Landscape Photographer Interview: Mark Broughton

Landscape Photography  •  Photography Tips

I had the pleasure of interviewing Mark Broughton, an incredibly talented landscape photographer based in Wirral, United Kingdom.  He is well known for his ability to capture dramatic lighting along with beautiful scenery. His photos often receive pages and pages of comments on the photography network.

An Anthony Gormley statue based on Crosby beach near liverpool. One of many there.

How would you describe your photographic style?

Currently, I see my photographic style as being traditional landscapes. I like to use the rich light which are found in the first and last hours of the day for dramatic effect. I also like to use bold foregrounds, with plenty of detail.

How did you first get into photography?

My wife discovered photography first, and I watched her going out and coming back with better and better images, also there was a slight “if you can’t beat them join them” attitude on my behalf. When I started she helped me with composition and post processing techniques, once I started to be satisfied with my results, it was too late to go back, I was hooked.

Where do you get your creative inspiration?

I get my inspiration from looking at landscape photography books by professional landscape photographers, and frequenting photography websites, where both amateur and pro’s upload their work, I also follow some awesome landscapers websites, to keep up to date with their latest work.

What is typically in your camera bag?

I use a Canon Eos 400D DSLR, and my lens of choice is the Sigma 10-20mm ultra wide angle. I use a Manfrotto 785B tripod which is very lightweight and portable, but not the most sturdy! I also use Cokin P Series ND graduated filters with a wide angle adaptor, main one being the P121S. I carry a Canon 50mm prime lens in my bag too, a remote shutter switch, and a hot shoe spirit level.

Clywedog Falls in North Wales in Autumn. My first trip out with my camera for a while. If you are near there, it is a beautiful location to go to.

What are you looking forward to purchasing next?

I am looking forward to upgrading up to a semi-pro body and purchasing an Eos 50D or 60D for the extra features and speed they have, although I am very happy with the results I get from my trusty 400D. Also on my list are some Lee pro filters, and a 10-stop filter.

Did you have any formal training in photography?

No, I have had no formal training, just trial and error, and trying to better myself constantly. I was lucky enough to have a few friends around me who nurtured me through the early days and helped me, which was priceless.

Please describe your post-processing workflow?

I open the image using Photoshop RAW, and open them into photoshop in 16-bit TIF format. Then I normally adjust contrast, saturation levels, some post sharpening, and some selective dodging and burning, to even everything up. Before sharpening I save the TIF file, as sharpening can be quite destructive, and then sharpen and save for web in jpeg format. I did go through a stage for a while of taking 3 bracketed images and merging them using HDR with tone mapping, but I find I get much more natural results using a single exposure and getting it right in-camera, it’s much more rewarding.

This is one of the Anthony Gormley statues at Crosby beach, near Liverpool. It was quite a changeable evening, and I took many different looking images. This is a 7 second exposure at F/4, ISO100.

What has been your favorite photo location?

My favourite location is Torridon in the Scottish highlands, but funnily enough, it is an area I have yet to get an image that I am 100% satisfied with. For a location near to me, the Snowdonia National Park is an area that I haven’t fully explored, but is top of my agenda as it has mountains, waterfalls and stunning scenery, and is less than 2 hours drive away.

What lies ahead for you?

My next goal in photography is to stop taking pictures of mountains from the foot, and get walking up, to find viewpoints that are not easily accessible and that show the mountains from a different angle and different light. Currently, I have no urges to delve into other areas of photography, landscape work is why my heart is. I have the mental image of a photograph I want to take, I know the location and know how I want it to look, so part of my next goal is to get that image, even if it means going back there many times.

What tips or advice do you have for other aspiring photographers?

My advice is to just persevere if you are not happy with your images, try new things, read up on post processing techniques and learn how to use your camera kit to the best of its capabilities by understanding ISO’s, shutter speeds and aperture. Look at other photographer’s images for inspiration, and most of all, have fun doing it. With time and perseverance, it will all fit into place. I am a firm believer in the more time and effort you put in, the more you will get out of it.

This is Talacre lighthouse in North Wales. The tide had gone out leaving big pools that are ideal for reflections. This is a 30 second exposure, at F/22 ISO100. What made this image for me is the line of orange light on the horizon and the moon. It’s such a peaceful location, really good for the soul.

An HDR image taken from 3 exposures and tone mapped. This is my local lighthouse, at New Brighton, which I am very lucky to live near, as each tide brings different foreground interest. This was taken at sunset, and the tide was coming in very quickly, but still exposing the moss covered rocks. Settings used were ISO100, F/22 using a Cokin P121S filter.

To see more of Mark’s work, visit his profile or photo gallery.