Courtney Victoria

This week we put the questions to British Landscape, Outdoor Photographer and Youtuber Courtney Victoria

Courtney Victoria

How did you get into photography and why?

I stumbled into film photography while studying fine art and theatre at university, totally

unplanned! It wasn’t a medium I’d ever thought about before, but the magic of snapping

a shot and watching it materialise in a darkroom had me hooked very quickly. Fast-

forward to post-uni life, I was teaching in South Korea by day and chasing epic

landscapes by weekend, camera always in hand. That passion kept growing, and well…

here we are!

What are you looking for to take a great image?

As fantasy enthusiast, I’m captivated by the idea that anything can be magical and the

impossible is just waiting to be discovered. In my photography, I seek out story and

character, turning the ordinary into something extraordinary. Whether it is the dance of

light or delicate growth of a tiny fungus, there are stories everywhere. Through my

images, I aim to create a world brimming with wonder, curiosity and endless

possibilities.

How do you maintain your creative edge and stay inspired?

I create with authenticity, staying true to what excites and inspires me. When something

sparks my curiosity, I follow it freely, unafraid to make mistakes or venture into the

unknown. When I feel unmotivated, I try to seek out new paths as stepping outside my

comfort zone often leads to the most unexpected discoveries. No matter what, I keep

shooting, knowing that every image is a lesson and a step forward in my creative

journey.

Whose work has influenced you the most?

I’m drawn to those who can see the world from a unique perspective and embrace the

unexpected. Inspiration has come to be in many forms, from fellow photographers to

the magic of cinema and books. Lately, I’ve been especially influenced by Charlotte

Gibbs, whose intimate landscape photography has encouraged me to capture the quiet,

often overlooked beauty in the world around me.

Among the photography gear that you’ve purchased, is there something you wish you hadn’t bought and why?

I’m pretty careful with gear purchases and tend to do my homework before buying

anything, making sure it’s truly what I need. I have a personal rule when I want

something, waiting a few weeks before committing to a purchase. If I still feel it’ s the

right choice after letting it sit in my mind, then it’s probably a decision I won’t regret. This

approach comes from my early photography days when I impulsively bought a bulky,

heavy tripod that was more suited for studio work than hiking or travel. Lesson learned!

What are your favourite settings?

I usually shoot in manual mode, and since my subjects are typically still, I often find

myself using slower shutter speeds and relying on a tripod. In both macro and

landscape photography, I prioritise depth of field first and then adjust shutter speed and

ISO accordingly. When capturing water, I love using a shutter speed between 1/4th and

1/20th of a second, as it retains texture while adding a dreamy, soft quality. That said,

experimenting on location is key and trying out different settings always leads to new

discoveries.

What do you use for post- processing?

I prefer editing in Photoshop because I like to work with layers and masks. If I have a

large batch of images to process or need to do some quick adjustments, I’ll turn to

Lightroom. For macro focus stacks, I use specialised software called Helicon Focus to

merge the images, then bring them into Photoshop to finish the edit.

What do you think about social media for photographers? Social media has made it easier than ever for us to share our work, get inspired by

others and connect with like-minded people. Of course, like anything, there is a flip

side! Some people get caught up in the quest for validation and popularity, rather than

focusing on the art and creativity itself. I use social media as a platform to see my work

come together, share behind the scenes moments and draw inspiration from others’

journeys. I steer clear of any sense of competition and instead focus on how my

photography makes me feel.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?

Patience is one of the most important, and often underrated, skills a photographer can

have. You can’t learn or grow without giving yourself time, and you won’t notice all the

unique opportunities around you if you are not willing to see them. Patience means

being full present at a location, understanding that learning is an on-going process and

being open to making mistakes. If I ever struggle to find something to photograph, it’s

usually because I’m not being patient or open-minded enough to let the ideas come to

me

What’s one question you wish I’d asked you, and how would you have answered?

What is a current challenge you are facing in your photography right now?

Rising with the sun! I am definitely a night owl and struggle to wake up early enough to

catch that magical morning light and colour, no matter the season. It would be great to

do it more often, but no trick in the book has successfully gotten me out of bed and out

the door at the crack of dawn—yet!

'Sychryd Waterfall'

'Last of Autumn'

'Beneath the Ferns'

To find out more about Courtney and her work please visit the links below.