In conversation with... Peter Ryan

[carregwen]

©Image, Steve (Wirefox)


In conversation with... Peter Ryan (the one on the right...)

Name: Peter Ryan
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Website: www.peterryanphotography.com.au

Rob: Hello, Peter. Thanks very much for taking the time to talk to us today.
Peter: It's a pleasure, Rob.

Perhaps we can start by you telling us something about your general back-ground. What about your work history – anything interesting?

A qualified accountant I have worked in finance all my life. I was working in London in 1987 - ‘post BIG BANG pre CRASH’, but was out of the game before the GFC – so don’t blame me. I work for myself as an independent finance broker arranging business and equipment finance for companies.

And what about your family life, Peter?

I am 59 and looking to wind out of finance and into photography over the next 12 – 18 months. I met my partner, Stephanie, while on a 7 day horse ride in the Victorian High Country. We have a small farm about 1 hour north of Melbourne. We currently have two horses. Steph still rides in adult riding club dressage events. Steph is often asked – What does he photograph? She just rolls her eyes and says “everything”.

(Editor's pick)


If you were staying in tonight, what would you choose as one of your favourite books and/or films to keep you entertained, and what you be having as a favourite meal?

I am not generally a reader of novels except on holidays (read airports) when I like a biography. I do read a lot of photography books, magazines, etc and look at images wherever possible. As for TV I like most films or just veg out on anything that does not require thought. I do use TV to hone my photographic vision. Directors will hold a scene for a second or two for effect. I try to analyse the scene to see what composition techniques they used, did I like it and the reason for my opinion. Mentally processing my thoughts in a short time frame helps me see images when I am driving around the countryside.

Favourite meal – Sheppard’s Pie with peas and carrots. When diagnosed with diabetes I was told that drinking two glasses of red wine a day would help to thin the blood – I take my medicine religiously and I purchased the biggest glass I could find.

Yeah, those large wine glasses come in handy, don't they. OK, photography is a given, but what about other hobbies or personal interests?

I have had many interests over time. I do not specialise and take different interests to different levels. I love horses and have ridden and trained horses (pleasure riding) for many years. I read somewhere once that if you get bored - learn something. I try to learn something new each year – sailing, horse riding, computer skills, photography, the harmonica, etc. Some have lasted and developed, others dropped by the wayside.

Let's get on to photography - how long have you been a photographer, and what got you interested in the first place?

I have taken photos all my life. I started with a Box Brownie an auntie gave me for Christmas. It was only 10 years ago that I decided to grab an old Canon FTb (1978 model – I think) and did a night-course to see how a camera actually works. I do a lot of reading and look at a lot of images.
Looking back on older images it is amazing how they all seem to have gone out of focus as they aged!!!!

What type of photography are you interested in, and why?

My main interests are landscape and wildlife (birds). I love harsh desert terrains and in particular the Red Centre of Australia.

I am not interested in broad vista views but more the essence of the image– that section of a stream or rocky outcrop, etc. The colour, shapes, angles the mood. I do enjoy macro work as well, which is a closer perspective again. The essence of the scene is what is important to me. Offering more products in the markets has forced me to look at wider range of images. Some images suit fine-art prints, others calendars and others DVD’s for tourists. I do think more about the use of an image now when I take it.

Any particular photographic influences?

No real influences. As I have discussed I read a lot, review images for style, composition, light, etc.
Most importantly, I try to learn from everything I see but develop my own style. I feel I am getting there. I can see a style building and look forward to developing it further – bend it, break it and put it back together again.

(Editor's pick)


What you think of CiC? Any way it could be improved? Where should it go from here, in your opinion?

I do not belong to any other web forums. I do read others, occasionally, but I prefer to get out there and do it rather than spend all my time on the computer theorising about it. Having said that, I find the CiC community a valuable input to my learning. The multi-cultural aspect and the respect that members have for each other is amazing. Australia is a multicultural society and all the better for it. I find CiC represents that in a global forum and I enjoy everyone’s input. This is essentially an English speaking web site but I have seen nothing but encouragement for members whose first language is not English.

