Snowshoes and Hot Tea
Posted Thursday, 1 March 2007 by Tormod G. Rossavik in
Interviews,
Photography
Canadian photographer Stephen Strathdee on switching his career and the advantage of dressing properly.
Wilderness © Stephen Strathdee
You seem to have a particular sight for shapes, composition and texture. Where do you draw your inspiration from? - Inspiration? I don't know ... I guess I'm inspired by everything I see around me. I'm constantly forming images in my mind's eye, and when I'm in the right situation or surrounds I try to make that vision real. I don't always succeed, but at least I learned something from it.
What got you into photography?- I had a personal crisis about five years ago which caused me to re-evaluate who I was and what I wanted to do. I'd always enjoyed looking at photographs, so I decided to switch careers and make this my life's work. I've never doubted or regretted that decision.
What was your first camera?- I've shot with nothing but dSLRs – my first was a Canon D60. I used that for about six months before upgrading to a Canon 10D, which I needed for its expanded ISO range (I had numerous performance and event clients at the time). I've also owned a 20D, and a 1D MkII. My current camera is my favorite of the bunch.
What is your equipment?- I currently shoot with a Canon 1Ds MkII. My favorite lens at the moment is a 24-70mm, but I'm starting to rediscover my 70-200mm. I also have a studio. A very underused studio.
No wonder that you got an underused studio, with all that fantastic nature around you.- I'm lucky to live in a fabulous part of the world (Vancouver, Canada), where mountain, ocean, beach, and wilderness are all within immediate reach. Because of their proximity, the local mountains are my favorite winter location – I can leave my house and be on a mountain in under an hour!
Do you have any "secrets" to share with photographers that want to take winter photos?- Only to say that they should buy some snowshoes or skis and get out there! Contrary to what people may think, mountain and forest are easier to access in winter than any other time of the year. You don't have to deal with bugs, rocks, roots, or undergrowth, and it's virtually impossible to get lost – just carry emergency gear, mind the weather, and don't go out if there's a storm approaching.
What do you do to keep you warm while shooting?- My winter treks usually involve the company of my girlfriend, and we share a thermos of hot tea and/or soup on our trips. Despite the volume of snow, the weather here isn't really that cold – it rarely gets below -5C, so becoming cold isn't a problem at all as long as I'm dressed appropriately. I always bring along an extra sweater, fleece or vest – just in case.
Crestock very much recommends a visit to Stephen's
portfolio.
Related posts:
» US Photographer Sascha Burkard on Frogs, Deserts and Abandoned Mines» Call of the Wild