David Ortiz: a photographer in Cornwall

I actually started taking seascape photographs as a secondary goal. My primary goal was building a collection of flowers and textures to use in the fabric prints I used to design (and still do from time to time).

As time passed, I found myself increasingly captivated by the landscape itself, rather than what was immediately in front of me. And so, my journey began.

Throughout the years, I have had the privilege of meeting incredibly talented photographers, some of whom have been instrumental in providing the support and guidance that have led me to where I am today.

As I grew as a photographer in the crowded and, dare I say, clichéd discipline of landscape and seascape photography, I was keen to find my own style. Being self-taught was a positive (there are many negatives) in this regard, and I definitely knew what styles I wanted to avoid.

It was when I came across a lovely, vintage Carl Zeiss lens in a charity shop that I started experimenting with using vintage 35mm film-camera lenses adapted to work on a digital camera.

I say "work," but herein lies the secret. Lenses designed and crafted to work with light-sensitive film don't work in the same way when connected to a digital sensor camera as a lens designed to do so.

Yes, they work in terms of how a lens should, and the light hits the digital sensor to produce an image, but it's the mismatch in technologies that can produce lovely color reproduction and a certain feel or look that's quite hard to put your finger on.

Growing up in Cornwall – not far from the truly special part of the north Cornwall coast that I now call home – played a major role in shaping the direction I chose for my photographic vision.

I now primarily use vintage or legacy lenses in various sizes, but my favorite is the 135mm Zeiss. It effectively flattens perspective and adds an intriguing touch to familiar scenes, which is a look I often aim for when shooting.

My photography often captures fleeting moments like a Cornish sunrise or sunset during one of my daily coast path walks stretching from Padstow to Porthcothan, commonly known locally as the Seven Bays. I also love to photograph the picturesque views across the River Camel estuary, from Tregirls beach to Polzeath, Daymer Bay, and Rock beach.

I print all of my giclée prints in my studio near Padstow using archival/gallery-standard papers and inks. You can buy some of them on this site, and if there is a shot you've seen on my Instagram feed that you would like a print of, then send me a message via the Contact page.

Additionally, if there is a beach, stretch of coastline, or coastal scene you would like me to shoot, then I also take commissions.

You can follow my Instagram and Facebook feeds for updates and new images by clicking the icons below.