, I have a few here!!
First off…I made a new years resolution this year to sell a photo! Not cracked that yet but I am confident!
Secondly, I would like to make a bit of money on the side from photography…I have bought my studio lights and I intend to do a few portraits…It’s the only way I can afford to keep buying all this expensive photography equipment!!!!
Finally I have a bit of a hankering to go down to Dorset for a week (or long weekend) on a purely photographic trip. Up at the crack of dawn and still out at sunset, taking pictures of all the amazing locations down there…I really think I could come back with a truck load of stunning landscape photos if I put my mind to it!
Now for Adam's favourite Five -
This is my favourite picture. I think it’s the best shot I have ever taken. I love the way the water drop is so perfect! It was one in a million! It won photograph of the month of the Photography Monthly website, which is my greatest achievement in photography to date!!!!
Sentimental value this one….the first flower picture I took with my canon..and still my favourite.
This was taken in the back garden…I HATE spiders..they freak me out…but this is what macro photography is all about for me..you just don’t see detail like that with the naked eye..
Taken for the mono competition on our forum…I went out looking for something that was black and white!! I think the contrast in this shot makes it..the butterfly really stands out…I love it! I really enjoyed my day around the butterfly farm too..would recommend it to anyone!
One of the boy!! This is my son, Jamie..using natural light from the patio window. The first portrait I took that I was happy with. Some people don’t like it because they think he looks miserable! I think he looks great!!!
Many thanks Adam for sharing that with us.
If you would like to see more of Adam's work then check out his website SEE HERE
OK the floors now open, do you have any questions you'd like to ask Adam?
If so post them below. _________________
Very nice interview. Congratulations on being the first in the spotlight!
I love the portrait of Jamie. I don't think he looks miserable at all! On the contrary, he looks lost in thought, perhaps daydreaming. I remember my dad always requiring everyone to pose looking into the sun and say "cheese" - what a lot of hoo-ha. I much prefer portraits which look natural and unposed. Well done.
Your first flower picture is stunning! I think it's technically very good. A fav.
Three questions for you:
Who or what has had the greatest influence on your photography, whether that be style, technique or something else?
Is there a photographer whose work you greatly admire and respect, and why?
Hi all!! First off, I would just like to say, feeling good for being under the spotlight...bit of an achievement ay!
and thanks for the vote of confidence hil...much appreciated..
Evo...my abstract buddy.....
Who or what has had the greatest influence on your photography, whether that be style, technique or something else?
It may sound slushy, but I think my wife has had the greatest influence! she has always encouraged me, told me whats good, whats rubbish..always been honest! and made sure I have not lost interest, even after a few months of nothing but rubbish coming off the memory card!!
Is there a photographer whose work you greatly admire and respect, and why?
Ross Hoddinott is a big inspiration for me...he does a lot of work for the magazines I read..but I also bought his macro photography book..which has been a great inspiration...
Also, our Sean..who has been into photography for years, has helped me a lot along the way...some of his stuff is superb..and I always appreciate his advice and feedback...
What do you do/use for photographic inspiration?
I have to be honest here, and say that I don’t think I have done anything original! its all been done before...
but www.photo.net is a huge inspiration for me...
Whenever I manage to talk the wife into a portrait session, I always look through the best shots of photo.net first for ideas....
My desire to go down to dorset for a big landscape fest comes from photo.net too..some of the stuff on this site is amazing, and if i could take one shot in a week that compares to some of the best lanscapes on this site i would be over the moon...
I love this forum too....we have some superb photographers on here..and I try and better myself by using photos on here as my comparison...
Thanks for all the feedback and chat so far gang! I love this forum..its the only forum I have even been involved in, and I hope it continues for a long time..
We have a great bunch of people here and I really think we can all learn from each other and better ourselves….
Having a soul mate as editor, inspiration and cheerleader is an incredible advantage!
I'm not familiar with the work of Ross Hoddinott. I just took a look at his web site and he has some very nice photos. I will have to spend some quality time there, lol.
I occasionally visit photo.net for inspiration also. There are some truly competent photographers there!
Thanks for the insights. _________________ see my photography at john.seelbinder.org
It has been really good to read your 'interview' and to find out something about you as a photographer Adam. In these days of cynicism about partners and marriage, I think it's fantastic that your wife is both critic and support/ encourager, far from being slushy, I find that refreshing and rather wonderful. I love your showcase pictures, each one is absolutely superb.
