What does travel photography mean to you?

To me, photography is a means to tell visual stories. It is an opportunity to share a perspective, to evoke emotion, or to spark a thought. It allows me to document my life, so I can look back on it in the future and share it with anyone who wants to be a part of that journey. I chose to specialise in travel photography as it mirrors real life in its unpredictability and spontaneity. It’s also a great opportunity to discover what’s out there in the world.

What is in your camera bag?

I aim to be as nimble as possible in the field, so I use the  Alpha 7R IV with a mix of Sony G Master zoom and prime lenses.
The FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM and FE 85mm F1.4 GM lenses are always in my bag. I rely on these two G Master lenses, as they offer fast autofocus speed, incredible resolution across the frame, and true-to-life colours.

Most travel photographers use a 24-70mm zoom, however I believe that using unconventional focal lengths introduces healthy creative tension. It forces a fresh perspective and helps me tell a unique travel story. So, it’s not uncommon to see me shooting landscapes on the FE 85mm F1.4 GM, and portraits on FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM, for example. 

Speaking of portraits, I just love the Real-time Eye AF of the Alpha 7R IV.
It locates and gains focus on the eye instantly, so I can concentrate on being creative with the framing without worrying about failing to nail focus.

What do you look for when you are out on a shoot?

I’m looking for ways to tell unique stories in the simplest, clearest way possible, and always with a strong subject and high visual contrast. Usually, that manifests itself in a minimal aesthetic style.

My images from a recent trip to Uluru are a good example of this approach. Rather than filling the frame with the famous Ayers Rock, I chose to compose unconventionally for a wider frame to take in more of the sky. Doing so provides clarity of subject and allows me to accentuate just how grand and unique this destination is—the never-ending, star-spangled night sky against the leviathan of Ayers Rock in the vast Australian outback.
Colour is also an important theme I explore in my work as well. The warm, orange hue of Ayers Rock in constant contrast with the ever-changing cool blue hues of the skies above were visually interesting to me, and were beautifully captured by the  Alpha 7R IV and Sony G Master lenses. 

How does Sony’s mirrorless system benefit you for your work?

I choose the Sony Alpha 7R IV because it’s compact and light – simply the perfect travel camera. The NP-FZ100 type battery has incredibly long battery life so I can shoot all day and not worry about running out of power. The fast autofocus and the intelligence of the camera’s Real-time Eye AF is confidence-inspiring, helping me capture sharp images. Most importantly, the 61-megapixel sensor produces the best image quality you can get in a mirrorless camera.

Overall, how would you describe your experience with Sony?

Travel photography is unpredictable, so I need a system that has solid fundamentals. Sony Alpha system’s five fundamentals of image quality, speed, extensive lens line-up, long battery life, and ergonomics takes care of all the technical details so I can focus on being creative.

Unique moments in travel photography are fleeting but with Sony, I have every confidence that I will spot and capture them beautifully.