Karen Tillett
Name: Karen Tillett
Camera: Nikon D850, Z7 II, Z8 and more!
Favourite type of photography: Macro, especially Insects
Location: Southam, Warwickshire
Website: karentillettphotography.com
Instagram: karen_tillett_photography
How did you get into photography?
My grandad was always into Nikon cameras in the 70's, my dad was an avid photographer and my late brother went in the same direction. Although digital photography was in its infancy just as I lost my brother, he got me interested in photography, and when he took his own life in 2010, I got some inheritance money and bought my Nikon D800. I went on photography holidays to learn how to use it properly. They were mainly landscape photography holidays, but for some reason, I still don't know why, I have taken to photographing mini beasts. I still have a major ant phobia and other insect phobias, but I can deal with them when I am behind the camera.
Do you have any photographic qualifications or accolades?
No, I just have a massive enthusiasm for all things photography. I do not understand the numbers etc, it's just something I have a feel for.
What's the first photograph you remember seeing or shooting?
My first proper shot that I had printed was of a daisy (my favourite little flower). I think that was the start of my macro journey.
What do you love about photography?
Everything. It gives me so much joy and it helps me live in the moment and forget about work etc. I can get totally lost in time when I am out bug hunting. When I come back I am a different person and very happy. My partner and my mum always see a big change in me. It’s difficult to describe.
Read our Guide to Understanding Camera Sensor Sizes
What do you wish you'd learned about photography earlier?
The one thing about different genres of photography is that you never stop learning. There is always something you learn or find out, usually because you've found someone else who loves photography and you can chat about so many different aspects of it.
Where is your favourite place for photography?
Going out, just down to a canal or a field near me, I can find so many different bugs. Each year I find something I've never seen before and I get so excited about it. I also have my own studio in the back garden. I love to photograph friends’ pets and unusual things. I have photographed my friend’s parrots and managed to get a shot of it flying from underneath in my little studio.
Do you have a favourite photographic technique?
It’s not really a technique, but when out photographing bugs, I never take a tripod and I never stack images. If I am lucky and a bug is docile enough, I will let it crawl onto a stick and I hold the stick and insect in my left hand so I can photograph it with my right hand. It can a lot of time and even give me a blister on my right hand as my cameras are not light.
Can you briefly outline your approach to image processing?
I alway use Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Camera Raw. I have never managed to get on with Lightroom. With macro photography, it's mostly about taking out sensor spots and cropping in to show the insect full frame.
What's your favourite lens?
It is currently the Laowa 100mm x2 CA Dreamer manual focus lens with the Raynox 250 attached.
Read our Guide to Understanding Lenses
Do you have a favourite accessory?
I have two, the Raynox 250 and the Cygnustech Diffuser
Have you found the perfect camera bag yet?
I have eight camera bags, all Lowepro. The two best are Lowepro Pro Tactic450 AW II and the Lowepro 400 AW Flipside. I have a lot of gear and none of it is lightweight.
Read our Peak Design Slide Lite Review
Which photographers have influenced or inspired you, and how or why?
I was taught on a few Lakeland Photographic Holidays by John Gravett. I started out in landscape photography but I just went down the macro road. John was also very good at macro and I watched in amazement at how good his macro shots were, I thought ‘I've got to try and do this’. I am on Flickr and I admire so many photographers and their skills and try my best to aspire to them.
Please recommend 2 or 3 female photographers to follow on Instagram.
Hilary Billinghurst @hilarybillinghurst (a private account) and Deborah Bifulco @debifulco.
Is there a camera, lens or accessory that you don't have yet but you'd like to buy at some point?
I think I have all the lenses I need now. I have rather too many…if that's at all possible.
Is there a genre of photography that you love but that you haven't tried yet?
Astrophotography, but it is rather difficult to do.
What's your proudest photographic moment?
Getting shortlisted in the British Photography Awards in 2022 for a macro image of a Shield Bug.
If you could have one superpower that could help you with photography, what would it be?
To be able to hold my breath longer while trying to keep still for insects at such close range.
Your favourite baked goods are?
Doughnuts (although I rarely allow myself the treat these days).
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am 50 years old. I have worked in a manual job all my life and come from a family who all have loved photography. I have recently cut my hours down at work so that I can go out to do my most favourite thing in the world, which is photography. I would love to have some of my insect images in books. I think we need more books on insects and nature and I would love to have some images in those kind of books.
