Andrea Rip
Name: Andrea Rip
Camera: Nikon D810, Nikon Z5
Favourite type of photography: Travel
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Website: www.theearthink.com
Instagram: @theearthink
How did you get into photography?
I wanted to capture memories of my friends, places, and accomplishments and was passionate about scrapbooking for awhile. When I started traveling, I was hooked.
Do you have any photographic qualifications or accolades?
No formal qualification, but my images have featured in several publications, including AFAR, Matador Network, 2025 RAK Al Khaimah Art Festival, and the Design Gallery (UAE).
What's the first photograph you remember seeing or shooting?
I took a photo of my family with a simple point-and-shoot camera.
What do you love about photography?
Photography is an incredible tool for storytelling and helps me share how similar we are as humans around the world.
Read about Creative Photography, What it is and How to Get Started
What do you wish you'd learned about photography earlier?
It's hard to get seen or found!
Where is your favourite place for photography?
Discovering a new-to-me culture with a willing subject.
Do you have a favourite photographic technique?
I might still be finding my favourite – always learning is my approach for life and snapping photos.
Can you briefly outline your approach to image processing?
I use Adobe Lightroom and try to keep things 'real' rather than over-stylise my work. I do a bit of dust and distraction removal when necessary, and occasionally adjust light or contrast and bokeh to really highlight my subject.
What's your favourite lens?
On my old Olympus, I had a 50-200mm f/2.8 that was simply marvellous!
Read the SheClicks Guide to Lensbaby Lenses
Do you have a favourite accessory?
My Slik tripod or the nearest rock to prop things up.
Have you found the perfect camera bag yet?
Peak Design's Everyday Backpack is pretty close to perfect.
Which photographers have influenced or inspired you, and how or why?
Steve McCurry, Cristina Mittermeier and Paul Nicklen for their care and appreciation of culture and nature. Anthony Powell for his inspired and intrepid Antarctic photographs. I had the honour of working with him in Antarctica.
Please recommend 2 or 3 female photographers to follow on Instagram.
Cristina Mittermeier @mitty, Esther Horvath @estherhorvath, Zeynep @zeynepk, Svenja Krüger @storiesmatter
Is there a camera, lens or accessory that you don't have yet but you'd like to buy at some point?
I'd love a AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm lens!
Is there a genre of photography that you love but that you haven't tried yet?
I am working towards showing some photography as fine art to share in galleries. It forces me to see my scene in a little different way and really capture light or shadows in an appealing way to fill a space.
What's your proudest photographic moment?
Early on, I took a close-up photo of a friend in Antarctica with frosty eyelashes. AFAR magazine picked it up as a full-page image in one of their magazines.
If you could have one superpower that could help you with photography, what would it be?
Getting my settings just right for stunning night photography.
Your favourite baked goods are?
My very own vegan carrot cake. I make it once a year for my birthday.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a Canadian American who lives life as a balance. I’ve lived in places as far-reaching as the deserts of Antarctica and the United Arab Emirates. I’ve travelled to 99 countries to places like the Maldives for leisure and to the Philippines for hard-working typhoon relief. I’m a well-practised solo traveller to countries like Croatia, Curaçao, and Australia - but I also enjoy navigating the globe with good friends and family. I’ve hunkered down in hostels, camped on a quiet riverbank, and stayed put in five star hotels. Some of my best trips so far were in New Zealand, Jordan, Yemen, Libya, and Madagascar – and an epic bone-breaking (literally) trek up to Uhuru summit on Kilimanjaro.
I’m a communicator; using words, photos, design and art to tell stories and express my creativity. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Calvin University, a liberal arts school in the United States.
