About Me
About Me
My name is Dave Nelson & I am a landscape, wildlife & nature photographer based in Central Scotland, UK.
With a dedicated passion for travelling & photography, I have accessed & captured images from across the UK & overseas.
I thrive on finding less well known photographic gems, playing with angles & light to capture popular images from different & unique perspectives.
My work has received awards – some of which has been published.
I like to support small local charities & start-up businesses which have led to some interesting, yet challenging commissions ranging from charity calendars to gin distillery marketing material.
My name is Dave Nelson & I am a landscape, wildlife & nature photographer based in Central Scotland, UK.
With a dedicated passion for travelling & photography, I have accessed & captured images from across the UK & overseas.
I thrive on finding less well known photographic gems, playing with angles & light to capture popular images from different & unique perspectives.
My work has received awards – some of which has been published.
I like to support small local charities & start-up businesses which have led to some interesting, yet challenging commissions ranging from charity calendars to gin distillery marketing material.
What was your first camera & what do you shoot with today?
My first camera was a good old disc camera which was bought by my parents in preparation for my residential week away at high school – my chosen topic being photography.
The film for these cameras was in the form of a flat disc housed inside a plastic cartridge. Each disc had the capacity of 15 exposures which were arranged in 10mm x 8mm apertures around the outside of the disc. Following each shot, the disc would rotate to the next sequential film aperture in preparation for the next shot.
Since my younger years, I have used many cameras ranging from 35mm film based models to the modern day full frame DSLR cameras.
Currently, I primarily shoot with a Nikon D850 DSLR full frame camera.
What was your first camera & what do you shoot with today?
My first camera was a good old disc camera which was bought by my parents in preparation for a residential week away at high school – my chosen topic being photography.
The film for these cameras was in the form of a flat disc housed inside a plastic cartridge. Each disc had the capacity for 15 exposures which were arranged in 10mm x 8mm apertures around the outside of the disc. Following each shot, the disc would rotate to the next sequential film aperture in preparation for the next shot.
Since my younger years, I have used many cameras ranging from 35mm film based models to the modern day full frame DSLR cameras.
Currently, I primarily shoot with a Nikon D850 DSLR full frame camera.
Where did you learn to take photographs?
Whilst I profess to being self taught, I must give some credit to my late Uncle who inspired my interest at a young age & a high school residential on Anglesey where my chosen subject was creative photography.
For many years I took snapshots in auto mode with various cameras until relocating to North Wales in 2013. Here the landscape stimulated my visual senses to the point where I began developing my skills, knowledge & expertise for landscape & nature photography.
I have established a network of fellow photographers from whom I have learnt new skills & techniques whilst sharing my own knowledge & experiences.
The art of photography is a never ending improvement / development process where I am always seeking to improve & capture the next great image.
How did you learn to take photographs?
Whilst I profess to being self taught, I must give some credit to my late Uncle who inspired my interest at a young age & a high school residential on Anglesey.
For many years, I took snapshots in auto mode with various cameras until relocating to North Wales in 2013. Here the landscape stimulated my visual senses to the point where I began developing my skills, knowledge & expertise for landscape & nature photography.
I have established a network of fellow photographers from whom I have learnt new skills & techniques whilst sharing my own knowledge & experiences.
The art of photography is a never ending improvement / development process where I am always seeking to improve & capture the next great image.
What do you love about photography?
Being outdoors – the exercise when hiking to capture a shot is a great way to keep fit!
Rewarding – catching an unexpected yet amazing photograph.
The intrigue associated with exploring new & unfamiliar locations – both at home & overseas.
The unpredictability & challenges to adapt to the landscape that I am photographing due to weather or lighting conditions.
What do you love about photography?
Being outdoors – the exercise when hiking to capture a shot is a great way to keep fit!
Rewarding – catching an unexpected yet amazing photograph.
The intrigue associated with exploring new & unfamiliar locations – both at home & overseas.
The unpredictability & challenges to adapt to the landscape that I am photographing due to weather or lighting conditions.
What has photography done for you?
Photography has given me:
A greater understanding & appreciation of nature & the environment.
The challenge to improve & aspire to develop my artistic flair.
The opportunity to travel across the UK & internationally with my camera.