The other thing I enjoy is we do not have any prima-donnas. Everyone is more than willing to share their tips and experiences so that everyone grows together. I think some of the small things recently introduced like “What does your avatar mean’, ‘So you think your a photographer..’ and this style of interview helps to strengthen the membership culture by allowing some insight into the participants. I think CiC is developing nicely, and I see no need for dramatic change.

Getting more personal if you don't mind...what keeps you awake at night, apart from Photoshop?

I mentioned earlier I am in a transition time in my life - finance is on the way out and photography is in. I have cut back on most business activities. This year I have taken far fewer images than I would have liked. We have been doing renovations to the farmhouse to move there soon. I am just about to renovate the hay loft over the old stables for a studio to do workshops, etc. In time I will renovate the stables for a gallery. I have also been developing additional product for my market stall - calendars, cards and currently DVDs. Sometimes you need to take a step back to move forward. Life is good.

I have to ask this…. What photographic gear do you own, and what software do you use for editing?

Cameras: Nikon D70s and recently Nikon D300s.
Lens: Nikor 16 – 85m ED f3.5 - 5.6 VR, Nikor 28 – 70m ED, 70 – 300m ED f 4.0 – 5.6 (older lens but still good), Tamron 11 – 17m and Tamron 180m f4.0 Macro.
Flash: Nikon SB800
Tripod: Manfrotto with ball head and removable centre column for macro work.
Processing: Photoshop CS4

Countless other bits and pieces I felt I needed at the time but form a nice history collection now. I wish I still had the old Box Brownie for posterity sake.

It’s a tough one to answer, but how would you rate your photographic skills and ability?

Fair and evolving. I see myself as an opportunistic photographer. I do not sit in hides or wait hours for light. If the light is not right here it will be somewhere else. I have a growing confidence in my vision and feel my compositions are reasonably strong. I do find I need to work a subject. The first few shots are just to get me using the camera again and feeling comfortable with the gear, I then start moving around and my creative juices start to kick in.

Because of the harsh light in Australia I have had to develop skills to deal with it in capture and processing. I know my camera equipment. As regards processing I feel comfortable now when I open Photoshop. I still have much to learn but I am happy with where I am at with my current style of shooting.

What will the digital camera be like in 2020? And will you still own one?

I will certainly own a camera whatever is in fashion.

What will it be like? I would suggest manufactures will continue to take the personal influences out shooting by eliminating all errors they think they can control in camera and leave all expression to post processing.

Are you in a position to help or encourage others in their photography?

I started one day workshops earlier this year based on an Introduction to Natural Light Photography and they were successful. I was also invited to a do a lecture series at the local council’s community education centre. I have done two and they have offered the course again in the last semester.
I am in the process of doing up an old hay loft at the farm to use as a studio so I can extend the number of courses. When this is completed I intend to offer some courses on an introduction to post-processing using Rawtherapee and Virtual Photographer. Many don’t have the funds for Photoshop so this is a good start. There also appears to be interest in a group of people meeting for an afternoon to critique images. I will explore this next year.

That sounds a very good effort, Peter. Another tough one for you…do you consider photography to be art?

I do think photography is an art and I feel it is an under-rated art.

I do think there is a pricing point and image size where someone will hang a beautiful photograph on a wall. Above that they will want a painting. Having said that I think canvass prints have changed that dynamic a little. I think the commercial marketing for digital imagery undervalues the art form. I hear people comment when people pass my stand at the market – “oh, I can do that” or “I bet that was
photo-shopped”. A very good friend of mine recently asked why anyone would want to pay for a workshop when digital cameras made it so easy these days.

How do you feel about having your own shot taken?

I don’t mind having my shot taken but no one seems keen on taking it.

What single piece of advice do you think is most useful to someone starting out with photography?

I posted in CiC the other day a comment I use with my students: - Technique without vision will leave you frustrated as your results will not match your expectations.

Vision without technique will leave your audience frustrated as they won’t know why you bothered taking the shot in the first place.

