12 (87) Spotlight on exams, p. 152 — Module 8

Spotlight on exams, module 8, listening page 152.0:00

Good evening, listeners.0:09

Today we're talking with award winning photographer Anthony Cullen.0:11

Hello, Anthony.0:15

And welcome to tonight's Expert Chat.0:16

Hi, Emily.0:19

Thank you for inviting me.0:20

You're welcome.0:21

So, Anthony, how long have you been working as a photographer?0:23

I've been a professional photographer my entire adult life.0:27

But I have been taking photographs ever since I was a young child.0:30

It was my father who encouraged me.0:34

He was a keen amateur photographer and knowing what an enjoyable pastime it was, he wanted to share it with both my sister and myself.0:36

My grandfather was also keen on photography, so you could say my father kept up a family tradition.0:45

It sounds like you had a lot of fun.0:52

Oh, yes.0:54

My childhood is full of happy memories of my father and me going on weekend trips with our cameras.0:55

Looking back now, it was a wonderful way to spend quality time together.1:02

When did photography start to be more than a pastime for you?1:07

The summer I turned 15, I won the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.1:10

My photograph, which I had taken on a family holiday to Africa two years earlier, was of a pride of lions eating an antelope.1:17

I remember I had sat for hours in the sun, waiting patiently for the perfect shot.1:25

What made you decide to enter the competition?1:31

Actually, it wasn't my decision.1:34

My father entered the photograph in the competition without my knowledge.1:36

He told me afterwards it was because he wanted to encourage me.1:41

He certainly did that.1:44

You can't imagine my amazement when, when I found out that I had won.1:46

That was the moment when I realized beyond all doubt what it was I wanted to do with my life.1:51

So how did you go about turning your passion into a profession?1:57

At 15, I knew a career in photography was for me.2:01

In my senior year of high school, I applied to all the top photography colleges on the East Coast.2:05

I chose one in New York and started there immediately after I finished school.2:11

In my final year there, I won a summer apprenticeship at the National Geographic Society.2:16

They must have liked my work because after I graduated, I was offered a job with them.2:21

And how did that go?2:25

Terrific.2:27

Next month I will have been working for them for two decades.2:29

What aspects of photography do you consider important?2:33

For me, photography is most definitely about art.2:36

Being able to appreciate color, lighting, shadow and texture, for instance, will help you get the best shots.2:40

But equally important are the technical aspects of photography.2:48

It's not just a case of point and shoot.2:52

You need to know what type of camera, shutter speed, exposure, and so on and so forth is going to capture your subject and the moment best if you don't have this technical knowledge, you can produce results you really2:55

like, but without knowing why they worked or how to reproduce them.3:09

I see.3:14

What is being a professional photographer like?3:15

Basically, professional photography is a lifestyle.3:18

It involves weeks, sometimes months of travel on the road when you're on an assignment.3:22

These long periods of absence can cause a strain on family relationships, although I am happy to say that I have never particularly had any problems of that nature.3:28

And for me, the opportunity to travel the world to see places and things that most people can only dream of makes up for any disadvantages.3:38

Do you ever get tired of it all?3:47

You know, just want to stay home and slow down?3:49

I never get bored in my profession.3:52

I've been in the deepest, darkest depths of the Amazon rainforest, trekked across the deserts of Africa, sailed the wild seas of Antarctica.3:54

I've stared into the eyes of a snow leopard and watched in awe a million wildebeest cross the African plains.4:04

But out of all the things I've seen and experienced, I think the most important thing I've gained is a deep appreciation of the incredible wonders of nature and the beauty of our planet.4:12

Nothing compares to that.4:24

Wow, that does sound incredible.4:26

Thank you for coming on the show, Antony.4:28

We're all looking forward to enjoying more of your work.4:31

Thank you.4:34