Adam Clark

I’m Adam, a landscape, documentary and adventure photographer based in North Yorkshire, UK. I’ve been into photography for over twenty years.

As a child, I always remember my dad’s SLR being around. It’s resulted in many boxes of wonderful photographs from our childhood; I say our, as I am a twin.

We were given basic cameras for Christmas and used to love them.

I studied art at school but never connected with a medium until I picked up a camera properly in my late teens and early twenties.

I bought a Pentax SLR, which transported me, a mindful, slowing down, forced engagement and appreciation of what was around me.

To this end, my favourite quote is from Yorkshire artist David Hockney, who said, “I get immense pleasure through my eyes”. I couldn’t agree more.

The flat lay was taken while preparing for a charitable outdoor event I was covering. Six hundred people walked twenty-four miles across the Yorkshire Three Peaks in aid of Cancer Research UK.

The event was over fourteen hours, and on such a scale, the prep and methodical laying of my gear was essential to ensure nothing was forgotten when leaving the house early in the morning.

Fujifilm X-T20 – I use a Fujifilm X-series camera. I love the creative options built into the system and the retro styling. My primary reason for choosing Fuji was the portability and scale of the system.

Much of my photography comes from adventures on my mountain bike or on foot, so a small, powerful, portable system that is light to carry and easy to stow was vital.

I’ve got three backup batteries, which are always in the bag.

I’ve added a drone to my kit in the last eighteen months. I love the perspectives that this brings.

From a photographic point of view, adding another dimension to the composition gets the mind going. I need small, light, powerful gear for the same reasons as my camera, so I work with a DJI Mini 3 Pro now.

This fits perfectly in my pack and enables me to capture the scale of the landscapes I’m moving through. I’ve got spare batteries, a charger, and a portable anemometer to ensure it won’t get blown away.

My beloved Fujifilm XF 35mm f/2 R WR  prime barely leaves my camera. This lens is my everything, and I love the results it produces.

I love prime lenses, which force me to engage and think about the composition of my images.

Ahead of a trip to California a few years back, I added a Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS  for those classic Yosemite Valley scenes. This lens was born for those significant open landscapes and has served me well.

A standard Fujifilm XF 16-50mm f/2.8-4.8 is also in the bag. A utility lens which barely gets a look in but is always there, just in case.

I don’t currently use lights or flash for any of my work. Much of my photography is documentary, so I’m working with what’s available.

That said, at some point, to play with the light will be a new experience.

I have a Kaza Deluxe Strap on the camera for the classic’ retro’ look. This often results in me getting asked whether this is an old camera.

What I love about this leather case is the smell it’s developed from years of handling; it reminds me of my dad’s old camera gear from our childhood.

I also have an F-Stop Dalston bag for when I’m around home or in urban locations. I have recently added a beautiful Shimoda Action X30 for my outdoor adventures. This bag is colossal, robust and super well-made.

I’ve got a very basic Velbon Tripod, which I barely use nowadays, but it’s always around if I need to slow things down.

I use an Apple MacBook Air for portability and always edit and catalogue in Lightroom. I love the mobile version of this software, which enables me to keep editing on the go.

I’ve got a handful of presets I tend to gravitate towards, and I’m constantly seeking more inspiration and new ways of using Lightroom; it’s such a powerful application.

My Apple iPhone 15 is always in my pocket, and I am satisfied with what I can create using this device; we’ve come a long way.

The adventure walking event I was capturing required some essential video footage. I used a DJI OSMO Mobile to capture quick, on-the-go footage of the course.

As I said, I often ride my MTB for assignments, so my flat lay included bike gear.

As well as my camera gear and drone for the walking event, my bag was stuffed with Outdoor Provisions nut butter and bars to keep me going on the climbs, hydration tabs, suncream, plenty of water, a change of clothes, multiple pairs of shoes and the essential Crocs were all in the holdall.

I like to carry a big Anker Power Bank for multiple daily charges.

As with many expensive pursuits, it’s always easy to get drawn into obsessing about what you haven’t got or the next thing you think you need. This can work against us.

I work on the fact that the best camera I’ve got is the one I’ve got in my hand.

Photography, to me, is about being there, seeing it, and capturing it. If that goes well, people will connect with you and feel what you feel.

Of course, I’d love a Hasselblad X2D Earth Explorer, but until then, I will enjoy what I’ve got.

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