In Focus Women have started a new weekly segment where we profile and get to know some of the amazing women photographers in our community. We are starting with Sarina and Steph over the first two weeks who are the founders and curators of In Focus Women. We asked them a list of questions, we hope you enjoy.
SARINA JACKSON, SYDNEY - AUSTRALIA
I am based in Sydney, Australia, but fortunately get to travel a lot for work and mange to incorporate photography into my work travel schedule. I also have a family who loves to travel.
What sparked your interest in Photography?
I have always had a camera in my hand, I spent a lot of time in the dark room doing black and white photography through school. Mostly of people and happy snaps of holidays and family. People were always sick of me taking photos.
How long have you been shooting for?
I came to landscape photography several years ago when I got my first drone (RIP, it decided to go on a flight on its own one day). I am involved in the local surf life saving club, so spent a lot of time shooting footage of the kids training and events at Nippers. I played around with different compositions. I was still shooting with my small point and shoot, but only on auto mode.
At the beginning of last year I spent some time on the Sapphire Coast of NSW with Davey Rogers and got the bug for long exposure landscapes, sunrise and sunset and well anything in between really. I have done a few group workshops and then I did a private workshop at Coal Cliff with Steph Vella and it all clicked. I highly recommend doing either group or private workshops as they really hone in on the skills you need to improve/work on.
What is your favourite type of Photography?
Long exposure landscape photography, I live near the coast so mostly with water, I just can’t get enough flow. I love panning, which requires a different skill set. I still love my drone photography which just allows you to get such a different perspective. I am working on my mountain and cityscape work. What I love about photography is every time I go out with a camera in my hand, the conditions are different and I challenge my skills and push myself further, try new things and create something I love. I want to work on my astro skills this coming season, which needs a lot of work.
What is in your camera bag?
I shoot with the Sony A7rIV, I call it Beast Mode. I love the ability to crop and this camera allows me to do that. My main lens is the 16-35 GM 2.8 but I have the 35-70mm GM 2.8 and 70-200 GM which is my go to lens for panning. My prime is the 24mm 1.4 which is amazing for astro. When I was looking at kits I tossed up on DSLR or mirrorless and I have small hands so the mirrorless system worked really well for me. I also have the Mavic Pro 2 which is an awesome drone. I have a GoPro which I use for time lapse. I love my Sirui tripod and I use Nisi Filters. I have recently started using a Wacom Cintiq Pro tablet, which is taking some getting used to. My nickname is Gadget Girl so I suffer from gear acquisition syndrome. I always have my phone in my pocket which is the Iphone 11 Pro and the wide angle and long exposure on this camera is awesome.
What would be your dream kit?
I really love my kit. I find the colours could be better with the Sony, that is it’s biggest drawback, so maybe a camera with incredible colour. I have always dreamed of owning a Leica kit so I suppose that would be it a full SL2 kit, I have shot with a friends Leica and the colour is incredible.
What software do you use to process your images?
I mostly use Lightroom but I am using Photoshop for some cleaning up of the image. This is an area where I can really improve. When out travelling I love the ease of Lightroom mobile, I can edit and get something out pretty quickly.
Who are your top 3 photography inspirations?
Wow, I have so many, I have to say Davey Rogers as not only is he an amazing photographer, but he is a super awesome person who is doing amazing work promotion the Sapphire Coast and he has really strong beliefs in the dire state of the environment and the way in which we as humans are not taking care of it.
Rachael Stewart from New Zealand produces some of the most amazing landscape photos and I am constantly inspired by her work.
I have to say, that my fellow curator at In Focus Women, Steph Vella, produces some incredible work and spending time with her on workshops has lifted my skills. She works tirelessly in the industry and strongly believes in creating and promoting space for women photographers.
What are your top 3 bucket list locations you want to shoot?
I know it is predictable but I really want to go to Norway/Iceland/Greenland/Faroe Islands. I am heading to Antarctica next year which I am very excited about as not only is that landscape but wild life and I have no skills with wildlife. I really want to get to Western Australia as I think the colour palette for a photographer there with the vast red land, white beaches and blue water is incredible. Throw in New Zealand and Japan, I was supposed to be in Japan in March, but sadly could not go due to Corona. I really can’t pick just 3.
What are your social media handles?
Instagram @SarinaJackson
Facebook @sarinajacksonphotography
Website www.sarinajackson.com
I also am a curator of the new Instagram hub In Focus Women. I am really excited to be promoting amazing women photographers from all over the world. We are only new and already have a great little community and can’t wait to see the growth of that and the exposure we can give to such talented women.
Instagram @in.focus.women
Website www.infocuswomen.com