Taking photos like an expert “Tania Kühl “

Tell as a bit about yourself?

I’m a shy Afrikaans girl who grew up on a farm in Mpumalanga. I’ve moved from small towns to big cities and I eventually ended up in Johannesburg where I knew from the word go that I wanted to study art. Wits offered me the most amazing platform at their School of Arts, and after my three years I moved to Pietermaritzburg and went on to complete my Honours and Masters through UKZN.  I became very passionate about all forms of art through my studies and tried a little bit of everything.

When did you discover you have a passion for photography?

It was shortly before I turned 16 and I begged and begged my parents to buy me a camera for my upcoming birthday. They obliged me with a little point-and-shoot. It meant the world to me and became a permanent resident in my schoolbag. The first thing I did was head to the beach to take photos of my friends! I went to the mall with my mom to have them printed and I couldn’t wait to open that green envelope and look at them. It was only later that I realised photography could become a career for me.

What’s your favourite form of photography, example: Photographing landscapes, objects, people etc. and why this particular form?

My work varies so much and you’ll find a little bit of everything in there. I think most of what you’ll see are objects and landscapes. I am particularly fond of capturing different textures and interesting compositions.

What camera and accessories do you currently use? I have a backpack that goes everywhere with me. Inside you’ll find a Canon EOS 450D with a standard 18-55mm lens. I also carry a Sigma 70-300mm lens for getting up close and, my favourite, a Sigma 50mm f1.4 prime lens which is great for portraits and low-light conditions. An essential item for me is an external flash (I use a Canon Speedlite 430EXII). I recently discovered the joys of a polarized filter which has also found a home in my trusty backpack.  

What makes your photography different to other photographers’ work?

I generally don’t use subject matter to convey a mood but rather the textures, composition and colour of the subject matter. This is why I have such a huge variety of subjects, but they are all drawn together by the story they tell. The landscapes, wildlife, and objects all share a sense of isolation and nostalgia. It’s the way the images communicate; the contrast between them is what I think makes my work interesting.

Do you have any advice to anyone wanting to become an amateur photographer?

Never leave your camera at home and photograph everything! There are very few things you can’t turn into an interesting picture. Even the most boring object can become aesthetically pleasing through textures, composition and lighting. Force yourself to take photos of seemingly ‘mundane’ things by walking through your own home or garden and getting 10 good photos from the experience. And, of course, always make sure your battery is charged!

What features do you normally like to shoot in, “most of the time” (manual, RAW, AV, TV etc.) and why do you use this specific setting most of the time?

My camera generally stays on TV mode. I’m often on the go and my pictures aren’t preempted so I have to be ready. TV mode allows me to quickly change the exposure without having to spend too much time fiddling with settings. I only shoot in RAW when the lighting isn’t great and I know I’ll need to brighten the images in Photoshop at a later stage.

For more information contact Tania Kühl  or Email her at taniakuhl@gmail.com

Photos and information supplied to ShowMe Durban by Tania Kühl, Tania Kühl Photography 

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