In His Element
The club was delighted to welcome Mark Gilligan FBIPP who is a professional photography teacher and an award-winning landscape photographer. Mark has been teaching and running landscape photography workshops and courses in the Lake District and Snowdonia for over 40 years and knows just about every inch of the area. Mark works throughout the year no matter what the weather and particularly likes the dramatic skies when a storm is approaching.
A Frozen Stream emanating from Llyn Idwal by Mark Gilligan
Covering all four seasons he talked about how he approaches the different challenges that photographers face.
Mark kept members entertained with his often-humorous memories of taking each image. He says, ‘every picture has a story’ and ‘think about the reason that made you pressed the shutter at just that moment’ Try to capture a moment in time that is unique and special.
A features writer for many magazines, his work regularly appears in the national and regional walking publications. Mark showed how he works his way around an area taking photos from all angles. He sometimes uses square or portrait shapes as well as the more usual landscape and letterbox formats.
Mark is an official ambassador for Lee Filters so of course showed how using a ‘big stopper’ or polarising filter can make an amazing difference to the image. Mark is a photographer who processes images with the bare minimum of editing to ensure that they are as faithful as can be to the scene.
Mark also enjoys taking more intimate images where just a tree or rock formation takes his eye. Some images look almost abstract, and he experiments using ICM but says ‘some work but some don’t’
The historic Dinorwig slate quarry is a place that Mark has many memories of visiting and he produces many thought-provoking images of the harsh conditions that the miners once worked in.
Stunning landscapes were taken in all seasons and all-weather conditions and Mark constantly revisits his favourite areas in order to capture something new. He did say that photographers venturing into treacherous places should make sure they are well prepared and have the right clothing.
Thanks, Mark, for sharing your enthusiasm for the great outdoors whatever the weather throws at you! Thanks also for showing such excellent images and giving members lots of helpful tips and advice. PM
To see more of Mark’s work please visit his website.
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