From being inspired by the Milky Way to stand out in photo competitions, Cormac shares his most valuable lessons about photography in this article. He shares tips on investing in gear, achieving desired effects, and capturing impactful photos by incorporating compositional elements, story-telling, and the use of light. The article showcases some of his most impressive images, including a snow-capped Pen Y Fan under a starry night sky.
In December 2021, I purchased my first camera after being inspired by stunning Milky Way photos of my home country and YouTube videos showcasing the photographers’ adventures to capture these images. The COVID lockdown prompted me to try out photography and take on a personal challenge to capture such photos. Despite being limited to my local area for the first four months of owning a camera, I spent my time reading photography books and watching YouTube videos to learn, absorb and find inspiration. Finally, when travel became possible, I was thrilled to capture the night sky in all its glory. Looking back at my early pictures, I cringe at how bad they were, but it was all part of my learning curve, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
In the first year of taking photos, I focused on putting my learning into practice and capturing my travels around Wales with my family. At this point, I did not pay much attention to photo composition and only took landscape-oriented shots. I did not bother with cropping or spending much time editing my images, as I believed they were the best they could be. However, after reading an article by a photographer whom I follow, I had a lightbulb moment that completely changed my approach. The article discussed what makes a good image, how to approach editing, and finding one’s style. With this new knowledge, I decided to upgrade my entry-level DSLR to a mirrorless camera, invested in Lightroom, and began to put more thought into my photo compositions and how I envisioned the final image artistically.
During the past years, I have learned many valuable lessons, and I would like to share with you four of them:
1) Photography is more than just taking pictures; it’s an art form that allows us to share our unique vision of the world with others. By capturing the beauty and emotions of a moment, we can evoke feelings and tell stories that words cannot express. With photography, we can communicate our perspective and inspire others to see the world in a different way.
2) Composition is a fundamental element of good photography, but it’s only half the equation. How you edit your photos and develop your style is equally essential. Editing allows you to enhance the visual impact of an image, emphasize certain elements, and convey a specific mood or atmosphere. Your editing style is a reflection of your personality and creative vision, and it can set you apart from other photographers.
3) Don’t be afraid to edit your photos to reflect your artistic vision. Editing is not about making a photo look fake or perfect, but rather about expressing your unique creative perspective. Programs like Lightroom and Photoshop offer a range of powerful tools that can help you bring your artistic vision to life. Experimenting with different editing techniques and styles can be a fun and rewarding way to enhance your photography.
4) When it comes to buying gear, it’s important to invest in quality equipment that will last. Going for cheaper options like tripods, backpacks, or lenses might seem like a good way to save money in the short term, but in the long run, it could end up costing you more. Cheaper gear often has lower quality and may break or wear out more quickly. It’s better to invest in high-quality gear that will last longer and provide better results, ultimately saving you time and money in the long run.
These lessons have allowed me to grow as a photographer, and most importantly, to enjoy shooting outdoors:
Recently, we experienced a snowfall in the Brecon Beacons, and I finally had the opportunity to capture a photo of Pen Y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales, under a starry night sky.
I had been wanting to take this shot for some time, as I had a particular composition in mind from a few years back. Unfortunately, the perfect conditions had not aligned in recent years, as I needed both snow and a moonless, clear sky to achieve the desired effect. This combination can be rare in Wales, but on this particular night, everything fell into place.
Capturing this shot was a challenging process that required a great deal of planning and effort, but the result was worth it. The photo has generated significant interest in my work and has become a highlight of my portfolio.
In addition, I believe that ruins are an important part of the overall landscape and something worth photographing, and that includes Tintern Abbey. To capture the perfect image of the abbey, one must wait for certain times of the year when the sun is in the right position, and the sky is clear. The goal is to achieve a stunning sunburst effect through the abbey’s windows, with the resulting cast of sun rays streaming across the floor, showcasing the grandeur of the ruins. It’s a challenging shot to get just right, as you are dependent on perfect conditions, but the end result can be truly majestic.
