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Robert MacAskill
Photography to me is phototherapy - it merges companionship with moments of tranquillity and peace
My choice of camera is...
currently a Nikon D5100 but my first DSLR was a Fuji S1 Pro with a Nikon F-mount for lens attachment. I found the colours in the Fuji outstanding and the camera basically used Fuji technology in an old Nikon pro body. The downside to the camera was that it used older technology and required multiple different types of batteries to operate. When the time came to change camera, Nikon was the obvious choice since my lenses were compatible and the camera settings quite similar to what I had been used to.
What started as an interest, progressed to a hobby, and then became an obsession...
Photography to me is Phototherapy - I not only enjoy the company and friendships that photography has brought my way, but also the tranquillity and peace of standing alone on a lough shore, listening to the sound of the waves as the sunset lights the evening sky.
I have been on my photography journey for...
at least ten years now - well that was when I got my first DSLR camera, but to be honest I have always been that family member taking the holiday snaps. I ended up getting my first DSLR when a family member was due to photograph the wedding of another family member. In a throw away discussion with my father in law I mentioned that it would be something I would like to do. A few weeks later, him and I set off to buy a second hand DSLR that he had seen on Gumtree...and so the obsession began.
My favourite type of photography is...
Urbex photography, in other words the exploration of the abandoned and the capturing of the forgotten, lost and decayed times of social history. I have explored many sites across Ireland, including asylums, hospitals, schools, hotels, linen and corn mills, public baths, historic houses and rural farmhouses. Each has its unique story that leaves us wondering who, what, when and why? I enjoy nothing better than trying to capture the emotion found within these forgotten places. But, when I'm not photographing urban and rural decay, I dabble in many other genres including street photography, landscape and sport, in particular BMX racing. My youngest son competes with Lisburn BMX club, so that has formed the majority of my latest compositions
I joined Raw Photographic because...
I found myself stuck within the Urbex niche and decided I needed to expand my photography. I also wanted to meet like-minded people, to tap into their knowledge and experience, to attempt to take my photography to the next level. The club also encourages us to try out different photo styles, with monthly challenges and club outings, and I enjoy that. Being able to share what knowledge and experience I pick up along the way with others is enjoyable too.
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