In this Sure-Shot series, Coromind invites photographers to break down two of their favourite shots, sharing the stories, techniques and moments that make each image special. This month, Lorraine Beattie takes us behind the scenes of her inspiring work.
My love for photographic art began as a young teenager. On a trip to Wellington Zoo as a volunteer Scout Leader, with Kodak box brownie camera in tow, I captured, from behind, the boy scouts sprawled over the railing at the lion cage. This was a lightbulb ‘moment in time’ and the start of a passion that has continued to evolve as I’ve progressed through my creative journey.
A few years later I headed off backpacking around the world. During that time of exploration I honed my skills in the art of composition, light and ‘the moment’. I developed an addiction to anticipating the shot, capturing cultures, landscapes, seascapes and architecture in many corners of the globe. On return to NZ, life intervened with another profession and family but I carried on with photography as time allowed.
After a hiatus, I picked up my gear again and joined the Photographic Society in Auckland.
This triggered what has become an amazing continuum of invitations to exhibit my art both in group and solo exhibitions, in the USA, Europe and here in NZ. I have been featured in a number of International Juried Art publications, lectured in the UK, and presented at various Rotary events, Grey Power, schools, travel shows, the corporate world and partnerships with the Spinal Trust and currently featured at the Rodney Women’s Refuge.
My offshore travels have continued, and being caught up in disasters in various hotspots (a cyclone in Burma and rioting in Chile are a couple) has provided me with exciting photojournalism opportunities simply by being in the right place at the right time.
In NZ, I focus on the golden and blue hours to get the best light and patterns of land and sea, particularly around the Firth, Coromandel and Hauraki Plains; my home turf is now Paeroa, after many years at Miranda.
Beyond the environment, my passion for capturing humanity continues with events, sports, families and weddings. Spontaneity and the emotion of a moment revealed without a pose is still the major influencing factor in my photographic journey from my beginning as that young teen at the zoo. I love to draw the viewer in to feel that emotion, regardless of the subject.
My equipment over the years has evolved with the change in technology. My current kit includes a Canon 6D full frame with a collection of different lenses, my favourite go-to being the 70-200m F1:4L/USM, great bokeh (soft-focus quality of a blurred background) and excellent for shots without being in the subject’s space.
Lorraine Beattie Photography – Facebook
lorrbeattie@hotmail.com
ph 0274 743597
Love – f/5.6, 1/250s, ISO100, Focal length 70mm
On a family outing to the beach near Kaiaua, I caught my son and grandson Finn in this special bonding moment. I love the emotions evident between father and son, love, care and trust. Finn was around two years old at the time.
The little orange wheelbarrow was used by my three sons, and survived the rigours of their boyhoods to be enjoyed by the next generation. This is now my trademark logo depicted on an easel.
Zebra Crossing – F/7.1, 1/500s, ISO 100, Focal length 200mm
On safari in the Masai Mara, Kenya, another moment-in-time chance encounter. The zebras appeared from the tussock onto the road. I could read the uncertainty within the herd as to which direction they should go, left, right, forward or back? I loved the symmetry of this image with their positioning and even though they all look the same the stripes are unique to each animal.
Beach III – f/6.3, 1/400s, ISO100, Focal length 200mm
As I travelled south from Naples along the Amalfi Coast, the view from precarious clifftops was awe-inspiring. I hung over the edge as far as I could to take this shot. The precise positioning of the beach umbrellas, the off-centred lookout stand and waves at shoreline colluded to present an almost painterly abstract picture. Printed on canvas, this image was included in a solo exhibition in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
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