Our Artist Profile series features talented photographers from our very own BPW community who specialize in a different photographic niche. In each part of this series, they will recommend their favorite gear, offer advice based on their own experiences, and more!
Be sure to check back for the next iteration of the series—there is always more to learn!
Who we interviewed:
Let’s talk about gear first! What do you use?
Kathy Sferra
Camera: Sony A7III
Lenses: The Sony 24-105mm is a great all-purpose lens when I don't want to carry a lot and performs well. If a second lens is in my bag, it's now the Sony 12-24mm, but used to be the Zeiss Batis 18mm.
Other gear: I generally like to travel light and keep gear to a minimum, but I carry a tripod for low light and filters - UV, Polarizer, and ND filters (if I'm planning to shoot water).
Michael Shuley
Camera: Nikon D750
Lenses: 16-35mm — I love the wide angle for night landscapes.
Other gear: Cable release, a sturdy tripod (especially on windy days), a proper camera bag, ND filters, photography gloves and a winter hat with a headlight.
Jo McCourt
Camera: Sony A7III
Lenses: The Sony 100-400mm is my favorite lens so far because my pictures come out surprisingly sharp. The Sony 24-105mm is my general purpose lens, my work horse.
Other gear: The Sony 16-35mm is good for shooting the stars.
What is your go-to photo location? Plus, what type of environment is your favorite to shoot in?
Kathy Sferra: Go to location—Anywhere in my hometown, particularly the farms and conservation land. Favorite—I'd have to say Jackson, Wyoming. We were passing through and only had a day in Jackson so we hired a local guide. It was so worth it! Any environment with the meeting of land and water offers so much drama and leading lines, so I love that, plus a good wildlife habitat.
Michael Shuley: Top of Museum of Science parking garage, Battleship Cove, Scituate lighthouse—lighthouses are my favorite type of environment.
Jo McCourt: Cape Cod, Cape Ann, and the Maine and New Hampshire seacoasts are just a few of my go-to spots. I have a great time getting out and about, so I love lots of spots, it’s impossible for me to pick a favorite. As far as environments overall, seascapes, lighthouses, and nautical scenes are my favorite things to shoot, but I also love a good cityscape. Of course, places like Wyoming and Montana, with their stunning mountain vistas, are on my bucket list!
What is your favorite thing about Landscape Photography? Learning Curves? Goals?
Kathy Sferra:
Favorite thing about shooting landscapes: I'm an outdoor girl—personally and in my profession. Thoreau admonished that taking a walk in the woods is pointless if your mind is out of the woods. Landscape photography helps bring my awareness to the present and my surroundings. I'm always looking, listening, evaluating for that moment when the light is right, the composition comes together, or an animal comes into view. It's both electrifying and calming at the same time. I also love coyotes, foxes, otters, etc. and study them. It's great fun to introduce people to the wildlife that are in their backyards.
Learning curves: Two things—I've had to learn to have confidence in myself as a photographer and in my photographs. As an "artist" I often feel like an imposter. Self-critical and in disbelief that anyone would like MY photos or come to one of MY shows or (heaven forbid) want to buy my work. It's a work in progress and I see the same in others I admire. BPW has helped with that—everyone is so supportive and constructive. Also, Lightroom editing is a work in progress. I look at shots I edited a couple of years ago and know that I can do better today. And I haven't even started with Photoshop…
Goals: 1. Make time to make more pictures. 2. Go somewhere in an airplane again. 3. Get more in-person coyote photos this puppy season. 4. Rework my website.
Michael Shuley:
Favorite thing about shooting landscapes: I love that there are no time contracts. There is no model or subject asking “to see the photo” or “what are you doing?!”—I can compose, take as many shots as I like. The lighting changes come naturally and allow for different perspectives and photos.
Learning curves: Composition—Learning what isn’t important in the photo.
Goals: To make more monochromatic pictures.
Jo McCourt:
Favorite thing about shooting landscapes: Landscape photography affords you the opportunity to experience the wonder and beauty of the world around us, from your own backyard to places and scenes across the globe and everywhere in between. Whether enjoying sunrise over the Atlantic, the hustle and bustle of your favorite city, or a night under the moon and stars, landscape photography lifts the soul. It lifts mine at any rate! :)
Learning curves: I see photography as a lifelong journey with all types of lessons leading the way. Having only three years under my belt, I’m still very much a beginner trying to master the fundamentals. Aside from the technical and artistic elements I’m learning, the biggest learning curve has been cutting myself a break in terms of evaluating my shots. I am, by far, my own worst critic, and I’m just beginning to realize that I shouldn’t be so hard on myself. Photography is much more about enjoying the experience than the resulting images. More times than not, I have a blast while out shooting!
Goals: Take pictures that evoke how much fun I had shooting them! My goals are fairly simple, yet challenging as I’m excited to noticeably improve my technique, artistry, and creativity.
What advice do you have for other photographers?
Kathy Sferra: Get out as much as possible. Take lot of photographs. Go to beautiful places and try to take something other than the "postcard" shot. And then go to ordinary places and see what you can make of them. Give yourself time to really sink into a place before moving on. Don't chase the shot, let it come to you. When you get somewhere, notice what there is to see. And then how much more you see if you look with all of your being? The best shots I take are often the last ones I've taken when I have been in a place for a while.
Michael Shuley: Look at tons of photos and see WHY you like them. What is it about the photo that captures your attention?
Jo McCourt: Enjoy the moments first, capture the memory second.