Photography News | Issue 69 | photographynews.co.uk
Interview 24
To take an image that is powerful and engaging with good lighting is incredibly difficult PN: What would you say has been your most difficult assignment? TW: Working in East Africa, one of the advantages is that, due to the terrain, you are able to spot the animals fromadistance.Mymost difficult assignments come when I am working in thick jungle/forest environments, as not only is it difficult to spot your subject, but it becomes more difficult to take an image to fit the fine-art style I am looking for . I regard photographing tigers, as always, my most difficult assignment of the year. To take an image that is powerful and engaging with my preferred background, foreground and lighting is incredibly difficult. PN: What is your most memorable wildlife picture that you have taken so far? TW: Although not unique, I have always had the desire to take an image of a large and beautiful male lion walking directly towards my camera. Fortunately, everything came together in December 2015 when I was able to photograph the piece ‘View To A Kill’. To this day, this remainsmy favourite photograph. PN: Do you have a picture in your mind you want, but haven’t yet managed to capture? TW: Currently I am very focused on working in Africa photographing the large mammals found there, but one day I would love to see and photograph a polar bear. I have a few images already in my mind, but I am realistic that this will takemuch investment of time andmoney. PN:What is themost satisfying aspect of your job? TW: I find one of themost exciting and satisfying parts of my job is seeing the image come to life as a print. In my opinion, the final destination for the photographs taken needs to be print and hanging in a frame on thewall. PN: Do you do your own printing and if so, which brands of paper and finishes do you prefer to use? TW: I havemyworkprofessionallyprinted to the highest quality. I prefer to use FotospeedNatural Textured Bright White 315 paper for both my colour and black&white prints. PN: Have you got any advice for readers who want to do your job? TW: I think one of the biggest pieces of advice I can give – which is relevant to any genre of photography – is just to shoot for yourself. It is so easy in the age of social media to become distracted and lose focus on what you are trying to achieve. Find a style you enjoy and immerse yourself in it. Photography, like any art form, is extremely subjective, but if you love the work you are creating, nothing else reallymatters. PN: When can we next see your work on display or listen to a presentation? TW: I will be guest speaking at Foto Fest 2019 at the University of Bath on 8 September. During my presentation here, I will be showing a wide portfolio of images and discussing which three key factors are required tomake awildlife image really stand out. I will also be exhibiting my special edition pieces at the Windsor Contemporary Art Fair inNovember.
Contact
Formore on Tom’swork, see hiswebsite and followhimon various social media channels tomwayphotography.co.uk Facebook@TomWay Photography Twitter@tomwayphoto Instagram@tom.way.photography
Images Tom uses a Canon EOS-1D X as his go-to camera, while his favourite lens is the Canon 400mm f/2.8. This combination helps him capture stunning sharp images
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