Photo gains

Fine art pro Benedict Brain devises a series of creative challenges for our unwitting Apprentice

- Benedict Brain

THE PRO

NAME: Benedict Brain

CAMERA: Nikon D850

Ben is a fine art photographer and journalist who shoots a wide variety of subjects. He graduated from the Derby School of Art in 1991 and until recently edited Digital Camera magazine. He’s a Sigma Ambassador and also an associate of the Royal Photographic Society, sitting on the society’s Distinctions Advisory Panel. As a workshop leader for Light & Land he’s an experienced photography tutor. To see more of Ben’s work, visit www.benedictbrain.com

THE APPRENTICE

NAME: Rodney Wyatt

CAMERA: Nikon Z 7

Rod is a semi-retired independent surveyor from Somerset. He’s been shooting seriously for about five years and is a member of Sedgemoor Camera Club. Since upgrading to a Z 7 he hasn’t quite felt at home, so he’s hoping Ben can offer some insights into using a mirrorless camera. He’s also hoping our pro can help him broaden his landscape skillset, but is he ready for what lies ahead?

“If you only go to the gym once a month you aren’t going to build any muscle, and it’s the same with photography,” said Ben as he and Rod stood at the foot of the sloping hills on Cherhill Down.

“If you get out there with your camera three times a week, you will improve. And today we’re going to be trying a few exercises that will help you develop your ‘photography muscles’.”