My advice - learn your equipment fully so it is second nature in your hands then you can concentrate on building your style (vision, composition and expression).

Learn from others but don’t copy.

When you have taken your shots go back and review, review, review.

Finally, can you give us one interesting/weird/silly thing about you that we probably don’t know?

I told you I like to learn something new each year. Well the harmonica was taken on with some gusto until I noticed that every time I tried playing it the cats left the room. Stephanie said it was the harmonica or the cats and she was not giving up the cats. The harmonica is rusting away in the drawer.
Maybe now I am in the shed – ah, that’s another story.

What do you want to achieve through your photography?

In the next stage of my life I need to have an interest. I am an outgoing person so I need to be involved with people. I see too many men not know how to transition to retirement and lose 2 or 3 years of their life wondering what to do next. Photography is a passion that can be reclusive (in taking shots, processing, viewing and living off internet chat rooms) or it can allow you get out there and meet people and share your passion. Either is fine but I am working on the latter.

Can we see one or two of your shots that mean something special to you, and could you explain why.

The first image is Morning Mist (New Zealand).

About 8 years ago I was in New Zealand’s north island. I had been at a conference in Auckland and decided to take some extra time to look around Rotorua and Lake Taupo. I was staying at a ‘farm-stay’ at the end of Whininaki Valley Rd (so Colin can look it up) I got to the farm stay well after sundown so didn’t know where I was. The next morning this was the sight I awoke to.

I remember this shot clearly. I was struggling to understand light and to capture it at the time. I took this image with a Nikon F80 film camera so had no histogram for reference. I did have my incident light meter. Looking at the scene I wanted to capture the light coming through the mist and I knew if I held the light meter with the sphere facing me the trees would be exposed correctly but in effect over-exposed, and the highlights would be blown and I would lose the mood. I decided to turn the sphere to face the light source and take the reading that way.

I still love this shot and all that it taught me about light and mood.


The second shot was taken in the rainforests in the Otway Ranges in Victoria. I often look up to see what’s happening in the tree canopy. I love the delicate lace filigree of the branches and space each tree has in its world. This shot taught me there is more to composition than rule of thirds and how important it is to give each element is rightful proportions in an image.



I have many favourite images but these two come to mind whenever asked. I hope you enjoy them as well.

That's all we have time for, Peter, but I want to thank you for taking the time to talk to us. It’s been a real pleasure, and if you don't mind me saying so you come across as a very happy and well-adjusted individual. I'm sure others will enjoy this.

Thank you, Rob.

[carregwen]

Previous conversations can be seen here...

Sean T. McHugh (McQ)
Steve O'Neill (Wirefox)
Kay Wilson (wilgk)
Mike (Clactonian)
Colin Southern

I am in need of some more volunteers for conversations. The impression in some quarters seems to be that this is only for experienced, hyper-confident CiC members. Not true. We have made quite an effort to put this together, and we definitely want to hear from a range of members of all abilities. Some points to bear in mind...

1. Your privacy is in your hands. You can reveal as much, or as little, as you wish. I will not add anything without your permission.
2. I do edit the returned interview files, but you get to approve the final version before it's published.
3. If you are a newbie, by contributing to this you are encouraging others in the same position.
4. It is not just about the standard of your photography - it's also about you as an individual.
5. I can assist you at an individual level if you need help in completing the questions - either because you are not sure what to say, or perhaps if English is not your first language.
6. Nothing will be said about you that could be construed as derogatory - I am very careful as to what I edit, and as I said, you get to review it before publication. If any other member makes inappropriate comments about you or what you have said in your conversation the comments would be removed immediately by Mods.

So.... if you would like to take part, just download this file and complete your responses. There are instructions in the file. When complete, copy it (in edit mode to preserve the tags) into a PM and send it to me.

http://uploading.com/files/2d954c28/...ter_basic.txt/

Thanking you in anticipation.

[Donald]

Excellent Peter. Thank you for taking part and sharing your ideas and views. This idea of starting to wind down from the 'day job' and turning more and more to photography either for pleasure or income, or both, just keeps getting more attractive as each day passes.

