The Active Photographer

This week: I’m looking back at this year’s Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild AGM weekend.

Just as with last year’s event in Northumberland, this gathering offered a perfect opportunity to catch up with colleagues, try new outdoors activities and discuss thoughts and ideas centred around what we do.

All in all, a very inspiring, productive time and in this episode, I’m filling you in on a few of the details.

Some quick links to things mentioned in this show:

TAP Episode: #185 - OWPG AGM Kielder Weekend

Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild (OWPG)

Isle of Wight

Medina Valley Centre, Isle of Wight

Nikon D800 DSLR

Nikon Nikkor 35mm f1.8G AF-S

Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

Did you enjoy this episode? You can help me produce more great content by clicking here.

Music featured in this episode is courtesy of Matt Stevens. You can check out more of his work here.

This week: I’m talking about why criticism should be embraced for the better.

As photographers - as creators of content that is designed to be shared with a wide audience - we should very much be open to receiving criticism.

It can be all too easy to go on the defensive when others comment on our work - especially if it’s close to our hearts. But in order to move forward, we must learn to turn any negative feedback into positive, which can then be used to our advantage.

Some quick links to things mentioned in this show:

TAP Episode #219: Adventure On Your Doorstep Talk

Robert Capa, photographer

Book: Robert Capa - The Paris Years 1933-1954

Joe McNally, photographer

Book: Joe McNally - The Moment It Clicks

Did you enjoy this episode? You can help me produce more great content by clicking here.

Music featured in this episode is courtesy of Matt Stevens. You can check out more of his work here.

This week: I’m telling you about a talk I recently gave at a camera club.

It’ll come as no surprise to regular listeners when I say that I love sharing my knowledge and passion for photography and the outdoors with anyone who is willing to listen.

One of my favourite ways to do this is to deliver presentations and in this week’s show, you join me as I head back from giving a talk to a camera club. The title was Adventure On Your Doorstep - and as you’ll hear, it was a lively evening filled with plenty of discussion.

Some quick links to things mentioned in this show:

TAP Video: Big Wild Sleepout 2016 (Behind-the-scenes)

TAP Episode #214: Making A Big Wild Sleepout Film

TAP article: RSPB Big Wild Sleepout 2016 (Info about the event)

Guildford Photographic Society

Nikon D800 DSLR

Nikon D3 DSLR

Nikon Nikkor 35mm f1.8G AF-S

Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

Nikon Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S

Nikon Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 ED-IF AF-S

Did you enjoy this episode? You can help me produce more great content by clicking here.

Music featured in this episode is courtesy of Matt Stevens. You can check out more of his work here.

This week: I’m telling you all about what I got up to at this year's Goodwood Revival.

As ever, I had a very productive time. On this occasion, though, I found myself with an additional, unexpected challenge to deal with - something which, at one point, threatened to derail my plans and called for somewhat different approach than usual.

Some quick links to things mentioned in this show:

Goodwood, West Sussex

TAP Test/Review: Peli 1510 case

Nikon D800 DSLR

Nikon D3 DSLR

Nikon Nikkor 35mm f1.8G AF-S

Nikon Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S

Nikon Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 ED-IF AF-S

Billingham camera bags

Did you enjoy this episode? You can help me produce more great content by clicking here.

Music featured in this episode is courtesy of Matt Stevens. You can check out more of his work here.

This week: I’m telling you all about my trip to this year’s Outdoor Trade Show.

In this slightly-extended show, I'm giving you an overview of some of the product highlights from this year’s event.

Some quick links to things mentioned in this show:

Giles on Instagram - @gilesbabbidge

TAP Test/Review: Hi-Tec Para boot

TAP Test/Review: Hi-Tec V-Lite Infinity HPI shoes

Outdoor Trade Show

Vango Force Ten tents

Hill Venture outdoor equipment

Therm-a-Rest sleeping products

Buff headwear

CamelBak hydration packs and accessories

Thermos flasks

Goal Zero solar power products

Icepeak clothing

Mindshift Gear camera backpacks and cases

BCB Adventure products

Did you enjoy this episode? You can help me produce more great content by clicking here.

Music featured in this episode is courtesy of Matt Stevens. You can check out more of his work here.

This week: I'm talking about the camera I recently used whilst away on holiday.

Before I went, I had to decide which camera setup to take. On the surface, this isn’t such a difficult decision - but as you’ll hear, when a few factors come together, the decision isn’t necessarily an easy one to make.

Some quick links to things mentioned in this show:

TAP Article: The G9 Is Dead... Long Live The G9!

Nikon D800 DSLR

Canon PowerShot G7X compact camera

World Photo Day

Did you enjoy this episode? You can help me produce more great content by clicking here.

Music featured in this episode is courtesy of Matt Stevens. You can check out more of his work here.

This week: I’m talking about the logistics of confirming a recent photo shoot.

Whilst things tick along nicely 99% of the time, there are naturally going to be occasions where frustrations occur which threaten to derail proceedings. At times like these, the way you handle a situation can have a profound affect not just on you personally, but on your working relationship with clients.

Some quick links to things mentioned in this show:

TAP Podcast: Episode #213 - If You Don't Ask, You Don't Get

TAP Podcast: Episode #207 - The Need For Professionalism

TAP Podcast: Episode #193 - How To Love Your Photography Work

Did you enjoy this episode? You can help me produce more great content by clicking here.

Music featured in this episode is courtesy of Matt Stevens. You can check out more of his work here.

This week: I’m talking about what I got up to for this year's RSPB Big Wild Sleepout.

To mark the occasion, I thought it would be fun to make a short film about enjoying a spot of hammock camping in a forest. All said and done, I had an incredibly productive time - and in this week’s show, I’m talking you through the finer details of my trip.

Some quick links to things mentioned in this show:

TAP Article: RSPB Big Wild Sleepout 2016

Nikon D800 DSLR

Nikon Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S

Nikon Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 ED-IF AF-S

Canon PowerShot G7X compact camera

Gitzo tripods

Powermonkey Extreme 12v solar panel

Did you enjoy this episode? You can help me produce more great content by clicking here.

Music featured in this episode is courtesy of Matt Stevens. You can check out more of his work here.

This week: I’m talking about creating your own opportunities.

How many times have you heard the expression, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get”? It’s a simple enough sentiment and in this week’s show, I’m giving you a few recent examples of how making a first point of contact has enabled me to produce the sort of work I enjoy the most.

Some quick links to things mentioned in this show:

TAP Podcast: Episode #207 - The Need For Professionalism

TAP Podcast: Episode #206 - Photographing The Needles

TAP Podcast: Episode #203 - Location Scouting, A Cautionary Tale

Did you enjoy this episode? You can help me produce more great content by clicking here.

Music featured in this episode is courtesy of Matt Stevens. You can check out more of his work here.

This week: I’m talking about the importance of Mode Release forms for photographers.

The Model Release form, which is handy, and often vital, document when it comes to securing the trouble-free use of pictures depicting people.

Some quick links to things mentioned in this show:

Releases - Model and Property Release app

Photographers Contract Maker (PCM) LITE app

Evernote

TAP – Podcasts recorded with Hugh Graham

Nikon D3 DSLR

Nikon D800 DSLR

Nikon Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S

Nikon Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 ED-IF AF-S

Did you enjoy this episode? You can help me produce more great content by clicking here.

Music featured in this episode is courtesy of Matt Stevens. You can check out more of his work here.