Solving Puzzles: Photographer Neil Wade

Meet Neil Wade on this week’s Photog Friday. The professional photographer was first published at 16. Living in Asia for 5 years, his portfolio is full of stunning images. Every shot is a puzzle, says Neil. How does he solves these puzzles? What’s in Neil’s future? Read on and learn more about this amazing photographer.

Photographer Neil Wade

Name: Neil Wade

Country of residence: Taiwan

Brief Bio:
I grew up skateboarding and snowboarding in the suburbs just outside of Philadelphia.  My first article was published in Thrasher magazine at the age of 16, so I guess I’ve been a professional photographer for about 20 years.  I graduated university with a B.S. in Biology and have never taken a photography class.   I’ve been obsessed with traveling since the age of 17, when I spent a summer driving to California and living in an old VW van.  I moved to Taiwan almost 5 years ago to be closer to all the places I’ve always wanted to visit in Asia.

How did you first get interested in photography?
I’m one of those guys that was just always interested in it.  In my early teens, I remember playing with my mom’s Canon AE-1 and getting frustrated that I couldn’t get the exposures right…  I’ve been a Nikon man ever since!

© Neil Wade - Taipei 101 Couple

What do you like to shoot?
I’m probably best known for my travel photography, but lately I’ve been enjoying the commercial work that I do more and more.  Whatever I photograph, I like the results to be clean and simple.  I like to make photos that the viewer doesn’t have to think about too much.

What’s your approach to photography, your philosophy? What do you look for? How do you set-up a shot?
I look at any photograph or assignment as a puzzle to be solved.  I begin to think about the final image and start to plan how I’m going to achieve it long before I put the camera to my eye.  An infinite number of small variables can make a photo better.  Lens, angle and exposure selections are only a small part of what will eventually be the finished image.  I don’t usually use Photoshop heavily to alter my images, but many, many small adjustments can be made in post that will affect the image.

© Neil Wade - Tibet Ganden

What is the best photo you have taken? Why? Background and details, please…
That’s really a tough question.  There are quite a few that touch my heart for a number of reasons, but those might not be the same ones that other people like the most.  The one of a small boy that I used to teach English to, comes to mind.

What gear are you using? What else do you want to buy?
My main camera is a Nikon D700.  I wouldn’t make any changes to it other than to give it video and somehow insert it into my eye so I don’t have to hold it up to my face.

Which area of photography would you like to explore further (macro, landscapes, portraits)?
I’d like to put some more effort into macro photography.  I find the world to be very interesting on that small scale.  I haven’t really done much of it yet, but a macro lens is definitely in my future.

© Neil Wade - Asian Child

Where do you see your photography 5 years from now?
I’d like to continue to progress with the commercial work that I’ve been doing but still have time to do some personal projects and travel more.

What the best advice you would give to fellow photographers?
The advice that most photographers give here is to shoot lots and lots of photos.  I agree with that, but I think it’s even more important to think about your photography.  Develop a style.  Look at the photos you’ve taken and try to figure out why some are good and some are not.  Think about everything: the subject, the light, the shutter speed, the aperture, the angle, the lens used, the color, the white balance, the contrast, the sharpness…etc.  Think about what you could do to make it better and apply that knowledge the next time you’re shooting a similar subject.

Where can we find your images?
http://neilwade.com
http://taiwan-photography-blog.com/