[Peter Ryan]

Excellent Peter. Thank you for taking part and sharing your ideas and views. This idea of starting to wind down from the 'day job' and turning more and more to photography either for pleasure or income, or both, just keeps getting more attractive as each day passes.

Its taken me 2 years of trail and error but it is working for me now and I see a furture and love it.

[Wirefox]

Peter, very intelligently written and very interesting to read your views on life and photography. The black and white images looking up into the trees is outstanding. It is something we all do...or should do and you have captured the essence beautifully. I feel certain that you will sucede in what you are trying to accomplish. I wish you the very best of luck with it.

[Clactonian]

It's good to get to know you Peter. What a pity we are a world apart. I'd love to join one of your group sessions on your farm.

[delboy]

I hear people comment when people pass my stand at the market – “oh, I can do that”

They can't, and that's what makes you a good photographer.

Delboy

[McQ]

Another great discussion. Thanks for sharing so much with us Peter. It's really interesting getting to know everyone here a bit more. I agree with you on photo strategy as well; staying on the move and "chasing the light" always seems more productive (for me) than waiting for the light.

[wilgk]

Thankyou Peter for a very interesting interview...
I already knew I could learn a lot about photography from you, but now I'm sure 'BC' could develop his 'life after beans' plan by learning from your example.

[The Blue Boy]

This series is something really fresh and original. This is what this site is all about, encouragement. Brilliant.

[Peter Ryan]

Thanks everyone for your kind words. This site and the characters that reside here have become an important part of my strategy.

For those approaching the next phase of their life like me I do encourage you all to get a hobby or to make this one work for you in whatever capacity you want. I see so many self employed guys like me at the gym wondering what to do next because they do not have an interest and don’t know what the future holds.

We are at least more than half way there.

[Katy Noelle]

Thanks, Peter, for taking the time to share this with us. There's so much inspiration and encouragement in here! Also, it's such an eye opener to know more about the people who are stepping in and helping me so much. AND, I would have loved to have taken those two shots. They're so beautiful, oh, yes, yes, yes!!!

[carregwen]

There's so much inspiration and encouragement in here! Also, it's such an eye opener to know more about the people who...

I do believe that's an offer to be the next, Katy. Yes, Rob - I'll be next!

[Peter Ryan]

Thanks, Peter, for taking the time to share this with us. There's so much inspiration and encouragement in here! Also, it's such an eye opener to know more about the people who are stepping in and helping me so much. AND, I would have loved to have taken those two shots. They're so beautiful, oh, yes, yes, yes!!!

Thanks Katy and I now look forward to reading more about you. I am sure there is an interesting story in there.

[Katy Noelle]

I have a feeling that I'm going to wake up, tomorrow and not know how this all happened!

[Klickit]

Yet another very interesting interview. There is so much to learn in this series, both about photography and about the individuals that make CiC work so well. Thanks Peter.

[carregwen]

Yet another very interesting interview. There is so much to learn in this series, both about photography and about the individuals that make CiC work so well. Thanks Peter.

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[arith]

Cor accountant; I was told I wouldn't fit in after I graduated because I did a job as a fork lift truck driver. Apparently none of their high flyers would ever do a thing like that but I did because it was more money than a student job.

I think his photography is a greater standard than any boring accountant, and he should concentrate on this instead of the easy stuff, because he's good at it. Or you are if your looking.

[Peter Ryan]

Cor accountant; I was told I wouldn't fit in after I graduated because I did a job as a fork lift truck driver. Apparently none of their high flyers would ever do a thing like that but I did because it was more money than a student job.

I think his photography is a greater standard than any boring accountant, and he should concentrate on this instead of the easy stuff, because he's good at it. Or you are if your looking.

Haven't you heard of 'creative accounting Steve. Thanks for the kind words.

[Peter Ryan]

Yet another very interesting interview. There is so much to learn in this series, both about photography and about the individuals that make CiC work so well. Thanks Peter.

Thanks Kit. There are many stories out there (hint) but I do find this series very interesting and it helps to personalise CiC a bit more.