Name: Tim Pierce
Home Town: Wanaka, New Zealand
Home Base: Constantly changing, Wanaka for the NZ Winter, Auckland NZ during the summer, America and Europe at other times.
Home Page: www.zerosandones.co.nz, www.timpierce.wordpress.com
Sponsors/employer: F-Stop Gear
Sports Photographed: Snowboarding, Skiing, Mountain bike, BMX
Favorite subject: The World.
Recent Projects: Atomic Catalog, Northface Advertising, Winter of Wells Video Series, Redbull Chronicles
Do you remember when you realized photography was more than a point and shoot camera?
I certainly do. I was 16 and had discovered the limits of my dads 2mp point and shoot digital camera. (breaking technology at the time) I started to become intrigued with photography and curious about just how those amazing images that inspired me. It all started snowballing from there.
What was your first camera? And what is your current.
My first camera was a Nikon D70. I shot on that body for a couple of years and built up my lenses/flashes around it, it was an incredible entry level digital SLR. I have just jumped ship to Canon and will be onboard the 5DMK2 with a bunch of prime glass. On the video side of things I shoot on a Panasonic HVX200a.
What has photography done to your life?
Photography has given me one hell of an interesting life. I fill almost every day with creating imagery of some sort, and if I'm not creating I'm constantly thinking about it. I can't really imagine what I'd be doing with out photography in my life - Probably getting to ride alot more!
As a career photography has let you see much of the world. Where are the places you wish to return or are most memorable?
Yeah! Best perk of the job. I am very fortunate to have traveled alot in pursuit of work. Spending a month in Japan was a huge eye opener for me, a bit of a culture shock at a young age, amazing food and snow that I had always heard and dreamed of. Berlin also opened my eyes this year, I got to spend a couple of days outside of work checking out the city. It was very inspirational.
Being an action sport photographer, one would generally assume you also play the games you shoot. What are favorite sports to do with out a camera bag on your back?
Yip, I try to delve into almost every sport that I shoot. Mountainbiking comes first for me, followed close behind by snowboarding. I get so pumped everytime the camera bag comes off.
Who or what do you look too find inspiration in?
I try to look for inspiration across a very wide range of creative people and subjects. I look at musicians, graphic designers, artists, professional athletes and of course all sorts of action sports photographers and film makers. Traveling also gives me inspiration, stories that I see unfold before me start all sorts of ideas firing off in my brain.
Life behind a lens means being witness to the best of times and the worst. Please let us know an experience from each.
Best: Watching world first riding going down through your view finder in disbelief. Shaun Whites run at the NZ Burton Open Halfpipe this year is a prime example.
Worst: Watching people get hurt through my view finder and feeling like an absolute twat for suggesting that shot.
What would you say to a young shooter with who dreams of traveling the world taking photos of the elite athletes in our sports?
Get out there and do it! Photography equipment is becoming incredibly cheap and accessible, all the knowledge is out there on the internet and the world is your oyster. Don't get blinded if you don't succeed immediately. If you enjoy it, persist. Hard work always pays off.
Tell us one over looked lesson you have learned in the photo business:
Shooting imagery is about 70% of the work. If you can't tie in the final 30% in business you will find it hard to make a career is a photographer. Take time to understand exactly how advertising and the industry that you are in works, find your niche and always be professional with your clients.
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