Camera Club Profile – Nishaan Patel: ‘I found my love for photos again’

How did you get into photography?

If I’m completely honest, I got into it by accident. I picked it as a subject in GCSE and my father bought me my first camera, but the lessons were classroom-based and copying from a chalkboard.

It was only recently that I got back into photography and did a ten-week evening course to get familiar with creative digital photography.

Who or what inspires you the most?

A combination of things that inspired me to pick up photography again.

As a kid I listened to tons of music, which my mum used to buy on ‘forty-fives’, and often found myself gazing out the album covers. At GCSE I studied art and was inspired by Salvador Dali’s surrealism.

Today I get a lot of inspiration from what I see on Instagram. I follow people like Linda Wisdom and Rohit Vohra and find their work really interesting.

What’s your favourite kit at the moment?

I recently invested in a Canon 1D Mark III with a 50mm 1.8 STM lens. I like that the camera is not all automatic. It requires you to engage with the camera as well as the subject.

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What would be your advice for any new photographers?

Never underestimate the versatility of your kit – especially the lens.

Tell us about your favourite shots

It was incredibly hard to choose my favourite pictures as I have so many.

I took my camera out on a rainy evening in Southampton and photographed the reflection off a puddle on the road at sea city museum.

I like to cycle on my lunch break in Leeds to take some pictures. I saw Candle House appear perfectly between two buildings, so I stopped to compose this picture.

I took the picture outside the Eldon pub in Leeds as I was on my way home and happened to see two lads in black suits. It just reminded me of a scene from Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs.

My family and I went to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, so I took my crystal ball. This picture stood out, as my kids were also in shot.

When I saw these crayons in a jar in a restaurant, I couldn’t resist taking a picture. I’d just bought my 50mm lens and I thought it’d be a great opportunity to test the bokeh effect. I was amazed by the result.

I happened to have a random day off work, so ventured off to Tropical World in Leeds. I've never taken pictures of butterflies before with a DSLR, but I just happened to be equipped with a new zoom lens. I wasn't expecting anything spectacular, however I managed to get this image of a butterfly on a flower and I was astounded at the sheer clarity and detail in this picture.

See more from Nishaan:

Instagram: @onpoint_photos

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