Based in Canada, Stacy William Head is a fantastic photographer who focuses on nature. After moving to Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, he was drawn into long exposure photography and created many amazing images.
NiSi is delighted to have this interview with Stacy and show you his love for music, travel, and especially landscape photography.
Z for Zoe and S for Stacy
Z: Hi Stacy! Glad to meet you! Firstly, could you tell us three interesting things about you that you want people to know?
S: Landscape photography is my passion but also love weightlifting, playing guitar and travelling to new exciting places – which works well with landscape photography.
Gollinger Waterfall
Taken in Austria
With NiSi circular polarizer
Z: When did you start taking pictures? Was there anything specific that sparked your interest in nature and photography?
S: I started taking pictures about 5 years ago when I moved to Crowsnest Pass – a small town in the Rocky Mountains in Southern Alberta. I was most interested in long exposure photography because of the dream-like feel that it can create in a photograph.
Gollinger Waterfall
Taken in Alberta, Canada
With NiSi Soft GND (3 Stops), ND (10 Stops)
Z: When you first got started with photography, what did you find most challenging? After several years in the business, what do you still find challenging?
S: I found it most challenging finding the correct composition and flow to a photograph that will make it the most three dimensional and also learning new editing techniques took a lot of time and patience. I still find it challenging sometimes getting the best composition when first getting to a new location and getting something that is unique. Also marketing yourself can still be a challenge because of the increase in photographers – so standing out as different and the best is what I strive for.
Mount Assiniboine
Taken in Canada
With NiSi Soft GND (3 Stops)
Z: Could you share the most impressive moments in your shooting?
S: Probably the most memorable moment so far in my shooting would have to be Iceland in August 2017 at Kirkjufell Mountain / Waterfall. We shot the sunset and then about four hours later the northern lights came out – it was an unforgettable moment.
The Northern Lights at Kirkjufell
Taken in Iceland
Z: When did you start using NiSi filters and why?
S: I started using NiSi filters in October 2017 when I was awarded as one of Canadas official NiSi photographers. I have always heard about NiSi filters from friends in Australia so I was very excited to have been selected as their representative.
Lake Louise
Taken in Alberta, Canada
With NiSi circular polarizer, Soft GND (3 Stops)
Z: Which NiSi products do you usually use in your work?
S: I usually use – depending on the location and light – a circular polarizer, 3-stop Soft Grad, 6-stop ND and 10-stop ND.
Sunwapta Falls
Taken in Alberta, Canada
With NiSi Soft GND (3 Stops), ND (10 Stops)
Z: Among all the photos you took with NiSi filters, which one is your favorite? What went into creating it?
S: Probably one of my most favorite was just recently taken at Crescent Falls in Alberta. I love it because it captures movement and the passage of time with a human element. It was taken with a NiSi circular polarizer and 3-stop Soft Grad filter.
Crescent Falls
Taken in Alberta, Canada
With NiSi circular polarizer, Soft GND (3 Stops)
Z: What excites you the most about the future of photography? What do you find the most troubling?
S: It’s exciting that there is no limit to how much you can learn and there is always room for improvement in landscape photography – weather in composition, editing or new equipment. I find that maybe the traditional market for prints has dropped and has become devalued because of various reasons.
Flows in Waterton Park
Taken in Alberta, Canada
With NiSi circular polarizer, Soft GND (3 Stops)
Z: What advice would you pass on to newcomers learning the craft?
S: Start small with the equipment – it is like playing a musical instrument – you are not going to be better by getting the most expensive equipment first. Concentrate on composition and editing and then when your skills improve consider upgrading at that point.
Falls in Bugaboo Provincial Park
Taken in Columbia, Canada
With NiSi circular polarizer, Soft GND (3 Stops)
Z: Where is your next adventure taking you?
S: I have a few trips planned locally in the Alberta and British Columbia and then in November of this year, I have a tour planned in Bali, Indonesia.
