A new light on landscapes
Amateur Photographer|September 03, 2024
Liam Man's dramatic, drone-lit landscapes have won him international acclaim. He tells Geoff Harris about his approach, and why still images still appeal more than video
Geoff Harris
A new light on landscapes

However good your technique and camera equipment, it can be hard to find new angles and approaches with landscape photography. A lot of the most picturesque places in the world have been photographed to death, and even if you rise at silly o’clock for amazing light, or are lucky enough to get highly photogenic weather, chances are that another photographer somewhere has bagged a similar shot.

So it’s not surprising that a lot of conventional landscape photographers have branched out, exploring more novel techniques such as shooting stills and video with drones, or light painting. Liam Man, who won the ultra-competitive Open Landscape Category in the most recent Sony World Photography Awards, combines both approaches, so we caught up to find out more.

A keen experimenter

As Liam, who is still only in his 20s, explains, he was always drawn to the natural world. ‘Growing up watching every David Attenborough wildlife documentary, I spent my days imagining myself as an intrepid explorer, always on the lookout for cool wildlife and interesting viewpoints,’ he recalls. ‘Luckily for me, my secondary school’s art department had a small point-and-shoot camera and after some gentle persuading, I was allowed to borrow it. I immediately caught the photography bug and the camera probably spent more time at my house than at school. I could finally show people the sights that fascinated me versus telling people.’

While experimenting with the school’s now seldom-seen compact, Liam became fascinated by the macro mode. ‘It felt like black magic, capturing detail that I couldn’t make out with my naked eye. To me, cameras went from a tool that simply duplicated what I saw, to a means of seeing past my perception and capturing the essence of a moment. I became obsessed with long exposures, macro, water drop flash photography and light painting. Since then I’ve dabbled in every genre.’

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 03, 2024-Ausgabe von Amateur Photographer.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 03, 2024-Ausgabe von Amateur Photographer.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERAlle anzeigen
140 years of change
Amateur Photographer

140 years of change

AP has become the world’s oldest surviving consumer photo magazine because we have moved with the times, says Nigel Atherton

time-read
2 Minuten  |
September 24, 2024
Preserving history in platinum
Amateur Photographer

Preserving history in platinum

A deep dive into the meticulous art of platinum printing, and the collaboration between the Royal Geographical Society and Salto Ulbeek. Mike Crawford explores how they brought historical photographs to life with enduring beauty and precision

time-read
7 Minuten  |
September 24, 2024
Life in the past lane
Amateur Photographer

Life in the past lane

What was life like for an amateur photographer in 1884? John Wade takes a trip back in time

time-read
3 Minuten  |
September 24, 2024
Choice cuts
Amateur Photographer

Choice cuts

How many trillions of photographs must have been taken in the past 140 years? Amy Davies asked some of our regular contributors for their favourites....a difficult task, to say the least

time-read
4 Minuten  |
September 24, 2024
How good a camera can you buy for just £140?
Amateur Photographer

How good a camera can you buy for just £140?

Three members of the AP team see what they can find for the money

time-read
5 Minuten  |
September 24, 2024
Round Five: The Best of the Rest
Amateur Photographer

Round Five: The Best of the Rest

The APOY judges choose their favourite images that didn’t make the top ten of our Landscapes category

time-read
3 Minuten  |
September 24, 2024
Amateur Photographer of the Year
Amateur Photographer

Amateur Photographer of the Year

Here are the top ten images uploaded to Photocrowd from Round Five, Landscapes, with comments by the AP team and our guest judge

time-read
4 Minuten  |
September 24, 2024
FILM STARS A lifetime of landmarks
Amateur Photographer

FILM STARS A lifetime of landmarks

Cameras that hit the headlines between then and now. John Wade is your guide

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
September 24, 2024
140 years of Amateur Photographer
Amateur Photographer

140 years of Amateur Photographer

As AP celebrates its 140th birthday next month, Nigel Atherton looks back at its glorious past

time-read
8 Minuten  |
September 24, 2024
John Wade considers...World War II: Home Front 1940, by A.J O'Brien
Amateur Photographer

John Wade considers...World War II: Home Front 1940, by A.J O'Brien

Say the word 'Wall's' to those of a certain age and two things spring to mind: sausages and ice cream.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
September 10, 2024