"Daniel Murray: Sony World Photography Youth Winner 2024"

"Daniel: So it was great, I thanked Sony, but I unfortunately forgot to thank my parents, in the span of the moment. I was a bit disappointed. And my parents were a bit disappointed about that as well. But I forgot to say thanks to my aunt.

Tom: So Daniel, let's set this straight. I give you a chance now. Give them thanks. They will hear.

Daniel: Well, I thank you my parents and my aunt for the money and support. Constant support and constant telling me that I am good enough for photography and everything. I appreciate it."

Intro:

Welcome to The Camera Cafe Show, where we dive into the stories behind the lens with photographers around the world. Today, we're thrilled to introduce Daniel Murray, a 16-year-old photographer from Scotland who made waves this year as the Youth Photographer of the Year at the Sony World Photography Awards. Daniel’s journey began with snapping shots on his phone and has blossomed into a passion that recently earned him one of the most prestigious awards in photography.

If you enjoy this episode, please take a moment to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us reach more people who love photography as much as you do!

Now, let’s dive into the mind of this young visionary and see what drives his remarkable talent.

Tom: Good afternoon, Daniel there in Scotland. How's been your day?

Daniel: Good, yeah, good. Thanks for having me. It's been well, I posted my camera. Because I was selling my old camera, so I did that today.

Tom: And I hope you told all your friends you're going to be on the podcast because we need some publicity here

Daniel: I will. I will be putting this everywhere.

Tom: Very good. Daniel, let's dive straight into this. Let's go a bit back. How old are you now, Daniel?

Daniel: I'm 16. I turned 16.

Tom: Sixteen. Okay. Then I suppose like most of kids your age, you start taking pictures with a phone. How did that evolve from a phone to getting a camera?

Daniel: Well, I noticed that the phone had like limitations and I wanted a blurry background. Like that's the first thought I had. I was like, I want this blurry background that you can see on the internet and everything. So that was my initial.

Cause I think that's how most people start. They just want a bit more like professional looking images. So I wanted that. I mean, I did a bit of research and then it came up with recommending like interchangeable lenses, cameras and stuff. And that's pretty much where it started. And just from taking photos with my family on my iPhone.

Tom: And anyone you looked up to on social media or photographers?

Daniel: The time when I was just photographing on my phone and my little point and shoot camera I had, I didn't really have anyone to look up to or any influences at that point.

But as I got my first camera, I started taking it really seriously. But that was about a year or so later. Because I had just my camera and my phone, and I didn't really take it as a hobby, it was more of a just a like, I don't know, a side thought, something like that, yeah.

Tom: But to get you a camera, what you have to use?

Daniel: Yes so, I was fortunate enough for my Christmas to get a sum of money from my aunt. And with that money, I researched what camera would like fix this budget. I think it was, like, 600 I got, which was really generous from my aunt. So I got 600 and then I had to search up what lenses and what cameras I could get within that budget. So then I did a little bit of research and then at that point I had like a few inspiration, inspirational artists I had looked up to. So I had messaged them asking, like I asked them a few questions and they gave me a few questions back. And we discussed what camera would be good for what I thought I was going to shoot. So he, I think graphic. cal on Instagram, he recommended me the Canon 5D Mark II. Or he told me what camera he used, and then I was inspired by what camera he used. And then I just bought that camera. I didn't think much of it, I just bought that camera. And then I bought a Sigma lens, I think, a zoom lens, it was a very soft lens. So I noticed that as soon as I got it, and then I was like, yeah, I want a sharper lens straight away. So yeah, and then I got a 50 millimetre 1.8, and that's where it all started, I think.

Tom: That's where it all started. And now you've got a mix of, when I look at your website, landscape pictures, street photography, some portraits. But then there is like a certain mood or storytelling that you have across all of these genres, you're trying to do?

Daniel: Well, cinematic is what I tend to try and get to. But cinematics a very broad term, like it can mean pretty much anything. I wanna tell like some sort of story and it's up to like the viewer to see what that story is. And then in terms of colours and composition, that sometimes I can be purely inspired. For example, if I watch a movie and it has certain colours in it, I will try and reproduce that. Or for example, like in cinematography, I heard that they use colour to like evoke emotions. And I try do the same through my photography. For example, if I added teals into the shadows, it would give a more moody look. Something as simple as that.

