About Fiona

Welcome to my photoblog,

I have just left the world of 9-5 and office politics to live my dream – as a freelance writer and photographer. Oh, the joy – the taste of freedom….!

I enjoy close up, still life, people, photojournalism and documentary photography. I hope to be able to share my photos and stories with you as I get out and about.

Words and photography go together like ‘a hand in glove’ – the perfect fit.

Both artistic and creative in their own right but together they become one – the story behind the image and the image behind the story…. an emotive, creative force.

I love the freedom that writing and photography offer, together and separately. It’s not about who or what is right or wrong, but rather it is about your own artistic interpretation – it’s about what you see, hear, know, and perceive to be true at any given moment and it’s how you interpret that moment.

For an interesting approach to photography, read The Tao of Photography by Tom Ang.

This book essentially outlines a holistic approach to photography. Taoism is a philosophy for living in harmony with the universe – the word Tao or Dao is almost impossible to translate but loosely means ‘the way’. Essentially the art of Taoism is letting things happen or going with the flow rather than fighting against it.

The Taoist photographer adapts easily and effortlessly to situations and people. In this essence, the Taoist photographer finds the path of least resistance and uses a common-sense approach that flows effortlessly around obstacles.

Straight from the book:

“The approach I envisage blurs the distinction between photography and other activities; for a start, photography’s power to communicate and its right to free expression carry with it the responsibility of ensuring that the benefits flow between the photographer and the photographed.”

“Via Taoist thinking, we obtain a perspective on photography that shows its great capacity for personal fulfillment; simultaneously we are reminded that we have been entrusted with a means of communication of great power. With Tao as the background, we can see that photography’s greatest talent, and biggest responsibility, is to prove that beauty and wholeness are worth preserving.”

“Tao illuminates photography by giving us one fundamental principle – ‘the Way’ in harmony with all – to guide our work. Tao offers the photographer a new perspective, one that looks both from above and from within. It leads to a greater photography, both in understanding and in satisfaction.”

“Seeing is as much about being sensitive to other people as it is to recognizing the image. Seeing photographically involves not only a sensitivity to composition and timing, it also calls for awareness of how the scene will translate into the photograph.”

“Expose for the heart of the picture…. and let the rest go.
1.Locate the heart of your image with a precision of feeling
2.Learn to let go – do not fight those elements over which you have no control.”

And, on choosing the right gear, Ang suggests keeping your gear to a minimum and says this on choosing the right lens:

“The wholly Tao way to approach this complicated situation is to use no lens at all – at least not at the start. Being quiet – listening and watching – is the best way to learn about seeing.”

Skill, of course, and decision-making always come into the final image:

“Photographs don’t just happen – after seeing a possible composition, decisions are exercised in its making – the angle, what to include, what not to include – each choice will affect the final image.”

To find out more about me visit www.fiwi.net.nz

Photography Equipment

I have three digital cameras; the Nikon being my current 'big boy' favourite.

Nikon D70 with Nikon 18-200 lens, SB 800 Speedlight Flash, plus a set of screw-on closeup lens
Olympus C-750 Camedia - great for close-up shots - too slow for any movement shots
Canon Powershot - pocket-size (almost) handy for those spontaneous pics