Philip Klinger Photography

http://fotografie.sonator.de/
http://500px.com/PhilipKlinger
http://whytake.net/Portfolio/PhilipKlinger/1598
http://www.facebook.com/PhilipKlingerNaturePhotography

What kind of equipment (camera body, lens, filters, flash, tripod, cleaning equipment other) do you use?

Nikon D600, Samyang 14/2.8, Nikon AF-S 18-35/3.5-4.5G, Nikon AF-S 28/18G, Nikon AF-D 50/1.8, Tamron 70-200/2.8, Sigma 150/2.8 Macro, Nikon AF-S 300/4, Heliopan polarizer, B&W ND filter, Velbon Sherpa Pro CF640 tripod, Markins M10 ballhead.

What do you like and dislike about your equipment, specially your camera, and how would you improve it?

Except for a few details, I think the D600 is a perfect camera for my purposes: solid enough, amazing image quality. Concerning lenses, I’m quite content but would like to have a super-tele like 400/2.8 or 500/4 and a wide angle T/S like 24/3.5 PC-E.

What is your favourite lens, and why?

The 70-200/2.8 because it suits perfect for tele landscape work which I like very much.

When you travel, what is in your essential photographic kit bag?

For normal tours I always carry everything with me – you never know what runs in front of your lens. When I go hiking e.g. in Iceland with tent and everything for a few days, then the 18-35 and 70-200 are my only lenses. Furthermore, tripod, remote control and a polarizer are essential.

What kind of software/tools do you use for post-processing, if any?

Adobe Photoshop CS6 and Kolor Autopano for panoramic works.

How long have you been taking photographs? How do you find inspiration? How do you take your pictures?

I started seriously in 2007. I get inspired by images of other photographers I like and when I meet others for going on tour together. But the best inspiration is nature itself. My pictures are a mixture of planned and accidental moments.

Which style of photography do you like the most, and why?

I like nature photography in general and would like to do more wildlife work, which normally founders on the lack of a supertele however. But my favourite genre is landscape for sure. Its compelling and challenging and it’s a great feeling when you got that special moment in a landscape scenery.

What goal are you working towards within your photography and when will you know you have reached it?

There should be no “final” goal to reach, it’s always important to try out new things. For my photographs, it is very important to me to show atmospheric and special moments in nature. Without special light or other moody circumstances, I feel like something is lacking.

Looking at your own work, which piece is your favourite? Why? Please provide a link to the picture.

I think the Aurora panorama from my trip to Iceland in 3/2013 is my most favourite work:
http://fotografie.sonator.de/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Group-4-DSC_4419_pt_DSC_4428_pt-10-images_1800px.jpg
It is because of the amazing experience this was at this particular moment. It was a show I never had seen so far and it was one of the first northern lights for me – a moment which will change your view. I’m happy that it could be stitched together, as it is of 10 single frames.

Does your work fit into any one or more distinct genres (nature, landscape, long-exposure, black-and-white, infra-red, urban, artistic, macro, vintage, vernacular, social, street)? If other, please specify.

In general, my work is mainly landscape and to some extend macro. Depending on the image, I like black and white conversions.

Are there any photography websites that you visit regularly?

Galleries like 500px are a great source of inspiration I regularly visit, besides some personal homepages of photographers I like.

What is the one most important lesson that you have learned since you started taking photographs?

That you have to be patient in nature photography. You might have to try it ten or twenty times without satisfying results, but  there will always be this one moment which will compensate for all the effort.

And finally, what other interesting photographers would you like to see in this blog?

Martin and Stevie Amm from Naturfranken: http://www.fotocommunity.de/fotograf/naturfranken/fotos/1899385