Tom: We will talk about editing process a bit later on Daniel. But now let's dive into the most interesting part. Sony World Award Youth Winner. Whoa! I mean, tell me how did it start and when did you get the idea to submit it?

Daniel: Right, competitions. It's the same guy that influenced me so graphic. cal on Instagram. I think we were talking about competitions, and then he recommended me a few. I asked what do you recommend, and he recommended a few. And then I searched up like competitions, photography competitions up on Google. And then I think the Sony one was the first one that came up so I was like Why not? Why not enter this?

So then I was like, Okay. I didn't really think much of it because I was actually kind of a beginner at that point. So I wasn't too concerned about who I was going up against. But yeah, I just entered the competition. And then I think it was the summer holidays, I took the photo, and then when I got home, so around August, I submitted the photo. So it wasn't near the end of the start, like after I had learned that people had tactics and everything to try and get the judges attention to enter at the end of the competition. So that they see it. But I think I'm proof that it doesn't really matter if you enter at the time.

Tom: I think it doesn't really matter, but it had been wonderful. You had told me it was the last day of the competition that had been amazing, Daniel, you send it in. And then suddenly I think you will get an email from Sony saying you were shortlisted or, what happened next?

Daniel: I think since I wasn't responding to emails at that point I wasn't really into all that yet. So they tried to text me and phone me. So I was in class and in school and I was just getting text saying, Please phone me back on this number when you have time. We are from at that point. And then I was very curious, obviously at that point. And then as soon as I got home, I responded and then they phoned me and said, Please check your emails and then I checked my emails and then I saw that I had been shortlisted.

So that was already, like I was already, couldn't believe it at that point. I was like over the moon. So yeah, at that point I think that's how it started. And then I searched up, I didn't know what shortlist was at that point, to be honest. So I searched up what shortlist and then I saw on the website shortlist have the chance to compete for the title of Youth Photographer of the year. And at that point I couldn't believe what I was in for. Yeah.

Tom: And then what happened next? Daniel, you were invited to London?

Daniel: So yeah after that. And then I had been told like three months later that I had won. And I was in disbelief. So yeah, it went really quickly as well, now that you say that we've hit. Basically, went from knowing to London in like three days and it was incredible. I couldn't believe it. Yeah.

Tom: And you had to give a speech there, Daniel. And what minor detail happened there in the speech when you gave it?

Daniel: Minor detail, yeah. I had to give a speech and then I had like pep talked to us before, of what we had to say because we were speaking in front of so many representatives and everything. And they were saying that we had to thank Sony just to show that, because of their efforts for making the ceremony. So it was great, I thanked Sony, but I unfortunately forgot to thank my parents, in the span of the moment. I was a bit disappointed. And my parents were a bit disappointed about that as well. But I forgot to say thanks to my aunt.

Tom: So Daniel, let's set this straight. I give you a chance now. Give them thanks. They will hear.

Daniel: Well, I thank you my parents and my aunt for the money and support. Constant support and constant telling me that I am good enough for photography and everything. I appreciate it.

Tom: There you go. The record is straight now.

Daniel: Yes, very good.

Tom: So your winning picture was of a surfer walking on the beach in.

Daniel: Yes.

Tom: I think it's from a higher viewpoint taken. how you came up on this scene?

Daniel: So I had multiple people asking me if I had taken it on a drone, but no, that wasn't the case. I took it on a cliff side, so it looked pretty high and the beach was really low down as well. I think I was at the back of a restaurant and I had to squeeze past some bins to get into that, a few points. That's pretty much it. I took it. Yeah.

Tom: But did you plan it? You knew the spot or you just saw it?

Daniel: No, I just saw it. It was a spur of the moment photo. So I saw the beach slowly approaching like the middle of the beach. And then I was like, Oh yeah, I need to take a photo of that. And then I ran over past the bins to get a photo of the surfer on the beach. Yeah.

Tom: Okay. And then there is this prickly point of, there were more people on the beach I suppose. And you decided for your photography to edit them out which for me is fine. Everybody does what he wants, but there was a bit of controversy around.