Meeting new people from across the world through my photography tours & workshops.
What has photography done for you?
A greater appreciation & understanding of nature & the environment.
The challenge to improve & aspire to develop my artistic flair.
The opportunity to travel across the UK & internationally with my camera.
Meeting new people from across the world through my photography workshops & tours.
How do you describe your style?
Raw & unpredictable – like nature itself.
Dramatic & moody from a unique angle & perspective.
Long exposure photography is a technique which I love to use for capturing movement within the landscape.
How do you describe your style?
Raw & unpredictable – like nature itself.
Dramatic & moody from a unique angle & perspective.
Long exposure photography is a technique which I love to use for capturing movement within the landscape.
Do you try to be conceptual or do you prefer to show the feeling behind a photograph?
I prefer to capture atmosphere & emotion within my photographs to illustrate how intricate & dramatic landscapes can be alongside the uncontrollable forces of nature.
I like the lack of control over the conditions that I may be faced with when on a shoot – weather & terrain can be challenging but interesting features.
Do you try to be conceptual or do you prefer to show the feeling behind a photograph?
I prefer to capture atmosphere & emotion within my photographs to illustrate how intricate & dramatic landscapes can be alongside the uncontrollable forces of nature.
I like the lack of control over the conditions that I may be faced with when on a shoot – weather & terrain can be challenging but interesting features.
RAW vs JPG?
Definitely RAW over JPG!
RAW files hold so much more information relating to the captured image. This file format contains all image data captured by the sensor when the shot is taken.
This information leads to greater detail, non-destructive editing, greater levels of brightness & higher quality files resulting in the capability to produce high quality prints.
JPG is great for point & shoot scenarios.
RAW vs JPG?
RAW files hold so much more information relating to the captured image. This file format contains all image data captured by the sensor when the shot is taken.
This date leads to greater detail, non-destructive editing, greater levels of brightness & higher quality files resulting in the capability to produce high quality prints.
JPG is great for point & shoot scenarios.
When somebody sees your photographs, what do you want them to take away from it, what are you trying to communicate?
I want to create the WOW factor whilst motivating a desire to visit places which the observer may not have otherwise considered.
I love visually communicating how diverse & amazing nature can be around the world through my photography.
When somebody sees your photographs, what do you want them to take away from it – what are you trying to communicate?
I want to create the WOW factor whilst motivating a desire to visit places which the observer may not have otherwise considered.
I love visually communicating how diverse & amazing nature can be around the world through my photography.
What are the most common mistakes that you see people making when shooting?
Over-processed HDR images.
Not ensuring the horizon is perpendicular to the frame whilst shooting images.
What are the most common mistakes that you see people making when shooting?
Over-processed HDR images.
Not ensuring the horizon is perpendicular to the frame whilst shooting images.
What are your 3 top tips for others whom want to become better photographers?
Find a subject that you are passionate about.
Self Development – improve your skills in different techniques – contact me to discuss your requirements & arrange a 1:1 workshop!
Self Belief – photographs are no less subjective than any other form of art. If you enjoy it – keep doing it!
What are your 3 top tips for others whom want to become better photographers?
Find a subject that you are passionate about.
Self development – improve your skills in different techniques – contact me to discuss your requirements and arrange a 1:1 workshop 🙂
Self belief – photographs are no less subjective than any other form of art. If you enjoy it, keep doing it!
How do you decide on your subject and where to shoot?
I often find the best opportunities arise with the least amount of planning.
However, I keep a close eye on the weather, tide times, sunrise, sunset, moonrise & moonset when planning a landscape or nature shoot.
How do you decide on your subject & where to shoot?
I often find the best opportunities arise with the least amount of planning.
However, I keep a close eye on the weather, tide times, sunrise, sunset, moonrise & moonset when planning a landscape or nature shoot.
What are your dream locations for future shoots?
There are too many to mention, the possibilities are endless.
Some locations I would love to explore with my camera include………. Antartica, Patagonia, Himalayas, Canada & Norway.
What are your dream locations for future shoots?
There are too many to mention – the possibilities are endless.
Some locations which I would love to explore with my camera include – Antartica, Patagonia, Norway, Himalayas & Canada.