What camera and lenses do you use?
I get this question more than any other. I don’t actually believe that the camera and lenses that you use make you a better photographer. You can have the most expensive camera in the world, but without knowledge, creativity, passion and eye, you may as well be using a disposable Kodak camera. But, for the record, I use a Pentax k20d and my most used lens is the Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6, which is an incredibly cheap lens. I also use a variety of Pentax manual lenses kept from my old film camera days. All my lenses are used on manual focus.
You crop your photos don’t you?
No. Never. Cropping my images in photoshop is cheating for me. If I can’t create an image within my camera I wont use it….ever.
How much photoshop do you use?
My use of photoshop is very limited. I basically use it to increase the brightness or darkness of an image and to add my watermark.
What is your photography background.
I studied photography in year 11 and 12 in ’94/’95 and loved it. My teacher told me I had “a good eye” and “to pursue photography”. After high school, I went to photography college called P.I.C. for two years and that was two years spent in the darkroom perfecting my darkroom skills that I no longer need dammit! After those two years, I managed a photographic lab and then went and studied for my fine art photography degree at RMIT which I gained with high distinction. I have been involved in countless group exhibitions and had three solo exhibitions. My work has always been animal welfare,rights based.
Why animals?
Animals are my passion. I have loved animals from as early as I can remember.
Can you photograph my wedding or baby?
Sorry, I’m probably not the person for the job. I have shot babies before, but my animal images are always 1,000 times better. It’s all about passion.
Can I bring my animals for you to shoot in a studio?
No, sorry, I don’t use studios. Animals in natural light and connecting to the earth is more my style.
Do you have some animal photographing tips?
Time, light and patience are so important. Knowing about the animal you are shooting and how that particular species behaves also gives you a great advantage. Food treats and toys sometimes really help. Knowing your camera inside out is also a must. Study about f-stops, lighting, shutter speed and shoot on a manual setting for a while. You have to work fast with animals and you need to change settings fast and focus fast. Other than that, developing your own style and way of photographing animals comes from shooting and shooting and shooting. Never copy anyone. Find your own creative style.
Please don’t use my images without permission. All images are Copyright Tamara Kenneally 1994-2011
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