Seeing your work I have thought that you were a vastly experienced photographer who Mike fortunately knew and became part of the team for the site. So it was a surprise to discover how much experience you've packed in to a relatively short time. Is photography something you have had an eye or an instinct for from the word go, or is that something you have developed over time and do you have any tips or recommendations for developing ones eye for a picture? _________________
hey creators...
I have to say I do feel incredibly lucky to have met Paula...we seem to have something very special....I was a very lucky boy, Paula was the "one" at work that everyone fancied! (There is always one!!) and I was in love with her long before I had even spoken to her!!! After the way I used to go on about here before we even started dating, my friends and colleagues could never believe I actually married her!!!
Sean will vouch for that fact that I got very very lucky!!
so, anyway...no...I didn't have an eye for photography...I can honestly say I was probably the worlds worst point and shooter! and Paula was very skeptical about me spending 700 odd quid on a camera, because I was rubbish and she was sure I would last a month before never picking it up again..(but she still encouraged me, crazy!!!!)
but I found that ALOT of taking a good photograph was simply taking the time to think about it...with a point and shoot, I did simple that!!! but with a D-SLR I found I was LOOKING through the lens and thinking about what I was trying to achieve...
To be honest, I dont think I would have survived in the film era..digital photography gives you the ability to see your results instantly, and I think you learn sooo much be seeing whats happening as you do it...
if I had to wait a week to see my mistakes I would have given up in frustration by now!!!
so, tips for developing ones eye for a picture...
I looked at lots of other peoples work, and thought about what made it a good photo.
Getting critique from anyone who can be bothered to discuss your photos helps..everyone on this forum, Paula, my father-in-law and my dad all help with that.
I can really notice the difference in a rushed picture and one I have taken my time thinking about. So don’t rush a photo!
something I am doing today is going back to a location...I took a load of shots last sunday, spent a hours deciding why I didn't like any of them, and over the last 7 days I have been thinking about how to make them better..i think now I have a better eye for the situation, and I am going to nail it today!!
I really is all about practice though ay…your eye develops the more you spend time with a camera in your hand..we all make mistakes, and come home with awful pics, but that all help develop us as photographers…
Anyway..I have gone on for far too long and it will be a miracle if anyone reads this far!!!
Creators, you have helped me and everyone else countless times on this site and lots of people are learning a lot of good stuff from you, so I thank you for that and ask you to keep it up!!! Thanks mate…
Inspirational Adam, nice one. Your five shots are amazing, I spent ages setting up and getting a droplet print but that one is amazing, would love to know how you got the coloured effect cos thats what let mine down. The butterfly is amazing and also the portrait is a cracking shot, although I do find the dark line on the far left a little distracting, he looks quite pensive, and I'm sure you like it because it has captured his personality really well.
great work adam. _________________ The sun cannot set,
Because you are not here,
To see it,
The day cannot end,
It can't be right,
That night will come,
Without you.
have a look here..i have given a run down on how i got the water drop shot....
took HUNDREDS of shots before this one came along..and have never come close to anything like it since!!
as for the portrait of jamie...HA! can you believe it..
yes, the black line down the left is distracting...and i have never really noticed it!!! funny how you dont see the obvious things sometimes.. and it would be sooo easy to crop it out..
i must have cropped it out at some point, cant believe i would have missed it all this time...
need to get upstairs and check on the PC!!!!
Your photos are wonderful, your aim to sell some of your work this year will certainly come true
Quote:
I found that ALOT of taking a good photograph was simply taking the time to think about it...with a point and shoot, I did simple that!!! but with a D-SLR I found I was LOOKING through the lens and thinking about what I was trying to achieve...
Well said, I made the same experience. _________________ A moment of intensive happiness prolongs life by a thousand years.
Adam if you dont sell a photo this year then i dont know whats going on, lol, the images are great and the drop of water is one of those YES shots you know where you run round repeating the word YES punching the air or maybe thats just me.
I agree with pasvorto, I like it as it is. It adds to the story, it may not be a window but that's how my mind interprets it and it works for me. _________________
The drop of water is fantastic and so clear. I always take my pics in 1 million. I take them in one million because I cannot see the difference in quailty and gives me more room on my memory card. I do alot of burst shots and that takes alot of memory. Was the photoshoped afterwards to add the color?
oops! _________________ The sun cannot set,
Because you are not here,
To see it,
The day cannot end,
It can't be right,
That night will come,
Without you.
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Excellent spotlight. I loved the pics except the spider..lol 
i didn't either!!!
