When it comes to photography, Ryan Hellard has discovered that patience really is a virtue.
The Cochrane High grad began taking photos as a simple hobby to fill spare time, but quickly fell in love with capturing nature and all its beauty. Nowadays, he can be found rising well before dawn or staying out until after dark in remote locations to capture the perfect shot.
“You have got to keep going back to get the right light or the right atmosphere,” the 22-year-old explained. “You have also got to keep learning … I just read techniques on the Internet and practiced constantly and went from there.”
It seems Hellard’s work ethic has paid off.
Last year, he was awarded a merit prize in the World in Focus competition sponsored by National Geographic and has also had two of his portfolios selected as finalists for Britain’s Travel Photographer of the Year contest.
“It feels good,” Hellard said of having his work recognized. “I enjoy it. It’s fun. I get to see amazing things and now I am starting to see more commercial success.”
Hellard’s quest for vivid imagery has taken him to various places around the globe.
His most memorable shoot to date was in Bhutan, where he spent time capturing monks at work inside an ancient monastery. Closer to home, Hellard has spent many hours shooting in the mountains and also previously worked as a sideline photographer for the Canadian Football League’s Calgary Stampeders. He even journeyed with the team to Montreal for the Grey Cup game in 2008.
“That was a lot of fun, it’s definitely a different perspective than you get from being up in the stands,” said Hellard, who himself starred as a linebacker for the Cochrane High Cobras football team during his high school years.
In his kit, Hellard currently utilizes a Canon EOS-1Ds Mark 3 camera body and has begun experimenting with panoramic lenses. He is also currently working towards a commerce degree at the University of Calgary, which he hopes will open numerous career opportunities in the years ahead.
“I am not sure if it will be purely about photography,” Hellard said of his future endeavours.
“But I definitely want to head in the multimedia marketing direction.”
Source: Cochrane Eagle Online
