In this article, we delve into the journey and distinctive approach of photographer Zane, unraveling the insights and lessons embedded in his artistic pursuits. From the nuances of his creative process to the challenges he has overcome, the narrative provides a comprehensive exploration of Zane’s evolution as a photographer and a dive deep into his winning shot of Best of the Week 34.
Cinematic movies like The Lord of the Rings showing epic locations largely fueled my fascination for nature during my younger years. Over the past decade, I’ve embarked on extensive travels, crisscrossing Canada from east to west six times. Some of the most fond memories were made during a year-long van life exploration in the breathtaking landscapes of British Columbia. Despite feeling somewhat like an outsider, I’ve always felt most alive beyond the confines of the city.
My passion for outdoor exploration deepened over time, evoking a desire to capture these experiences. In 2019, I delved into photography with the purchase of my first Sony camera. I became obsessed with the idea of capturing time and sceneries artistically while creating visual storytelling This newfound hobby seamlessly intertwined with my love for nature, unlocking a world where I could craft art, chronicle my encounters, and share them with a wider audience. It turned out to be the missing piece of the puzzle that I didn’t realize I needed.
The first time I explored nature with my camera and became serious about it was when I went to the Canadian Rockies in 2019. I tried to look for compositions whenever I was outside shooting in the mountains, and I was getting into the magic of editing with Lightroom. I was consuming as much photography content as I could and started following some of my all-time favorite photographers, such as Mads Peter Iversen, Konsta Punkka, and Shaaz Jung – just to name a few. How they created impactful images and visual narratives deeply resonated with me, compelling me to aspire to walk the same path and join the community.
Looking back, it is the community I learned from the most. My knowledge of photography has largely been shaped by studying other artists’ work and watching countless YouTube videos over the years. Allocating dedicated time for learning and remaining continuously inspired is important. I would recommend immersing yourself in a plethora of photography content to explore new techniques, compositions, and locations. Experiment with various editing styles to nurture your creativity. Learn from others by watching online content and engaging with the photography community.
A few other valuable lessons that I think are worth sharing are:
1) Embrace failures and mistakes as integral parts of the learning journey. They persist even as you advance in your craft, serving as crucial lessons that contribute to your long-term improvement.
2) Maintain a healthy perspective on the social media landscape. Recognize the potential toxicity that can arise from excessive scrolling and battling algorithms. It’s crucial not to become overly entangled in these dynamics. Take a step back, utilizing social media for its intended purpose: to inspire and connect. Prioritize creating art for yourself, and sharing it with others. Remember, the only photographer you should compete with is the one you were yesterday.
3) Seize opportunities to shoot without hesitation, as practice enhances your skills. Engage in various photography genres, ranging from events and portraits to landscapes and wildlife. This exploration will inevitably guide you towards developing your unique style. Find reasons to create consistently.
When it comes to seizing opportunities, I took full advantage when I had the chance to travel to Scotland and Iceland. My goal was to capture the breathtaking landscapes of these remarkable countries.
In Iceland, I spent 21 days driving from the Westfjords to Borgarfjörður Eystri to the East. I grew a lot throughout that trip and it was an opportunity for me to collect a good quantity of captivating photos to help me expand my travel portfolio. For me, it also strengthened the idea that outdoor photography is the path I am meant to take.
In Scotland, I enjoyed the rugged and moody landscape and conditions, as well as the wildlife. I set out to photograph some Highland cattle, drawn to their unmistakably amazing and photogenic hairstyles.
One evening as I returned from a hike at the Old Man of Storr (Isle of Skye), I came across about ten of these beauties roaming around freely on a road near a little village called Plockton and I knew this was the perfect time to get the shots I had been looking for. They may look threatening but these are actually gentle giants and do not mind your presence, as long as you leave them enough personal space. I spent over an hour photographing them in the beautiful Scottish countryside, a very special memory of this amazing country, and on top of that, it became Best of the Week 34 at Nomadict.
