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This week I speak with Matt Jacob. Matt is a British born Bali based photographic artist with a passion for capturing narratives through photography. He offers his audiences valuable insights into untold stories, inviting them into unfamiliar lives through aesthetically beautiful and meaningful images. From his early days with a disposable camera to his current status as a master storyteller, Matt's journey is motivated by his deep-seated passion for visual storytelling.

After successfully fighting cancer, Matt reshaped his outlook on life. He infuses his artistic practice with a profound appreciation for the beauty and fragility of existence. Through his lens, he crafts timeless snapshots that speak to the soul, inviting audiences to cherish life's fleeting moments and embrace the richness of diverse cultures.

Beyond the confines of his studio, Matt is a modern-day explorer, traversing the globe as a pilot. His time in the cockpit allows him to fly around the world and to uncover cultures through his camera. With each photograph, he offers a glimpse into the vibrant tapestry of humanity, fostering empathy and understanding among global communities. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Matt's insightful podcast delves into the philosophical depths of photography and filmmaking, enriching conversations with wisdom drawn from his own journey and the experiences of fellow creatives. In the world of visual  storytelling, Matt is a beacon of creativity and inspiration.

Website: https://mattjacobphotography.com/

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Being part of a photography community is a great way to improve your photography, connect with other photographers, and have more fun!
 
 Not everyone has access to a local photography community. So, in this podcast, I'll talk through a few options you have if you live in a more remote location. And I'll make a few suggestions for those of you in larger communities where photography groups might exist.
 
 And, if all else fails, you can always take on photography challenges.
 
 For me, photography is a creative outlet, and having that outlet is a great way to step back from the stresses of everyday life. 
 
 So, whatever you do, commit to it, make it a habit, and hold yourself accountable!
 
 I hope you enjoy it.
 
 Graham 

It's time for another podcast...

Thank you for your support and I hope you have a great end of year break.... and a fantastic 2025!

I especially would like to thank my Patreon supporters. If you would like to join me there, or find out more, please click this link.

AND, you can still order my 2025 Wildlife Calendar!

Support the show

HAVE YOU BOUGHT YOUR 2025 WILDLIFE CALENDAR YET?
Put a little wildlife on your wall (or a friends' wall!). Find out more here:
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Support the show
Thank you for listening to my podcast. If you would like to subscribe you can do so here:
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Macro-photography can be very rewarding. Things to think about:

1. Magnification & Ratio

How large the subject appears in the frame compared to its actual size. In macro photography, the subject is typically life-sized or larger.

2. Depth of Field (DOF)

Using a small aperture like f/16 or f/22 can help increase DOF and keep more of the subject in focus, but may require slower shutter speeds or higher ISO.

If you’re not familiar with DoF, check out my course!

3. Lighting

Consider using diffused light to reduce harsh shadows and evenly illuminate the subject. Ring lights or macro flashes can be very useful because they provide even, directional lighting.

4. Focusing Techniques

Macro lenses typically offer manual focus due to the extreme precision required at close distances. 

5. Stability and Camera Shake

Consider a tripod, remote- shutter release or self-timer to minimize camera shake.

6. Choosing the Right Lens

A dedicated macro lens (usually 50mm, 100mm, or 150mm) can be expensive.  Consider extension tubes. They're cheaper than buying dedicated lenses, but there may be compromises.

7. Composition

Pay attention to the background and foreground.

8. Insect & Nature Photography Considerations

If you're photographing small plants or flowers, consider the time of day as morning light can be softer and dew can add interesting details to the subject.

9. Post-Processing

Post-processing can help enhance colours, sharpen details, or even combine images for focus stacking.

Here are a few lens suggestions (November 2024):

Canon:

DSLR: EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Mirrorless: RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

Nikon:

DSLR: AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED

Mirrorless: Z 105mm f/2.8 VR S

Sony:

Sony full frame: FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS

Sony APS-C: E 30mm f/3.5 Macro

Sigma:

105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro: Available for both Canon, Nikon, and Sigma cameras.

70mm f/2.8 DG

It's time for another podcast...

Thank you for your support and I hope you have a great end of year break.... and a fantastic 2025!

I especially would like to thank my Patreon supporters. If you would like to join me there, or find out more, please click this link.

AND, you can still order my 2025 Wildlife Calendar!

Support the show

HAVE YOU BOUGHT YOUR 2025 WILDLIFE CALENDAR YET?
Put a little wildlife on your wall (or a friends' wall!). Find out more here:
Graham Elliott Photography 2025 Calendar

Support the show
Thank you for listening to my podcast. If you would like to subscribe you can do so here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1803730/support

Website
Please check out my website for the latest collections, photography tips and challenges, and more!

Contact Me
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Please don't keep me a secret! Please share my podcast with anyone else who you think might be interested.