Daniel: Yeah. So months after I had won the award, I posted a video on TikTok showing my process of how I edited the photo that won me the title. And the comments were surprisingly negative. Actually, I probably received more negative than positive.

So they were all just saying like, this is not photography. This is art. And they didn't approve that I was removing people from the photo to make it more impactful image in my opinion. But some of them were quite funny. Some of them were saying that I was the youth photoshopper of the year. So yeah, creativity. Good on that.

Tom: You always have to believe in yourself, Daniel, though. I mean, if not, you will go crazy that out in the social media.

Daniel: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I just had to ignore them, so I didn't really bother me at all.

Tom: And what did you feel when you were standing there up giving your speech and then realizing that you're all between very good photographers and you won first prize.

Daniel: I felt like I slightly didn't deserve it at the point like, it was too good of a prize for what I had done. But I slowly come to accept that. I just won it, so I did deserve it. I was mixed with nervousness and happiness obviously. It's very nerve wracking going up and speaking in front of people in general. But then when you take into account that there are so many representatives and people that you look up to and you've won. But I think the fact that they're there for you and the ceremony also makes it a little bit easier.

Tom: Excellent. And so for everybody going to enter this year, the price, what you got from Sony, Daniel?

Daniel: This year I gained global recognition they published me. I appeared on BBC and CNN and everything. That was surreal. And they have given me a trophy, a certificate, a lens and a camera. Obviously that's the best part. So I got the Sony A7 Mark IV and the Sony 24 105mm f4 G lens.

So, yeah, that's what they gave me. I think the day after the ceremony,  they gave us the prizes the day after the ceremony. I met, I think it was one of the top Sony people there as well. They handed it to me. As in a little gift bag. And I'm using this camera right now for  the podcast .

Tom: You see, man, it's very good quality. Daniel, then you started out with your Canon that I suppose is full frame. And now you went to the Sony that is mirrorless. There have been any learning curve switching between both?

Daniel: I think since I came from the Canon 5D Mark II, which was already a sort of professional camera. It wasn't as big as a learning curve, I think, because I think this Sony made things actually easier for me. Because the auto focus in my old Canon 5D Mark II, the auto focus it's quite dodgy. So I had to manual focused all the time just so that I could get the sharpest images. Because when I used autofocus, it used to make my images really soft for some reason it's like it slightly missed it. But then with my Sony, it's like I don't even have to think about it anymore, I just think about the art straight away. So, yeah, that's the advantages. No, I wouldn't say there wasn't much of a learning curve, no.

Tom: And lens wise, which is the lens you're using the most now.

Daniel: Lens wise, I only have one lens, so I'm using the 24-105 mm all the time. But I think I want to get a G Master lens from Sony, the 35mm 1. 4, so that I can do more low light stuff. Because I always have to bump up my ISO quite high when I'm doing like late afternoon stuff, especially in Scotland. It gets dark pretty early. So I need to get a low aperture lens so I can do some more street stuff at night and landscape and more astrophotography, maybe.

Tom: Then you're in a perfect spot for this. I mean, it's dark at five, 5 p. m. You can go out fairly early.

Now you touch on this Daniel, editing. I think it plays a kind of a big role in your photography. What you're using to edit your photos?

Daniel: So currently I'm using Lightroom Mobile. And for so far it's been fine for what I'm doing. I think when I transitioned from bigger file sizes, from like the Canon to Sony, storage started to become a little bit of an issue. But then I coincidentally won a year's subscription from Adobe for cloud storage. So, I won quite a few things this year. But yeah. So that helped with storage. So I'm still editing on Lightroom Mobile.

Tom: Okay. And you're using some kind of presets because I think you also have your own presets on your webpage. No?

Daniel: I use my own presets that I have created. And in most images I just put that on. But if it's only certain cases or certain images that I just start from scratch. So that's sort of how my process looks.

Tom: Daniel, now going a bit to the future. Do you see yourself going with all this, with photography?

Daniel: I think I see myself doing this in Lightroom. Maybe full time if I can, if I earn enough. But I think if I'm still going to be doing it on this side, even if I don't do it full time, I think I'll be still doing this as long as I live. So hopefully I don't lose passion in it over as time goes.

