How long have you been involved with photography?
I've been shooting since the 70's - mostly to document underwater exploration and discovery on several National Geographic sponsored expeditions and projects. During those times, I was an expedition project leader and engineer - photography was secondary to the goal of successfully carrying our the mission. A couple of these were in the Canadian high Arctic - under the ice! Getting a good shot of what we were doing (living underwater, deep diving, and exploration) was almost too easy - we were on the frontier of underwater exploration / experimentation and every moment was a first and certainly exciting. I've been lucky enough to continue along that leading edge throughout my career and to document the spirit of the adventures in life - they never lose their excitement. These days my main focus is documentary photography of those invovled in such pursuits. |
How did you first discover your passion for photography?
Being involved with exciting and passionate people who believe in their dreams and then strive to make it happen is exhilarating. Being able to share a glimpse of that passion and freeze that moment in a single or series of images is unbelievable. I look at images I made a dozen years ago and they still send shivers down my spine - I managed in many cases to capture the spirit of the emotion. My goal is to find and capture that one split second when its soul shows through. Click. |
How do you choose your subject matter?
I think it is more that the subject chooses me. A landscape, an act of compassion, a show of gratitude, an act of courage - or stupidity - anything that creates an emotion inside of me and makes me want to snatch the emotion of that image inspires me. Subjects are all around us. All I have to do is pay attention. |
What is your dream photo assignment?
Dream assignments to me usually involve documenting people striving to achieve their dreams or goals - and usually around water. I like people who are inquisitive, active and explorers - not adventure seekers. Being with these people as an observer - to document and share their progress or effort or faliure - is an honour and a priviledge. The people can range from kids to the elderly - they all demonstrate heart-felt passion and believe in what they do. Seeing and showing it through images firsthand is a dream come true. It doesn't get any better than that!! |
How does Camera Armor help you in your work?
I seem to get involved in situations that bounce you around a lot - from hanging on for dear life in a high speed military inflatable boat or helicopter in the Artic - to sea kayaking along a coast somewhere during rough weather. When you are shooting quickly with several camera bodies in the field, for safety or in setting one camera down to pick up another can be pretty tough on the camera you just let go of! Usually for me, it involves dropping the camera into a dry bag on a hard steel desk or the bottom of a kayak - there is no time for niceties. Having camera armor around all the camera bodies takes a lot of the shock impact out of those actions. It is always nicer to hear a soft dull "CLUNK" sound than a sharp "WHACK" sound (the "WHACK" sound is usually expensive!) Now if you could only start designing "people" armor......... |
Has your photography work appeared in any publications/shows?
- National Geographic Magazine
- Diver Magazine
- Adventure Kayaking Magazine
- Lakeland Boating Magazine
- newspapers, magazine advertisements, coporate brochures, websites, etc. |
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Doug Elsey
Photographer Statement: |
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The spirit and passion of an adventurer or explorer is in us all. Pushing one's personal envelope to move towards goals - no matter how insignificant or miniscule that movement may appear to be, shows courage. These exciting visual events happen around us continuously - displaying magic, courage and the determination of spirit. Seizing the essence of that spirit in an image - to relive or rekindle its power when viewed at another time - is my goal. Either you do it - or you don't. There is no half way. |
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What Camera Gear do you use?: |
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Nikon D300 and D200 - D40x
Camera armor for all bodies
Nikor 10.5mm F2.8 Fisheye
Nikor 18 - 200mm F3.8 - 5.6
Nikor 17 - 55mm F2.8
Nikor 70 - 200mm F2.8
Nikor 50mm F1.8
Sigma 10 - 20 F3.5 - 5.6
SB - 800 strobes Ikelite DSLR Underwater housings with strobes. |
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Contact:
contact@DougElsey.com
www.DougElsey.com |
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