Conde Nast Traveler Interview
In April this year, one of the leading travel magazines in the world, Conde Nast Traveler, published a gallery of my photos from the UK alongside a little interview. We talk about photography tips and travel, of course :)
You can check out the direct link HERE and I will try and summarise it in this post as well. Hope you enjoy it and let me know what you think in the comments below.
“London-based photographer Sonia Davies uses her camera to find spaces of calm and positivity in the world. Her pastel-hued images have an ethereal feel, bringing a sense of escapism into the ordinary. From chalky beach houses in Suffolk to moonlit fields in Cornwall and peaceful pockets in London parks, scroll through these shots to see Britain in a new, mystical light.”
Beach house in the spring light in Aldeburgh, Suffolk
How would you describe your subject and style?
‘Photography is an expression of my inner world and curiosity for life. Very often when exploring new places, I look for the little moments of peace. So over time my style and subject became that search for curious calm and happiness in different parts of the world. I also believe in the power colours can have on our psychology and wellbeing, so my photography always includes tones and shades that have the ability to positively influence one's emotional state.’
Lovers by the sea in Brighton
What got you into photography and why do you love it?
‘I bought my first camera as a way to document my travels – like many people when they first get into photography. Over time it became almost like a personal tool for mindfulness and meditation. Taking photos requires us to be fully focused on our environment and, because of this, we often pay attention to many beautiful little details that would otherwise be ignored. It's especially useful in the context of travel photography – to get to know a place on a much more genuine and deeper level than the superficial fast-travel trend. I love photography for this very reason, to be able to get out of my head and be wholly present in the moment and the place I am experiencing.’
Moonlight over the country fields in Cornwall
Places you have gone back to photograph?
‘The wild Portuguese coastline. I’ve probably photographed most of Portugal's coast but the part I keep going back to is between Cascais and Sintra.’
Where's your favourite place you've shot?
‘This is another Portuguese one! It's not an exotic location, but my favourite place to photograph is Ericeira. It’s a beautiful small town on the central coast, one hour north of Lisbon; a mix of traditional fishing village with young surf-culture vibes. There are lots of cool shops and cafés, young and old mixed together, fresh seafood, relaxed energy and the most beautiful coastline with more than 10 breathtaking local beaches. Every time I’ve gone there I come back with some of my favourite photos and memories.’
What is your favourite picture from the selection?
‘“Sundown coastal living rituals”, taken at Birling Gap in East Sussex. It was the first time I realised that I really wanted to devote more time documenting the country where I actually live. We’re so often lured by faraway exotic locations and experiences that we forget about the places we live in and take them for granted.’
Magical sunset moment in Brighton
Do you photograph at a certain time of day to achieve the right light?
‘Yes, 90 per cent of the time I aim for early morning or late afternoon. Soft light creates a soothing, calm effect which is what I am looking for. Having said that, when travelling it is not always possible to choose the time of day. So when the light conditions aren’t perfect, I focus on including colour to give the photo a more interesting and engaging element.’
Classic British alley in Aldeburgh, Suffolk
How do you edit your photos?
‘I do all my editing in Lightroom on my laptop. The process varies from photo to photo or location to location. Generally, I try to achieve calming and happy emotions through my editing by softening hard contrast, desaturating strong colours, enhancing pinks and oranges, and lifting the shadows for a more airy look. After I’m done with the main edit, I AirDrop some of the photos to my phone for posting on social media. The mobile apps I often use include Lightroom (for little light and colour twicks), SCRL (for collage templates and layouts), Unfold (for story templates) and Preview (for feed pre-planning and layout).'
Surf living in Cornwall
Any tips?
‘Learn the light! Study it and analyse it at any given moment regardless of whether or not you have your camera with you or whether you are travelling at that moment. Great light gives that special magic touch to even the most mundane scenes, so it’s well worth learning how to utilise it in your photography.’
Follow the link for more pictures of spring in the UK, HERE.