Interview with Niki Colemont from Belgium

I have never followed a course or attend a school to learn photography. I made many mistakes and learned from it, that is how learned photography!

Trial and error made me the photographer that I am today!

In 2014, my first wildlife photograph that I captured was a photograph of a Great Tit tending to its nest and quickly took flight in search of food.

I had borrowed the Nikon D3100 and a Nikkor 18-300mm zoom lens from my in laws because I did possess any equipment of my own.

My aspirations include winning more photography awards and sharing my expertise with fellow photographers. Furthermore, I aim to inspire budding photographers to continue their journey, discover their unique subjects, and nurture their passion, much like how I discovered mine.

The personal challenges I've faced in my life serve as a source of inspiration for me to capture greater joy in my photographs. Having encountered numerous hardships, my desire is to motivate others to focus on the brighter aspects of life.

I try to capture the dark side of nature but I also try to capture moments of joy and positivity. It depends on my personal mood and share them with others. There are many ways to spread positivity and inspire others and I think I have finally captured the essence to portray all these powerful feelings through my photography.

Captivating, funny and creative!

Winning a photography competition is a great way to boost my confidence and to motivate me to enter more award programs as there is no better way to get recognition in the photography world!

When choosing my pictures to enter for the 2023 European Photography Awards, it was important for me to consider the theme and criteria of the competition. I wanted to make sure my work aligns with the requirements needed and to ultimately stand out from other entries.

I love to select unique and creative photos that showcases their individual style and perspective. By doing so, I can differentiate myself from other photographers and I hope to increase my chances of winning!

I now have greater self-assurance in presenting my abilities to the world. Prior to venturing into photography, I had doubts about the quality of my work.

Máté Bence and Heikki Put.

The best piece of advice that I ever received was to go beyond my comfort zone and this definitely gave me the courage to explore more themes and styles of photography.

Understanding the technical aspects of photography is definitely important if you want to take great photos. Exposure, aperture, and ISO are three key elements that you should understand.

In addition to these technical aspects, it's also important to understand how your subject behaves. Whether you're photographing humans or animals, knowing how they move and react can help you capture more spontaneous and natural-looking photos.

Having a clear vision or concept for your photographs can help you create a cohesive body of work and stand out from others. Lastly, taking enough time on your subject and being patient can allow you to capture the perfect shot. Don't be afraid to experiment and try new things.

To stay in a receptive space for new information and knowledge, it's important to have an open mind and be willing to learn. Keeping up with industry trends and advancements can also help you stay ahead of the game. Upgrading to a mirrorless system camera can definitely provide new opportunities for photographers, as they offer many advantages over traditional DSLR cameras, such as lighter weight, faster autofocus, and improved video capabilities.

If you want to become a photographer, try not to be scared of making mistakes. Even if you miss a shot, there will always be a next time to try again which is why you shouldn’t give up on trying to reach your goals. You can start small in your own garden or house, experiment with ideas. Every and any object can be interesting!