Happy Friday! We are back at it with a very exciting feature. This week's photographer is someone we know and admire greatly. She is an amazing photographer and an inspiration to many, including all of us here at pictureline. She has recently been announced one of Nikon's "100 rising stars in photography" and has been featured in Business Insider, Lifeprint and The Desert News. This week we are giving you an inside look into the life of Christine Kenyon!
How long have you been doing photography and what got you into it?
"My father was the Chief of the Office of Photography for the Smithsonian, so I grew up around all things photography, art and creative. I was processing and printing my own black and white images in elementary school, and was winning adult national and international print competitions in my early teens. The Photographic Society of America (PSA) featured an interview with me in their monthly magazine when I was 14. So I guess you could say, photography came to me, and I embraced it. Two years ago, I interrupted my PR career, running my own shop and serving Fortune 500 companies, to take the plunge all-in for photography. I don’t regret it for a minute, but it has required a tremendous amount of work and perseverance."
What made you get into Astrophotography and what advice do you have for those who want to start?
"I love the solitary that nature provides, that unique personal experience. There is no better time to feel the oneness with nature than in the quiet of the night in someplace beautiful. I saw a few images of the night sky in 2015, and was intrigued by the beauty, and thought I would give nightscape photography a try. That try came in the summer of 2016, and I had no idea that I would fall in love with this genre of photography so much."
"For those who want to dabble or dive into astrophotography, I would say to do your homework first. Everything is more complicated at night. That’s pretty obvious. So use apps and websites like PhotoPills and darkskyfinder to plan your locations and dates, research your destination and the terrain, be smart about your safety. Make sure you have a DSLR or mirrorless, interchangeable lens camera, a tripod, and some software to edit your images. With preparation and planning, it’s exciting and enjoyable."
What is one of your favorite photos you have ever taken and why?
"My favorite image of all time is “Stargazer,” the picture of my black Lab Tuffy posing for me at Metate Arch in Utah. Tuffy is such a great companion, and it was from an epic night under the stars. She probably wondered why mom was up all night lighting up rocks, but hey, she got a lot of playtime and treats. “Stargazer” took six months to plan and execute, so this was a labor of love, and dedication and the results are priceless."
What is your go-to gear setup?
"Ahh, gear, always a fun, and expensive topic. I’m a Nikon shooter, and my kit includes a D810 and Z6, and D600. I shoot exclusively Nikkor glass: 14-24mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm, all f/2.8. The 80-400mm, 50mm, and recently picked up, from Pictureline of course, the awesome Z-mount 24-70mm f.2.8 (What a lens!!). I use Really Right Stuff for camera support."
Tell us about your process in finding a location that you think would make a beautiful shot.
"Location scouting is both necessary and adventurous. Finding the perfect foreground is sometimes just as much fun as shooting the scene. I definitely use Google searches to explore and find locations, and I also use road trips to hunt for new choice spots. Once on-location, apps like PhotoPills are indispensable in determining the best time and date to return and shoot the scene. So I would say, scouting is even more essential to successful night photography than for landscape shooting."
Thank you, Christine, for letting us get to know you a little better and sharing some of your beautiful photos with us. If you want to learn more about Christine and see more of her work, follow her on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube or check out her website.