Teddy Duran- Photographer of the Month
Why Teddy got into Photography
Teddy’s passion for photography was fuelled by his mother when she bought a Canon Alpha in the early 80’s. Back then buying films and developing was very expensive, so Teddy tried to only shoot when he felt the need to. At the start, shutter speed, aperture and ISO were all a mystery to Teddy but his natural ability enabled him to take crisp images.
However, being in college with a part time job, photography became increasingly more expensive for Teddy, even when photographing friends and family at candid moments at home, outdoors and at gatherings.
In early 2000, Teddy purchased his first digital camera; a Sony DSC-U40. As well as hiring a professional photographer for his wedding, Teddy’s brother-in-law took photos with the new camera; the photos ended up being better than the professional ones. Teddy had to eventually replace the camera with a Canon G7, as he thought this camera would be great to learn from.
The introduction of digital cameras also meant Teddy could photograph outside of his friends and family; he began photographing people in the street, architectures, landscapes and animals. Teddy had no idea about different lightings, compositions, and still didn’t know what shutter speed, aperture and ISO were, but was just as happy to photograph anything that caught his eye. In 2007 Teddy bought his first DSLR, a Canon 450D with twin kit lenses. By this time he had a pretty good idea about settings and had learnt the importance and difference of shooting in raw.
Teddy’s Winning Photo
In July 2013, Teddy was the winner of our ‘Reflections’ photography competition. Teddy’s winning photo was taken at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich in the early hours of the morning, after he finished work. He noticed the tide was low so went down looking for a foreground and the chain was the only interesting foreground he could find. Teddy hurried as he was losing the light display but luckily managed to capture the light reflecting on the water.
Teddy’s plans for the future
With regards to photography, Teddy has no plans for the future; he takes each day as it comes. Having recently won a few competitions, his work is starting to get noticed with sales of usage rights and people wanting to purchase his images. The money Teddy receives for his photos all funds his love for photography as he sees it as a hobby rather than a vocation. The images Teddy shoots are all for his own pleasure but others appreciating his work is always a bonus.
Teddy can still be found photographing the streets, landscapes, cityscapes and portraits but has become more selective with what he photographs. He now learns to adopt and create the image that he has in mind, whereas before he would take a photograph of whatever catches his eye. Teddy now decides what he wants to photograph beforehand.
Teddy says ‘Capturing that moment or event that would never be repeated is priceless. That’s what I love about photography. I could look back years from now, look at that image and memories would come flooding back.’
Teddy’s goal is to push his photography as far as his creative ability will take him.
‘I feel I am continually stepping up the ladder. It would be great to see top but that can wait, I am just as happy taking each day as it comes.’
If you like to be considered as our photographer of the month, please contact marketing@frame-express.net.
