32 DIGITAL CAMERA^ MARCH 2021 http://www.digitalcameraworld.com
Give us
a Twirl
John Cuthbert creates
simple abstract delights
with the Twirl filtery journey into photography
started 50 years or so ago,
when film and slides were all
the rage and black-and-white
ruled the roost. Initially inspired by my
father’s photos, my younger brother
and I have accumulated well over a
hundred years of photography interest
between us. I live for photography; in
return it gives me a life. Never a day
goes by when I am not thinking about
imagery in some form or other.
Nature, art and design have always
interested me; I enjoy nothing more than
being out in nature and trying to expose
some of that within my photography. My
abstract work reflects a section of
that while grounded at home.
‘Love Is’ initially started life as a macro
image to show flowers in water droplets; it
was produced using a piece of twisted wire
and Blu-Tack supporting a piece of chive
stem stuck to the kitchen worktop, with
an A4 glossy flower print positioned
about 30cm behind.7 | CREATIVEM
1
My kit
For static macro imagery, I prefer
to use a crop-sensor camera with
a dedicated 1:1 macro lens on the
front – in this case a Sony Alpha 77
II and a Tamron 90mm f/2.8 lens
were employed. I use a tripod to
eliminate blur and focusing issues.2
Subject choice
Subject is a grey area, with each
person warming towards their
personal taste. Personally, I like
bright colours that fill the frame:
I feel these produce a visually
pleasing overall result, and would
be nice framed and hung on a wall.John^ Cuthbert