Travel, People and Places: The Photography of Nicholas Anderson

For Nicholas Anderson, travel photography is about being aware of the world around him and recognising those fleeting moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. From candid portraits in Laos to landscapes and famous places seen from different perspectives, his Olympus cameras have accompanied him on many journeys. With a compact, discreet kit and a preference for natural-looking images, Nicholas shares his approach to travel photography.

Introduce yourself and tell us how photography came into your life. Where did the journey begin?
I got interested in photography many years ago and had one or two film cameras but never achieved much.  Since digital came out, I have used Olympus compact, Panasonic bridge and now Olympus M43 cameras.

My introduction was the E-PL1, which I still have. Then, the E-M10 and E-M10 IIIs . I have lots of lenses but prefer the low profile of primes rather than zoom lenses. 

I have been fortunate to travel a fair bit, and my photos fall into the Travel and Landscape category. I like photographing people and landscapes mainly.

How would you describe your photographic style today, and how has it changed over the years?
My style hasn’t changed over the years, but I get more keepers! The quality of my Olympus cameras has made a huge difference.

Which photographers have shaped the way you see, and what exactly did you take from them?
Landscapes I think I was influenced by Charlie Waite and David Noton. Travel photos would be Mitchell Kanashkevic and Nicolas Castermans.

If someone could see only one of your photographs, which would you choose to represent your work — and why that one?
I have a photo of a mother and child in Laos. It means a lot to me as it was really my first candid photo on my travels, and her face shows motherhood.

Which area of photography best describes your work?
Travel Photography.

What drew you to Travel Photography, and what keeps you exploring the world with a camera?
Travel is wonderful, and capturing moments for reflection is great. I am currently looking through my back photos and finding many that I overlooked before.

When you arrive somewhere new, what catches your attention first?
A passing moment or a certain scene. I like “between moments” or different images of famous places.

Travel photography mixes landscape, people, culture and everyday life. How do you decide which story to tell?
Whatever catches my eye. Sometimes all of them.

Tell us about a journey that changed the way you see travel photography.
A trip to the Far East where the images were numerous. People and places and different light.

How much do you need to immerse yourself in a place before you can photograph it honestly?
I don’t. I am aware of images that need taking. If I spend longer somewhere, then there are more opportunities.

What camera and lenses are at the heart of your kit right now, and what makes them right for the way you work?
The Olympus E-M10 Mark IIIs, E-M10 Mark I, E-PL1, Olympus 14-42mm I&II R, Olympus 12-50mm, Panasonic 20mm f1.7, Sigma 19mm F2.8, Olympus 45mm, Panasonic 35-100 F3.5-F5.6.

Also have a few TTartisan lenses and a Sigma 60mm, but my ideal travel kit is the E-M10 Mark IIIs and 20mm, 45mm, 14-42R and 35-100 lenses. All fit in a very small bag and are inconspicuous. I don’t change lenses much when out.

Which Picture Mode, Art Filter, colour profile or custom camera settings do you keep coming back to, and why do they suit the way you see?
I do not use picture modes, art filters, colour profile (colourblind) or settings other than A priority, setting white balance in camera but save in Raw. Occasionally I might use Partial Colour in post-production on images with lots of greenery.  Oh, and occasionally use Dark Sky Mode in camera.

What keeps you working with the Olympus / OM System, and what would you miss most if you switched away from it?
I would miss my 45mm f1.8, the small form factor of an E-M10 and Live Comp.

Walk us through your editing workflow — which software do you use, and how much of the final image is made after the shutter closes?
I have tried lots of software, but I like RawTherapee. After Raw processing, I save in TIFF. Occasionally I might open OM Workspace and use partial color.

I don’t like to do much processing apart from lightening shadows and maybe contrast. It depends on the light available at the time of capture.

What are you usually trying to achieve in post-processing — and what do you deliberately leave untouched?
I try to be as faithful to the original scene. I dislike photos that have been pushed too much and have skies changed.

If you could leave a single piece of photographic wisdom for someone picking up a camera today, what would it be?
Photograph what appeals to you. Don’t try to copy someone else.

Looking back, what is the most valuable lesson photography has taught you?
Be aware of your surroundings.

Which single accessory could you not work without — and what would you lose without it?
Neck strap. Possibly the camera!

How has your relationship with gear changed over the years, and what drove those changes?
I appreciate what I have and don’t pine for more gear. I have bought lenses looking for “that lens” and find I don’t or hardly use it (Olympus 12mm and Sigma 60mm).

What are you working on right now, and where can readers follow it?
I have a lot of images on Ephotozine under the name of Deland.