Tom has worked in many fields in photography at top levels. His activities extend from editing photo magazines to newspaper picture editing, teaching photography at masters level in university, developing journalism training in former Soviet Union, presenting two TV series on photography for the BBC, and a series on Singapore for China News Asia, to hosting international workshops (Dubai, Sharjah, Cape Town, Manila, Singapore, Budapest, etc.). He has also judged some the world's top photo competitions (he was one of the founding judges of the Sony World Photography Awards) ... Tom has been around the block a few times.
His photography has been exhibited internationally and is widely known through the 40+ photography books he's written. These include some of the first-ever books on digital photography published in 1999, followed by the best-selling 'Digital Photographer's Handbook' published in over 20 languages. Other notables include his 480-page award-winning 'Photography - the definitive visual history' as well as a number of e-books, including the unique 'Photography Judging' and 'Picture Editing'.
Tom is also an active contributor to Getty Images, and a Sony Digital Imaging Advocate. He was recipient of the International Hamdan International Photography Award (HIPA) Content Creator Award in 2019.
What is in your camera bag?
I'd been saying the Alpha 7R III is the best camera I've ever used after very extensive experience of all kinds of cameras. Then the Alpha 7R IV came along, and it's even better! So I have both in the bag, with vertical grips, along with the FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA, 24mm f/1.4 GM, the FE 12-24mm f/4 G and FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM zooms. Plus I still use the superb A-mount Zeiss 135mm f/1.8 with an adaptor. And in my pocket is always the RX1.
Almost as important is my outfit for listening to music when travelling long-range: the Walkman ZX100 hi-res player stuffed full with classical and world music driving the CH1000M3 noise-cancelling cans.
What is your go to in your Alpha kit and why?
My go-to camera - that's always with me - is the RX1. My favourite outfit is the Alpha 7R IV with the FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA as the images are always unfailingly gorgeous everywhere anytime - even when not in focus! I use this combo for everything from studio portraits to flat-bed copying using pixel-shift.
Most memorable moment shooting with Alpha?
My project 'Inter-generation Portraits' was the best fun and reward ever. Using a pop-up studio in a container, I made group photos of passing families with the Alpha 7R III and the 50mm f/1.4 ZE tethered to my lap-top. It was wonderful to be able to meet so many gorgeous, fun and open people through photography.