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This podcast was inspired by another podcast that I listen to (“The rest is history”) where they spoke about Lee Miller. This, in turn, was prompted by the 2023 movie starring Kate Winslet.

Lee Miller was largely forgotten until her biography came out in the 1980’s (she died in 1977). She had a privileged upbringing and, I think it’s fair to say, lacked any purpose in her life. This changed when the Second World War started, and she became a war photographer.

If you google Lee Miller, the first photograph you’re likely to see is of her in Hitler’s bath in his flat in Munich. I understand that she was in his apartment by accident and the reason for the bath was that she was washing off the mud from the Dachau concentration camp, which she’d just visited. 

Photojournalism is a central part of my approach to photography (the “visual storyteller”) and I always respect the people who are willing to put themselves on the front line. Lee Miller was in real danger of death, and journalists and photographers are often targeted to stop the truth from getting out (this is happening in Palestine as I write).

Another aspect is censorship and misinformation. In Lee Millers case, the photographs she took at Dachau featured in two spreads in Vogue, clearly showing what had happened there. Another set, showing American bombers dropping napalm on German positions, was censored.

So, what are the takeaways for our photography? I suggest these:

Imagine you only have a roll of 12 (or 24, or 36) images available and think before you press the shutter button: What is this photograph about? What is the story you want to tell?

Try a film camera if you’re not familiar with using them, as you need a different approach and I believe this will positively impact your work.

When is a photograph dishonest? For example, some, pre-Google maps, real estate photographs create an impression of space. So the question has to be, is the intention to deceive the viewer? What is your intention? This is important with the amount of misinformation we see today, much of it photographic. 

I hope you find it thought provoking...

Graham

It's time for another podcast...

Thank you for your support and I hope you have a great end of year break.... and a fantastic 2025!

I especially would like to thank my Patreon supporters. If you would like to join me there, or find out more, please click this link.

AND, you can still order my 2025 Wildlife Calendar!

Support the show

HAVE YOU BOUGHT YOUR 2025 WILDLIFE CALENDAR YET?
Put a little wildlife on your wall (or a friends' wall!). Find out more here:
Graham Elliott Photography 2025 Calendar

Support the show
Thank you for listening to my podcast. If you would like to subscribe you can do so here:
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Website
Please check out my website for the latest collections, photography tips and challenges, and more!

Contact Me
You can contact me directly at: [email protected]

Please don't keep me a secret! Please share my podcast with anyone else who you think might be interested.

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You might be new to photography, or perhaps you’ve just hit a creative ‘slump’. Or, maybe, you just want to step back and revisit the basics of photography. Wherever you are, here are 12 tips that might help you:

• There’s a lot to learn, especially with some modern cameras, so, give yourself time and just take things one at a time. I always recommend a structured course if you’re just starting, the reason being that if you miss a basic step, you can be in for a very frustrating time.
• Learn to use the camera in fully manual mode (i.e. focus, shutter speed, ISO and aperture). Also, learn how your camera's metering works. It might feel irrelevant given the amount of automation available, but it will serve you well.
• Experiment with higher ISO’s. It’s better to have a grainy image that’s sharp than a smooth image that’s blurry. And it can give your photos a certain look that you might find attractive.
• While the latest gear always looks great, you probably don’t need it.
• Learn to look at how different photographers use light. This is fundamental to photography and the better you understand the use of light, the better your results will be.
• Practice getting everything right in the viewfinder (or screen) before you press the shutter button. Post-processing is helpful, but don’t rely on it.
• Always shoot in RAW.
• Learn about your preferred post-processing package by making adjustments manually. Don’t rely on presets as they will limit your results.
• Learn the rules so that when you break them, you know which ones you’ve broken. Consistency is the sign of a good photographer.
• If you do hit a slump, where you feel your photographs are getting worse, don’t worry. It happens to most of us. Just step back and return to basics. What isn’t working? What can you do to change it?
• Keep having fun recording the day-to-day. Creating great ‘art’ is rewarding, but you have a day-to-day life too.
• Photography is a continuous learning experience, so enjoy the journey!

I hope you find this useful.

Graham

It's time for another podcast...

Thank you for your support and I hope you have a great end of year break.... and a fantastic 2025!

I especially would like to thank my Patreon supporters. If you would like to join me there, or find out more, please click this link.

AND, you can still order my 2025 Wildlife Calendar!

Support the show

HAVE YOU BOUGHT YOUR 2025 WILDLIFE CALENDAR YET?
Put a little wildlife on your wall (or a friends' wall!). Find out more here:
Graham Elliott Photography 2025 Calendar

Support the show
Thank you for listening to my podcast. If you would like to subscribe you can do so here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1803730/support

Website
Please check out my website for the latest collections, photography tips and challenges, and more!

