SheFeatures: Gill Prince
Name: Gill Prince
Camera: Panasonic Lumix S5 and Panasonic Lumix G9
Favourite type of photography: Landscape, urban, architecture, street and travel
Website: www.gillprince.com
Instagram: @gillprincephoto
Location: Milton Keynes, UK
How did you get into photography?
My dad taught my sister and I to use a camera when I was about seven, and also to develop our own black and white prints in his loft darkroom - though I’m not sure I’d remember how to do it now! I started with an old Russian Zenith that weighed a ton, and then worked my way through various SLRs over the years before going digital in 2000. Initially, with various Fujifilm and Panasonic Lumix bridge cameras before taking the mirrorless route, starting with the Lumix G5, and I've been a huge Lumix fan ever since. I've always been an advocate of mirrorless camera technology, long before it was considered mainstream, so it's been great to see the shift in that direction which has taken place over the last few years.
Do you have any photographic qualifications or accolades?
I have no official qualifications at all, but lots of experience! As for accolades, I have been placed in a few competitions over the years, if that counts? Highly Commended in the International Urban Photographer of the Year, Commended in the Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year (twice) plus two Bronze and one Silver placing in the International Epson Pano Awards.
What's the first photograph you remember seeing or shooting?
The first one I really remember shooting was a sunset over the treetops in the New Forest while on a caravan holiday with my family when I was 11. It was the first time I’d actually sent a roll of colour film away to be developed, and I remember seeing the prints when they came back and being wowed by how they looked. That probably had more to do with only having seen black and white prints until then rather than the quality of those specific shots! But it still sticks in my mind, and I still have the prints somewhere . . .
What do you love about photography?
The thrill of the chase for that perfect image where everything just works. The light is perfect, the composition is perfect, and when you click the shutter, you just ‘know’ you’ve got something special. I also love the editing process - taking the raw image data that I captured and turning it into the final finished piece, which represents what my eyes saw on the day.
What do you wish you'd learned about photography earlier?
Definitely post-processing - and a detailed understanding of the fact that taking the shot and capturing the data in the first place is only ‘part one’ of the journey to creating a finished image. It's what you do with it afterwards that really brings it to life.
Where is your favourite place for photography?
Anywhere outdoors, from stunning landscapes in dramatic light to vibrant city scenes. I can’t be more specific than that as there are far too many to mention individually. I’m just back from a workshop at Lake Bled in Slovenia, which was amazing, so that’s pretty high up my list right now!
Do you have a favourite photographic technique?
Stitched panoramas are probably my favourite. I love that ability to capture a sweeping vista or city skyline in a way that just wouldn’t be possible in a single image. A close second would also be working with bracketed exposures to capture extremes of dynamic range - something which is especially useful for the type of photography I do, both landscapes and property interiors/exteriors.
Can you briefly outline your approach to image processing?
1. Capture the right image data to work with in the first place.
2. Use the right tools (in my case 95% Lightroom Classic and 5% Photoshop) and take time to learn how they work.
3. Cull ruthlessly and be your own worst critic.
4. Be subtle with the sliders and don’t overdo anything!
5. Don’t be afraid to crop - and always check for distracting elements at the edge of the frame that draw the viewer’s eye.
6. Protect your highlights and shadows.
7. Try different edits for a single image, there doesn’t have to be just one right answer.
8. Enjoy the process!
What's your favourite lens?
I love superzooms as they provide so much flexibility for the type of photography I do, so for me, that’s the Lumix 14-140mm f3.5-5.6 for my (Micro Four Thirds) G9 and (currently) the Lumix 24-105mm f4 for my (full-frame) S5. But I am seriously looking at the new 28-200mm f4-7.1 for my S5 as well!
Read our Guide to Camera Lenses, all those terms explained
Do you have a favourite accessory?
My Peak Design Cuff wrist straps are brilliant, and the ability to use the Anchors to switch to a neck strap if I need to - though I don’t do that very often as I much prefer carrying my camera in my hand, secure in the knowledge that I can’t drop it!
