Name: Samuel Hall
School/Year: It’s complicated — changing uni’s isn’t a fun process.
Major: Physiotherapy
Hometown: Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Activities/Clubs: I’m not really a part of any clubs, but I surf a lot (biggest grommet).
How did you get into photography?
When I was 18 years old I was extremely physically active. I trained for multiple state teams 7 days a week as well as surfing every day. Unfortunately, during the grand final of a sport called Oztag, I blew my knee and needed a full knee reconstruction. In order to still be involved with my sporting friends, I picked up a camera around my 19th birthday and decided to document life through photography and writing as I saw it through my eyes.
What type of camera/lens do you have?
I have a Canon 7D, with multiple lenses that include 100-400mm Canon L, 18-200mm Canon, 24-70mm Canon L, 50mm Canon, 10-17mm Tokina Fisheye.
Have you ever had your work published? If so, tell us about that experience
I’ve had a few things published actually. Most majorly was a photo in Surfing Life Magazine, which is one of the biggest surf magazines around Australia. Other than that I helped to start a culture magazine on the Sunshine Coast called Delirium Magazine and I’m involved with writing and photography content for that, each issue that is released. It’s the most incredible experience seeing your photo as something tangible and physical; it’s what I miss most about film cameras.
Tell us about your favorite picture you have ever taken (and please share the photo with us)!
That’s such an incredibly difficult question to answer; every single photograph I take has some profound story or meaning behind it, so to pick a single favourite is about as painful as pulling teeth or picking your favourite goon sack. It’s also difficult picking because every time you take a photo you improve, so maybe the next photo I take will be the best. Currently my favourite shot is a toss up between these two. I’ll let everyone else decide.
Do you have any advice/tips for anyone who is interested in photography?
Keep a camera with you always. Staged scenes are frustratingly predictable and boring, but those split second moments that take your breath away take a quick reaction and good knowledge of your camera. View the world like you’re looking through a camera: view moments in time with depth of field and focus upon the foreground or background. Learn to see the world from a different angle and perspective. Speak to people, network, and socialize. Learn the difference between getting in someone’s face to take a photo and hiding in the background to get uncensored reactions and learn the different situations they should be used. Create a form of social media and interact-as poisonous as it can be, it’s a photographer’s best friend.
Give us one fun fact about you!
I eat a bowl of cereal every night after dinner (that’s fun, right?)
Lastly, if you could pick next week’s campus celebrity, who would it be and why?
I honestly couldn’t pick. I think everyone has his or her own unique story and if I could feature on this, then anyone else could.