Robyn Carter is the featured artist

Why photography?
I’ve always been passionte about photography as long as i remember. My brother was given a camera when he was 8yo (a kodak 126), and I used to love taking photos of it (but was hardly ever allowed as the younger sister!!) I bought my first camera when I was 17 a minolta 126 – and I got some brilliant images of that one. It wasn’t until I was in my 30’s that I was able to afford y first SLR (film), and when digital came out I switched straight away – starting wth a Canon Powershot Pro 1, then moving to a Canon 20D when that came out. I see the camera as an extension of myself, capturing things that I see, the way I see them. Without the camera I look at everything as if I have a camera up at my eye all the time.

What motivates you?
Beauty and challenge. Beauty in nature, and the challenge of capturing images that are difficult such as birds in flight, or things on the move. If I don’t get it right the first time, I’ll keep going back until I do.

Who is your favorite artist and why?
There so many that I can’t list them all so I’ll tell you of three that influence me in a big way…

Steve Bulford
His nature shots are just constantly incredible. I’m always in awe, and strive to do justice to nature as he does. I think I fall short there though, but I try!

Macky
Macky influences me by challenging me to improve my images. He’s taught me a lot including the importance of aligning your images! He will sometimes question me on my images, which will in turn make me look at them more closely and thus improve them bit by bit. I couldn’t be without his mentoring.

Blepharopsis
His images in the macro world are second to none. He’s not very active here on Redbubble yet so if you want to see some amazing images, head over to Deviantart – www.blepharopsis.deviantart.com

Others that have been very supportive and influence me a great deal are:

eyestrange
Ken Boxall
and
James

What can you tell us about your bird photography techniques?
For my birds, I use a 75-300mm lens from my old film camera. It’s a great lens – very sharp. Depending on how close I am, I may use my 100mm F2.8 lens as well. I usually look around me and see where the birds are going, then find a spot and sit there quietly. Patience always wins. I often have a few titbits in my pocket for bribery as well.

At home I have a feeding system which attracts the native birds to my garden. I do sugared water for the Tui’s and White-eyes, rice for all that visit, fruit – banana, oranges, apples for the tui’s and white-eyes, and wheat (chicken feed) for the doves. (I’m sure my cat is going to turn into the bird as I’ve caught her eating the wheat on several occasions.)

With birds on the constant move, you have to be fast. I don’t care if I take 100 of blurred birds to get that one fantastic shot.

What are your goals?
To keep improving my photography in every way I can.
To one day by the sigma 200-500mm APO lens (at a mere $24k I probably won’t ever ge tthis)
To meet lots of people who are also passionate about their art/photography
To live life to the full !

Cheers
Robyn

Thank you for the information. I loved looking at the artists that you mentioned!

This is a very honest post you’ve made and it’s an inspiration for me to read this, makes me want to go out and take more photos!

I love the way people have so different techniques of the way they use their camera, weather its to scare the birds, or sit patiently hehe.

Good on you!

congratulations Robyn on being featured ,it’s such wonderful photgraphs you do. I really relate to the 126 film,
I was 13 when I received mine, so my parents could use it too, and could only afford 1 film a year I had to earn my money by sending in drawings to the local paper and get paid a few cents at a time. Pocket money was unheard of for children. Oh well not about ME anyway thanks for this lovely fabulous post.
((()))Gini.

wonderful open, honest interview Robyn …
Congratulations on being the featured artist
xo

Hi,

congrats on the feature, you have some really great work in your portfolio.
hope you are able to get that 200-500mm lens

Mark

Hi, Robyn
It was very interesting learning about you and your art. You’re able to articulate the same passion that I, myself, feel; that I think all of us on RB feel. Thanks and
Cheers- Dayonda

Congratulations on being featured and I love what you do with your photography. I strive like you to become better.

thanks so much for the wonderful comments from you all. Glad you enjoyed my portfolio, and Mark – I hope I am able to get that 200-500mm lens too – I’ll jus thave to keep remembering to buy lotto tickets :

Cheers
Robyn

A lot of informations we gathered from you post. You are not only bird shooter but also bird charmer (attracts birds to garden). I will keep this in mind while capturing my bird photos.
You have beautiful photos. Hope someday I can take those high level photographs.

One thing I would like to ask, what is the possible ways to minimise blur while capturing movement or moving subject ? I read that you will capture 100s of blurred shots to get one right, but what is the best way to reduce the blur by changing any camera settings, film speed or any other trick you may know ?

congratulations nice to meet you.

Trev

I love ‘My best side’. What species is it? Is it common one?

‘My Best Side’ is a native species of NZ – called a waxeye or a whiteeye. They’re tiny – about half the size of a sparrow. Fairly common. They love rice, sugared water, and banana and oranges :)

Cheers
Robyn

Congratulations! Well deserved indeed. Your work is wonderful.

congrats,,,,,,,,,maybe some day you will get that lens

Congrats on a beautiful piece of work. simply beautiful.

Hi Robyn, i enjoyed your gallery, some amazing images there. Congrats on being featured.

Congrats and great job!

I’m humbled dear friend!!

Congratulations on the feature Robyn!!