Photographer · Creator of GottaPics
Marian Florinel Condruz
I am a photographer specialising in nature, landscape and macro photography. GottaPics is where I share my photographs, practical lessons and the stories behind the work.
My photography starts with close observation: the shape of a landscape, the way light changes a place, or a small detail that is easy to walk past. I want the photographs and the writing here to help you notice more, too.
From wide landscapes to the smallest details
Nature, travel and macro photography give me different ways to look at the same world. A landscape asks me to consider the whole scene; a close-up asks me to slow down and pay attention to texture, shape and light.
I have worked with Sony Alpha gear and use Photoshop and Illustrator in my photography and illustration work. Equipment is part of the process, but the finished image is what matters: what it shows, how it feels, and whether the details hold up when you look closely.
Alongside my own photographs, I share photography tips and techniques and travel stories. These are connected parts of the site: places I encounter, images I make and lessons that readers can take into their own photography.
Photographs beyond this website
I contribute photographs to Shutterstock, Dreamstime and Adobe Stock. Stock photography is another way for an image to become useful: a photograph made in one setting can later help somebody illustrate a story, explain an idea or build a project of their own.
The dashboards below are a record of my contributor accounts captured in September 2026. They show different measures, so portfolio size, downloads, revenue and available balance should be read in their own context. These are dated snapshots, rather than live counters, and none of the links on this page are affiliate links.
Shutterstock
My Shutterstock dashboard brings together the size of the submitted portfolio, licensed downloads and lifetime earnings. The figures show both the work made available and the licensing activity recorded by that account.
A large collection and a smaller number of downloads tell different parts of the story. Creating and submitting files is one stage; an image being selected for use is another. I include the earnings alongside those counts so the scale of the portfolio is not confused with the income it has produced.
4,484 images · 964 licensed downloads · $468.75 lifetime earnings
Dreamstime
Dreamstime is another home for my photography. Its dashboard records online files and account revenue, providing a separate view of how that collection has performed on the platform.
The available balance is different from total revenue: one describes the amount available in the account at the time of the capture, while the other records revenue accumulated over time. Keeping both visible gives the screenshot context and avoids presenting the balance as the full return from the portfolio.
3,001 online files · $28.50 available balance · $234.67 total revenue
Adobe Stock
My Adobe Stock portfolio provides a third record of this part of my photography. The lifetime view shows files, downloads and earnings together, rather than relying on a portfolio count alone.
I share these figures because the practical side of contributing is part of the work, too. They are useful context for readers interested in selling photographs, but they are my own account results, not a forecast of what another photographer will earn. Different portfolios and platforms can develop in different ways.
1,539 files · 248 lifetime downloads · $250.83 lifetime earnings
I also share work freely on Pexels. In what Pexels has given back to me, I explain the value of visibility, attribution and useful photographs beyond direct licensing income. For more of the practical side, visit Sell Your Photos.
How equipment articles are created
Some equipment articles on this site are based on products I have personally owned and used. Where an article is hands-on, it reflects real use: how the gear handled in my photography, what worked well and the limitations I encountered. Unless stated otherwise, a hands-on article should not be read as a fresh test of every later firmware update or product revision.
Other equipment articles are editorial buying guides for readers who want to understand what a product’s published specifications mean before spending money on it.
A specification sheet can be confusing or misleading when read on its own. “4K video” does not automatically mean excellent video quality; a camera advertised as “waterproof” may only be safe underwater when placed inside its separate housing; a long battery-life claim may apply only in easy recording conditions; and a high megapixel number does not guarantee better photos. These articles translate those details into practical buying questions: what a camera can realistically be used for, what it cannot do, which accessories are essential, and which limitations matter for travel, action, underwater use or everyday photography.
This type of article does not claim personal hands-on testing. Instead, it interprets the manufacturer’s published specifications, product manuals and available documentation in plain language, so readers can compare products and understand what they are paying for.
Product bundles, firmware features and availability can vary by region or change over time, so readers should always check the exact model and current documentation. If you spot a documented discrepancy, please share the source through the contact page so I can review it and update the article where needed.
A second craft: precision gem faceting
Photography is the main focus of GottaPics. Gem faceting is a second, hands-on part of my work, with its own connection to light, close observation and careful documentation.
I hand-facet stones in my workshop in Liverpool, using an Ultra Tec VL Classic Analog machine. Each piece starts with the material itself: its clarity, structure and optical behaviour help guide the choice of cut, proportions and finish. I work deliberately, paying attention to symmetry, meet-points and polish rather than treating every stone as the same project.
Photographing the finished gems brings the two crafts together. The gallery below is the selection from my Precision Faceting portfolio, showing the range of stones and cutting approaches in that work. You can explore the full portfolio for more photographs, process notes and individual stone details.
Keep exploring, or start a conversation
If a photograph, a practical guide or a project here catches your interest, follow it into the rest of the site. You are also welcome to get in touch about my photography, an article or a faceting project.
You can reach me through the contact page or visit my Facebook profile.