Have you found the perfect camera bag yet?
Yes! It’s a Rollei backpack which I bought opportunistically at The Photography Show a few years ago. I think the closest current model is probably the Photoliner Ocean Mini. It takes two camera bodies and four lenses easily, has a pocket for an iPad or small laptop, plus all the other spaces I need. It also has chest and waist straps and is very comfortable to carry for long distances.
Which photographers have influenced or inspired you, and how or why?
Charlie Waite would be the person who has influenced and inspired me the most, and not just because of his beautifully crafted images. I’ve had the privilege of working with him a few times and his enthusiasm and precision never ceases to amaze me. He makes you believe that anything is possible. It’s entirely thanks to him that the photography book I published in 2017 (as part of the Milton Keynes’ 50th Birthday celebrations) actually happened - as it was his initial idea, and he made me believe I could do it.
Listen to the SheClicks Women in Photography Podcast
with Lizzie Shepherd
Please recommend 2 or 3 female photographers to follow on Instagram.
Verity Milligan (@veritymilligan) and Lizzie Shepherd (@lshepherdphoto) are probably two of the ones whose images make me think 'Wow, I wish I had taken that!'
Listen to the SheClicks Women in Photography Podcast
with Verity Milligan
Is there a camera, lens or accessory that you don't have yet but you'd like to buy at some point?
The Lumix 28-200mm lens I mentioned above for travelling. I’m also looking at the Lumix 14-28mm f4-5.6 for work, as I shoot commercial property interiors and exteriors in my ‘day job’.
Is there a genre of photography that you love but you haven't tried yet?
I think I’ve tried most things from time to time, but if I had to pick one, I’d like to do more of it would probably be street and ‘character’ portraits. It’s something I’ve really enjoyed on the odd occasion when I’ve had the opportunity to try it.
What's your proudest photographic moment?
Definitely publishing the book I mentioned above - it’s called ‘Unexpected: MK’ and it was designed to help promote how fabulous my home city of Milton Keynes is as part of the 50th Birthday celebrations in 2017. The Council wanted a project that would have a lifespan after the event, and they loved the idea when I pitched it to them. I spent the best part of a year shooting for it, to cover all the seasons, and then choosing the final 50 images - before going through the process of having it designed and printed. Not to mention gathering sponsorship from 15 local businesses who all contributed to the production costs. It’s a 210mm square hardback book with a dust jacket and 104 pages - the aim was for a 500 print run but it ended up being 1,700 due to demand. As a result of the project, I was interviewed on various radio and TV programmes including BBC Breakfast on the day of the 50th birthday. Definitely my 15 minutes of fame!
If you could have one superpower that could help you with photography, what would it be?
Being able to fly! I love the idea of being able to take aerial shots, especially those ‘straight down’ type tapestry shots - but have never gone down the drone route due to the complexity and cost of it all. It would be so much simpler if I could just take off and get a few extra feet of height sometimes!
Your favourite baked goods are?
Great question! I have a sweet tooth so just about any pudding, pie, cake or biscuit you can think of. Preferably accompanied by cream and without cinnamon!
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a freelance photographer specialising in commercial property and landscapes. I have been doing this since 2016 - initially offering any type of commercial services but gradually refining that over the years as I learned what I really enjoyed shooting.
On top of this, I have a large stock image library of Milton Keynes, which I market to agencies and end clients, and I sell other types of shots through Alamy. I also sell prints via my own website and occasionally through pop-up stalls and local shops.
I teach photography and Adobe Lightroom from beginner level up to more advanced skills - and I run small group landscape photography workshops in my home city. I love helping people to develop on their own photographic journey, so I contribute advice and support to many beginner photography groups, as well as running my own Facebook group called Photography in Milton Keynes, which has over 1,800 members.
When I’m not working (and sometimes when I am!) I’m a complete travel addict, and never happier than when I’m planning my next trip. In fact, when I’ve finished doing this interview, I’m about to get on a plane to Venice later today!
