World Photography Day 2022 - Interview with Dan Taylor
February 21, 2023
~Dan Taylor~
We are continuing our celebration of World Photography Day by highlighting the work of Dan Taylor. Dan’s personal motto is “Seek the unique”. You can certainly see how that motto informs his photography with varied subject matter, daring compositional choices, and a knack for creating distinctive images. In our interview with Dan we wanted to find out what he looks for in a photo, his current setup, and how he manages to stay so inspired.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you are from.
I have spent most of my life in Southern California and am blessed to live just a few miles from my favorite beaches. I have been married to my wife, Alexis, for thirty years. We have three amazing sons. Professionally, I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, employed at an acute hospital. I assist patients in the emergency room who require mental health intervention.
How did you first become interested in photography? Did you start with water photography or did that come later?
I have been an avid bodyboarder for over 35 years. I initially began shooting in the water from a GoPro perspective, back when the technology was fairly new. A series of injuries have sidelined me from bodyboarding, but I still craved the experience of being in the water at my favorite surf spots, so I transitioned to more traditional photography and was immediately hooked on trying to capture the perfect wave.
"My goal is always to capture the peak moment, in the perfect light, with the most optimum camera settings." - Dan Taylor
Were there any photographers that inspired you when you first picked up the camera?
I have been lucky to fall in with a tight-knit group of photographers at the Wedge, who have all been great mentors. They include @Sonnykumukoa, @Ohdagyophoto, @Smitherspix, @Beaujessejohnston, and @Stanmoniz, they all have crazy good Instagram accounts that are worth a look.
Your photography captures a range of different images and styles. Do you have a favorite type of subject to capture?
Of course, water is always my favorite due to the stunning physics involved in shaping the wave, including how far it stretches before breaking. My goal is always to capture the peak moment, in the perfect light, with the most optimum camera settings. As this is probably unobtainable, it continues to drive me to get a better photograph the next time and the next time and the next time.
"Freshwater shooting often has the advantage of solitude, which I find very peaceful." - Dan Taylor
How does your approach change when you are photographing animals versus waterscapes?
Surprisingly, they are more similar than different. Both require great patience and knowledge of how the subject responds under various circumstances and at different times of day or seasons. I especially enjoy photographing wildlife when beach conditions aren’t optimal.
What is the most satisfying part of water photography for you?
When the preparation, practice, and commitment combine with the magic moment of seeing something unique or unexpected through the camera lens. I love looking at the image for the first time on the computer screen and being stoked that the photo matches my perception of what I saw in the water. My Instagram phrase captures my goal with photography – “I seek the unique.”
You frequently shoot in the freshwater. Tell us a bit about that? What are some of the challenges of capturing dynamic imagery in that environment? How does it compare to shooting salt water?
The scale of the wave is completely different in freshwater than saltwater. Perspective and depth of field become uniquely important when your subject is only three inches tall. Freshwater shooting variables are endless - clarity of the water, the water’s response to light, and the quality of the backdrop. Freshwater shooting often has the advantage of solitude, which I find very peaceful. By comparison, ocean photography is more predictable for me. Bodyboarding for so many years really helps me understand tides, currents, and wave conditions.
You are constantly out shooting. What keeps you inspired?
The possibility of preserving a unique moment in time that no other photographer before me has captured keeps me inspired. I also try to keep myself open to new photography experiences, especially when I travel.
"My growth has always come from honing, refining my style, and making subtle changes along the way." - Dan Taylor
How has your photography evolved over time?
Well, it certainly got to be a more expensive hobby than I ever anticipated. Over time, I have become increasingly focused on technically precise photographs. This has resulted in a succession of upgrades in camera equipment. The one constant has been using an AquaTech housing to provide the best protection for my equipment. I also depend on the versatility the AquaTech housing provides with its lens ports, easy to use trigger, lenses, and the ability to upgrade the camera but use the same housing.
What is your creative process? Do you utilize much post processing for your imagery, or are you more inclined to capture in camera?
My goal is always to refine my in-camera setting. I shoot manual in the water and review my photos constantly as I’m shooting to adjust for lighting, reflection, shadows, etc. Post-processing is still a work-in-progress for me. I am truly impressed by other photographers who focus on the editing process. It’s just not as fun or creative for me.
Do you have any tips for a novice photographer looking to level up their game?
Be yourself. Don’t shoot like anyone else but ask a lot of questions of skilled photographers. My growth has always come from honing, refining my style, and making subtle changes along the way.
Your portfolio of work is quite strong and is clearly of a professional quality. Did you ever want to work in photography as a career? Or are you just happy to be part of the community?
I am most honored to have a number of absolutely amazing water photographers follow my Instagram page. I take photos purely for personal enjoyment. I am a terrible self-promoter, but it makes me happy that other people seem to like what I put out there.
Are there any new techniques or equipment that you would like to try out?
I would like to shoot telephoto shots from the water. I know AquaTech has housing ports available for telephoto lenses that allow for zoom control, so that is definitely on my “to do” list for future photography.
Are there any particular sessions or memories you’ve had in the water that stick with you?
Any day that I get to spend in the water with my son, who is a natural all-around photographer with a creative eye, is the best day for me. Wedge is also still one of my favorite places to witness the amazing power of the ocean.
What does your current camera kit consist of? Please include camera lenses, housing, lens ports, etc.
I am currently shooting with the Sony A1 and it is a beast. I prefer to use prime lenses in the water for weight and size. I have a 25mm, 35mm, 55mm, and 85mm. I am currently using the AquaTech Sport Housing and it is bullet proof.
Thanks very much to Dan for being a part of our World Photography Day celebration and for sharing his world with our world. You can find more of Dan's work on his Instagram page @danovisions.
You may have been lucky enough to see some of Dave Sandford’s images appear on your news feeds and social media pages of late. If so, there's no doubt you would have stopped and stared in awe at his amazing images. What you might not have known, is that these images were captured within a lake! We reached out to Dave to gain some insight into this body of work and his process for capturing these images.
