Fate plays its part in most major life events. Looking back it’s easy to wonder how things would have turned out had there been a different decision at a key moment.
Rich Roberts’ brush with fate is very clear in his head, “Had I not been given a three month sabbatical from my work as a cameraman in the UK to play music in Spain with my friend Stevie, then Bring Your Sisters would never have been formed. The real life changing moment was when we stopped off in La Tania on the way home, to visit my sister who was working as a chalet host. We played one gig and ended up staying for 14 winter seasons with the band!”
Equally at home holding a camera as a guitar, family lives meant that the band wound up in 2018, leaving Rich to concentrate on his photography business. “In 2009 I started a photography business. I wanted to apply some of the skills I’d learnt in university and although I’d worked in a professional capacity as a cameraman, photography seemed like a more independent role where you could work directly with the clients” Rich tells us. He specialises in interior photography but also loves going out on the mountain and shooting sports and landscapes.
Rich’s top tips for getting eye-catching shots from your phone camera.
Keep your phone toasty
On a cold day, keep your phone close to your body (not in the pocket of your outer shell) to prevent the battery from dying and missing a key photo opportunity!
Change your perspective
Try close ups from a different perspective: if you’re on the hill early, get the camera low and photograph the grooves of corduroy, then WhatsApp all your mates back home!
Two lens can be better than one
If you have polarising sunglasses, try holding them in front of the camera lens when you’re shooting landscape photos. Rotate the glasses until you find the sweet spot; the filter removes the glare and will make the skies in your photos really pop!
Point and keep shooting
Add the sensation of speed to your photos by tracking your subject whilst you press the shutter, your subject will stay in focus and the background will be blurred. On an automatic setting this works better at the end of the day in low light.
