billirwin
About Me
I am a full time photographer based in Methven, New Zealand, mostly photographing rural landscapes and people.
My work is split in to two main areas; commissioned and self-generated. The commissioned work includes editorial photography, commercial advertising work and personalised portraiture (more about that later). I have enjoyed working with a mix of clients including Latitude Magazine, Pyne Gould Guinness, Meridian Energy, North & South, ATS and many local businesses.
For the self-generated work, I photograph subjects or themes that interest and connect with me then find an outlet for them (not always apparent at the time!). This goes against all business models for making a good income as a photographer, but enjoyment of each day and freedom of personal creativity is the reason I am a photographer.
With a farming past I am at home in the rural landscape of the South Island, meeting and photographing people in their space is always a pleasure. I particularly enjoy the uniqueness of life in small town New Zealand.
Photographing individual people (I don't do weddings, groups, etc.) is particularly rewarding. I enjoy the one to one nature of spending time photographing an individual and learning about their life, always interesting. I believe the quote, 'ordinary people are nothing but'.
Creativity does not stop after the shutter is released. I love the process of crafting a fine print. My aim is to convey what I see and feel. Having grown up in the traditional wet darkroom era I appreciate the power of the today's tools. I make all my own prints on luxurious fine art papers or canvas with archival pigments - you won't find any better prints.
As a full time professional photographer I constantly refine my skills. I have achieved NZIPP Qualified status (Portrait Division) and collected several print awards in the annual Iris Professional Photography Awards. Producing images that exceed expectation is my aim. In this age of image overload I want to connect and work with people who appreciate real service and exceptional images .
Fujifilm's X-Pro1, now M Mount friendly
Olympus' Micro Four Thirds 75mm prime
Can you fix the focus on a blurry photo after the fact?
The birth of Mirrorless Cameras
The Joy Of Winning A Photo Contest
Choosing your first dSLR camera
New York City can be beautiful!
Choosing the Right Light Stand
Photojojo iPhone Telephoto Lens review — AudioCast
My week with Q
How To Become A Successful Photographer
"When the Wind Stopped" — poem with 4 photos
Creating The New Family Portrait
Tips for Textures
Cast aways - saving those photographic memories
One Man Show: My 25 Years With Digital Photography
Studio, Flash, & Available Light — Three Books Reviewed
Portrait styling: dangerous pairings
Adobe Photoshop CS6 Product Managers Interview Audiocast
A gift of flowers: unfold your senses
On Set of "Love & Robots" the Film
No-Brainer Setup For A Digital Photo Frame Exhibit - Part 3











San Diego 7 photo gallery — Just Be Love All Stay Cool
Planning “National Geographic” style photo travel
Wilderness Travel 1 Rainforests – Essential Gear
Backlighting Basics
What Moves You?
FIGURES IN MOTION: Decades of Evolving Personal Imagery in Photography, Part 7
Lomography Store, Austin, Texas — GALLERY
GALLERY — Up to $1,000 Reward for Cattle Rustlers
25% off on photography eBooks
eyePhone: The eBook for iPhone Photographers
Interview with Harold Davis — Closeup Maestro of Flowers & Water Drops
Interview with Steve Caplin — Photoshop Digital Artist, Commercial Illustrator, & Author
A Brief History Of Light & Photography: Part 3 of 3
A Brief History Of Light & Photography: Part 2 Of 3
Easy technique to select, edit and sequence keywords for web
How much should you charge for a photograph?
No, it's not just you, it is bloody appalling. In fact I go one step further and ignore all competitions, 90% are all about the money or rights-grabs of the images.