Stephen Powers

The Nikon Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR has quickly become the perfect travel companion for Stephen's photography

AP: Tell us about your photography background 

SP: My journey began at the end of 2019, so I’d still consider myself new to photography. It all started simply – I wanted a beautiful shot of a kingfisher, a bird I’d only ever managed fleeting glimpses of. I decided to go all in and bought a Nikon D500 with Nikon’s 200500mm f/5.6 telephoto lens. Two months later I managed to capture the photo I’d dreamed of and cherish above all others.

The adrenaline rush continued for a few more months just before the pandemic hit. Lockdown 1.0 forced me to re-evaluate a few things and I decided to focus on macro photography in my back garden after purchasing the Nikon AF-S Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 G VR lens. When freedom was granted again, I explored landscape photography and acquired a Nikon D810 with Nikon’s 16-35mm f/4 lens. I found that unlike bird photography, I would always come away with a photo but not necessarily the postcard version I’d imagined. Following various YouTube vloggers has been invaluable for learning techniques as has my friendship with various photographers online.

AP: What do you carry in your camera bag?