![](\"http:\/\/keyassets.timeincuk.net\/inspirewp\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2013\/08\/Martin_Gillman_portrait.jpg\")
\n\n\u2018I spent five days in Glen Coe in the Highlands of Scotland last summer,’ says Gillman. \u2018I drove past this scene a few times, always noticing its potential, but the light was never quite right to justify the walk to it. I wanted a partially cloudy day so I could wait for the foreground trees to pop with sunlight and have them contrasted against the darker mountain.<\/p>\n \u2018On the last day the weather turned that way, so I braved the midges and walked some way to set up. Once framed, it was really a case of waiting. I knew exactly in my head from days before how I wanted it to look, and eventually I got my wish and managed the shot. The light was particularly bright and blue, and I had to use a 0.9 graduated filter to even come close to keeping the sky from blowing out.’<\/p>\n Looking at the photographs that illustrate this article, you’d be forgiven for thinking they were taken by a professional photographer. However, Martin Gillman is a business development manager for an engineering product company by day, and an amateur photographer in his free time.<\/p>\n Martin is an avid reader of Amateur Photographer. \u2018AP gives me the news, \u2028the goss, the gear and even the politics,’ he says. While Martin specialises in landscapes and fashion, he says he is still finding his photographic self. \u2018I am drawn towards landscape, I toy with fashion, but I feel strongly drawn to editorial and street \u2028these days too,’ he says. \u2018I like telling stories.’<\/p>\n Although Martin embarked on his photographic journey in his youth, he didn’t pursue his hobby seriously. Like most amateurs, he is honest about his skills when he started out. \u2018I was awful back then,’ he says. \u2018I used a tiny cheap 110 camera and took lots of blurry shots of wildlife that had bolted long before I hit the shutter. Yet I was attracted by both the art and the technical side, and the complexity of the cameras themselves interested me.’<\/p>\n It wasn’t until he returned to photography seven years ago, when he bought a Nikon D40X, that the photography bug really bit. Martin decided to pursue his photographic passion by putting himself through a diploma in photography, to get a handle \u2028on the basics of the craft.<\/p>\n \u2018That served me well,’ he says. \u2018I then went on to start a BA Hons in photography on a correspondence basis.’ However, like most amateur photographers, holding down a job and family life left little time for education. \u2018I finished the first year, but I could no longer find the eight hours a week to continue study and had to pack it up,’ he adds.<\/p>\n Having gained a huge amount of knowledge about composition and the art of photography during that year, Martin says that education has, without doubt, done more for him than any piece of kit has.<\/p>\n Speaking of kit, Martin’s kit bag holds a few items to make most amateurs drool, including a Nikon D800 and a Fujifilm XE-1. \u2018They are a fine pair of machines,’ he says. \u2018I also have a few 35mm film bodies, but those are just for fun and nostalgia.’<\/p>\n In fact, Martin is so happy with his current camera set-up that he admits to not wanting anything else. \u2018I am happy with what I have,’ he explains. \u2018I do believe in the old saying that the best camera you have is the one in your hand. One day you wake up and realise that the photography is happening in your head, and while the camera in your hands is the tool, and it should be good, it is just a tool.’<\/p>\n While most photographers start out shooting for fun and for the love of their hobby, for some, their thoughts turn to ambitions of selling their images and turning professional. However, Martin is still wrestling with that decision. \u2018I’d rather be a good amateur than a mediocre professional,’ he says.<\/p>\n Martin takes his photographs for the same reasons most amateurs do. \u2018I enjoy the creation of something unique – something that, although it was there for all to see and to capture, perhaps has been captured in “my way”,’ he says. \u2018It’s a print of my personality in many ways, an output; it flowed into me and out of me. I think I’m quite spiritual about my photography and it means a lot to me.’<\/p>\n That’s not to say Martin is happy standing still, as he likes a challenge. \u2018I want to get noticed, it’s that simple,’ he says. \u2018I don’t need recognition to stroke any part of an ego, but I do as a marker of my progress. I want to know if I am getting better, if I am doing it right and if I should continue.’<\/p>\n And his philosophy is working for him. Martin has sold some of his images through stock sites like Getty Images and Vogue Art + Commerce, as well as having had photographs published in fashion magazines. \u2018I have done a few magazine shoots in lower-end fashion titles, including shooting published covers,’ he says.<\/p>\n Ultimately, though, as an amateur, Martin gets to shoot what he loves, rather than what someone else wants him to. \u2018For me, I like to sell the images as they are rather than shoot what is in someone else’s head or agenda,’ he says. \u2018I like that freedom and am lucky enough to have it. However, who knows what the future will bring as I am constantly’<\/p>\n Specialising in landscapes and portraits, Martin needs to be able to switch between techniques depending on what he’s shooting. He says he is able to do this by keeping \u2018common threads’ between the two genres. \u2018With portrait photography, I want to tell \u2028the viewer something about the sitter, \u2028while in landscapes I want people to see it how I saw it. So one is outwardly descriptive and the other inwardly. When it comes to making the image, I am a natural-light fan. There is something about artificial light, no matter how well it is done, that doesn’t convince me. I need to believe an image \u2028for it to work for me.’