David Hogan’s lifelong passion for the great outdoors
For good reasons Ireland is one of the favorite destinations for photographic workshops and masterclasses. The country offers magnificent scenery and stunning locations in abundance. David Hogan was born in Dublin and moved to the County of Kerry at a young age. He’s always had a passion for the natural world surrounding him and loved to explore the wide-open spaces and rugged coastlines under everchanging skies. The will to share that passion with others was his first incentive to pick up a camera.
As so many, David started with a simple camera (a Canon Rebel for that matter), learnt by trial and error and gradually honed his skills. He never had a formal education as a photographer. However, by the age of 25 he could call himself a professional. Making a living shooting architecture, landscape - like used as backplates in the automotive industry - and many other things.
David has always admired the work of Joe Cornish. A major source of inspiration, next to the Irish landscape itself. As a photographer he developed a deep appreciation for the patience and persistence landscape photography requires. Whether it’s the long hours waiting for the perfect light or braving harsh conditions for a fleeting moment of magic, every shot has a story behind it and requires dedication. At some point David decided to set on a new course. Rather a semi-pro making the photographs he’s passionate about than losing that passion due to a lack of time.
That’s how David Hogan Landscape Photography started. Concentrating completely on landscape gives him the freedom to slow down. To David, one of the fascinating things about landscape photography is to watch the scene transform under different conditions. A familiar place may look completely different, depending on the season, weather or time of day.
Over the past two and a half decades David’s photography has evolved. Not just in a technical way, but also in vision, learning to see beyond what’s in front of the lens and to capture the atmosphere, mood and emotion of the scene. Just like the will to share his passion for the outdoors was an incentive to pick up a camera, David considers sharing his knowledge about landscape photography as one of the most rewarding parts of his work. He was a long-time contributor to Outdoor Photography Magazine and offers workshops to photographers of all levels. During these workshops, David guides participants through some of his favourite locations, teaching them how to read and make use of natural light and to improve their compositional skills. Daivid’s goal is not so much to help others improve their technique - although making the most of one’s camera settings can very well be part of the workshop - but rather to encourage a deeper appreciation for the art of landscape photography.
David’s workflow involves a combination of in-camera technique combined with subtle post-processing. Not to alter but to enhance the beauty of the scene. Careful planning, understanding weather patterns and scouting locations are invaluable to landscape photography. However, one shouldn’t be afraid to embrace the unexpected either. “Some of my favorite images have come from moments where nature surprises me, forcing me to adapt and see the scene in a new way.”
Filters are an equally import part of the process. ND filters are frequently used to enable long exposures, smoothening water or creating movement in clouds. Graduals may be needed to balance the exposure for landscape and sky. Polarizers reduce glare and enhance contrast.
The Canon Rebel has already been mentioned. David remained faithful to the Canon system for a long time. Patience has also come along. At some point David acquired a Phase One digital back, Cambo WRS-1600 technical camera and Rodenstock lenses.
“This setup forces me to slow down, that’s honestly one of the things I love most about it. There’s no autofocus, no auto-exposure. Everything is done manually. I have to carefully meter the light and really think about the scene in front of me. Because I’m making micro-adjustments with the tilt and shift movements, I find myself paying way more attention to composition. I’m deliberately positioning elements in the frame, thinking about balance, depth and leading lines”.
The Rodenstock lenses are, as David says “in a league of their own.” Perfect for landscapes, where every detail matters. “Not a chance I’d ever trade in this system”.
