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Tom Ormerod
Tom OrmerodUnited Kingdom
Family man Tom has been around cameras for many years but only found his niche in 2017 when he started photographing seascapes around his home county of Dorset, UK. Since then he has become a semi-professional photographer, selling & showcasing his work, delivering workshops & talks and sharing his love of capturing the land and sea. He can often be found before sunrise on the hills, cliffs and beaches of Dorset and its neighbouring counties. He actively promotes the social elements of photography both online and in person, enjoying shooting with others as much as being out alone.
The weather (and the light) is important for all outdoor photographers and especially for Landscape shooters. So when I was offered the chance to field test the new OM-D E-M1 Mark III, I knew I had to put it through its paces and try to experience many different conditions.
There is nothing I enjoy more than a photo road trip so I decided to split my time with the camera between one in the damp autumnal South West of the UK and another in the warm but infinitely changeable conditions of Madeira.
The conditions throughout the Dorset & Devon trip were certainly, variable including gale force winds, torrential rain, blue skies and sunshine.
The most memorable moment on the trip had to be a sunrise at start Point in Devon. Due to the howling winds I left my tripod in the van as this was not going to be a morning for long exposures and headed off. I was treated to one of the most spectacular sunrises I have seen, which I shot handheld with the new M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm F4 PRO. I was very pleased with the results - sharp, excellent dynamic range (which is important in for that early glow) and completely weather sealed so I did not have to worry about intermittent downpours.
Next came the trip to Madeira, a stunning little island in the middle of the Atlantic. It has rich vegetation, volcanic rocks, mountains, regular fog, waterfalls and crystal-clear water, a truly epic combination for a landscape photographer. I drove around the entire island in a day, watched the sunrise above the clouds and hiked around the Levadas (irrigations channels that carry water from the wet north to the dry south of the island). Each experience offered different conditions and shooting opportunities.
The E-M1 Mark III and the M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 PRO was my go-to combo but the 40-150mm F2.8 PRO was also really useful. The winds were quite strong at times, so I often opted for the new Handheld High Res shot mode, great for wide vistas and intricate details. The highlight had to be watching the sunrise from the top of the mountain, Pico do Arieiro. Below was a sea of low-level cloud but at 1820m there was the most amazing set of colours in the sky. Even after the sunrise the clouds swirled between the mountain peaks creating a truly magical view, I did not want to leave.
OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Portability and high image quality that allow you to capture the right moment in any scene: OM-D E-M1 Mark III