<\/p>\n In terms of editing, Martin insists less is more. \u2018I try to keep editing to an absolute minimum,’ he explains. \u2018I enjoy the challenge of getting most things in-camera, which is the best bit for me. In a landscape, I may add a digital grad into the sky or even foreground to help with tonal balance or dodge and burn – especially in mono versions to get some added “pop”. In a portrait I will just tidy up.’<\/p>\n Creating his stunning landscapes means that much of Martin’s time off work is spent on the road, scouting for new and exciting locations. \u2018I love to drive and explore,’ he says. \u2018I like to avoid the obvious places. I like to discover the odd tree or feature in an otherwise bland vista and make something of that small section. I often shoot landscapes at 200mm.’<\/p>\n Finding his own style has brought Martin some form of recognition, but he still tries \u2028to keep his techniques fluid and keep evolving his skills. \u2018I like the low-sun hours and a backlit tree at sundown, but I keep myself free from routines and methods,’ he says. \u2018If the light isn’t right, look around you, as there will be a spot in shade or part shade that will be interesting. I’m a very spontaneous shooter.’<\/p>\n Having dabbled in wedding photography, stating, \u2018It’s too fussy, too rushed and it doesn’t inspire me,’ Martin is looking for \u2028his next photographic challenge. \u2018The world is a huge place,’ he says. \u2018In my military days I travelled extensively, without a camera, \u2028and to go to some of those places again, good and bad, would be a dream. To document some of the terror I experienced, as well as the beauty back then, would have left me quite a portfolio. However, I’m sure \u2028it all influences me now. A free trip to Namibia is, of course, welcome should \u2028you need me!’<\/p>\n Of all his photographs, Martin Gillman says he struggles to pick a favourite. However, when pushed he says he currently likes his shot of \u2028West Bay beach in Dorset (above).<\/p>\n \u2018I probably make less than six photographs a year that I feel really proud of,’ he reveals. \u2018My current favourite is this rather simple shot. I sat waiting to capture walkers and passers-by from one viewpoint, purposefully keeping a really simple composition and letting those who entered it make the story. At one point a small dog entered my frame and I hit the shutter just as he stopped to look at me. It’s a shot with a lot of great tones, simplicity, good geometry and a touch of comedy.’<\/p>\n As well as learning his craft from his education, Gillman has attended a number of workshops, which he says have helped guide his skills. \u2018I read a lot, I study the classics a lot and try to attend courses where I can,’ he says. \u2018I have spent time with Charlie Waite in the field and also been critiqued by AP Editor Damien Demolder.’<\/p>\n So what is Gillman’s advice to fellow amateurs looking to progress their own photography? \u2018Learn your craft, practise, practise then practise some more,’ he says. \u2018Then study the best, both classic and contemporary. Truly understand how a great photograph is made. Oh – and get off internet forums and get behind your camera, walk the walk.’<\/p>\n To see more of Martin Gillman’s images, visit www.martingillman.co.uk<\/a> or join his Facebook or Twitter followers at www.facebook.com\/gillmanphotography<\/a> or twitter: @gillmanphoto <\/strong><\/p>\n Do you want to see your pictures in print, share your photographic journey and experiences with other readers? Send up to ten low-resolution jpegs and a short covering letter on an email titled \u2018Reader profile’ to AP@ipcmedia.com, or post a \u2028CD\/DVD to Reader Profiles at the usual address, and you could see your work published in AP.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018Stormlight’Nikon D800, 24-70mm, 1\/60sec at f\/22<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Proving that it\u2019s not just professionals capable of creating stunning images, AP reader Martin Gillman explains how his photography takes place in the head, with the camera being just a tool. He talks to Debbi Allen<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":8987,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[374],"tags":[],"product-category":[],"class_list":["post-8986","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interviews"],"yoast_head":"\n
\n
\nProving that it’s not just professionals capable of creating stunning images, AP reader Martin Gillman explains how his photography takes place in the head, with the camera being just a tool. He talks to Features Editor Debbi Alle<\/strong>
\nn.<\/strong>
\n<\/em><\/p>\n<\/h2>\n
Behind The Scenes<\/h2>\n
![](\"http:\/\/keyassets.timeincuk.net\/inspirewp\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2013\/08\/Cheddar_Goats_Martin_Gillman_Reader_Profile_29613.jpg\")
\u2018Cheddar Goats’ Nikon D600, 50mm, 1\/500sec at f\/8<\/em><\/p>\nStarting Afresh<\/h2>\n
![](\"http:\/\/keyassets.timeincuk.net\/inspirewp\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2013\/08\/Derwent_Martin_Gillman_Reader_Profile_29613.jpg\")
\u2018Derwent’ Nikon D700, 24-70mm, 1sec (multiple exposure) at f\/22<\/em><\/p>\nDreaming Big<\/h2>\n
![](\"http:\/\/keyassets.timeincuk.net\/inspirewp\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2013\/08\/The_First_Tree_Martin_Gillman_Reader_Profile29613.jpg\")
\u2018The First Tree’Nikon D700, 20-35mm, 1\/60sec at f\/16<\/em><\/p>\nLandscape Know-How<\/h2>\n
![](\"http:\/\/keyassets.timeincuk.net\/inspirewp\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2013\/08\/West_Bay_Beach_Dorset_Martin_Gillman_Reader_Profile_29613.jpg\")
\nPICKING A FAVOURITE<\/h2>\n
![](\"http:\/\/keyassets.timeincuk.net\/inspirewp\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2013\/08\/Stormlight_Martin_Gillman_Reader_Profile29613.jpg\")
\n