Abi Coop
Name: Abi Coop
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Favourite type of photography: Nature and all kinds of creative photography
Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK
Website: wildandlovedphotography.mypixieset.com
Instagram: @abicoop28
How did you get into photography?
I've always enjoyed photography, but it was only during 2020 that I really began to develop my skills. I was struggling to cope with lockdown and homeschooling, and found a welcome distraction in taking my camera out on our daily walk. I borrowed a macro lens from a friend and it really helped my mental health to focus on capturing the beautiful detail of our natural world. It quickly became a passion and I worked hard to learn as much as I could and to develop a unique voice.
Do you have any photographic qualifications or accolades?
No qualifications as I've largely taught myself, but I'm proud to have had various images published in books and magazines, and more recently, one of my images displayed at an exhibition in Covent Garden
What's the first photograph you remember seeing or shooting?
I remember having my own camera to take on a school trip to the Isle of Wight. With only the capacity for 36 photos across the course of a week I had to be very selective with what I shot. My favourite animal at the time was pigs, and quite a number of those 36 were of the tiny piglets we saw at a farm.
What do you love about photography?
What I love about photography is how freeing and therapeutic it feels. I can lose myself in nature, focus on God’s beautiful creation, and forget the world for a little while. I love being able to blend that enchanting beauty with creativity, playing with light, colour, and blur, to craft imagery in my unique, ethereal style.
Read about Creative Photography, What it is and How to Get Started
What do you wish you'd learned about photography earlier?
I wish I had known how much I loved photography and started shooting long before I did!
Where is your favourite place for photography?
In a country garden, full of bees, butterflies and interesting, colourful flowers.
Do you have a favourite photographic technique?
I love to use creative effect lenses such as Lensbaby. I also love freelensing and reverse freelensing, and creating multiple exposures. I can't limit myself to just one technique!
Read our Guide to the Best Lensbaby Lenses
Can you briefly outline your approach to image processing?
I have the Adobe Photography plan, with Lightroom, Adobe Camera Raw and Photoshop, and I use all three for the majority of my images. For the most part, each image I edit is different (genres, lighting, colours etc) and so I hand-edit according to the needs of each. Sometimes I will use a preset as a base or add it later on at a low opacity. The presets are either ones I have created myself or one of a few others I like. I love to create and use overlays in my images, and will often add one or two for a finishing touch.
What's your favourite lens?
Tough question! I will go for my Lensbaby Velvet 56 as it's versatile enough for any subject and I love the dreamy effect it creates.
Do you have a favourite accessory?
I love the Lensbaby Omni Creative Filter System - the colour expansion pack is my favourite.
Have you found the perfect camera bag yet?
My Nordace Siena is the perfect size for my camera, plus a selection of lenses that fit into the integrated internal pockets. My MacBook can also fit into the pocket at the back if I need that too. There are so many other little pockets for all my bits and pieces, and it's super-comfy to wear.
Which photographers have influenced or inspired you, and how or why?
Over the last 5 years I have been influenced and inspired by so many incredible photographers! To list just a handful - Samantha Deakin, Holly Awaad, Angie Mahlke, Regina Boston, Cindy Cavanagh, Lucy Ketchum, Ute Reckhorn and Jo Martindale. These photographers shoot a variety of genres and use different techniques, but every one of them is so talented and creates such beautiful work, each in their own distinctive style. They inspire me to push the boundaries of my creativity, whilst ensuring I remain true to my own unique voice.
Please recommend 2 or 3 female photographers to follow on Instagram.
Holly Awaad @hollynicoletimekeeper , Samantha Deakin @onthenaughtystep_photography
Is there a camera, lens or accessory that you don't have yet but you'd like to buy at some point?
The Lensbaby Velvet 85 is next on my photography wishlist.
Read our Lensbaby Sweet 22 Review
Is there a genre of photography that you love but that you haven't tried yet?
I'd love the opportunity to do landscape photography, with all the fancy kit and in a spectacular setting.
What's your proudest photographic moment?
My proudest photographic moment was seeing my image displayed on the wall at the Fujifilm House of Photography, after it was chosen to feature in the SheClicks: Challenge Accepted exhibition. I'd never had my work displayed like that before and was so happy I was able to get to London to see it there!
If you could have one superpower that could help you with photography, what would it be?
I wish I could fly super fast to any location. I love travelling and it always inspires my creative photography to shoot somewhere new, but time and money are such limiting factors. There's so many places I would love to go!
Your favourite baked goods are?
Caramel shortbread, with a good flat white.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in Kent, but came to Cardiff to study Astrophysics in 2002, and this city has been my home ever since. I went on to do a PhD in Cosmology, got married and had my two daughters, who are now 12 and 9. For 10 years, I wrote crosswords and other word puzzles for, and proofread, various puzzle magazines. I now work solely as a photographer and photography mentor.