Contact Me
You can contact me directly at: [email protected]

Please don't keep me a secret! Please share my podcast with anyone else who you think might be interested.

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My guest on this podcast is Rachel Harris, Managing Director of EHRA Namibia.

EHRA is a project I’ve personally been involved with and I recently returned from a fundraising event with them in Namibia. Rachel talks about the aims of EHRA, their beginnings and their current activities.

She has built up an award-winning eco-tourism volunteer programme (active since 2004) which helps to fund their conservation activities. EHRA also runs a community education programme to help the local people live with the elephants and minimise conflicts.

If you’d like to learn more about EHRA or get involved in their work, you can find out more on their website: https://www.ehranamibia.org/

And you can follow them on social media: #ehranamibia

It's time for another podcast...

Thank you for your support and I hope you have a great end of year break.... and a fantastic 2025!

I especially would like to thank my Patreon supporters. If you would like to join me there, or find out more, please click this link.

AND, you can still order my 2025 Wildlife Calendar!

Support the show

HAVE YOU BOUGHT YOUR 2025 WILDLIFE CALENDAR YET?
Put a little wildlife on your wall (or a friends' wall!). Find out more here:
Graham Elliott Photography 2025 Calendar

Support the show
Thank you for listening to my podcast. If you would like to subscribe you can do so here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1803730/support

Website
Please check out my website for the latest collections, photography tips and challenges, and more!

Contact Me
You can contact me directly at: [email protected]

Please don't keep me a secret! Please share my podcast with anyone else who you think might be interested.

Send us a text

I was asked this question by a listener (thank you) who is planning an exciting trip to see gorillas (and other animals). So what can you do to protect your camera in different environments?
 
 To protect my lenses, I do a couple of things:

1.  Buy a good quality UV filter to protect the glass at the end of the lens. While I've never scratched a lens, I would far rather replace a UV filter than have to look at an expensive repair or even scrap a good lens.
2.  Use the lens hood. If you're moving around and the lens swings unexpectedly, the chances are that the lens hood will absorb the impact and protect the lens itself.

 
 For the lens and body, I have invested in a splash cover from Aquatech. This has an elasticated opening at one end (that I put around the lens hood) and an opening at the other that allows access to the camera controls. A clear window at the back of the hood lets me see the camera screen.
 This is great in wet environments and dusty environments and minimises the chances of water and dust getting into the camera or lens.
 
 Other hacks:

•  Keep the lens cap on until you need to use the camera.
•  If it rains, wear a good rain jacket (I recommend gore-tex as it breathes) and push your camera inside.
•  You can use a plastic bag to keep water off too.
•  Buy a backpack with hip straps and a rain cover (usually in a compartment at the bottom of the backpack).
•  Consider a camera mount you can clip to the shoulder strap of your backpack. Peak Design offer these clips.
•  Dedicated underwater housings if you need one (you can get these for smartphones too).
•  A small hand towel to wrap around the camera/lens for general protection.
•  In cold conditions keep a spare battery in your clothing close to your body (to take advantage of body heat) - battery performance drops in the cold.
•  Silica gel desiccant dehumidifiers for very wet environments. 

I hope you find this useful.

It's time for another podcast...

Thank you for your support and I hope you have a great end of year break.... and a fantastic 2025!

I especially would like to thank my Patreon supporters. If you would like to join me there, or find out more, please click this link.

AND, you can still order my 2025 Wildlife Calendar!

Support the show

HAVE YOU BOUGHT YOUR 2025 WILDLIFE CALENDAR YET?
Put a little wildlife on your wall (or a friends' wall!). Find out more here:
Graham Elliott Photography 2025 Calendar

Support the show
Thank you for listening to my podcast. If you would like to subscribe you can do so here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1803730/support

Website
Please check out my website for the latest collections, photography tips and challenges, and more!

Contact Me
You can contact me directly at: [email protected]

Please don't keep me a secret! Please share my podcast with anyone else who you think might be interested.

Send us a text

In my wildlife photography tips podcasts, I always recommend that people practice on birds. But why should they do that?

Well, for one thing, most of us have access to these wild animals and they allow us to get to know our cameras.

Photographing birds is also an opportunity to start thinking like a wildlife photographer: 

• Where is the best lighting? 
• How can I position myself to get the best shots? 
• What influences the animals' behaviour? 
• How important is time of day?

These are just a few of the questions you should be asking yourself.

When it comes to using your camera, have you thought about whether back-button focus is appropriate? 
How can you get your camera's auto-focus system to work most efficiently? 
What shutter speed should you use? Are you shooting RAW?

I go through a number of these options and issues in the podcast. In some cases, there will be conflicting opinions about which option is best in certain situations. In those cases, I suggest you do what is most comfortable for you. The most important thing is for you to be shooting images you love and for you to continue to experiment with and evolve your photography. 

