Edinburgh based photographer, Ian G Black, has turned his passion for photography into a successful career and built up a strong social media following through his captivating pics. Amongst other leading lifestyle brands, he also works in partnership with one of Scotland’s most prestigious five-star hotels, The Balmoral, conducting Instagram photo tours of the city.
Here Ian shares with Hidden Edinburgh some insights into his journey and top tips for budding photographers and Instagram influencers. Read on to find out more.
You are a very well acknowledged Scottish photographer, tell us more about your journey in photography.
That’s kind to say thank you, I’m learning all the time! I’m delighted to be working with some wonderful kit with Panasonic Lumix since 2019 allowing me to get some new (distance) shots new reach.
There are terrific Scottish photographers more accomplished than I am using their camera kit but I guess where I am confident in my own ability is to see a good photograph and then edit, editing is where I’m growing most in my skill set. Instagram filters, Snapseed, VSCO filters are all still a great part of my tool kit but these have largely made way to using Lightroom for editing and some great preset filters from the likes of Peter McKinnon, Christian Mate Grab and more. I intend to release my own set of preset filters this year. Some may have noticed I’ve been changing my own editing style over the past year – still preferring a moody feel but I’m making it more vintage and ethereal) I feel best in keeping and honouring medieval historic Edinburgh aesthetic (where I take most of my pictures).
Whilst I absolutely love my new camera what I would add possible as an encouragement to some is that I gained a first 50k following on Instagram predominantly taking photos on my Iphone. You can do a lot with your smartphone camera!
You have been very successful on Instagram (iangblack) and are one of the top Scottish influencers on the app, any tips for budding Instagrammers developing their own brand on this channel
What is your passion? Make this your niche. A niche is important, don’t try to be all things to all people. Find that one area you are passionate about, and then work really hard! Get out and take LOTS of photographs. If there is one vital ingredient to finding any success is to take LOTS of images. Then at your leisure you can pour over these on your mac or phone in the coffee shop/ your couch/ bed / wherever at your leisure! Chances are you will then find that one golden shot.
When on the shoot if you can get to a coffee stop or dive back into the car (I’m thinking a recent Glencoe trip with Cameron Todd where the weather just AWFUL and shoots were no more than 10 minutes at a time) check you have the right angle you want, exposure etc. It’s demoralising to get home on a 5 hour round trip to find the angle was just out, exposure wrong, or thumb was over the lens!
Other pointers I would offer are post regularly, posts and story’s, learn your craft, go for quality over quantity. Do your research, editing styles, hashtags, locations. Invite comments or feedback. Prepare a little history for each post. Prepare some background on how you got the shot and any humorous happening always brings the pic to life.
Post regularly. Story’s and posts. How often? I’m not sure I have the definitive answer or that there even is one. I know some post daily and do extremely well this might be a key factor to their success I don’t have time to do that. Twice a week serves me well. I post lots of Story’s though.
Other things you can do are…Invite opinion. Ask questions. Be human. Be kind.
There are different routes in photography. Landscape photography, portrait photography, lifestyle photography the list goes on and on. What do you want to do. Sell portraits? become an Influencer and get free clothes (!) lol. I am about to start online Instagram tutorials within the next few weeks so look out for them!
You run Edinburgh Instagram Photo Tours in partnership with The Balmoral, tell us more about this partnership and the tours.
Yes I’ve been doing that for three years now. Thanks to the wonderful Jessica MacKenzie who first made contact from The Balmoral marketing team. We worked together at the start to run a photography competition and when I explained I was increasingly being approached about tours we decided to partner to make The Balmoral the first hotel in the county to run Instagram Tours
Where (and why) are your own personal favourite spots in Edinburgh?
Calton Hill, Victoria Street, Stockbridge, Dean Village, The Vennel Steps, Armchair Books, Camera Obscura rooftop views, watching the world pass by in the window seat at The Wal coffee house on Cockburn Street….these are just a few!
With the city in lockdown at the moment, can you share some of your favourite images to give us a ‘virtual tour’ of the city.
What will be keeping you busy during the lockdown mode?
Whilst none of us would wish this lockdown situation upon ourselves, I have also actually relished this time I have to get some tasks done I’ve been meaning to do for years. Such as establish online Instagram training courses, setting up an online shop (go on please take a look around!) And then it’s all about the editing…
What are your top tips for a first time visitor to Edinburgh?
Book a 1 or 2 day tour with Ian G Black! Check out some of my blog posts on things to see do and eat in the city. Hidden Edinburgh is great for finding Edinburgh spots you want to see.
Contact Details (for booking tour when everything is back up and running).
Contact and booking details are available at my website www.iangblack.com and you can follow Ian on his Instagram at @iangblack
