A few questions to Kevin Holliday
How much emphasis do you put on post-production?
I put an enormous amount of effort into the post processing of my captures. I’ve always felt that it would be really cool to walk outside and see this unique and surrealistic world that does not exist in reality, but does exist in my own ‘make believe’ world. My efforts have always been to bring that world to life through my art—through my photography. There is really no way to make this happen by merely making a capture and presenting it as such. The photograph must be manipulated in post-production in order to transition it from a mechanical capture to an image based on an inner vision. This, of course, takes time and often will require days or even weeks of work to complete.
Which one item of equipment would you say is the most important to you?
My tripod! I like to think that it was when I began using a tripod—even before I was making long exposure captures—that I realized that working at a slowed-down pace is a much more enjoyable approach to photography. The tripod allows me to set the camera on-top and then look around and breath; take it all in and not feel rushed to do anything. Then I can look through the viewfinder and make a composition that speaks to what I am feeling. The concerns of all the technical details become second nature and all I am focused on is the world through the lens. When hand-holding my camera, I feel that the world has never slowed down because the composition itself is ‘unsettled’. However, once the camera is locked-down on the tripod, the composition can settle down and the world around me comes to a stop. It is in this moment that a feeling of calm overcomes me and I can start the long exposure capture and then just breath, enjoy, and take it all in.
So yes, without a doubt… my tripod is extremely important to me.
What is your favourite way to de-stress?
Listening to music through a great set of headphones. I love my Bang & Olufsen’s because as soon as I put them on, the world around me becomes quiet and my attention is focused on only what I want, rather than what all the other noises around me demand. It matters not whether I am in the comfort of my own home, enjoying the beauty of the water and marsh down the street, or in the hectic surroundings of the airport… my world is calm when I’m listening to music through my headphones.
I’m very picky about sound quality, but I still can’t stand wires; so for wireless headphones, B&O’s are at the top of the list in my opinion.
What are some tips you could give to people that really like your work?
If we are going to approach photography as a method of creating fine art, then we need to stop treating it as ‘photography’ and begin to approach it like an artist would—and that means planning! All too often I feel that photographers think they should just walk around and randomly capture things in front of them. This is certainly not how a painter or sculptor works; they plan, they prepared, they execute.
Just because a result can be produced in 1/1000th of a second, does not mean that the rest of the process should be also fast. I’m not suggesting that you shouldn’t allow captures to be made when things present themselves to you, but I find that if you are on-location somewhere for a specific reason, the captures will have significantly more meaning in the end.
Scout, plan, prepare, and CREATE!
What are your favourite techniques or methods?
I found out a several years ago that the look of long exposure capture was the one thing that had been missing from being able to bring my made-up world to life, so I am now driven to this technique more often than not. Not all captures are long exposure, but it sure does help to eliminate the world’s visual clutter.
Do You Have A Favorite Walk Around Lens… If So What Is It?
ZEISS Milvus 50mm ƒ1.4… truly a lovely lens to work with! All of my lenses are in the Milvus line, but the 50mm resides on my camera most of the time.
What’s in my backpack?
I keep my bag fairly simple…
- Nikon D850
- 3 lenses: Zeiss Milvus 21, 50, & 85mm
- Wine Country Camera Filters and holder
- Vello ShutterBoss 2 — wireless remote shutter release
- Hoodman Hoodloupe
- Induro CT314 tripod
- Really Right Stuff BH-55 ball head
- Headphones and a good selection of music!
What do you think about Camerapixo magazine?
Camerapixo is an elite photography magazine that you can tell right off the top has been put together by someone with a solid understanding of design and layout. Then beyond that, the curation of images is top notch! I love that it’s ad-free and simply filled from cover to cover with stunning photography. It’s a ‘no fluff’ magazine focused on one thing… top tier photography!
Please visit Kevin’s online profile.
We are pleased to encourage photographers to use our new A FEW QUESTIONS TO… tool located in the TOOLS section. Answer a few questions, add photos, and publish them in the magazine and on our blog.
Best regards,
Camerapixo Press Team
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