It was my father who first kindled my interest in photography. He taught me, not through direct teaching, but through his view of life, his observations, comments and his personality, and to appreciate colours, tones, texture, light and shapes; how to frame a shot and how to notice the tiniest detail in subjects and everyday life - from the sublime to the ridiculous. Wherever he went his camera was nearby. A habit, or deliberate action, that passed from father to son. He taught me the skills of the darkroom and I never looked back.
Now, digital is the way. No more 'black magic' and waiting to see uncertain results. The world is way too impatient these days.
I made the transition to digital in 2002. I rented a very early Nikon DSLR for a motorcycle race meeting only to be horrified by the 2 second shutter lag which made good panning technique a wild affair!
Fortunately, technology quickly caught up and now you can, literally, take fantastic images with both eyes closed!
This is where the skills that I learnt from my father can make the difference between robotic photography and images with personality. The skill now is in the small details, the framing, the humour or gravity and the individual's interpretation of what is witnessed.
I will add a gallery of some of my father's images in due course. I hope that you will see what I explained above in those images, combined with the technical skill needed in the non-automated world of yesterday.
My main passions are motorcycles and photography so, it follows, motorcycle racing is the perfect subject.
It didn't start like that, however, as I would take pictures of anything and everything. As I got further involved with motorcycles so my photography got dragged along behind too.
But it wasn't until I started working for Sky Sports that it really took off.
Motorcycle photography is still a big part of my life but, having the amazing opportunity of working for the Sky News & Sports channels and attending major events, gave me the chance to diversify and explore other avenues which I find equally rewarding and fascinating.
By its very nature motorcycle sport is full of energy and colour and movement. I try to translate this love of energy and movement to feature in my non-motorsport photography.
I have had images published in newspapers such as The Times, The Evening Standard and various regional papers including main front page pictures. I have also featured in the leading motorcycle publications such as Superbike, Fast Bikes, Performance Bikes and Motorcycle Racer to name a few. I was runner-up in 2009 APOTY (Amateur Photographer of the Year) group stage.
I am always keen to meet new challenges and test my capabilities. If you have a challenge for me then please do get in touch!
Now, digital is the way. No more 'black magic' and waiting to see uncertain results. The world is way too impatient these days.
I made the transition to digital in 2002. I rented a very early Nikon DSLR for a motorcycle race meeting only to be horrified by the 2 second shutter lag which made good panning technique a wild affair!
Fortunately, technology quickly caught up and now you can, literally, take fantastic images with both eyes closed!
This is where the skills that I learnt from my father can make the difference between robotic photography and images with personality. The skill now is in the small details, the framing, the humour or gravity and the individual's interpretation of what is witnessed.
I will add a gallery of some of my father's images in due course. I hope that you will see what I explained above in those images, combined with the technical skill needed in the non-automated world of yesterday.
My main passions are motorcycles and photography so, it follows, motorcycle racing is the perfect subject.
It didn't start like that, however, as I would take pictures of anything and everything. As I got further involved with motorcycles so my photography got dragged along behind too.
But it wasn't until I started working for Sky Sports that it really took off.
Motorcycle photography is still a big part of my life but, having the amazing opportunity of working for the Sky News & Sports channels and attending major events, gave me the chance to diversify and explore other avenues which I find equally rewarding and fascinating.
By its very nature motorcycle sport is full of energy and colour and movement. I try to translate this love of energy and movement to feature in my non-motorsport photography.
I have had images published in newspapers such as The Times, The Evening Standard and various regional papers including main front page pictures. I have also featured in the leading motorcycle publications such as Superbike, Fast Bikes, Performance Bikes and Motorcycle Racer to name a few. I was runner-up in 2009 APOTY (Amateur Photographer of the Year) group stage.
I am always keen to meet new challenges and test my capabilities. If you have a challenge for me then please do get in touch!