• © David Lazar
    © David Lazar
  • © David Lazar
    © David Lazar
  • © David Lazar
    © David Lazar
  • © David Lazar
    © David Lazar
  • © David Lazar
    © David Lazar
  • © David Lazar
    © David Lazar
  • © David Lazar
    © David Lazar
  • © David Lazar
    © David Lazar
  • A loving couple in Hoi An, Vietnam, share a moment of joy and happiness together in their garden as the sun sets. This photo was taken in the direct sunlight, however the sun had almost set which is why the quality of light is pleasing – the shadows are smooth and the sunlight provides some warmth. I asked them to squat down for relaxed body postures but had to make sure the background was uncluttered and as clean as possible, to keep the focus on the couple while still giving a sense of place and their daily environment. Nikon D800, 24-85mm f2.8-4 lens @ 50mm, 1/200s @ f7.1, ISO 500.
    A loving couple in Hoi An, Vietnam, share a moment of joy and happiness together in their garden as the sun sets. This photo was taken in the direct sunlight, however the sun had almost set which is why the quality of light is pleasing – the shadows are smooth and the sunlight provides some warmth. I asked them to squat down for relaxed body postures but had to make sure the background was uncluttered and as clean as possible, to keep the focus on the couple while still giving a sense of place and their daily environment. Nikon D800, 24-85mm f2.8-4 lens @ 50mm, 1/200s @ f7.1, ISO 500.
  • In this low-light portrait, the local Burmese man was sitting on the floor of a dark temple, but close to the doorway which provided a strong, focused light in an otherwise dark scene. Smoke illuminated by light is always very powerful in photography.
    In this low-light portrait, the local Burmese man was sitting on the floor of a dark temple, but close to the doorway which provided a strong, focused light in an otherwise dark scene. Smoke illuminated by light is always very powerful in photography.
  • The background here is even and blue which compliments the young Bengali man and adds a sense of calmness with a focus on the man. The photo was actually taken in a market place, with very cluttered and busy scenes all around. I had him squat down to provide a natural and relaxed body posture, instead of simple standing up for a less intimate feeling portrait. Nikon D800, 24-85mm f2.8-4 lens @ 70mm, 1/125s @ f5.6, ISO 500.
    The background here is even and blue which compliments the young Bengali man and adds a sense of calmness with a focus on the man. The photo was actually taken in a market place, with very cluttered and busy scenes all around. I had him squat down to provide a natural and relaxed body posture, instead of simple standing up for a less intimate feeling portrait. Nikon D800, 24-85mm f2.8-4 lens @ 70mm, 1/125s @ f5.6, ISO 500.
  • © David Lazar
    © David Lazar
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Foto Live Speaker profile: David Lazar

16 July 2018
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David Lazar is a travel photographer from Brisbane, Australia, who captures moments of life, culture and beauty through photography, and he'll be gracing the stage at FOTOLIVE ON 5 August. Here's four quick questions with the master travel photographer.

1) What is it about photography you love?

I love the freedom to be creative and expressive in this unique visual art form. I like to conceptualise, play, experiment and challenge myself with composition and light. Because my focus is travel photography, I also feel very satisfied to shoot because I have pushed myself to go outside my comfort zone and the result is always enriching and mind broadening.

I find myself visiting amazing places, meeting interesting people, and I see culture and beauty that I may not have otherwise witnessed if not for my travel photography work.

2. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing photographers today?

I suppose there’s a challenge to keep creating original work, especially in the travel photography scene. As more and more people travel to locations that previously were visited by few, we start to see similar scenes coming up again and again in photographers’ work online, in publications and in competitions. Keeping a fresh eye and looking for unique takes on visited locations, or pushing yourself to travel to less photographed places and creating original work is certainly important.

3) Can you tell me the story behind your favourite image?

I met Tuli playing outdoors with a group of friends and neighbours while exploring a rural part of Bangladesh. While introducing myself to the playful and excited group, I noticed one girl, Tuli, with striking green eyes, also wearing a green t-shirt with the Bangladeshi flag on it. I told her she has beautiful eyes and asked if I could come back the next afternoon to take her photo, as the sun had already set and the light was fading.

 

The following afternoon I returned and was very welcomed by her family and invited to eat biscuits and drink tea inside her house. She showed me her room and her artwork – she likes to draw fantasy style drawings. I then took some photos of Tuli sitting on the steps to the entrance of her house using natural light coming from the sky above, between the rooftops.

4) What can people expect from your talk at live?

I will be talking about the art of photography, and giving practical advice and information on creating stronger compositions, using the natural light, working with people and a little bit about post processing.

 

More than providing a travelogue of my journeys abroad, I want to impart my knowledge and give tips for taking powerful and artistic photos that convey emotion, which for me is the key element to this exciting visual medium. I also hope to inspire, and to meet other like-minded photographers and talk all things photography!
 

David Lazar is one of eight amazing speakers at our one day photography event, FOTO LIVE. Find out more here.

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