Grant Wells Photo

GWP blogspot

This blog is going to be a mix of what I'm up to now, a look back at some of my past favourites, maybe some equipment and technical stuff and whatever else you would like to see...but primarily with a photographic theme.

Never stop learning

Hi All

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Last week I attended a photography workshop at the beautiful Quamby Estate.

My friend and AIPP Tasmanian 2018 Wedding Photographer of the Year, Ed Jones organised for Nikon Ambassador and renowned wedding photographer Rocco Ancora to cross the strait and share a portion of his knowledge and experience with a small group of talented Tasmanian shooters.

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To be totally honest, before Ed asked me if I would like to attend, I had never heard of Rocco. I’m not a Nikon user so I’m not familiar with many of their ambassadors. I’m not someone who has “heroes”…we all put our pants on one leg at a time. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate and admire talent. Federer is awesome. Adam Scott hits a mean golf ball. I still get goose bumps watching Cathy Freeman win gold in Sydney. But I don’t have any heroes. Maybe it’s has something to do with my 30 years working in the media? Anyway, I digress.

I was in two minds about attending. Would I get value for my money? How much potential work would I miss?

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Obviously, I decided it would be worth it. There were a few reasons. One being that the opportunity to spend time in a non-competitive environment with a bunch of fellow photographers is rare. It’s even rarer that the group will include a “famous” shooter who is prepared to share.

I have had 30+ years working as a professional photographer…I’ve picked a few skills over that time…but I’m not stupid enough to think that I don’t have more to learn. I strongly believe that if you stop learning, or close yourself off to new ideas etc. you may as well give up. You are only kidding yourself if you think you have it nailed. If you stop moving forward, very soon you will find everyone else has passed you and left you in their dust.

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Leaving full time employment at the local paper after 34 years to become a freelance shooter has exposed me to new things. I have had a very steep learning curve…so many possibilities are opened up when the restrictions of shooting for the media are removed. There are techniques I am using now that I hadn’t heard of 12 months ago. My skill set has expanded considerably…and I was pretty sure Rocco could expand it further.

I wasn’t wrong.

The workshop was based around following the process of taking an image from the point of capture to print.

The capture bit I was pretty comfortable with…and it turned out to be a moment of reaffirmation for me. The processes used by Rocco, along the way to making an image, are almost identical to my own…it’s all about the light. His philosophy of “get it right at capture” has always been mine…maybe it comes from learning the craft shooting film…no Photoshop fixes back then :)

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Day 2 was the biggy for me. By the end of the day my head was nearly exploding with new information and techniques. Shooting for the media you can’t ethically make significant changes in Photoshop. The mantra being, that if you couldn’t do it in a darkroom you can’t do it in PS. Shooting commercially that all changes. Almost anything goes. The possibilities are almost endless…I have soooo much to learn. But, I also have plenty to share.

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All of the featured images were taken candidly (no model direction) whilst either Rocco or other workshop participants were shooting (maybe again harking back to my time looking for different angles in the middle of a media scrum).

Until next time…



Venue- Quamby Estate
Models- Phoebe Purser and Kate Greaves from Sue Rees Modelling + Micheal from Routleys Launceston
Dresses from Timeless Elegance
Hair and Makeup by Allie Hill Make Up Artist