I would love to say most of my pictures are straight out of the camera. But it’ s hard when you’ re shooting outdoors without any reflectors or flash so I tend to do a fair bit of processing in Lightroom. I shoot raw so you have a lot of control over the image, especially in the highlights and shadows. I don’ t go overboard with the clarity and saturation like some people do and I tend to keep my images fairly natural. Hair is always hit or miss but most of the time you get an image you’ re happy with. I like to spend only 5- 10 minutes editing a photo if possible and Lightroom is perfect for that.
Much of your photography is based around models and outdoors, do you have favourite locations around Sydney?
Tamarama and Bronte are my favourite beaches to shoot at with Camp Cove and Shark Beach on the harbour side also favourites.
Balmoral is also a great place to shoot at and has a European type of feel to it. I like to shoot in the Blue Mountains too and in and around Paddington is great for high fashion.
Do the models come to you for portfolio shoots or is it more collaborative work.
It’ s more a collaborative effort. I’ m very selective about who I shoot with and it has to be a joint effort or it generally doesn’ t work.
Modelling is an art and a model really needs to know how to pose correctly. I can tell a model I want a particular look or pose but at the end of the day she or he has to make it look effortless and natural and that’ s not always easy.
Are you doing any studio work? Do you have a studio or do you rent one as needed? Tell us about shooting in a studio, do you enjoy it as much as beach shooting.
I hardly ever shoot in the studio. I think in the last 5 years I’ ve done 2 shoots in a studio so I’ m like a fish out of water.
I’ m much more comfortable outdoors and enjoying the sunshine and occasional thunderstorm.
You’ ve photographed some amazing people, tell us about a favourite shoot.
I did a shoot in New York a few years ago in the middle of winter with a dancer which was great.
I love shooting on Venice Beach at sunset. It’ s hard to get a bad shot with the sunset going down in the west behind you.
My all time favourite would have to be a shoot I did in Los Angeles with an actress called Marian. We got so many great shots, Marian knew a million poses and we both walked away with big smiles on our faces.
You can’ t ask for more than that.
What do you take with you on typical beach shoot?
Camera wise just the basics with spare batteries. It’ s usually just me and the model so no reflectors or a flash. A hat, sunscreen and water. You can get dehydrated easily and burnt so be careful. Baby oil is great if you want that shiny look on a model.
Any tips for photographers wanting to get started on shooting friends or models on the beach?
Your model or friend needs to know how to pose. It just makes it so much easier and you’ ll get some great shots. Just standing there looking bored doesn’ t cut it.
You don’ t want to shoot straight into the sun so find the right angle and make sure the models face has no shadows on it.
Exposure and focus are important so get that right and you’ re on your way to getting some great shots.
Finally where can our readers go to find out a bit more about you.
I’ m on Instagram @ deanprestonphoto and on 500px at Dean Preston Photography. I’ m also on Facebook.
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