Photo Live Magazine First Issue

I would love to say most of my pictures
are straight out of the camera.
But it’s hard when you’re shooting
outdoors without any reflectors or
flash so I tend to do a fair bit of processing
in Lightroom. I shoot raw so
you have a lot of control over the image,
especially in the highlights and
shadows. I don’t go overboard with
the clarity and saturation like some
people do and I tend to keep my images
fairly natural. Hair is always hit
or miss but most of the time you get
an image you’re happy with. I like to
spend only 5 - 10 minutes editing a
photo if possible and Lightroom is
perfect for that.
Much of your photography is based
around models and outdoors, do
you have favourite locations around
Sydney?
Tamarama and Bronte are my favourite
beaches to shoot at with
Camp Cove and Shark Beach on the
harbour side also favourites.
Balmoral is also a great place to
shoot at and has a European type of
feel to it. I like to shoot in the Blue
Mountains too and in and around
Paddington is great for high fashion.
Do the models come to you for portfolio
shoots or is it more collaborative
work.
It’s more a collaborative effort. I’m
very selective about who I shoot
with and it has to be a joint effort or
it generally doesn’t work.
Modelling is an art and a model really
needs to know how to pose correctly.
I can tell a model I want a particular
look or pose but at the end of the
day she or he has to make it look
effortless and natural and that’s not
always easy.
Are you doing any studio work? Do
you have a studio or do you rent one
as needed? Tell us about shooting in
a studio, do you enjoy it as much as
beach shooting.
I hardly ever shoot in the studio.
I think in the last 5 years I’ve done 2
shoots in a studio so I’m like a fish
out of water.
I’m much more comfortable outdoors
and enjoying the sunshine and
occasional thunderstorm.
You’ve photographed some amazing
people, tell us about a favourite
shoot.
I did a shoot in New York a few years
ago in the middle of winter with a
dancer which was great.
I love shooting on Venice Beach at
sunset. It’s hard to get a bad shot
with the sunset going down in the
west behind you.
My all time favourite would have to
be a shoot I did in Los Angeles with
an actress called Marian. We got so
many great shots, Marian knew a
million poses and we both walked
away with big smiles on our faces.
You can’t ask for more than that.
What do you take with you on typical
beach shoot?
Camera wise just the basics with
spare batteries. It’s usually just me
and the model so no reflectors or
a flash. A hat, sunscreen and water.
You can get dehydrated easily and
burnt so be careful. Baby oil is great
if you want that shiny look on a model.
Any tips for photographers wanting
to get started on shooting friends or
models on the beach?
Your model or friend needs to know
how to pose. It just makes it so much
easier and you’ll get some great
shots. Just standing there looking
bored doesn’t cut it.
You don’t want to shoot straight into
the sun so find the right angle and
make sure the models face has no
shadows on it.
Exposure and focus are important
so get that right and you’re on your
way to getting some great shots.
Finally where can our readers go to
find out a bit more about you.
I’m on Instagram @deanprestonphoto
and on 500px at Dean Preston
Photography. I’m also on Facebook.
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