This is my current favorite, its a breakthrough picture for me, its when texturing finally clicked and I finished with something I was half proud of.
I've already talked about it in my Blog, if anyone is interested in the making of this image
The Mannequin Lighthouse is one of my most popular images, so who am I to argue?
I also wrote about it in my blog. It was done a few years ago, but still holds its own, even though I no longer use TTV's as they tend to cause many printing problems.
1: How long have you been involved in photography?
I did extra photography during the evenings whilst at art college, I didn't specialise because finally, whilst doing very well in the subject, I found B/W photography in those days was too limiting for me.
Then, when high quality digital photography and manipulation came about just a few years ago, I jumped at the chance to get back in there!
To answer the question, I recently sold an old College B/W photograph to a magazine and it was featured on the front cover. so, I guess it took over 20 years?
2: Equipment you use?
Sony alpha 350.
I've been using the combined 18 -70 kit lens and I'm just upgrading to a new "vacation lens" - an all round, wide angle to zoom lens.
I'm also on the market for a nice strong wide angle. (offers?)
The great thing about the Sony Alpha is the back tilting, upwards or downwards LCD screen, I always use it to shoot from the hip, it fools people and helps to keep them relaxed,
because as soon as I lift it to my eye, (being tall doesn't help) everybody runs or scowls. I really like it just for that, plus its 14 + Megapixels!
3: Mac or PC?
Just changed over to Mac last summer, I have a 24" Imac with an upgraded powerful ram card.
So far, I'm very happy with it. I could never go back, Just the HD screen alone knocks spots off the old PC. When I use the old PC these days, I feel like I have gone back about 10 years into the past,
everything seems so dated and clunky in the PC format. Sorry, PC diehards! :-/
4: What inspires you?
Normal things like raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, but no, really, great light, deep blue skies, interesting locations.
The golden hour in an ancient Mediterranean graveyard, that really does it for me!:-)
I started out with a cheap plastic Dianna camera in a dark sooty Yorkshire graveyard aged 14-15. And here I am, still lurking about them in other countries!
I'm also naturally inspired by my flickr contacts images, I'd love to list them all but it would be too long:-(
5: Preferred subject matter?
Coming from a depressing northern "Rustbelt City" and escaping to London as soon as I could, I go for classical painterly subjects and antique stone buildings, I despise industrial red brick and I'm not too fond of cheap modern buildings and structures like the ghastly new wind turbines that despoil our ancient landscapes, which I wished were all sited off-shore.
I do however admire the huge and magnificent and very useful nearby Millau Viaduct designed by a fellow Yorkshireman, Norman Foster (and partners).
6: Name one thing you haven't caught with the camera that you REALLY want to capture.
A tornado? Failing that I'd love to capture an erupting volcano, from a safe distance of course, with the red hot larva flows, visit Pompeii, do the pyramids and perhaps Easter island and the Galapagos islands, etc,etc
7: When in doubt about your art, who do you confide in?
Easy, I confide in Jill aka Borealnz and Martine aka Petite Chose mostly. They are both experts at what they do, and I admire artists who really know their own pigeon.
8: Qualifications/training in anything? ie: Photoshop
I'm self taught in Photoshop, or rather, both Martine and I discovered it together.
At College I graduated at distinction level in Fine Art.
9: Plans for the future?
Lots of travel, and I'm off to Thailand next week!:-)
I'd like to sell much more and try to make a living from my images..
10: In one word, describe your photography.
Its not for me to say, but perhaps... 'Illustrative'?
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