Artist statement
Nature inspires me there is always something fascinating to see a bird in flight, a glimpse of sunlight through darkened clouds, rain falling on leaves, even modern buildings in the way that they reflect the light. I enjoy the whole creative process of making images, from the point of seeing, composing and taking the photograph initially then during post-production selecting perhaps one image from the shoot and working with it to reveal a slightly different interpretation.
I prefer to photograph nature I love being outdoors, I find it relaxing and an opportunity to clear the mind and just appreciate what is around you. There is such a huge choice landscapes, wildlife or natural environments, I can find a picture anywhere, even when there is nothing much of obvious interest and those images can be always kept to work on in the future. I use a digital SLR camera with a selection of specific lenses. This technology enables me to capture the maximum amount of detail in an image, which I can then work with afterwards on my computer. I don't use extensive photo manipulation but by creative use of cropping, levels and colour balance adjustments, a new image can often be revealed.
I learned from my father at an early age the basics of composition and how to create an image but I never had the patience for painting. I always had an interest in photography but found it frustrating when digital cameras first came out I had to have one and fell in love with the immediacy of it but it is only with the latest digital SLR cameras and lenses that the quality is good enough to work with to create art.
My images attempt to explore the detail in natures many forms that often goes unnoticed on a day-by-day basis. Our busy lives lead us to look but not always see what is there right in front of us, so we don't notice entire worlds that exist in miniature around us or the true art in Nature. I take a more abstract view than many nature photographers so rather than taking the more usual reference shots, I like to explore and produce images which are more unusual. My goal is to create images which others find inspiring and which I find satisfying.
Qualifications and training
- 2010 Fellowship - Fine Art, British Institute of Professional Photography, Aylesbury
- 2009 MA Fine Art - Site & Archive Interventions, University of Central Lancashire, Preston
- 2007 Associateship - Scientific Photography, British Institute of Professional Photography, Ware
- 2006 Licentiate, RPS - Royal Photographic Society, Bath
- 2005 Licentiate - Pictorial/Illustrative Photography, British Institute of Professional Photography, Darlington
Solo exhibitions
- 2011 The Nature of Plants, UCLAN Adelphi Building (2nd Floor), Preston
- 2011 The Nature of Plants, Portico Library & Gallery, Manchester
- 2007 Abstracts of Nature, Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve, LWT, Mere Sands Wood, Holmeswood
- 2006 Abstracts of Nature, Cuerden Valley Park/Lancashire Wildlife Trust, The Barn, Cuerden Valley
Group exhibitions
- 2012 PrintEssentials, Astley Hall, Chorley
- 2012 Time, Place & Negotiated Space, Oxheys Mill Studios,, Preston
- 2012 Northern Exposure, Portico Gallery & Library, Manchester
- 2011 Winter - open exhibition, Oxheys Mill Studios,, Preston
- 2011 Open Exhibition of Contemporary Art, Oxheys Mill Studios,, Preston
- 2011 Open Exhibition, R Gallery, Southport
- 2010 New Collectives, AOP Gallery, London
- 2009 Grassington Arts Festival, Town Hall, Grassington
- 2009 Focus, The Space, Preston
- 2008 Astley Open Exhibition, Astley Hall, Astley Park, Chorley (more info)
- 2006 Uncharted Territory, Salford University/Artists and Education, Salford (more info)
- 2006 Vision & Light, Firbob & Peacock Gallery, Knutsford
- 2006 Chapel Open, Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk
- 2006 Portfolio, AOP Gallery, London
- 2004 Outside The Ring Road, Gallery Oldham, Oldham
Degree shows
- 2009 Nine Degrees Northwest, University of Central Lancashire
Curated projects
- 2010 Permanent print Collection, AOP Gallery, London (more info)
- 2007 Inner City Living 2007, ICL Preston, Preston
- 2006 Inner City Living 2006, 5-13 Market Street, Preston, Preston (more info)
- 2006 WildArt Expo, Bonhams, Chester
- 2005 Living Exposure - Photographic Art Auction, Bonhams, London
- 2005 Inner City Living, Old Savings Bank, Preston
Intervention
- 2009 in Rerum Natura (in the nature of things), Centre For Contemporary Art, University of Central Lancashire, Preston (more info)
Artist talks
- 2012 Fine Art Photography, Grimsby Institute, Grimsby
- 2011 The Nature of Plants project, TUCAN - UCLAN Victoria Building, Preston
- 2011 Copyright & Licensing for Artists/Photographers, Wiltshire College, Salisbury
- 2010 Copyright & Licensing for Artists/Photographers, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen
- 2006 Photography and People With Brain Injuries, Mossley Hill Hospital, Liverpool/The Artists Group, Mossley Hill Hospital, Liverpool (more info)
- 2006 Nature photography, Cuerden Valley Park/Lancashire Wildlife Trust, The Barn, Cuerden Valley
Residencies
- 2011 Oxheys Mill, Oxheys Mill Studios, Preston
Private commissions
- 2012 Images for exhibition, Susan Walsh - Satellite Navigation project, Preston
- 2012 Images of artists' artwork for promotional use, Cotton: Global Threads exhibition - Whitworth Gallery, Manchester
- 2011 Artist commission, Garth Gratrix, artist, Preston
- 2011 Exhibition images for publication, Thin Black Line(s) exhibition - Tate Britain/UCLan, Tate Britain
Corporate commissions
- 2007 Pierce Art Campaign, Pierce: Creative Business Advisors, Preston and Manchester (more info)
- 2004 Several images used extensively in advertising and exhibition stand designs
Competitions, prizes and awards
- 2012 Merit - Towergate Fine Art Photography Competition, Towergate/BIPP, London
- 2010 Bronze Award - Science & Nature, British institute of Professional Photography, National
- 2009 Finalist, British Wildlife Photography Awards, National
- 2009 Finalist - Fine Art, BIPP Northwest Professional Photography Awards, Northwest
- 2008 Semi-finalist, International Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards, International
- 2008 Overall Winner, Stefan Buczacki Garden Photography Competition, National
- 2008 Finalist, Towergate Fine Art Photography Competition, International
- 2008 Gold Award - Fine Art, BIPP North West Professional Photographer Awards, North West
- 2007 Overall Winner, Stefan Buczacki Photographic Competition 2007, National
- 2007 Winner, Cuerden Valley Photographic Competition, Cuerden Valley Park, Lancashire
- 2007 Semi-Finalist, Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2007, International
- 2006 Winner, Stefan Buczacki Photographic Competition 2006, Southport Flower Show
- 2006 Winner, Wild Art Expo, Bonhams, Chester
- 2006 Semi Finalist - Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2006, WPOTY, International
- 2006 Finalist - Fine Art/Illustrative, North West Photographic Awards, BIPP/MPA, North West
- 2005 UK Photographer of the Year - Pictorial/Illustrative, British Professional Photography Awards, National
- 2005 Award of Excellence - Art of Science, BPPA - British Professional Photography Awards
- 2005 Runner Up - Licentiate of the Year Award, BIPP/MPA - Master Photographers Association
- 2004 Finalist, BJP Portfolio Competition, National
Educational experience - special needs
- 2008 Workshop Facilitator (Creative photography) for people with mental health issues, Bluestreak Arts, Preston
- 2006 Workshop Facilitator (photography) for people with brain injury, TAG Group, NHS Trust,, Mossley Hill
Other
- 2010 Focus on Nature - featured artist, The Photographer magazine, International
- 2006 Featured Artist, Picture Business magazine, Blank Canvas section, National
Web links - gallery/work/projects
Web links - article/press
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