Ryan Clennett / Member Interview
His passion for exploring is what constantly pushes him to keep improving his craft and capture the strongest images possible.
Beyond photography, Ryan is a dedicated coffee addict, road trip enthusiast, and lover of a good waffle.
Calgary, Canada
What inspired you to become a photographer?
Initially, it was probably how many people find themselves picking up a camera. I was looking for an artistic outlet and I wanted a platform to create something. It also seemed like a ton of fun! But what inspires me now to keep pushing myself and growing as a photographer is rooted in a desire to share moments and tell better stories with my images.
Tell us about your first photo that really validated your interest as a photographer.
When I first started out taking photos, the images I was most drawn to were HDR images, albeit, having absolutely no idea what that meant. I was just completely taken aback by how vibrant and captivating they were. My style and interest has shifted quite substantially now, but one of the first photos I ever shared on social media was my first attempt at a bracketed photo. I somewhat cringe looking at it now (I didn’t even use a tripod), but this sunset photo at a place called the Big Rock just outside of my hometown of Calgary, AB was the jumping off point for me. I threw this photo up casually on Instagram and the feedback I received was incredible. People actually liked it! I was blown away. At that point my mindset shifted from “I have no idea how any of this works”, to “I still don’t really know how this works but I’m stoked to figure it out”. That thirst for knowledge was all I needed.
Back when you were just starting out, what was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome that?
I’m still starting out! I’m only into year two of what will hopefully be a lifelong process of constantly pushing myself to try and take a stronger photo than the one before. But for right now, I think the longest process is trying to develop a unique style. This isn’t something that you figure out overnight. You try something out; it doesn’t work so you try again. I’ve re-edited photos countless times to get a better feel for what I like and most importantly what I don’t like. This all gets flushed out with time and quite a bit of patience.
What do you enjoy photographing the most?
Landscapes became the obvious subject matter for me as I was already falling in love with the mountains and I was starting to make more of point to get out and enjoy them. Being able to document what I was exploring was the natural progression. I am by no means an adventure photographer, however, becoming a better explorer has made me a better photographer. Hands down.
What has been your proudest moment as a photographer?
I don’t know if I have a singular moment that I have been proudest of yet, but the most memorable is an easy one. And that was when I saw the northern lights for the first time. I’m sure for anyone who has seen them they have a memory like this that is so vivid in their mind that they can place themselves back in that exact moment. Over the Christmas holidays last year, I was at my parents’ house in Canmore and the aurora report for that evening was all signs pointing to active skies. Better yet, it was going to be a clear night from clouds. My Dad and I hopped in the car and drove out to Two Jack Lake in Banff that night. After spending over an hour taking aurora-less shots in the frozen dead of night, I remember my Dad pointing up and exclaiming to take a look as the aurora finally appeared in the dark sky. I was completely floored by how vibrant and captivating it was. It’s been thrilling to see them every time since then, but it’s hard to compare to seeing the light show dance above you for the first time.
Nailing a composite right can be a challenge. What do you think the trick is to mastering composition?
Besides the basics you’ll hear over and over like using leading lines, rule of thirds, filling the frame, etc. I really think that repetition and learning from your mistakes is the most important. Especially with digital photography there is no reason not to try out as many different angles, focal lengths, DOF as you can when you’re out shooting. Some people will argue that doing this places less emphasis on any singular shot and that you’re shooting with less intent, but I think it’s tough to really understand composition unless you bring home a volume of shots and start sifting through multiple images of the same scene. This way you can start figuring out for yourself what you like and don’t like about an image. You will automatically hate 95% of them and you can go ahead and trash them. No worries. But for the 2-3 of a scene you like you will begin your own constructive criticism of what makes one shot better than another. Ultimately, you will start to find out what works and what doesn’t. In summary: Shoot. A lot.
How do you feel photography has impacted the way you see the world?
There is a common misconception that photographers don’t take the time to appreciate what they are photographing because their head is stuck behind a camera. But I have never felt so connected to a place as when I take photos of it. I spend hours exploring as much of a place as I can. Walking up and down a shoreline looking for foreground objects to place in the shot. Paying attention to how the sun breaks through the clouds and interacts with your subject. Watching how dynamically the light changes as the sun rises. I think more than anything, photography has helped me develop a stronger appreciation for the places that I visit.
What do you see photographers doing today, that if done differently tomorrow would improve their success?
I'm not sure there's one specific thing that holds true for everybody. But if you have dedication and a passion for your craft, that will always shine through in your work and keep you on the best track for success.
What would you like for people take away from your work?
Ultimately, being able to tell a story with an image and having people connect on deeper, emotional level is my goal. But until then, I’m pretty stoked if people simply have a “holy sh*t” moment for a second.
What are some ‘must have’ items in your camera bag?
? A camera! But kidding aside, I don’t really have anything too crazy. Something I use every time I shoot, though, is a Lenspen to clean my glass. Boring, I know. But it’s probably one of the most useful $10 you can spend for your camera. Besides that, I absolutely love my Lee Filters Big Stopper ND filter as well as my Peak Designs Capture clip.
Final question, and it’s a fun one: Life has been found on another planet and none-other than Sir Richard Branson is piloting Virgin Galactic and has put together a team of engineers, scientist, doctors and has asked you to come along to document the journey. The challenge is you can only bring two lenses and one camera body and two other items. What would you bring?
iPhone only! Aliens and Snapchat seem like a good recipe for some fun times... I probably wouldn't be asked back for a return mission ;-)
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