Photographer Profile: Nick Cable

Where are you based?

I am based in the heart of the Somerset Levels, which gives me easy access to the West Country and the surrounding coastline.

What's your preferred subject matter?

I take mainly landscape and wildlife images, but I have many other interests including architecture, aviation and indeed panoramas. I do not call myself a landscape or wildlife photographer as I just enjoy taking pictures, of almost anything!

What first got you into photography?

I first borrowed my father’s Practika SLR when I was 15 and started developing my own black & white pictures in the bathroom. Luckily my first print of our pet dog came out very well, and I was hooked!

Are you a film or digital photographer.

I am a digital photographer through and through ! I much prefer being in total control of how an image is processed and printed as I was often disappointed at the results I used to get from commercial processing labs. It is also more satisfying to see the results immediately and it makes the learning process so much quicker.

Where do you go to shoot and how do you prepare?

I do most of my shooting in the South West of England where I live. As time is always limited, I try to make the most out of a visit by setting an objective - perhaps by choosing a particular subject or theme. I will then do some research on the internet or by reading books, checking out the weather and tide forecasts if necessary to make sure that the shoot is possible. If it isn’t then I will try one that is.

What equipment do you use?

I am a Canon man and use a 5D MkII with a selection of ‘L’ series lenses from the wide angle 16-35mm up to the super-telephoto 500mm. These are normally secured onto my sturdy Gitzo carbon fibre tripod.

How does Pixaria fit into your workflow and what other tools do you use?

I use Lightroom and Photoshop extensively to manage and process my images. Now for the tricky part, to market and sell them – and that’s where Pixaria comes in. I have recently integrated Pixaria into my website and it allows me to price and sell products online with ease, giving access to instant downloads 24/7.

What features do you like most about Pixaria?

Pixaria has a number of desirable features allowing me to manage a large library of images. To name a few, it includes a powerful search engine, the ability for customers to purchase different types of products and even download hi-res image files.

It can be used as an off the shelf product or integrated with an existing website, as I have done, allowing you to fully customise the look and feel – you are only limited by your imagination!

What has been your greatest achievement (in photography) to date?

That is a difficult question. Probably the acceptance by Oxford Scientific Films to represent my images on their stock library. This has confirmed that there is some potential in my work and that all those hours spent in front of the keyboard have not been for nothing !

What are your plans for the future?

I have promised myself that I will go through an ever increasing backlog of images and add them to my online image library. On top of that I will be concentrating on even more landscape and architectural projects further afield.

Has your work ever been published?

Yes, I have had images published in national newspapers, magazines, books, corporate brochures and websites. It’s a great feeling to know that somebody wants to use my images!

How is the internet changing your business?

The internet allows me to market my images to a wider audience through my website which also acts as an online portfolio. It is a very competitive market with lots of people doing the same thing and so you have to stay one step ahead to make your site stand out from the others. Pixaria has helped me do this, and has simplified much of the workload allowing me to spend more time actually taking photos.