Julian Elliott
1. Congratulations on winning in the European Photography Awards! Can you share a little about yourself, what inspired you to pursue photography, and how has your journey evolved since your first shot?
Back in 2005, I was making frequent visits to the city of Paris. I wanted to capture the stunning skyline at night and found myself buying a Canon 350D.
Since then, I've travelled to 44 different countries, capturing declining cultures, cityscapes and landscapes.
I'm constantly inspired by the world around me but feel very much at home when I'm in and around Asia.
2. Can you share the story or inspiration behind your award-winning piece? How does winning this award make you feel about your journey in photography?
It's always great to have recognition for the work you do. Entering competitions has been a way to get my work seen by a wider audience.
For my Tuscany landscapes, I had waited a decade to get the shot. Visiting every May for a week and hoped that those elusive conditions would prevail. Luckily, after trying for three different mornings, everything fell into place.
The fisherman is something close to my heart. Spending the majority of my time in Vietnam, I've gotten to know local people and a number of fishermen who work the river every day.
Many people visit these fishermen, but they stay on another boat. But I went a step further and asked to go in his boat.
3. How do you decide which photo to submit for a competition?
As someone who has been taking images for over 20 years now and whose work is represented by Getty Images, I've gotten used to knowing when an image is something special.
4. What first made you pick up a camera?
The city of Paris was my initial inspiration to start capturing images.
5. What’s your favorite type of photography, and why do you love it?
I define myself as a travel photographer. I love seeing different countries and engaging with the people who live there.
6. What’s your go-to camera setup, and why does it work best for your projects? What’s your favorite feature?
I'm currently using an all-Canon setup with both an R5 and an R5 Mark II. In my bag, I regularly carry several lenses, and five of those are tilt-shift lenses, which I use in places such as Tokyo.
A lot of the time, I use the Canon 24-105mm RF, which is a great all-round lens.
7. If someone looked at your work, what’s the one thing you’d want them to feel?
When someone looks at my work, I want them to be inspired to travel and seek out their own adventure.
8. What was the most challenging part of capturing your winning shot?
For Tuscany, it was waiting for the right conditions to happen. For my shot from Vietnam, it was just staying in the boat and not falling into the river.
9. Is there a specific place or subject that inspires you the most?
By far and away, it's Asia in general. It's full of so many endless opportunities to capture stunning cityscapes and amazing cultures.
10. Who or what has been your biggest influence in photography?
In the beginning, my influences were British landscape and travel photographers. For landscapes, it was Charlie Waite, Joe Cornish and David Ward. For travel, David Noton inspired me to get out there and see the world.
11. What message would you share to inspire photographers to participate in photography awards, and what advice would you give to help them excel in the competition?
Think before you enter. Is this work really your best? Before entering, take a look at previous winning images to see what's gone before.
12. What’s one piece of advice for someone just starting in photography?
Understand that it can be a very cutthroat world out there. I don't say this lightly. Learn who your friends really are and be careful what information you share.
13. What role do editing and post-processing play in your creative workflow?
I repeatedly get out there waiting for the light. Post-processing doesn't play a huge part in the work that I do, as I'm trying to get my subject lit in the best way that I can.
14. How do you see technology, like AI, influencing the future of photography and your own approach?
AI is, sadly, becoming more prevalent in our world. I feel that it's further diminishing how people see images and their worth.
15. If you could photograph anything or anyone in the world, what would it be?
There are so many places that I haven't been yet. One place that is dear to my heart is Upper Mustang in Nepal. For somewhere I've not yet been to then it would have to be Rajasthan.
