Member Profile: George Tait
About me:
©George Tait
Do you consider yourself a Professional/Semi-Pro/Amateur/Beginner photographer?
I consider myself to be an amateur photographer.
Your Photography Journey
I got started when I ran a walking group at work and took a lot of phone pics, that is when I started enjoying sharing the images of where we had been for people who couldn’t make it and encouraging people to come on the walks.
I think what I like about photography now is zoning out the world to concentrate on one moment and place and then I get enjoyment from sharing the pictures I have taken.
When I got my first camera I couldn’t use it off auto at all and the pictures were not great. I had a look online for camera courses and found TSOP that way. Watching the intro videos drew me in and I signed up.
What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned from TSOP?
I think the most valuable thing I have learned is not technical but trying to get better composition and see what I want to get from a photograph even if I don’t manage it.
What is your preferred genre?
The first course I did was Macro Photography, I love seeing the tiny world that’s nearly invisible to us until we turn the lens on them. I prefer to shoot animals and landscapes and frequently head up North to Aviemore for the scenery and wildlife.
©George Tait
Describe your first photograph in your learning journey.
The first photo I posted on TSOP was part of #macro2022, a dew coated butterfly sitting on a flower. When I look back at it, it’s on ok picture but the framing is wrong my keeps getting drawn to the flower then the empty space and not even registering the butterfly.
©George Tait
©George Tait
George’s most recent photograph:
The last macro pic I took was a wasp sitting in my shed and as I was luck enough to have camera and a light on hand I got it to sun itself for a little while and got a few shots before it flew off.
My favourite photograph:
What is your favourite photograph that you’ve taken?
My favourite photograph is one of the sun setting under the Forth Road Bridge taken after a great day out with friends. It is a stacked panorama with was hand held. The light was perfect that day and there had been a lot of sea mist rolling in and out creating great atmosphere. Just as we were about to leave the sun shone and lit everything up.
My favourite photo that I’ve taken ©George Tait
I have two photos that are very meaningful to me, my brother died last year at Easter and I was in Inverness, I spent all day just walking and hiked up to the top of Craigellachie in Aviemore and there was a strong harsh light and the Cairngorm mountains seemed to go on forever away from me. The picture I took there sums up all the emotions was going through, still make me sad to look at it.
I went back 8 months later with friends and the light was blazing out the clouds and I find that picture makes me look forward to the future and what may come.
©George Tait
©George Tait
What’s next for George?
I am heading to Mull soon and hope to see some Sea Eagles so I will be retaking the excellent Wildlife Photography Course before I go.
Conclusion
For me joining the school has been a huge boost to my photography confidence and the TSOP community is a great environment to share and get encouragement.
Where can people follow you?
I post on Instagram
George’s Gallery:
All images ©George Tait