I love doing is taking photos that allow others to appreciate the beauty that constantly surrounds us. I’m married to Lyndal, who is constantly telling me to get the photographic equipment out of the kitchen and we have two kids, who are constantly asking if they can fiddle with new gear that turns up.
I was given a camera for my 8th birthday and was enthralled by the ability to capture a unique moment in time, that will never ever be repeated. What an honour and thrill to have such an opportunity and then to offer it to others to enrich the way they think about the world.
My professional journey began by selling a single landscape canvas to a friend, that friend showed another who owned a hotel, who asked me to take photos for their website, that then led to a business centre and a restaurant, and things took off. My approach has always been, say “yes”, learn how, do well, reflect to improve, repeat. It’s a long t-shirt slogan I realise!
I love the challenge photography offers, and the demand put on your creativity. I then developed alongside my photography, a YouTube channel, which has slowly grown in its viewership as its niche has developed. It’s shaped by my desire to help others learn and grow in their passion for photography.
Have you ever thought how a single photograph can have such a profound effect on a person, a culture, a customer, a team, on the world? It can transform their mood, their emotions, their questions, and their state of mind simply from the results of a pressed shutter button.
How would you describe your approach to capturing a scene or subject? (What’s your photography “style”?).
My approach to photography and resulting style has developed so much over the years. It started where we all do, point and shoot and shoot and shoot, until I accidentally took a photo I was proud of. I’d then work on replicating that until it was second nature, in the process accidentally taking another photo, which I was also proud of, and so on.
That’s culminated in me waiting for that special, authentic and unique moment, to capture the subject or scene in manner that harnesses its beauty. Whether that’s a corporate headshot, a stunning landscape, some cheeky wildlife, delicious flaming food on the grill, a jet flying 1,000km/h, or a footy playing diving for a try, there’s a moment that captures all the drama, and that’s what I’m after. It would be interesting to hear from others what style they feel I shoot in. But I’ve never desired to be confined by a category, but instead harness the distinctiveness of every opportunity.
What role do Tamron lenses play in your photography?
I love Tamron lenses and have used them for years. My favourite lens has been nicknamed The Beast (by the Disaster Photo Crew I belong to). It’s the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 for Nikon F, a giant beauty. I’m keen for the Z equivalent, but the F does the job at the moment.
A while back now I created a Landscape Wall Calendar and sold it to every one of my friends, to make enough money to purchase the lens. I was successful and it’s a staple in my kit. It’s my absolute go to for all sports, and wildlife and the odd landscape too. I really appreciate its reach, quality and auto focus, but must confess it took a few months to get over the self-conscious feeling of carrying around a lens (with hood) that was as long as my arm, all the gear and no idea, may have been a phrase I endured and secretly enjoyed after first purchasing it.
Tamron lenses have allowed me to develop my photography, in new and exciting ways, by making quality glass affordable, when other brands sat out of financial reach for me. Frmm their 24-70 f/2.8, a lens I really love, all the way through to their exciting new offerings like the 150-500 F/5-6.7. I really appreciate Tamron and their contribution to the photo world.
Beyond technical skills, what are some essential qualities that helped you become a better photographer?
Waiting and then waiting some more. The longer I wait at a location the more I see, and the better my photos in that location get. It doesn’t matter the subject, patience always pays.
Creatively experiment. I experiment a lot with my settings, from longer and shorter shutter speeds than would normally be recommended, to changing ISO and aperture, light painting, panning, intentional shake, zoom while shoot, macro, different lighting styles, the list goes on.
Do it with others. I try to get out with friends (aka The Disaster Photo Crew), every Saturday morning, and that alone has improved my ability to take a great photo. Nothing beats the feeling of taking what you feel is a world class image and then over breakfast realising everyone else took a better photo than you did. It helps you grow in the best and most enjoyable way.
Look for a photo where there doesn’t seem to be one. I like the challenge of shooting something, which should be mundane, boring or common, and discovering how to portray its beauty. You can do it with anything and it’s such a good way to improve your photography.
Visit to new locations. New locations have a refreshing effect on my photography, probably because of the mix of adventure and seeing new things for the first time.
Who are some photographers (or artists in general) who inspire you, and how does their work influence your own?
This is such a hard question, as I see so many photos, from so many photographers that so frequently arrest me. From a distance I have admired many, including Sean Scott, Gavin Hardcastle, and Hayden Pedersen, and I need to say that Michael Shainblum takes the photos I wish I could take. Each has manner of viewing a subject and seeing more than what is obvious, and then pursuing this to represent it in an image.
Closer to home, however, someone who has had a profound influence on my photography is Peter Tong, he’s a great friend and someone you’ve likely not heard of. Tongy (@tongy1970photography) has been taking photos for a lot longer than I have and remains a passionate student of photography. The challenges, insights, and wisdom he has and continues to share always push me to improve, aided by the photos he captures, the adventures we craft and the new shared photographic experiences we enjoy, he’s inspired me the most. I find the best inspiration is found in those closest to us.
Tell us the story behind one of your favourite photos.
I have lived on the Gold Coast for the past 18 years and was utterly convinced that I’d need to drive up to 6 hours to find and photograph the elusive duck-billed platypus. This was until I discovered Watergum, a Platypus surveillance and care program active on the Gold Coast. One morning I was on their surveillance roster at the same time a friend of mine, from Germany, was enjoying his final days of a year-long Aussie experience. He too had never seen a platypus so I invited him along.
We sat side by side in freezing conditions, on the bank of a creek, for an hour, until all of a sudden a beautiful little platypus popped up. Not only did he pop up, he swam around, foraged for food, and to our absolute delight made his way over to where we were sitting, clambering over the rocks in the shallow water just five meters from where we were sitting.
Never have I been more thankful to have a camera in my hand and the Tamron 150-600 read to go. The images we each captured that day, set in my friend’s last experience of Australia, and getting to photograph a platypus in my home city, are those I will cherish forever.
I’d love to encourage people to come spend time with me on YouTube, enjoy a laugh and maybe even learn something. I’ve really enjoyed building a community of people who love photography like I do and learning from them as well as contributing to them. There’ll also be a 2025 Wall Calendar coming at the end of this year to help pay for a trip to Iceland in October 2025! All can be found through my website www.ralphmayhew.photography.
Thank You!