Interview: landscape & astrophotographer Jonny Hill

Born and raised in the British countryside, landscape and astrophotographer Jonny Hill has grown his love of photography in the American Southwest. Now living in Utah, he spends his time searching for unique locations and compositions to photograph. As an MPB user, he talks about the importance of having a durable affordable kit for his outdoor shoots. Over to you, Jonny.

MPB: Can you tell us about your background in photography? How did you get into photography?

JH: My father introduced me to photography at a young age. He always had a camera with him on our family trips and I was fascinated by it. I ended up studying it at school, when I was 16, for A-levels. However, I only got serious about pursuing it as a career in 2019.

MPB: What is your process for finding locations?

JH: Many pieces of my work are from well-known locations here in the American southwest. However, when looking for a new location, I go straight to Google Earth and look in 3D view to find a location that catches my eye. I feel this is the best way to scout potential compositions before heading out to view them in person.

I try to give myself plenty of time when I get to the location, as—more often than not—my composition ends up changing due to the light and conditions being different to what I had planned or imagined.

MPB: MPB: Your work is dominated by the natural world but often has a human perspective. Do you feel like this helps the viewer imagine themselves there?

JH: Absolutely. That is the number one reason why I put either myself or a friend in a lot of my photographs. It allows the viewer to feel that they are in that location themselves. It also adds an element of scale, which can help the photograph feel more dramatic.

I definitely lean toward the typical golden hour time of day. For the most part, the light is very soft and the scene has no harsh shadows or contrast.

MPB: How important is the durability and ruggedness of your kit? Has this affected your equipment choices?

JH: This is a very important thing for me, especially having equipment that is weather sealed. I currently use both Canon and Sony FE mirrorlesscameras with a myriad of Tamron lenses. These are just cameras I have gotten used to using, and enjoy using. It is important to know that any camera these days is more than capable, just pick something you enjoy using.

MPB: How important is it to have the right travel partner?

JH: Often I will travel with my wife, but I also have a few solid close friends who are always down for an adventure. It is vital to travel with someone who understands how much time photography consumes. There’s a lot of waiting around and patience involved.

MPB: How has the pandemic affected your ability to work? How have you kept going and stayed creative? 

JH: Client work definitely slowed down, but thankfully I was still able to travel within the state of Utah. I spent a lot of time on the road—following social distance guidelines, of course. The pandemic also forced me to branch out and I started a new Instagram, where I photographed my office setup. It opened up new doors to tech companies I have been able to work with.

MPB: What are your future plans?

JH: Within the next year, I plan to go to Canada and Iceland to take photos. And, in the summer of 2022, I will be starting astrophotography workshops here in Utah.

MPB: What advice would you give anyone looking to get into photography?

JH: It’s easy to get caught up in gear, but just find something that you enjoy using. In the end, a camera is a tool and it’s important to just enjoy the process. Also, light is the most important factor in a photograph. Keep making photos in different light conditions to understand how it works and affects a scene.