I hope you enjoy it.

It's time for another podcast...

Thank you for your support and I hope you have a great end of year break.... and a fantastic 2025!

I especially would like to thank my Patreon supporters. If you would like to join me there, or find out more, please click this link.

AND, you can still order my 2025 Wildlife Calendar!

Support the show

HAVE YOU BOUGHT YOUR 2025 WILDLIFE CALENDAR YET?
Put a little wildlife on your wall (or a friends' wall!). Find out more here:
Graham Elliott Photography 2025 Calendar

Support the show
Thank you for listening to my podcast. If you would like to subscribe you can do so here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1803730/support

Website
Please check out my website for the latest collections, photography tips and challenges, and more!

Contact Me
You can contact me directly at: [email protected]

Please don't keep me a secret! Please share my podcast with anyone else who you think might be interested.

Send us a text

Colin and I used to coach people on WeAreObservers PhotoWalks in Sydney. Colin has a lot of experience as (primarily) an amateur photographer and is also a trainer for Adobe.

In this podcast, he talks about how he gets unique results using a smartphone and the role that editing plays in digital photography.

If you want to see Colin's work, the Instagram sites mentioned are:
@Very_Well_Adjusted: Photographs taken on smartphones and other devices such as ipads.
@Framed_Mono: Colin's black and white collection.

He also spoke about the "Nightcap Camera" App. and you can find more details by clicking the link.

It's time for another podcast...

Thank you for your support and I hope you have a great end of year break.... and a fantastic 2025!

I especially would like to thank my Patreon supporters. If you would like to join me there, or find out more, please click this link.

AND, you can still order my 2025 Wildlife Calendar!

Support the show

HAVE YOU BOUGHT YOUR 2025 WILDLIFE CALENDAR YET?
Put a little wildlife on your wall (or a friends' wall!). Find out more here:
Graham Elliott Photography 2025 Calendar

Support the show
Thank you for listening to my podcast. If you would like to subscribe you can do so here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1803730/support

Website
Please check out my website for the latest collections, photography tips and challenges, and more!

Contact Me
You can contact me directly at: [email protected]

Please don't keep me a secret! Please share my podcast with anyone else who you think might be interested.

Send us a text

It can be very frustrating to go away on a trip and, when you look at your photographs on a pc screen, find they're not sharp. I've put together a list of seven things you can do, to avoid blurry photos:
 

1. Check your settings.  Do you have the correct shutter speed set? Is your AF point in the right place? Have you got an unintended exposure compensation set? Make it a habit to check your settings and take test shots.
2. You are using the wrong shutter speed.  While shooting at 1,000th of a second will freeze a lot of the action, shooting faster is likely to give more reliable results. If I'm photographing a breaching whale, I'll typically use 1/4000th of a second to freeze everything. 
3. Pre-focus on your subject where you can and use long bursts. The number of useable photos you get becomes an exercise in statistics. If you're getting one good shot in 10, you won't have much to show from a burst of 6. A burst of 20 though, should give you at least 2 useable photos.
4. Look out for foreground objects that might completely blur out through the viewfinder, but will make their presence felt by leaving a 'fog' over the subject. Look directly at your subject (not through the viewfinder) and look for leaves, twigs or anything else close to you that might become a problem in the final image.
5. Use the lowest possible ISO. High ISO will introduce noise and this diminishes the sharpness of your subject. This is particularly true in low light. Take a 'safe' shot first (to make sure you get a photo of your subject) and then progressively reduce the ISO. Use a tripod (or other support), 'silent' mode, the 3-second self-timer, or a remote control to minimise any movement you might introduce when taking the shot.
6.  Set up a 'focus box'. Use this where you can't focus directly on your subject (e.g. porpoising dolphins). Set the focal distance and a suitable DoF to have a safe focus area.
7.  Make sure you understand the AF system on your camera. Use the appropriate mode and AF point(s). 

It's time for another podcast...

Thank you for your support and I hope you have a great end of year break.... and a fantastic 2025!

I especially would like to thank my Patreon supporters. If you would like to join me there, or find out more, please click this link.

AND, you can still order my 2025 Wildlife Calendar!

Support the show

HAVE YOU BOUGHT YOUR 2025 WILDLIFE CALENDAR YET?
Put a little wildlife on your wall (or a friends' wall!). Find out more here:
Graham Elliott Photography 2025 Calendar

Support the show
Thank you for listening to my podcast. If you would like to subscribe you can do so here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1803730/support

Website
Please check out my website for the latest collections, photography tips and challenges, and more!

Contact Me
You can contact me directly at: [email protected]

Please don't keep me a secret! Please share my podcast with anyone else who you think might be interested.