SIAN LEWIS – PHOTOGRAPHER

I have seen a few of Sian’s photography work flitting around Facebook for some time and always thought she was able to capture something special in the images! Sian got in contact with me and here we are today with her feature! I love her style and am sure she will go far!

- Interview

Welcome to the Design Splat Blog Sian!

Thank you!

Tell us a bit about what you do:

I’m a freelance photographer covering a variety of different genres but right now, I’m doing a lot of work  in portrait and fashion photography. I’ve just set up my own mobile studio specialising in children’s photography but the studio lends itself really well to fashion.

How did you get into Photography?

I did two years of photography way back in my uni days as part of my media degree. Digital photography was still in its infancy and I learnt to shoot on film which gave me a really good grounding and working knowledge of an SLR. However, when I first saw a digital camera, I just had to have one. So I joined the digital revolution and went out and bought one – it had 1.2 million pixels and no zoom and you couldn’t print bigger than 6×4 but it started me on the path of becoming a serious photographer. As my photography began to improve, I started upgrading to bigger and better cameras and this in turn helped my photography. Earlier this year, an experienced photographer friend told me it was time to think about making it my full time job. So I did, and here I am now.

What aspect of Photography?

I love all types of photography, I love to capture what I see around me. I’m challenging myself to improve my landscape photography which isn’t as good as I’d like it to be but I’m getting there.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I really don’t know anymore. 5 years ago, I certainly didn’t see myself being where I am now! I’ve spent the last two years working in TV production and now run my own business and that certainly wasn’t in my game plan 5 years ago. Ideally, I’d like to be settled down and working successfully in some aspect of photography.

Freelance photographer/Own business or working for a company?

Freelance, working for someone else just isn’t appealing to me. I don’t want to be working to line someone else’s pocket.

What drives you/gives you the ‘go’ to keep at it and do everything?

I’ve always been a naturally enthusiastic person (I regularly get told to calm down) so whatever I do, I always put 100% into it. Challenging myself with new things also helps keep me motivated.

Can you recall the first photo you took that made you go WOW!?

As random as it sounds, I think it has to be a photo of a piece of cow hair on a strand of barbed wire. I took it when I was out for a walk with my mum; she’d stopped to chat to someone and I was just playing around with the settings on the camera. When I printed it out, it just looked amazing. It remains a favourite to this day.

Does fame attract you?

No not really, I’d like to be recognised for my work but the whole fame thing doesn’t really do anything for me. I wouldn’t want to live my life in the spotlight.

How do you feel about photo manipulation?

Love it when it’s done well, hate it when it’s done badly. There are a lot of very heavy handed people out there when it comes to editing who change the photo beyond all recognition. If you’re going to make a girl look like plastic, you may as well just photograph a doll. It’s a shame when you start looking at the editing rather than at the photo, it should be a seamless blend.

Editing should compliment a photo and you need to have a good image to start off with, you’re not going to make a masterpiece from a less than perfect shot.

How do you rate yourself as a photographer?

I like to think I’m pretty good but I don’t just trust my own judgement on my images. I belong to a few photo sharing sites where I post my photos for feedback and generally, the feedback is really good. It’s far more reliable than posting on social networking sites and having all your friends say ‘Oh I love this, you’re so good’ etc etc. Ok yes, it’s nice to get good comments from friends but it doesn’t help you as a photographer. Constructive criticism is what helps us grow and learn.

I’ve won quite a few awards on various sites for my images but I still have a lot more to learn and there’s always room for improvement.

What makes a good photographer?

I think it comes down a number of different things really. There are few fundamental things, like understanding your camera and knowing how to use light and obviously you need to have a creative eye. Then of course, you need to put all those together and you’re half way there. You also need to be able to communicate with people, it’s no good having a head full of brilliant ideas if you can’t properly convey them to the model or person you’re working with. Having an individual style is really important as well, you need to be able to stand out from the crowd with work that’s instantly recognisable.

Do you think the Photography Industry is difficult to break into? Are you worried about the amount of competition with more and more people becoming photographers?

Yes and no. It’s not so much the breaking into photography that’s difficult, it’s becoming successful within the industry that’s hard part. And though there are more and more people getting into photography now, I don’t really worry about competition because I think I have quite a unique style and as I cover a few different genres, I’m not limited to one type of photography.

Three words to describe yourself?

Random, Creative, Crazy

Hobbies and other interests?

I have a totally gorgeous 21 month old niece who stays over quite a lot and I love spending time with her, she’s an absolute scream and we have a lot of fun together. She’s a joy to be around as she’s learning more and more every day. She loves to pose for the camera and she likes to take photos too, with a little help from aunty! I also love walking my dog and I have four chickens and three chinchillas so they take up a bit of my time.

Favourite photographer?

I have a few but I think Dorothea Lange is my absolute favourite. Her work was so powerful and evocative, she was truly a pioneer and one of the greatest women to ever pick up a camera. I remember seeing her photo ‘Migrant Mother’ and being blown away by it.

I also think Ansell Adams was a genius. From modern day photographers, I love Rankin. His work is amazing and he proves it’s the photographer, and not the camera, that makes the photo. I saw a photo he took with a polaroid, it was awesome. He’s also left eyed, like me!

Any Tips and tricks you want to share with aspiring Photographers?

Never stop challenging yourself, try to go outside of your comfort zone now and then, you might amaze yourself with what you can do.

Tools of the trade?

Canon EOS 40d, Canon Speedlite 430ex, Canon 70-200mm USM  L IS 2.8 lens and my portable studio

Best and worst photo you’ve taken?

I don’t think I could pick a best, there are lots that I like for different reasons, like the lighting in one or the colours in another. As for the worst, I’ve had a lot of bloopers over the years but they’re good for learning because you come to know what does and doesn’t work and how to avoid making the same mistakes again.

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To Contact Sian:

Contact Number: 07967 205474

Website: www.sianlewisphoto.com

Email: sianylewis@gmail.com

Model Mayhem: http://www.modelmayhem.com/moongazer

Other Links: http://www.moongazer.smugmug.com

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Some of Sian’s Work:

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