Streaming Light, Ballyandreen, Co. Cork, February 2008.
I have found Newcombe's work very inspirational, not only due to the fact that he primarily works using black and white photography but also due to his feelings towards why he has become accustomed to photographing a certain subject matter. This therefore adding a personal array of feelings towards the concept behind his imagery.
He feels that due to him taking a representation of the world he is viewing, especially his fond love of seascapes, rivers and woodlands, has allowed him to become more accustomed to looking at the landscape more attentively then usually just on recreational casual walks without a camera to hand!
His working practice of photographing during 'Magic Hour Lighting' has allowed him to experiment using longer exposures this adding a greater degree of mystery and beautiful successfulness to his exceptional aesthetically pleasing photographs.
He states on his website (http://www.anewcombe.com)
"My camera became my constant companion on early morning and late evening walks, a time when the light is often beautiful and nature seen at its best. Through picture taking, I began to look at my surroundings differently, looking at details in the landscape and picking out shapes.
I use the medium of black and white exclusively. With black and white, there is always a degree of interpretation, as we do not see in monochrome. A monochrome picture can appear more dramatic or moody than the equivalent colour photo might. It also distills the scene to the essential elements within it - the shapes and textures that represent the subject.
Much of my work are long exposures ranging from seconds to several minutes. This is often a necessity of the time at which I take the photos, but also something I try to use creatively. With long exposures, movement is either accentuated or for very long exposures, movement is smoothed out altogether. Where movement is obvious, it can be used to draw the viewer into the scene, while where movement has been removed, it emphasizes the shapes and textures of the static elements of the scene."
Ebb and Flow, Cork Harbour, February 2007.
Rocks and Surf, Guileen, Co. Cork, March 2008
Evening, Moy Estuary, Co. Mayo. September 2001.
Rocks and Light, Ballyandreen, Co. Cork, March 2008.
Sunset, White Bay, Co. Cork, September 2009.
It is not apparent on Newcombe's website as to which type of camera it is that he uses. At first glance I would take a chance at saying that he may use a Large Format camera with either a film or digital back. Quite possibly on some occasion's he may also use a hand held DSLR . . BUT to confirm the absolute truth; I am waiting on a reply to a email I have recently sent to Newcombe via his website.
Below is the email I have already sent to Adrian Newcombe:
"Hi Adrian,
I am a mature student currently studying the BA (Hons) Photographic Media Course at Blackburn University in Lancashire, England.
I came across your website whilst researching into Seascape imagery, which I have to say I have found your work very beautiful and inspiring.
Currently I am working towards a brief titled 'Professional Practice' in which we are to discover new techniques and processes and recognise technical proficiency in other practitioners and attempt to achieve their standards or beyond.
I am just wondering if you wouldn't mind taking a few minutes of your time to answer a few questions to aid me with my studies as after reading your profile you do not divulge in which equipment you use to achieve your landscape photography . . . my guess up to now is you using a combination of DSLR and Large Format Camera's with both a film and Digital back?
So I am just inquisitive to know:
- What Camera's do you use to achieve your desired visualization of your captured Sea Scapes?
- Have you ever had any teaching's in regards to using your preferred equipment? Please elaborate if possible , thank you :-)
- Could you describe your workflow?
I have not long got back from a trip of a lifetime to Cape Town, South Africa with the University and it was on that trip that I re-found my love of capturing Sea Scapes. At heart I would call myself a Documentary Photographer however I am hoping to become proficient in the fact that I am also able to achieve such beautiful Sea Scape imagery.
Any tips and advice on how to capture breathtaking Seascapes would be greatly appreciated (hope you don't think I am being cheeky however I am a great believer that if you don't have the confidence to ask the professional's you come across within your life time then it is very unlikely you will become successful).
Thank you again for your time and much appreciation to you for any advice you can give,
Kind Regards,
Joanne
Email: joannestudholme@gmail.co.uk
Website: http://www.joannejadephotographer.com/
Blog: http://joannestudholme-bahons.blogspot.com/"
Below is the response I received from Adrian later today (12.12.11) to which I am very grateful to him for :-)
"Hi Joanne,
Thanks for the kind words and the interest. I should say that I am not full time but rather have a day job around which I do my photography. I'm happy to share my equipment/workflow but perhaps the above may mean that you cannot use it in your assignment.
My equipment currently consists of Sony Alpha 700 and 200 bodies, Tamron 10-24mm, Sony Carl Zeiss 16-80mm, Sigma 70-200mm, Minolta, 100mm Macro, 28.. and 50mm lenses. The seascaptes you refer to are primarilty taken with the 2 wideangles lenses. Previously, I had used Bronica medium format and Canon 35mm film cameras and my older work has been done with those.
I use ND grads extensively for balancing exposure.
In terms of my current workflow, all work is captured in raw and processed in Lightroom for an initial selection of images. Selected images are then worked on in Photoshop for B+W conversion and usual dodging/burning etc. I have not had any specific teaching in respect of my equipment.
I hope the above helps. Best of luck with your studies and beyond.
Best regards,
Adrian."
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