I am in awe of the display that Mother Nature puts on for us
Wayne Brittle is a landscape photographer who lives near the Staffordshire, Derbyshire border. He has worked behind the lens over 40 years. Wayne’s passion for landscape photography comes from his love of the great outdoors, and he often travels miles to capture the sheer beauty of the British landscape. Wayne has published many images, which appeared in some of the UK’s top photographic magazines and highly regarded books. It’s a good opportunity for NiSi to interview Wayne and get some inspiration from his years of photography.
Z for Zoe and W for Wayne Brittle
Z: Hi Wayne! It’s a pleasure to meet you! Firstly, could you share us three random facts about you?
W: I was the top goal scorer for my team in a 6 a side football league at the age of 44 where my son Luke also played upfront and was second highest scorer.
As I approach the age of 60 I still loving my Rock Music played loud just as much as I did when I was 16.
I will get up at any hour of the night at any time of year if necessary to travel and be at a location for the chance of capturing a decent image even though my wife thinks I am slightly mad.
Buachaille Etive Mor
A classic view of the famous mountain lit by soft sunlight on an autumn morning.
Taken in Scottish Highlands
With NiSi V6 PRO + Medium GND (3 Stops) + Landscape CPL
Z: What attracted you to landscape photography?
W: I guess it’s a love of the great outdoors and nature. Ever since I was a child, I have much preferred being outdoors as much as I can and sometimes, I am in awe of the display that Mother Nature puts on for us. I see this as a challenge when trying to capture some of these moments on camera.
Ice Beach Sunrise
The colours of the sunrise shining through one of the many blocks of ice at this spectacular beach.
Taken in Jokulsarlon, Iceland
With NiSi V6 PRO + Hard GND (3 Stops)
Z: You’ve worked behind the lens over 40 years, what do you think of the development and changes of landscape photography?
W: The transition from film to digital capture was something I took my time over and for a period of a year and a half I shot on both my favourite 35mm Slide Film (Fuji Velvia) and also on digital cameras.
Once the quality of the digital images reached the quality of the slide film then I was happy to shoot totally with DSLR’s from that point on.
Last Light
The last of the evening sunlight over this spectacular Scottish valley.
Taken at the Loup of Fintry, Scotland
With NiSi V6 PRO + Hard GND (3 Stops)
Z: What trip would you say was your best experience?
W: I’ve had many memorable trips over the years but I must say that Iceland is something special. I go with fellow ambassador Mark Andreas Jones who is the UK’s ‘Mr. Iceland’ as he knows it so well. I have been three times so far and planning the fourth visit in 2021. I always go during the wintertime which can be brutal but beautiful.
Close behind this is Scotland which I love dearly all year round.
Reynisdranger Sea Stacks Sunset
Patience paid off when the sky eventually cleared to give amazing colours at this dramatic location.
Taken in Vik, Iceland
With NiSi V6 PRO + ND (4 Stops) + Medium GND (2 Stops)
Z: When did you start using NiSi filters and why?
W: It was actually when I was in Iceland for the first time that I came across NiSi Filters. I was using the Lee Filters System at the time but was never truly happy with their filters. The Resin Filters scratch very easily and when splashed with snow or salt spray they smeared when trying to clean them which often got so frustrating that you would lose the light whilst messing with them. Their Neutral Density filters were ok but gave a colour cast to the images and the circular polariser when used with my 16-35mm Lens at the 16mm end created a vignette until I zoomed in a little.
The NiSi Filters and holders were different. All glass with superior coatings which meant they were more resistant to scratching, they are definitely easier to clean when splashed. The Neutral Density Filters have a ‘zero’ colour cast and the Polariser has been engineered to fit at the back of the holder which is then driven by a gear wheel, independent of the other filters that might be fitted and of course no vignette on my 16-35mm Lens at 16mm.
St Michael’s Mount Morning Tide
Capturing the movement of the tide and the early morning skies on the causeway of the iconic St Michael’s Mount.
Taken in Cornwall, the UK
With NiSi V6 PRO + Medium GND (3 Stops)
Z: Which NiSi products do you usually use in your work?
W: I use mostly ND Grads (Hard, Soft and Medium) of which the Medium Grads are my favourite and my ‘go-to’ filters if the conditions are right. I also use NDs for slowing down exposure times for some lovely seascapes and skies. I use the Landscape Polariser for removing the glare off highly reflective surfaces such as water and also when used at the correct angle it helps boost the colour of the greens and blues in the landscape.
First of the Morning Light
An unforgettable, almost perfect, late autumn morning at a high vantage point looking across to Stirling Castle.
Taken at Stirling Castle, Scotland
With NiSi V6 PRO + Medium GND (3 Stops) + Landscape CPL
Z: Among all the photos you took with NiSi filters, which one is your favorite? What went into creating it?
W: One of my personal favourite images was one I took of Stirling Castle in Scotland, it was one of those rare early winter mornings where the conditions were near on perfect. It was below freezing, there was mist in the valley below me, snow on the distant mountains, a moody sky, but most of all some amazing sidelight as dawn broke which flashed across the scene and really brought it to life.
Planning was a major part of capturing a scene such as this as I needed some elevation to be above any mist and wanted to get the distant mountains to be part of the frame so I had to choose my shooting location carefully. This sometimes involves the use of maps to see the terrain and access as well as a compass to work out the position of the sun. I often use smartphone apps such as ‘PhotoPills’ for sun positioning and for checking the latest weather I use ‘Clear Outside’ or ‘Weather Pro’ which are a great help.
Sunrise on Mam Tor
The predicted inversion added atmosphere to this well-known landmark in the Peak District.
Taken in the Peak District, the UK
With NiSi V5 PRO + Hard GND (3 Stops)
Z: Is there any advice you would pass on to young people learning the craft that you think could help them avoid some of the pitfalls you might have made growing in the medium?
W: For anyone taking up landscape photography I would say don’t get hung up on having to have the latest gear as this will not instantly make you a great landscape photographer.
Set a budget and be prepared to spend as much on a lens as you would on a camera body. After all, a good camera is nothing without good glass.
Take your time to learn, look at other photographer’s work, not to copy but for inspiration.
Mist & Light
An incredible atmospheric location captured early morning with the sunlight and mist amongst the trees.
Taken at the Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland
With NiSi V5 PRO + Soft GND (2 Stops) + Landscape CPL
Z: What’s your plan for this unusual year, photographically?
W: What a frustrating year it’s been. I was lucky to be in Iceland in January before Covid-19 took hold. Since then there has been very little to date, despite having lots planned which has had to be cancelled, these included co-running a Landscape Workshop in Tuscany, Peak District Workshops for the RPS, One-to-One Photography Classes, Lectures to Photography Clubs and Societies.
I have also had to cancel my own trips/holidays with my wife Kay, where there would be some Landscape Photography time. These were trips to Africa and various parts of the UK.
I have started planning from September onwards at the moment and if all goes to plan there should be Landscape Photography trips to the Northumberland Coast, the Italian Dolomites, the Scottish Highlands as well as many shorter trips around the UK.