I took shots from different angles, but surely wanted to get a face-to-face shot of this highland cow without disturbing it. So, I shot at the longer end of my Sony 24-105mm at F4, which gives a good enough subject-to-background separation. As this particular location didn’t have a very interesting backdrop, I tried to get as much of the tall grass around the animal into the shot. I got low to the ground to get that out-of-focus foreground you see in the lower part of the image, which contributes to the depth of the frame. It’s one of my favorite angles when photographing wildlife, as getting to or below eye level provides a sense of connection with the animal and makes it look more dominant in the photo.
Once it was time to edit this image, I approached it as usual. I edit all of my shots in a way that represents how it felt for me at the moment and how I remember it rather than staying completely true to how it really was. I don’t shy away from taking artistic freedom when editing, it’s one of the parts where you can clearly stand out, express your vision, and have fun. I’m drawn towards cold and desaturated tones that convey the moody look I love for my shots, which in this case fits perfectly with the overall vibe in Scotland.
For this one, I wanted to desaturate the tones in the background and deepen the orange color of the cow to make it stand out more. As a final touch, I wanted to darken and brighten some parts of the photo, thus leading the eyes toward the subject and creating the dramatic feel I was looking for.
For this one, I wanted to desaturate the tones in the background and deepen the orange color of the cow to make it stand out more. As a final touch, I wanted to darken and brighten some parts of the photo, thus leading the eyes toward the subject and creating the dramatic feel I was looking for.
With that idea in mind, I took the following steps:
1) Whenever I start editing, my first action is always to crop the image and clean up any imperfections and distractions using the healing tool.
2) Next, I proceeded to decrease the overall clarity of the photo by a good amount to achieve the dreamy and soft feel that is part of my editing style. I reduced the overall exposure to darken the shot and then used a brush tool or a radial filter to reapply some clarity and other basic adjustments to specific parts of the image where I wanted to draw attention to.
3) Subsequently, I worked on the color grading, which is where I spent 90% of my editing time, and lifted the blacks in the tone curve for a faded look.
4) For the final step, I shaped the light in specific parts using masks and filters to add positive or negative exposure and apply a bit of grain to the image.
Each edited shot presents an opportunity to learn a lesson. Even if you’re not immediately aware, every editing effort contributes to your learning and improvement, with each piece of knowledge seamlessly transferring to the next image. Progress evolves gradually, making it an ongoing journey. It’s crucial to recognize that perfection is an elusive goal. However, by taking pride in and finding satisfaction with your creations, coupled with a continuous commitment to improvement, you can approach a level of excellence that is certainly good enough.
Besides editing, many factors can contribute to a great shot:
1) Patience and resilience: Many people underestimate the time and challenges involved in capturing a great photograph. Often, the perfect shot doesn’t happen instantly; it may take hours on location to achieve the right light, mood, or moment, and sometimes these elements may not materialize at all. Enduring harsh conditions, such as rain, wind, and cold, is sometimes necessary to ensure you capture the desired image. While the process can be demanding, the ultimate reward is extremely gratifying.
2) Move around and shoot more: It’s a good idea to explore different perspectives when photographing a subject. Moving around, using various focal lengths, and experimenting with different compositions and angles can significantly enhance your chances of capturing the exceptional shot you seek. Remaining in the same spot throughout may cause you to miss out on that!
3) Planning: Choosing your location, researching on it, and scouting ahead in advance, if possible, can be hugely beneficial. This proactive approach minimizes the time spent searching for a suitable composition upon arrival, reducing the risk (and stress) of missing the perfect light or a crucial moment. Studying how other photographers have approached the scene provides inspiration and helps you plan how you would do it.
4) Composition is key: In photography, achieving the best possible composition is paramount. Clearly defining the subject, balancing elements within the frame, and eliminating distractions during framing are essential steps. While post-processing has its role, it cannot compensate for poor composition. Investing time in getting the shot right during capture is more effective than relying solely on post-processing corrections.
Perhaps in several years, I will mention a few other factors instead of the above, as I keep learning. It took me 30 years for photography to become an integral part of my life, and I can envision myself exploring new countries with my camera in the decades to come—whether professionally or for personal projects. With an extensive list that includes destinations like Norway, Japan, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, Italy, and Germany, among others, life would be filled with excitement. I look forward to creating art in these diverse places. As long as I experience that thrill and find meaning in my pursuits, I’ll continue with a smile on my face.
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