Exposure: Maria Crisp
Maria has been taking photos since she was 13, documenting the sun-drenched beach lifestyle of her home town of Geraldton in Western Australia and beyond.
Yo! Wait for me
(Credit: Maria Crisp)
Photographer: Maria Crisp
Speciality: nature, landscapes
Biography: Maria got her first camera when she was 13 years old and was immediately hooked. During her childhood, Maria spent a lot of time at the beach and it is still her favourite place for taking photos. Maria is an amateur photographer who loves nature, from water, land, flowers or animals.
She lives in Geraldton, Western Australia, which is home to landscapes such as the magnificent Abrolhos Islands, Ningaloo Reef and the wildflowers of the Midwest. Along with the world's best weather it makes for wonderful, colourful photos.
Equipment: Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5, Canon EOS 450D, Canon 17–85mm, f/4-5.6 IS USM, Canon 70–300mm, f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM, Canon 50mm, f1.8 II, UV filters, polarising filter (for 17–85mm lens), Oloneo PhotoEngine (for HDR post-processing), Picnik.
InterviewCNET Australia: you've been taking photos since you were 13, how do you think your style has changed between then and now?
Maria Crisp: obviously digital photography has allowed me to experiment a lot more. I've always been very interested in the ocean and the beach so I've probably not changed the images, I've just gotten better.
What do you look for when you go out to shoot?
I love colour in particular. I love to make people smile, so whether it's beautiful flowers or dolphins or a beach, something that makes people want to be there and experience what I'm experiencing at the time.
What is your go-to camera of choice?
I carry my compact with me everywhere because it just fits in my bag, so I probably use it more just because of that. For wide angle, I definitely go to my Canon, and if I want something with more clarity I'll also go to my SLR, especially if I want to shoot something with the 50mm for depth of field.
What's next on your equipment list?
I would have to say a macro lens. I've never had much to do with macro, but my Lumix has a pretty good macro mode so I've started playing with that a lot. Flowers, close-ups of animals in particular are what I'll use it for. I'd also love a major wide-angle lens where I can take three or four shots and stitch them together for a huge panorama.
You do quite a bit of post-processing work to your images, do you know what effect or look you want to achieve with each image when you are taking photos?
No. I generally go out to get the best composition I can get because I'm very new to the actual post-processing, so I always make sure I get the best composition and then take it back and spend five to 10 minutes working on the image. I don't have a lot of time for post-processing, but I love HDR as a technique.
More of Maria's work can be seen on her Flickr account.
This friendly seal followed so close behind our boat. I think our dog was the main attraction.
Exposure: Canon 450D, Canon 70-300mm, 300mm, 1/1000sec, ISO 400, f/5.6
Innocence
This is one of my all-time favourites.
Exposure: Canon 450D, Canon 17-85mm, 85mm, 1/80sec, ISO 800, f/5.6
Fashion statement
I couldn't help myself. I think this is the most ridiculous fashion trend ever. I just wonder if they will think so when they are 40.
Exposure: Canon 450D, Canon 70-300mm, 300mm, 1/250sec, ISO 100, f/5.6
Paradise
This is Ningaloo Reef about 25km south of Coral Bay, Western Australia. It is our favourite holiday spot. I have never seen water like this anywhere else in the world. It is awesome!
Exposure: Canon 450D, Canon 17-85mm, 85mm, 1/100sec, ISO 100, f/8, polarising filter
Kalbarri, Western Australia
We were on a river cruise while the sun was setting in Kalbarri. It was one of the best I have ever experienced.
Exposure: Canon 450D, Canon 17-85mm, 17mm, 1/125sec, ISO 100, f/8, polarising filter
Restored to perfection
This is my brother's 1957 Cadillac and he has done the most amazing job on it.
Exposure: Canon 450D, Canon 17-85mm, 17mm, 1/60sec, ISO 100, f/5.6
Sun goddess
My daughter is the ultimate beach babe. This is Coral Bay, Western Australia. The ultimate in beach holidays.
Exposure: Canon 450D, Canon 17-85mm, 85mm, 1/200sec, ISO 100, f/8, polarising filter
Tradesman's entrance
This is just east of Geraldton. The closer you get, the bigger they get.
Exposure: Canon 450D, Canon 17-85mm, 56mm, 1/250sec, ISO 100, f/11
Beach treasures
The weather here has been absolutely magnificent lately. I was trying to capture a bit of everything I saw.
Exposure: Lumix DMC-LX5, 1/800, ISO 80, f/5.6
Point Moore, Geraldton, Western Australia
This is where my hubby goes crayfishing. The surf and reef here are wonderful and the lighthouse is a real landmark.
Exposure: Lumix DMC-LX5, 1/1000, ISO 80, f/5
The colours of sunset
This is the old jetty at Jurien Bay, which is about three hours north of Perth.
Exposure: Lumix DMC-LX5, 1/500, ISO 80, f/3.2
Snowboard school
I just loved all the colours at Mt Hotham, Victoria. It was a photographer's heaven.
Exposure: Canon 450D, Canon 70-300mm, 300mm, 1/1250sec, ISO 800, f/13
On top of Australia
This is on top of Mt Hotham. The most amazing view.
Exposure: Lumix DMC-LX5, 19mm, 1/800, ISO 800, f/4
Run in the sun
Exposure: Canon 450D, Canon 17-85mm, 30mm, 1/200sec, ISO 200, f/11
All the colours
This is near Yuna, Western Australia. I took the shot on this angle to get up close but also add some depth. The wildflowers are amazing this year due to all the rain we have had. Just beautiful!
Exposure: Lumix DMC-LX5, 5 mm, 1/800, ISO 80, f/4
Raindrops
The sun came out while it was still raining so I raced out and got this one in my garden.
Exposure: Lumix DMC-LX5, 5 mm, 1/1000, ISO 80, f/5.6
Fun in the flowers
This is one of those lucky shots. Rusty was running toward me and every time he landed he disappeared so I just had to guess where he was going to pop up again.
Exposure: Canon 450D, Canon 70-300mm, 300mm, 1/1000sec, ISO 800, f/13
Rome
I just love this picture. It is so interesting and every time you look at it you see something you haven't noticed before. It is taken from the top of St Peter's Basilica.
Exposure: Canon 450D, Canon 70-300mm, 245mm, 1/40sec, ISO 400, f/7.1
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