My passion for photography

I discovered a passion for photography in my 8th grade. I desperately wanted to join the school photography club, but unfortunately, my dad couldn't afford to buy me a camera at the time, which led me to tears.

Whenever my uncle brought his 1995 Kodak camera for special occasions, I couldn't resist using it until I'd finished the remaining film. Decades later, here I am...

Welcome to my website! I'm Nirmal Perera, living in Auckland, New Zealand. Originally from Sri Lanka, I migrated to this beautiful country in 2015. By day, I write code to build the digital world; any other free time I get, I capture the beauty of the real one. Breathtaking mountains, enchanting coastlines, and everything in between - I love photographing it all.

Gears

  • Canon R6 Mark II

    Canon R6 Mark II was my first and natural choice of camera body. After an initial learning period with a Canon EOS Rebel T3i, the R6 Mark II was the latest in technology and affordability. I was drawn to high-quality photos even at higher ISO settings, weather sealant for outdoor excursions, and IBIS (in body image stabilisation).

  • RF 24-105L USM F/4

    This is my most used lens and goes everywhere with me. This was my kit lens but has proved its versatility. It’s compact, has the ideal range of focal length for landscape photography, and produces a super sharp photo. I don’t shoot in extreme low light, so the F4 is not a deal breaker.

    RF 70-200L USM F/4

    My second favourite; I specifically chose F4 over F2.8 for its compact design and lightweightness when hiking long distances. This serves me well for isolating distant subjects and bringing the detail to the forefront.

    RF 35 STM F/1.8 Macro

    I use this lens when I shoot in extreme low light and focus bracket the image. A perfect lens for Astrophotography as well.

    RF 50 STM F/1.8

    The nifty-fifty - the sharpness of images delivers above and beyond the price you pay. I mostly use this lens for street photography and portraiture.

  • Camera Back Pack

    The latest addition to my collection is the Shimoda Explore V2 35L. An ideal backpack for day hikes, it offers great comfort carrying my gear uphill. The high-quality, all-terrain materials and padded inserts perfectly protect the camera gear.

    PGYTECH OneGo Air 20L. It has adjustable compartments and a side zip for easy access, with enough space for 2-3 lenses, camera body, and even provisions for a leisure walk or a quick stroll in the bush.

    Tripod

    I use the Heipi 3-in-1 carbon fibre travel tripod. It's compact, foldable, and lightweight. It fits perfectly on the backpack or even attached to the sling.

    Camera Sling

    When walking through town or out socialising, the PGYTECH OneGo Shoulder bag is handy to hold my favourite 24-105mm.

    iPhone 13 Pro Max

    I began as a mobile photographer before moving to an interchangeable lens camera. The iPhone is a great point and shoot tool with the benefit of capturing RAW images for post-production.

    Lens Filters

    Currently using KnF CPL (circular polarised) and variable neutral density filter. The ND filter supports long exposure during the day and the CPL helps when photographing reflective objects.

  • Canon Pro-1000

    The Canon Pro 1000 produces fine art prints with spectacular colour accuracy and print archival quality. Its quick printing and can handle up to A2 size prints.

    Ilford Heavy Weight Photo Papers

    An affordable and everyday choice for high quality HDR (high dynamic range) prints and longevity of the finished product.

    Hahnemühle Fine Art Papers

    Hahnemühle fine art papers are a luxurious and appealing choice for texture of the paper. I am most drawn to the Bryta Photo Rag paper.

    Canson Fine Art Papers

    A slightly pricier choice compared to Ilford. The Photo Lustre Primium paper is one of my higher preferences.