Gavin Dunbar Photography
http://gavindunbar.com/
http://500px.com/gavindunbar
What kind of equipment (camera body, lens, filters, flash, tripod, cleaning equipment other) do you use?
I currently shoot with a Nikon D800E and a selection of Zeiss prime lenses – 21mm, 35mm, 50mm and 100mm. I have a NIkkor 70-200mm as well, but it’s rarely used unless I’m photographing the dogs and need auto-focus!
The Lee Filter system is almost permanently attached to my lens, with their 10 stop ND filter ‘The Big Stopper’ being the most used filter for my long exposure work alongside some ND graduated filters.
I made the mistake of buying a few cheap tripods over the years to try and save money, but after they all broke I finally gave in and forked out for a Gitzo carbon fibre tripod and is one of the best purchases I have made. It’s extremely stable yet very lightweight, and quite compact so I’ve no issues carrying it around all day or taking it abroad with me on trips.
What do you like and dislike about your equipment, specially your camera, and how would you improve it?
I’ve used Nikon bodies for a few years now so feel pretty comfortable with the way they work, and the quality and resolution with the D800 and Zeiss lenses is superb. I’m completely happy with my equipment and for once have no plans or need to buy any more gear!
When I upgraded to the D800, I now need to use the in camera Long Exposure Noise Reduction (LENR) that I never had to switch on with my old D700. It was a bit of a pain at first as it effectively doubles the time you wait per exposure, but I’m used to it now and it’s a small price to pay for the superb resolution you get with the D800 sensor.
It has forced me to spend a bit more time preparing each shot to ensure I’ve composed and focused correctly, and I use the extra time whilst LENR is working to think more about possible compositions, which I hope has made me a better photographer.
What is your favourite lens, and why? When you travel, what is in your essential photographic kit bag?
I guess it depends on what I’m shooting, but my most used lens is the Zeiss 50mm Makro-Planar. Many of my images are quite minimalist and I find the 50mm focal length to be perfect for the type of shots I take, allowing me to easily get rid of unwanted clutter in the foreground or around the frame. It’s a super sharp lens and pairs well with the D800.
All my camera gear and comes with me when I travel, probably taking up more than 50% of my luggage! I’ll always take a spare 10-stop filter and remote camera release just in case, as without these I could not take 95% of the images I shoot.
What kind of software/tools do you use for post-processing, if any?
I usually do quite a lot of post processing with my images these days, and use Adobe Lightroom to prepare my RAW files before converting them to black and white using Nik’s Silverefex Pro 2. The files are then processed in Photoshop CS5.
How long have you been taking photographs? How do you find inspiration?
I’ve been into photography seriously now for about 4 years, and the last couple of years I’d admit to being totally obsessed with long exposure work!
Browsing photography websites is a great sources of inspiration, but for me it’s from just being out with the camera either in the UK or travelling abroad.
It’s great to head somewhere new for inspiration but quite often I’ll re-visit old spots over and over, and it’s amazing how you’ll see new opportunities in a familiar setting.
Which style of photography do you like the most, and why?
Definitely long exposure photography, specifically seascapes and the more minimal the better! I also enjoy the challenge of photographing modern architecture, but have not shot too much of that recently so really need to get out and do some more.
What goal are you working towards within your photography and when will you know you have reached it?
I don’t really have a specific goal that I’m working towards, except really to travel as much as possible and to keep enjoying photography, whilst hopefully getting a bit better all the time!
Looking at your own work, which piece is your favourite? Why? Please provide a link to the picture.
That’s a tough one, as I think most photographers feel quite a connection to all their images. If I had to pick one I think my image ‘Breakwater’ stands out for me due to a number of reasons.
This was the first and only time I have been to this location, and as many know it’s not very often you get the shot you are looking for on the first attempt! The tide level was right, the clouds and light were superb and everything just fell into place. My knowledge of Photoshop was also improving rapidly at the time, so I was able to process it exactly how I wanted. Everything that day worked out perfectly.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gavindunbar/7620402924/
Does your work fit into any one or more distinct genres (nature, landscape, long-exposure, black-and-white, infra-red, urban, artistic, macro, vintage, vernacular, social, street)? If other, please specify.
I’ve photographed pretty much everything over the years, but nowadays it’s all long exposure landscapes and seascapes.
Are there any photography websites that you visit regularly?
Flickr, Art Limited, 500px, Stark Magazine, Google+ the list seems endless these days, and just when you think that’s it another new one springs up!
I’m in the process of sorting out my own website, and once done I might start spending a lot less time on some of these sites to concentrate on that. It’s amazing how much of your time even a minimal presence on these sites can eat up if you are not careful!
What is the one most important lesson that you have learned since you started taking photographs?
Just to enjoy being out and about with the camera and shoot as much as possible. Don’t force things and you’ll find the results will come, with your photography improving all the time as you start to develop your own personal style and vision.
And finally, what other interesting photographers would you like to see in this blog?
There are so many other photographers I admire, but to name a few whose work I always look forward to seeing I’ll suggest Michael Diblicek, Keith Aggett, Giles McGarry, Rohan Reilly and Noel Clegg.
