Australian_Photography_-_March_2016_

56 AUSTRALIANPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

BELOW

A thick fog rolled through during a

fishing trip at Lake Eucumbene so it

was down with the rods and full steam

ahead with the camera. Canon EOS 6D,

Canon 17-40L @ 21mm, 60s @ f/8, ISO

100, Lee Big Stopper. Image processed

in Lightroom.

RIGHT

Scenic Kelly’s Falls, just off Sir

Lawrence Hargraves Drive,

Helensburgh, NSW. There’s always

some water here but flows are best after

a big rain. Canon EOS 6D, 17-40mm

f2.8L lens @ 24mm, 20s @ f/10, ISO

100. Image processed in Lightroom.

OPPOSITE

Photographer Bill Karayannis shooting a

sunrise near Kurnell along the southern

Sydney coast. Photo by Mick Fletoridis.

AUSTRALIAN PHOTOGRAPHY MARCH 2016

PROFILE: Bill Karayannis

He prefers to use single images to produce the final result

rather than blending or stacking. His post processing is done

using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop CS6 along with Nik

Collection plug ins and various other Lightroom presets.

“I’d say 90 per cent of my shots are a single shot, no blending

or stacking done. I have set myself up with a few presets which

make them quick to apply to an image and if I like the result of

those then I’ll give that image further attention.”

Of his overall workf low Karayannis tends to spend more time

editing portraits than he does perfecting his landscapes.

“My wife is my biggest critic and I’ll show her a finished portrait

and sit back and wait for her opinion – she’ll tell me how it is and

what does or doesn’t look right with an image. As harsh as she can

be and as much as I hate to admit it she’s usually on the money!”

Practice is key

For any photographers hoping to take their images to the

next level Karayannis says the best advice he would give is to

simply “practise, practise, practise.”

He says spending money on workshops and education is more

important than buying new gear. “New gear and equipment will

only get you so far, knowing how to use it to its full capability

will get you even further.”

When images aren’t turning out as planned he says it’s often

better not to try and force the desired result and just recognise

you sometimes need to take a break or try different things.

“Something like using a telephoto lens on a landscape shoot

or leaving the tripod at home will force you to think and shoot

differently and it may be the solution to getting you out of a rut

and finding your mojo,” he advises.

He’s also a regular user of social media and the internet

to solve any photographic problems, learn new techniques

or see what inspires other photographers. Of social media in

particular he advises, “don’t let harsh critique or the lack of

Facebook, Flickr and Instagram likes get you down ... and

certainly do not let competition results or judges’ feedback have