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Landscape photographer, Lizzie Shepherd shares her journey into photography and how she moved from being a hobbyist to becoming a professional. She discusses the challenges and joys of running workshops and one-to-one tuition, as well as the importance of printing her own photographs. Lizzie also talks about the impact of social media on the photography industry and the need for photographers to find their own direction.
Lizzie discusses her experience of exhibiting her photography and judging photography competitions. She mentions the challenges of finding local galleries that are a good fit for her work and the importance of selling prints through her website.
Lizzie also shares her approach to judging photography competitions, emphasising the need for a balance between initial impact and deeper emotional connection. She talks about her favourite places to photograph, her bucket list destinations and her preference for responding to the conditions rather than planning her images. She also provides tips on processing colours to achieve a balanced and calming tone in landscape photographs.

Takeaways

• Transitioning from a hobbyist to a professional photographer takes time and confidence.
• Running workshops and one-to-one tuition can be rewarding but it's important to understand the needs and motivations of the participants.
• Printing photographs allows for greater control and a more tactile experience compared to viewing images on a screen.
• Social media has changed the landscape of photography, but it's important for photographers to stay true to their own vision.
• Exhibitions and selling prints can be a fulfilling way to share and showcase one's work. However, it can be challenging to find local galleries that are a good fit for your work. Selling prints through a website can be a successful alternative.
• When judging photography competitions, look for images that have an initial impact and evoke an emotional response.
• Lizzie's favourite places to photograph include the highlands and islands of Scotland, Harris and Lewis, and local woodland areas.
• Her bucket list destinations include New Zealand, Tasmania and Greenland.
• Lizzie's approach to processing colours involves lifting shadows, reducing clarity and shooting in gentle light to create soft and calming tones.
• She prefers to respond to the conditions rather than planning her images, allowing for spontaneity and exploration in her photography.

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