Nageen Nasir is our first place winner, with the image “Raindrops On A Spider’s Web”. We sat down with Nageen to ask her how she got started with photography, and what her process is.

Why did you choose photography? What was it that made you fall in love with this art form?

I chose photography because it has piqued my interest since childhood. The versatility of this form of art, and the fact that capturing beautiful moments is just a click away, made me fall in love with it.

How long have you been practicing photography?

I started in 2013 when I took my first Beginners course with Photoion.

Which photographer is your biggest source of inspiration? Who do you look up to the most? (They don’t need to be famous.)

I would say Ion Paciu, because I was really motivated by his passion and dedication to his work when I attended the beginner’s course. It was his encouraging words that made me believe in myself and work hard to make beautiful photographs.

If you could choose a single image that moves you the most, that you look at and think “That is why I take photographs”, what would it be?

I don’t think I can say which one image particularly moves me because there are so many…

Tell us about your camera and equipment.

I’m currently using Canon EOS 70D.

Canon EF-S 18-135mm IS
Canon EF S 55-250mm IS II
Canon EF S10-22mm
Canon 50mm
Canon EF 70-200mm IS USM

Tell us about your winning image.

I saw something shine in the bush just outside my living room window. It had been raining for quite a while and I couldn’t really figure out what it was, so I stepped out for a closer look and I managed to take a photograph that turned out to be ‘Raindrops On A Spider’s Web’, my winning image.

Do you have a favorite type of photography (portraits, black and white, landscapes, etc.)?

I enjoy all types of photography; I don’t have a favourite type yet. I love taking photographs of anything that I find interesting; whether it’s people, flowers, sunsets, spiders, or interiors.

In what way has attending the Photoion courses improved your skills?

Photoion courses have helped me learn how to take beautiful images by sharpening my powers of observation, teaching me how to use light, composition, and how to bring out the best of everything. All that I know about photography I have learnt from the Photoion courses.

What does it mean to you to be included in this book?

It means the world to me. It’s an unexpected honour and reward for something that I set out to do for myself and not for the people around me, for the first time in my life.

Tell us about your plans for photography in the future?

I feel it’s just the beginning of my journey, I have a long way to go, and a lot to learn. So for the time being more courses, hard work, and a lot of practice!