Tom: Okay, because now I think you're studying in school photography.

Daniel: Yeah, I'm currently studying the equivalent to A level Photography that's England. So I'm studying the equivalent in Scotland.

Tom: And what I have to imagine with this, is this is with like dark room place or it's all only digital?

Daniel: No, we do digital photography. But they make us use Photoshop, I'm more used to Lightroom, so.

Tom: Oh, well, but you can combine both.

Daniel: Yeah.

Tom: You know, best of two worlds.

I suppose you want to be a photographer. This I think it's clear. But where you see yourself going in which genre you see yourself

Daniel: All genres. I think I'll be wanting to try everything still. Ever, even in the future, I'll probably even start trying like automotive photography, more portraits or maybe even macro. Just, I'm still experimenting now and I still see myself experimenting, but maybe more with more structure in the future.

Tom: So you're open to a lot of genres still. And is that something you prefer shooting?

Daniel: I think landscapes for me are probably more, like I tend to create more impactful images with landscapes, I think. And I also enjoy going to these places and photographing these amazing spaces. So I think landscape for me is something I enjoy the most.

Tom: Yes. And you have Scotland in the backyard. So that's amazing places there.

Daniel: Gotta take advantage of it, yeah.

Tom: Now, most people, when they start publishing on Instagram or Tik Tok, and people can see they are good photographers. They will follow them. But in your case, of course, you won a major world price. So people are looking up to you. This gives a bit of pressure or just more motivation to push yourself forward?

Daniel: Yeah, it motivates me, I think. I don't see, there's nothing negative coming from it. Even if I do get a few negative comments about whatever, I think that still motivates me. And winning such an award motivates me to keep going, yeah.

Tom: And you had friends now asking for photography classes, Daniel.

Daniel: No, I do not have friends asking for photography classes. But I'd be willing to give them for free if they wanted.

Tom: Well, it's a good start, but don't give everything away for free. You have to win money at one with one point. So then you studied photography, then you come home and then you do maybe some other photography.

Daniel: Yeah.

Tom: You see yourself moving all into content creation, something like on TikTok or YouTube or something like this in the future?

Daniel: Yes, definitely. I think the way I'm going now, probably, I'll be a full time content creator. And I think with content creation it's photography, and then I'll probably have to learn videography. And it's all these sort of skills that combine for content creation, so I think that's probably where I'm heading at this rate.

Tom: You see. Well, I'm following you. So I'll keep a close eye on everything that you push out.

Daniel, his was a very nice short interview and congrats again on winning the Youth Award from Sony. I mean, it's just amazing. I have no idea how many people enter the competition, but you have to think some a few thousand.

Daniel: Thank you very much.

Yes, and then I think a few people you can enter up to three images for free, so there must have been thousands of images, yeah.

Tom: You entered for this year?

Daniel: Yeah, I've entered I've entered this area again, yeah.

Tom: I wish you all the best. Who knows.

Daniel: Thank you.

Tom: Then have a great afternoon. I still see light outside. So take your camera. Go out. Make extra photography later.

Daniel: Just about to do that.

Tom: And then I will see tomorrow what you post on your Instagram.

Daniel: Great, yeah.

Tom: Daniel, thanks. Thanks a lot for this interview.

Daniel: Thanks for having.

Tom: And we keep in touch.

Daniel: Yes, perfect.

Tom: I see you around. Bye.

Outro:

Thank you for joining us for this inspiring conversation with Daniel Murray, Sony’s Youth Photographer of the Year. Daniel’s journey is a reminder that passion and persistence can lead to extraordinary achievements, no matter your age. His story and success are bound to motivate young photographers and anyone chasing a creative dream.

In 2025, we’ll be featuring more emerging young talents on the show, because encouraging young people to take up the art of photography is vital. If you're a young photographer interested in sharing your work and story with us, we’d love to hear from you! Visit our website, where you can fill out a guest form to apply to be on The Camera Cafe Show. And, of course, stay tuned for more episodes with inspiring photographers who bring the world into focus through their lenses. Until next time, keep your cameras ready and your creative spirit alive!