Member Profile: Bryan Long

About me:

Do you consider yourself a Professional/Semi-Pro/Amateur/Beginner photographer?

I am an amateur photographer.

Who are you?

My name is Bryan Long. I am an amateur photographer living in West Auckland, New Zealand. I am in my 40’s and I am a full time Purchasing Manager for a machine manufacturer. I’m married with 5 children which keeps me busy! I have a couple of other passions. Lego being the first. I have more sets than I care to admit and in the past have done Lego displays, although this has taken a back seat with my increased interest in photography. The other is History; in particular, WW2history. I have been able to combine my photography and WW2 history in capturing air shows and have even flown as a passenger in a WW2 Harvard flying in formation while taking photos of the other Harvard’s flying alongside me. More recently, I teamed up with a WW2reenactors group and had the opportunity to snap some images of the actors.

Your Photography Journey

My photography journey started around 2005 when I purchased my first DSLR. I decided then, that if I was going to spend all that money on a camera of that calibre, I was not going to shoot it on automatic. I did a one day course with a professional photographer which taught me the basics. We finished that day with long exposure light trails over the Auckland motorway. I was hooked! Fast forward to 2016 and I finally upgraded that camera. It was with this purchase that I stepped up my photography. I learnt lots from other photographers that I hung out with and my photography grew. I discovered The School of Photography around 2019. I instantly connected with Marc’s presentation style. Due to financial constraints, it took me a few years to sign up. Finally in late 2021, I signed up and it has been the best decision of my photography journey. With time being limited, I haven’t completed many courses yet. I started with the Beginner’s course, and even though I had been shooting for a long time, I still learnt from that course. I am currently working my way through the Lightroom course.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned from TSOP?

The courses are very easy to follow and Marc communicates really well. Outside of the technical learning, the most valuable thing TSOP has taught me is the value of community. The members community is such an amazing place. Having a place where you can get constructive criticism and encouragement is really important. The monthly challenges and Marc’s critiques are also really great to push us outside our comfort zones and look at other perspectives. And I have enjoyed making worldwide connections!

What is your preferred genre?

I predominantly shoot Landscapes and Seascapes and when I can, Astrophotography. But I do enjoy a lot of other genres. Aviation, Motorsport, Dance, Street, Architecture and I have done a little portrait photography. I generally enjoy being behind a camera in most settings! I love to be able to create captivating images. When I am creating a shot, I feel my job as a photographer is to draw the viewer into the shot and to direct their eye to the subject. Sometimes by the use of general photography rules such as leading lines or rule of thirds. Or in having a foreground to lead you into the shot. My post processing style has changed over the years. When I started using post processing software, I tended to over do it and it was very obvious lots of editing had been done. Now, my goal is to be asked if a photo has been edited. My editing style is that the photo is edited enough to show the scene as beautifully as it can be without being immediately obvious that editing has been done.

What inspires you to create photography?

My inspiration lines up with my social tagline: “Capturing the beauty of New Zealand, one frame at a time.” I enjoy being out in nature and seeing the beauty unfold before me.

Who are some other photographers you’re inspired by?

I have a few full-time photographers I follow online. But my most followed would be Henry Turner. He is a talented photographer who shares his adventures and share’s tips. He wears his heart on his sleeve and is genuine. He shares videos where he is struggling with his photography and I appreciate that. It shows me that even full-time photographers have hard days, whether it is in having self-doubt or struggles with finding a shot, and that is ok. I find that helps me in my journey that I am not alone in these feelings.

There are also photographers in the school of photography who inspire me. The likes of Brian Nicholson and Brendon Lynch. They are incredible photographers and I love to see the images they create.

Locally in New Zealand, I have a few good mates who I love to get out shooting with. Jonny Harrison Photography, The Lanky Photographer and Shanes Shots. These guys not only capture some amazing shots, they are good mates with whom I can bounce ideas off and they will also push me to improve.

©*Bryan Long* My first photo photo posted in TSOP

Describe the first photo you took during your learning journey.

I look back to my day spent with a professional photographer when I first brought my camera and the difference is chalk and cheese. I still have images from back in my early days that I like, but as much as I tried, they are just generic photos. Over the last 5 years, I have seen a massive growth in my photography. Both in my compositions and in my post processing abilities. I feel I have gone from someone who could capture nice shots, to someone who can create art through my photography.

My favourite photograph:

My favourite photo that I’ve taken ©*Bryan Long*

What is your favourite photograph that you’ve taken?

I really struggled with this question. I have so many shots that I could consider my favourite. On pondering this question though, I settled on this shot. I was seated in the backseat of a WW2 Spitfire. This flight was the realisation of a lifelong dream to go on a flight in a Spitfire. At the point this was taken, we are inverted halfway through a barrel roll. This shot was taken with a 360 camera. While it is far from the most technical shot I have taken and the subject is not very pretty 🤣, for me this shot is Epic. I know that I was extremely privileged to sit in a seat that very few people will sit in. A photographer can pride themselves on an image well captured if it evokes emotion. This image brings many emotions to life for me for many personal reasons at the time and therefore is a favourite and unforgettable photo.

What’s next for Bryan?

Along with TSOP, I am doing a diploma in Photography part-time through a New Zealand technical institute that will take until 2026 to complete. I have a trip planned to the South Island of New Zealand later in the year which I am very excited about. I will go to some amazing places and hope to capture some epic shots. I would like to do more portrait shots this year. I’m aiming to do a couple of family shoots and I also have a few events planned with the WW2 reenactors to capture them in character as well as another airshow coming up. I have also bought a vlogging camera and have begun a YouTube channel. This is a new aspect of my photography journey which I am enjoying exploring. I’m looking forward to using this medium to enhance the way I communicate the images I capture and the steps it took to get them.

Conclusion

When I look back, my photography journey feels as if it started slowly, learning the basics. But over the last few years it has sped up. It feels as if my abilities and learning have increased quickly. I was a person who enjoyed taking photos. Now I am a person in control of my camera and I have the ability to create a photo. I find photography calming, a way to slow down from a busy world. I love to watch the scene unfold right in front of me and to capture the beauty I see. Going forward, my dream is to be a full-time photographer. At this stage, I’m not sure as to what that will look like but I’m open to see where this photography journey will take me.

Where can people follow you?

You can find me through the following links: