Matt Drake
The 5th instalment in our "In Focus" series looks at a Matt Drake who has also just completed his first full season.
Matt is another active member with some high quality images; his gallery has a link at the foot of the page.
How long have you been a member of the Club?
Just over a year. I joined at the end of the 2013/14 season.
How did you get into photography?
My Dad is a keen photographer, so there were always Canon SLRs around the house when I was growing up, although I wasn’t actually allowed to touch them.
My first camera was a Kodak Disc (remember those?) in the 1980’s
What's your favourite area/genre/subject of photography?
It’s hard to say really, as I have quite a broad interest.
I’m a bit of a plane spotter, so I do like to take the camera to a couple of airshows each year. The (rare) technical accomplishment of capturing a pin-sharp aircraft flying past at a few hundred miles/hour does give me quite a buzz.
I equally like Bird photography, so can occasionally be found lurking in hides around West Yorkshire waiting for elusive Kingfishers etc.
What camera do you currently use?
Canon 5D Mark III
I managed to get a good deal on a mint second-hand one last year, so took the plunge, but I am the classic case of “all the gear, but no idea” as this one is pretty complex. It comes with a separate manual just for Autofocus settings…
What is the most frustrating thing about (your) photography?
Getting time to spare is always a problem, but also explaining when out and about with non-photographers why I have to wait for a certain light etc. to get that perfectly composed shot, rather than just taking a quick Facebook style snap.
Favourite Places for photography?
Airshows (Fairford, Farnborough & Duxford, to name a few)
If you could photograph one thing/person anywhere in the world what would it be and why?
I think it would be wildlife related, something like Polar bear cubs in the Arctic, but obviously with a very long lens, just to be on the safe side.
Do you have any photographers who have inspired you?
Andy Rouse - Wildlife
Adrian Almond – Aircraft & Landscapes
David Oxtaby – Everything else......!
What's your dream camera?
Being an aircraft / wildlife fan I actually dream of big lenses rather than cameras. An EF 500mm F/4.0 IS II would do nicely, but I would have to sell our car to buy it.
How could you improve your own photography?
I think the best way to improve is just to take as many shots as you can, but then also to get these critiqued by other photographers.
The club competitions, especially the running competition, is a great way to get wide feedback for your shots without the subjectiveness of a single judge, and to also see what ideas other people have come up with.
key [675088] doesn't existShow us some of your current favourite images
Matt is another active member with some high quality images; his gallery has a link at the foot of the page.
How long have you been a member of the Club?
Just over a year. I joined at the end of the 2013/14 season.
How did you get into photography?
My Dad is a keen photographer, so there were always Canon SLRs around the house when I was growing up, although I wasn’t actually allowed to touch them.
My first camera was a Kodak Disc (remember those?) in the 1980’s
What's your favourite area/genre/subject of photography?
It’s hard to say really, as I have quite a broad interest.
I’m a bit of a plane spotter, so I do like to take the camera to a couple of airshows each year. The (rare) technical accomplishment of capturing a pin-sharp aircraft flying past at a few hundred miles/hour does give me quite a buzz.
I equally like Bird photography, so can occasionally be found lurking in hides around West Yorkshire waiting for elusive Kingfishers etc.
What camera do you currently use?
Canon 5D Mark III
I managed to get a good deal on a mint second-hand one last year, so took the plunge, but I am the classic case of “all the gear, but no idea” as this one is pretty complex. It comes with a separate manual just for Autofocus settings…
What is the most frustrating thing about (your) photography?
Getting time to spare is always a problem, but also explaining when out and about with non-photographers why I have to wait for a certain light etc. to get that perfectly composed shot, rather than just taking a quick Facebook style snap.
Favourite Places for photography?
Airshows (Fairford, Farnborough & Duxford, to name a few)
If you could photograph one thing/person anywhere in the world what would it be and why?
I think it would be wildlife related, something like Polar bear cubs in the Arctic, but obviously with a very long lens, just to be on the safe side.
Do you have any photographers who have inspired you?
Andy Rouse - Wildlife
Adrian Almond – Aircraft & Landscapes
David Oxtaby – Everything else......!
What's your dream camera?
Being an aircraft / wildlife fan I actually dream of big lenses rather than cameras. An EF 500mm F/4.0 IS II would do nicely, but I would have to sell our car to buy it.
How could you improve your own photography?
I think the best way to improve is just to take as many shots as you can, but then also to get these critiqued by other photographers.
The club competitions, especially the running competition, is a great way to get wide feedback for your shots without the subjectiveness of a single judge, and to also see what ideas other people have come up with.
key [675088] doesn't existShow us some of your current favourite images