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Created Local Instagram Series – @louisstace...

Created Local Instagram Series – @louisstacey

In the twenty fifth edition of our special features celebrating our favourite south coast based Instagram users, we catch up with Louis Stacey (@louisstacey).

Can you tell me a little about yourself?
I Live down south in Gosport, love to take photo’s and occasionally explore abandoned places.

Can you tell me more about your photographic experience; is this something that you’ve studied or maybe a hobby that you’ve developed?
It began as a hobby after injuring myself far too many times skateboarding. I decided it’s time to find something a little less extreme. I had always made videos of skate trips I went on and enjoyed that but had never tried taking still photo’s. After wanting a telescope I brought a P900 bridge camera which has a crazy 2000mm zoom. I was instantly hooked and learnt all the available features on it. I believe it was photographing Stars and motorway bridges that left me wanting more.

Do you have a favoured camera or device that you use for your Instagram photography?
I’m using Nikon DSLRs at the moment but no favoured camera or device. As long as it’s better than my phone!

Exploring the theme of local, the south coast has a wide variety of climatic conditions, buildings and landscapes. Are there any places or environments that are personal to you or that you love to photograph?
I have recently been really enjoying shooting the Spinnaker Tower and Portsmouth from Gosport. The tower always looks great, provides a great backdrop and with the constant stream of boats going past it means lots of long exposure opportunities for me which I love. I usually always come home with something I like from that spot. I also really enjoy exploring all around Portsmouth and Southampton as they both have such a wide variety of photo opportunities within walking distance. There is something good around almost every corner.

For you what makes a good photograph stand out?
For me it’s usually something that you wouldn’t normally see, such as a long exposure or from a unique angle or perspective (drone). I enjoy photographs with a shallow depth of field, it’s something I would like to try more of in future. As long as there are at least two points of interest in a photo I think I will generally like it.

Looking at your Instagram account it was previously full of skateboarding images. Do you still get to shoot much skating?
Most of those video clips are of myself filmed using my GoPro. Since getting a DSLR I Have only shot skateboarding twice. I plan to do lots more in the future but I’d like to get a Flash first (even though it’s not needed). But I have spoken to old friends who are willing to let me photograph them skateboarding. Hopefully by Summer 2019 you should start to see a few.

Spinnaker Tower by Louis Stacey

Would you say that you take photos more for yourself or for others?
Generally for myself. There have been times where I could have taken a good/interesting photo for that may have been popular with others but because I knew I wouldn’t look back on it I didn’t bother.

Are there any other photographers who either influence you or that you would encourage our readers to also check out?
There are many, Simon Timbers (@UWO) is one of my favourites along with Paul Clark, Siberian Volk@depthobsessed and @urbanandstreet. I also really enjoy photos I see from the local community, they all inspire me but there’s too many to name. I mainly shoot with my friends, @sourgrapesphoto and @mchandler90, we all have different styles which I really enjoy because you end up learning from and inspiring each other. Definitely worth checking them out!

If you would like to get involved or know of a photographer that you think should be on our radar then please drop me an email at stuart@strong-island.co.uk.


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