Interview with Darwin Wiggett

[North of Auckland]

Firstly I need to thank Darwin for taking the time out to answer these questions and for letting me post a few of his incredible photographs. Cheers mate your a star

Please visit Darwin's website at www.darwinwiggett.com

Here's a taster of some of his work.












1. I would like to know how you do your marketing, what networking etc, to sell your images, and who you sells them to (without getting into confidential aspects of his business of course)?

---In the past all I did was send my photos to stock photo agencies, they did all the marketing and I got a healthy cheque once a month. It was great! Now those days are gone and a photographer really has to be know the web to market his/her stuff. It is all about getting your name out as much as possible and getting your photos seen by as many people as possible. If you do not harness the power of the web you very likely will not suceed as a photographer.


2. I would also be interested to know if he thinks it is viable to make a living doing this sort of photography just in New Zealand?

--I have no idea about the New Zealand market but it is probably like the Canadian Market, very small and specific. If you produce very good images and know howto market your work to local sources, I believe you can make a living at photography no matter where you live.

3. Do you either you plan your landscape photographs before you takes them or shoots to the conditions if you know what I mean?

--I do both. Many are previsualized and I go back under the right light and conditions to get what I want. But I also do not let my preconceptions get in the way of seeing other opportunities when they arise. Chance favours the prepared.

4. How productive are you, like how many good images you produce in a month. And those that are nearly there, do we ever see them, or is it only the best?

--Depends on what you define as 'good'. If 'good' is a technically sound photo with a decent composition, then almost everytime I press the shutter I get one of those pictures. If good is a photo that is saleable, then I get hundreds of them a month too. But if 'good' is an image that rises to the next level, that really resonates with me and that really captures what my heart sees then I am lucky to get one of those a month.

5. How do you know when a picture is good, good enough?

---If I like it then it is good enough. I am very picky though.

6. If someone wanted to get into landscape photography as a way to make a living what advice would you give?

--Spend more time learning marketing and learning the ins and out of the web. A person can make a good living with average landscape photography if they are a great marketer. You can make the best landscape images in the world but you will die of starvation if you do not market your work. Be a great marketer first and a good shooter second if you really wnat to be a landscape photographer.

7. Do you use Photoshop, if so to what degree? (Come on we won't tell LOL).

--I have used Photoshop since version 2.5. I shoot RAW files so most images need to be run through Camera RAW and then in Photoshop I add play with levels or curves to liven up the scene. I also do some local dodging and burning on some images and for 95% of the photos that all I need to do. I try to get it captured right in the camera because I want to spend less time on the compter.

8. Do you you post your images on Flickr and sites like that, if so under what name?

-no (personally I hate Flickrs crappy looking interface and design - visually it looks terrible).

9. When reflecting on your photographic history/experience, do you recognise any particular breakthroughs or times of growth in the quality of your pictures? If so could you describe one or two?

-most breakthroughs were in technique, when I figured out how to use a tool or technique that would translate what I see onto film or the sensor. For instance ND grads were a big tool for me to help me get images in camera the way I see them in the filed.

10. Do you have any suggestions, for people who are not professional, of exercises or ways for pushing towards better quality of pictures?

--give yourself an assignment each year to shoot a project that is something you might not normally shoot - this is like visual yoga. In 2008 I gave myself the assignment to shoot intimate landscape one day a month at a local park, this year I am shooting parking lots once a month. I made or will make these projects into a BLURB book. Stretch yourself and shoot things you never have (street photography, signs, your kitchen sink etc). These exercises help you learn to see and will ultimately make you realize that great photos can me made anywhere

11. From your experience as a professional, where do you see landscape photography and the type of work you do going in the future?

--I see photographers not using stock agencies or publishers anymore and becoming the producers of their own books, DVD's, videos, slide shows etc and these will all be distributed on the web, very exciting stuff to break away form the gatekeepers of the art!

12. Which photographer's do you enjoy the work of?

--I just love surfing the web and finding amazing work at random, there is just so much good stuff out there now. I post a photographer of the month on my blog for finds that I think are really cool.


13. What is the most memorable moment in your photography career and why?

--There are too many, my life is rich in experience and that is why I do what I do (cause there aint' no money in it!)

14. Is it a case of going out to find a shot or do you come up with an idea and then work out how to get the photo?

--both, sometimes you find stuff serendipitiously, and other times you previsualize and then plan to make it happen

15. If you get an idea for a Photo, how much prep time before hand do you spend on it before taking the shot?

--depends on what it is, some things are very simple, some are complex. One time I tried to get a photo I wanted for 12 days in a row

16. What was the hardest part in your first few years as a Pro?

-eating out of a dumpster

17. Did you have a big break, or did you simply tough it out and fight your way into the pro ranks?

-no big break, just hard work, perserverence, and drive.

18. After you have built a large portfolio, where do you get your inspiration for new photos from?

--I try new stuff, new subjects and genres of photography I have not tried before which teaches me how to see and then there is never any lack of subject matter.

19. Have your styles changed over time, and if so, what do you think of your older shots now?

--Sure your style changes over time, the older stuff is pretty simple but there are still ones that stand the test of time and remain in my top 100 images

20. Do you use HDR, exposure blending, or any other techniques to overcome the dynamic range of camera sensors?

-I use all techniques from ND grads, manually blending of layers, to HDR - all is fair game to help you translate your vision into the final image

21. When travelling to a new, unfamiliar location, how do you plan your trip to maximise your photographic opportunities?

--research, research, research...and then stay open for unexpected possibilities

22. What trips do you have planned in the near future?

--mostly Canadian locations, I specialize in Canada

23. Has your style changed over the years, and if so how?

--I am more introspective in my shooting now and shoot less big dramatic landscape in theatrical light. I still love that but now I also want to show nature's imtimate overlooked moments.

24. How does you gear get on in Canadian climate? Did anything pack up in the cold?

--Nah, my gear is tougher than I am , I wimp out before my cameras do

25. Of all the trips he has been on, which has been the most rewarding so far?

--They are all amazing in different ways.

26. What did it feel like when you first saw an image of yours published?

-thrilled

27. Do you find you need to keep looking for new spots to shoot to keep you motivated or are you happy with finding new approches to the same scenes?

--I do better work the more familar I am with a location. I begin to see beyond the surface and dig deeper. Fresh locations are exciting but they are like one night stands, thrilling but superficial. Revisiting locations is like developing a deep meaningful relationship where you grow because of what you find out about yourself.

28. Of the different countries you have visited, Has one stood out more than the others?

--nope, love them all for different reasons

[weka2000]

Fresh locations are exciting but they are like one night stands, thrilling but superficial. Revisiting locations is like developing a deep meaningful relationship where you grow because of what you find out about yourself. [/COLOR]

Now thats something the jumped out at me ......... not that ive had many one nighters

[chrisgin]

Great stuff. Thanks Darwin for answering these.

[North of Auckland]

Darwin as posted this to his blog http://darwinwiggett.wordpress.com/2...5/small-items/

Maybe he has a point about 1 night stands and getting to know your partner better

[weka2000]

I remember all my 1 night stands very clearly

[flashpoint]

wow,
beautiful stuff
as a non landscape-boy that gets me wanting to go for a walk.

[North of Auckland]

I see Darwin has just done another interview, obviously nowhere near as probing and intellectual as mine but......

[John Read]

woo long interview i like reading it Darwin Widdett is great man