David Barco on starting out in photography

I'm David, and I live in the west of Scotland. I'm a photographer specialising in portraits, landscapes and urbex, short for urban exploration.

How did you get into photography?

A spell away from work gave me plenty of time to develop a new hobby.

I started exploring after seeing posts on Instagram that really intrigued me: abandoned buildings and places that looked forgotten by time, unlike anything I'd seen before. I wanted to discover some for myself. After a bit of research I went to an old castle in Ayrshire, and the picture opportunities were phenomenal. I could still see floors and spiral staircases, and it looked oddly beautiful. I took my phone out and took as many shots as I could, and after that I was hooked. I went as often as I could and took lots of photos on my phone. Eventually I felt I'd reached the limit of what the phone could do. The quality could have been much better, and I was only using free editing apps to bring the photos to life.

I invested in a Nikon D5600, a mid-range starter camera, and began experimenting with different lighting techniques. The difference was incredible. I downloaded Lightroom and Photoshop, watched YouTube tutorials and learned as much as I could.

One thing led to another, and I now shoot on a Nikon Z7, a full-frame mirrorless camera that captures low light better. I believe mirrorless cameras are the future, and I find it useful to see what's happening on screen as I shoot, so I can make the changes I want.

What motivates you?

The ability to create. When I take a picture I can capture a moment in a way that inspires me. When I edit it, I can change reality and shape the environment around it. The picture itself is raw data, holding the potential to open up new worlds and new possibilities.

You can edit the same picture and turn a cloudy day into a sunny one, or the other way round. You can take the same image again and again and change it to reflect different moods, styles and kinds of beauty. There's no limit to creativity, only the limits we put on ourselves. If you look at my Instagram, you can often tell what mood I'm in from the tones of the pictures I post.

There's no limit to creativity, only the limits we put on ourselves.

David Barco

What's your biggest challenge?

Being self-critical. I never think my work is good enough. But that can be a positive, and I try to use it that way, because it pushes me to try something new, work harder and keep developing. I never want to stop learning, and I feel I can get better every day.

Do you have any top tips for beginners who want to start taking photos?

Don't worry about what you're using, whether it's a phone or a camera. The key is to start taking photos, then try to understand what you've done and how you can make small improvements.

At first, concentrate on composition, because you want to learn to look at things from a completely different point of view. Take a bridge: if everyone photographs it straight on or from the side, take it from right underneath. Editing is nice, but composition is where you'll really stand out from the crowd, and it's what will get you noticed.

I'm spontaneous. I'll literally hop in the car at 2am just to catch a sunrise. I like that side of it, because it's led me to some incredible moments I'd never have seen otherwise. I think you need to do things like that to break through limits you didn't know you'd set yourself, if you really want to be creative.

Tell us about an experience you had while out shooting.

Be aware of your surroundings when you go out to photograph. Don't take unnecessary risks, and always plan ahead so you know about tides, currents and other hazards.

The first time I photographed a beach, I got so caught up in the shots that the tide cut me off from the shore. I was stranded on the rocks and had to climb a sheer cliff and get over a barbed-wire fence. My jacket was shredded, and I honestly thought I was going to die.