In this regard, to create a truly captivating and impactful photograph, there are a few key elements that need to be present.
Firstly, a strong compositional element is necessary. This could be achieved by incorporating leading lines or a focal point that draws the viewer’s attention and encourages them to take notice of the photo. A well-composed image can make all the difference in capturing a viewer’s interest and keeping them engaged with the photo.
Secondly, a photo needs to tell a story and evoke emotions in the viewer. This is where the true power of photography lies – in its ability to convey a message or feeling without words. A successful photo can transport the viewer to a different time or place, and allow them to experience the scene in a unique way.
The use of light and drama also plays a crucial role in creating a striking image. From the eerie and mystical effects of fog to the vibrant and warm colors of golden hour, or the majesty of a truly dark sky where stars shine brightly, the light in a photo can add depth and complexity to the scene.
Finally, giving the viewer a sense of scale or perspective is important in helping them understand the full impact of the scene. One way to achieve this is by including a person or object in the photo to provide a reference point against a mountain backdrop or peak, for example. This can add a new dimension to the image, allowing the viewer to fully appreciate the scale and grandeur of the scenery.
Forests possess a certain magical quality with their darkness, stillness, and the feeling of being completely isolated. It’s amazing how light and fog can effortlessly transform the environment. Personally, I am enamored with the grandeur of towering trees. This image of a road bordered by trees in the Elan Valley stands out as my preferred segment, particularly when the light subtly filters through.
Then, as mentioned earlier, editing is the other half of the equation. I would like to show you my post-production process with a practical and a bit challenging example:
I selected a nighttime photo for editing. These kinds of photos are perhaps the most challenging, especially when dealing with a single exposure. So here are some of the steps I would take to edit it, I hope they help you take a similar endeavor:
1) Reduce the highlights completely.
2) Slightly increase the contrast.
3) Increase the exposure by one stop.
4) Decrease the whites.
5) Increase the blacks.
6) Make adjustments to the tone curve.
7) Adjust the color mixer to taste.
8) Apply color grading changes as needed, with emphasis on blue.
9) Increase the shadows.
10) Boost the vibrance to taste.
11) Reduce the texture and clarity.
12) Apply dehaze as necessary.
13) Increase sharpening.
14) Use local adjustments with masks to enhance the sky, subjects, and cliffs/shipwrecks with increased shadows, exposure, and saturation.
15) Apply noise reduction as desired.
Editing can be quite exciting, especially when you achieve the outcome you had in mind. And my home country is certainly a source of inspiration too.
Living in Wales fills me with a sense of gratitude as I am blessed with the most breathtaking coastlines and landscapes in the UK, right on my doorstep. I find the Brecon Beacons National Park particularly inspiring, with its stunning mountain ranges, cascading waterfalls, and idyllic countryside. Its proximity to my home means that I frequently embark on expeditions to explore the region’s offerings.
Actually, I am delighted to share that I was recently selected as a finalist in the History Hit World Photographer of the World awards for a photograph I captured in my home country of the Newport Transporter Bridge shrouded in fog.
The image was even chosen by Timeout magazine as their top pick from the shortlist. Before this experience, I had never considered entering photography competitions, as I didn’t believe that my work was good enough. However, I recognized the uniqueness of this particular image, which almost appeared to be taken in the Alps. This taught me to evaluate all of my work based on specific criteria, such as strong composition, viewer engagement, and the ability to stand out.
I am also proud of the image you can see below. That particular composition is what initially ignited my passion for photography. However, capturing the shot was a challenging feat that required extensive planning. It could only be taken during the Milky Way alignment in July, and I had to embark on a solo hike with only the company of sheep to reach the location. Additionally, I had to wait until midnight for the moon to set before I could finally capture the image.
I aspire to devote my entire career to photography in the next ten years, sharing my creative vision of the world with others. My ultimate dream is to open a gallery by a beach where I can showcase and sell my artwork while teaching others the art and joy of photography.
I hope I can show my upcoming work to my children and that we can continue to spend quality time with family, following our passions and embarking on new adventures.
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