SheFeatures: Tracy Edwards
Name: Tracy Edwards
Camera: Canon EOS R5, Fujifilm X100VI
Favourite type(s) of photography: Portraiture, studio, wildlife, floral and ICM (Intentional Camera Movement),
Instagram: @tme1965
Location: Wrexham, UK
How did you get into photography?
My paternal grandfather gave me a camera when I was 7 years old.
Do you have any photographic qualifications or accolades?
BPE1 (British Photographic Exhibitions 1).
What's the first photograph you remember seeing or shooting?
As a child, I remember a black and white photo of my parents wedding with my Mum and my maternal grandfather.
What do you love about photography?
Two things: 1, how it brings people together, and 2, how it can take your mind off things and you can find yourself immersed in image-making for several hours at a time.
What do you wish you'd learned about photography earlier?
Darkroom techniques.
Where is your favourite place for photography?
I really enjoy working in a studio, controlling the light and collaborating with my subject to create an image.
Do you have a favourite photographic technique?
Not specifically, although I'm currently trying to improve my approach to both ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) and ME (multiple exposure).
Can you briefly outline your approach to image processing?
I try hard to get my images as right as possible in-camera. However, I will use Adobe Camera Raw and Photoshop to enhance images as necessary. I do use adjustment layers and blend modes, but I don't like to over-process my images as it's not really my style, and I want my images to stay faithful to what I saw through the viewfinder.
What's your favourite lens?
My 70-200mm F2.8 (at the moment).
Do you have a favourite accessory?
An ND (neutral density) filter for ICM (at the moment).
Have you found the perfect camera bag yet?
I have two. A large Think Tank Lily Deanne, which holds all of my kit, and a Peak Design backpack for when I want to be more agile.
Which photographers have influenced or inspired you, and how or why?
Oh, so many, but if I had to choose a few, then David Bailey for his clean, crisp fashion images, particularly his B&W work; Cathleen Naundorff for her lavish imagery and Polaroid work; and Kirsty Mitchell for her amazing Wonderland body of work. Plus, Annie Leibovitz and Eve Arnold.
Please recommend 2 or 3 female photographers to follow on Instagram.
Ellie Macdonald @capturing.calm, Glenys Garnet @ggcimages and Sally Sparrow @sallysparrow_photography
Is there a camera, lens or accessory that you don't have yet but you'd like to buy at some point?
Not at the moment, I'm waiting to take delivery of a Sigma 150-600mm lens and an adapter for the Canon EOS R5 for wildlife photography
Is there a photography genre you love but haven't tried yet?
Abstract photography, think Valda Bailey, Glenys Garnett, Stephanie Johnstone.
What's your proudest photographic moment?
Quite recently, I achieved BPE1, it was something I decided to do to keep me busy, but it became quite addictive. I'm now trying to get to get BPE2.
If you could have one superpower that could help you with photography, what would it be?
I'd quite like super-speediness as I'm still learning to capture subjects on the move and it's not as easy as it looks!
Your favourite baked goods are?
The good biscuits ;-) and Portuguese tarts.
Please tell us a little about yourself.
Photography has been my passion since my grandfather gave me a camera at the tender age of 7. I've had a love affair with photography ever since. I enjoy the challenge of learning new techniques and will happily share what I know with others. I take a great deal of comfort from being in nature, particularly by the sea or in woodland/forest settings and will quite often put the camera down and just enjoy being in the moment. I'm retired now, so I have plenty of time to try new techniques. I have a tendency to be a bit of an introvert, and although I still enjoy going to photo events, I prefer them to be smaller intimate events rather than lots of people in attendance.
I have an extensive collection of photography books and aim to learn as much as I can about photography. I live with two dogs and have a long-suffering husband who indulges my passion as long as I support Wrexham AFC. The recipe for a happy marriage!
