Born Of The Sea: Seascape Photography by Kieran O'Connor

[singlepic id=4924 w=600 h= float=] Kieran O'Connor is a seascape photographer based on the south coast of NSW, Australia, using fairly simple gear, a Nikon D90 and a 18-105 mm lens, to capture clean, sharp, colorful and incredibly spectacular seascapes. Below you will find the process that Kieran uses to combine the sand with water, air, and light in order to get the perfect visual quality of the images.

Tell us about something about Kieran O'Connor Photography?

I havent been a photographer for long, in fact only in 2009 did I pick up my first DSLR. It started through traditional art, being a landscape painter I used a little point & shoot to capture reference photos for my work. It grew on me very quickly and I was fascinated at the concept of recording a moment in time, a personal moment. My love of photography took off and eventually overshadowed my desire to keep painting. I found more joy through the lens than I did through the paintbrush.

What’s your creative process like?

The moment I step foot on a beach it all starts. I go into "eagle vision" and start scouring the scene for the perfect composition. The ocean is so dynamic and has many moods and capturing them can be quite a challenge. I spend alot of time watching the way water interacts with its surroundings, the way a wave will crash against a rock or how the tide will wash against a sandbank. All are important factors to me when creating a shot. Sometimes it all comes together and I can stand there happily clicking away. Other times I need to get closer to the drama even if that means getting myself into a dicey situation and risking it all. I like to capture the movement of the ocean so getting wet is part of process. If at the end of the day the image does not mirror the feeling or moment I experienced at the time, then it never sees the light of day.

Where do you find inspiration and why you like photography?

I've been lucky enough to have always lived near the coast and I am constantly inspired by the oceans ever changing wild beauty. There is no better fulfillment than standing on an empty beach as the sun rises and taking those moments home with me and then sharing them with others. I want viewers when looking at my work to feel something, I want to pull them into a scene and have them feel as if they can almost smell the salt spray or feel the water lapping at their feet.

To stop time in that one moment and keep it forever. It is more than a hobby for me, it is life. ~Kieran O'Connor

What are some tips you could give to people that really like your work? Get out of bed for that sunrise. You wont get a photo of it if you're not there. Talking specifically seascapes, be prepared. Check the conditions ( tide, swell, rainfall) Planning ahead is vital. Get up close and personal, don't be afraid of getting wet or climbing that rock ledge. Be safe and use common sense of course but don't go home regretting not getting that "shot" because it will keep you awake at night.

Can you name some great photographer that inspires you and why? Ansel Adams of course, the godfather of landscape photography.

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Dear Kieran, thanks a lot for helping us with this interview. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, your passion, your ideas with our audience. Nevertheless a special thanks for sharing the your impressive seascape pictures. Good luck with your projects and we look forward for a new article featuring some of your special landscapes.