Matthew and Craig are passionate photographers as well as educators, with different styles and experiences. They met in Sydney in 2019 and again in Brisbane soon after, discussing how they could collaborate with their unique photographic style on events.
Matt is a Port Macquarie based photographer with a passion for creating authentic visuals.
Matt is passionate about travel and his work is a testament to his unique perspective and outlook of the environments he experiences. He loves to use his images to demonstrate the vast diversity of a landscapes aesthetic appeal and truly believes that imagery can insight an intense emotive response. Matt has a strong understanding of the use of negative space to draw an individual's attention to something beautiful that may otherwise escape their view.
Craig is a Brisbane local, with a passion for cityscape photography, social media and event photography. He is also an instructor for Phocademy, teaching beginners and beyond, not only the art of capturing an image, but how to also get the best out of their chosen camera. With their combined experiences, styles and techniques, Matthew and Craig feel they can provide a much better, comprehensive workshop experience for their participants.
What is in your camera bag?
Matthew's current equipment is an array of different lens to ensure he has the right gear for the job. He shoots mostly telephoto or sharp primes like the 85mm ƒ1.4, but has found using a telephoto like the 70-200mm ƒ4 gives him great versatility within shooting capabilities from dramatic landscapes to street portraiture. He also uses lens like the 16-35mm ƒ4 for wide angle scenes and astrophotography.
Matt pairs that along side his Alpha 7R II and is able to create some beautiful images with immense detail to encapsulate the viewers imagination.
Craig captures a wide variety of subjects from events and food, to cityscapes and landscapes. Craig loves using the Alpha 7 III for events, coupled with the 24-70mm ƒ2.8 GM, as well as the 24mm ƒ1.4 GM and on occasion the 70-200mm ƒ2.8 GM.
The same lenses are versatile enough to be used for Craig's cityscape and landscape work, in conjunction with his second body, the 42 MP Alpha 7R III.
What is your go to in your Alpha kit and why?
Matthews perfect combination is the Sony Alpha 7R II - 70-200mm ƒ4. The sharpness on the telephoto excels in all conditions matched with its contrast and speed. It is Matt's most used combination.
He finds the telephoto has a great focal range from shooting dramatic landscapes to tight portraits and having that range and flexibility for Matt is key.
For Craig, he loves the Alpha 7R III in conjunction with the 24-70mm ƒ2.8 GM lens. The focal range and speed is ideal for almost any occasion.
Most memorable moment shooting with Alpha?
Matthew :
There have been a lot.
One that is still fresh in my mind is one of the images featured in my profile of a lighthouse under a stormy night. There where several photographers out and about shooting the lightning strikes and I felt I wanted to get something unique. I waited until the storm was just over head and fired a few shots. It was such a incredible night surrounded by thunder and lightning.
Craig:
My most memorable moment is actually during my very first hands on experience with the Alpha 7R III, which was during the Sony Roadshow event in Brisbane last year. So memorable in fact, I bought my Sony kit that very night.
