Profiles

Sean's originally from Newcastle upon Tyne, but now lives in Clayton Le Woods... He works for a large IT Services firm as an IT Architect / Consultant and designs very large computer systems, but he'd "saw my own leg off, with a rusty bread knife, to spend half my week working in photography instead!"

So what is it about photography that interests him so much? We found out...

Capitan Miranda from the Tall Ships race

How did your interest in photography start?

"My interest in photography really started at the end of last year after a string of serious injuries (the last one being a broken foot the week before my wedding) forced me to take an extended break from my beloved martial arts training and competition. Desperate to stay close to sport, I decided to improve my very basic photography skills so I could start doing some photojournalism work covering club activities and competition.  However, I found myself so captivated (some would say obsessed!) by photography that I spent every spare minute of the next nine months working to develop my skills to the point where I am now starting to take on freelance professional work. I haven't been back to the club since but I still hope to cover some competitions and events in the future."

What inspires you?

"I really enjoy seeing the world through the eyes of other photographers because they all have a unique perspective on even the most mundane subjects. Looking through their pictures often inspires me to take a completely different, sometimes surreal, view of the things I see in everyday life. However, I also keep a scrapbook of things I would like to take pictures of and local events so I’m never short of ideas or options."

Who do you admire in the world of photography?

"I really admire the work of experimentalist and surrealist photographers of yesteryear (like Jerry Uelsmann, Philippe Halsman and Les Krims) who all managed to produce some extraordinary images using the most basic of tools. However, I really love the work of contemporary commercial photographers like Erik Almås and Dave Hill also."

Millennium Bridge in Gateshead

Which picture that you've taken is your favourite?

"I am my own worst critic and my favourite picture tends to change with every shoot. My most popular picture to date is one of the Millennium Bridge in Gateshead in Tyne and Wear but my favourite is, as of Saturday, an abstract of the Ferris Wheel at North Shore Blackpool. But, I also like a recent picture of the captain of the Uruguay boat – Capitan Miranda - from the Tall Ships races in Liverpool."

Do you prefer photographing people or places?

"I enjoy photographing both people and places together. To put that into context, I believe that the most “interesting” landscape pictures (those that transcend their 2D / flat form) are ones featuring people and, similarly, the best people pictures are those taken in natural environments which I think keeps them looking honest / real. (This is as opposed to posed photographs in the glare of studio lights that tends to wash out all natural colour.)

"I also have two reluctant furry models in our labradors, Fozzie and Poppy."

Ferris Wheel at North Shore Blackpool

Where's a good place in Lancashire to take pictures?

"We’re really spoilt for choice for places to shoot in Lancashire. I’ve always felt a natural affinity with the coast and so love walking around Lytham, Blackpool and Fleetwood. But I also enjoy the beautiful countryside around Pendle and in the Ribble valley. Lancaster deserves a mention of its own and I’m really looking forward to taking some photographs of annual fireworks display on the 1st of November 2008."

If you got the chance to photograph a celebrity who would you choose?

"If I had the chance to shoot any celebrity dead or alive it probably would be someone truly inspirational and, from a photography point of view, interesting like Ghandi. These days I would love to meet and shoot someone like Bill Gates in a documentary / reportage style so I could follow him around for a few weeks. I’m not sure he’d make as good a subject for pictures as say an Ozzy Osbourne but it would be really fascinating to find out more about someone considered to be the most powerful man in business and the most generous philanthropist alive."

What would be a perfect day for you and your camera?

"To wake up in Paris, Florence, Venice, New York or Tokyo on a relatively quiet day (presumably Sunday). Spend the daytime discovering the city and late afternoon /early evening in the surrounding countryside before finally reviewing my day's work with a cool beer. I’ve just returned from a recent trip to Florence and, whilst I didn’t get to spend all of it behind the lens, I managed to take nearly 1000 pictures but I would still love to go back."

Fozzie the reluctant labrador

Any disasters?

"Yes! Most recently, I went on a trip to take some pictures of Holy Island in Northumbria. I got so engrossed in my work that I completely lost track of time and was stuck when the tide came in! That aside I’ve done all the usual things like dropping expensive lenses, falling off rocks, falling into water, getting bruised / cut / bloodied and tearing clothes but I’d still do almost anything to get a better angle on a picture."

Any tips for aspiring photographers?

"I find it really odd when I get asked for tips because I still see myself with L plates on. But these are a few points...

• Keep shooting: Try to find inspiring locations / subjects but always take your camera with you even if you feel uninspired.
• Try everything: Cut bits out of magazines, print articles from websites, try to emulate pictures you like, join forums and ask questions. Don’t be discouraged if things don’t quite work first time, just adjust your camera and keep trying.
• Hook up: Join clubs, special interest groups, meet with other photographers (the more experienced the better) and go shoot with them. You will learn.
• Focus your efforts: I personally find it helpful to focus my efforts on shooting and processing in ways that ultimately help me achieve the sort of look / feel I want. 
• Don’t compromise on equipment: It's a false economy and you may end up replacing it sooner than you think (I did). Always try to get the best quality you can afford but only buy what you will use. With that in mind, don’t rush into buying expensive lenses you will use three times a year, hire them instead it works out a lot cheaper and is easier than you think.
• Make notes: Keep a scrapbook / diary and fill it with notes on possible photo opportunities like locations you want to shoot, local events and special occasions. That way you will never be lost for inspiration and wont keep shooting the same things over and over.
• Finally, don’t ever be put off pursuing a creative or artistic occupation. According to my high school teachers, I was the most talented artist they’d come across in years. However, my career advisor told me the world didn’t need any more artists, just scientists and engineers before he tore up my O level course choices in front of me. It’s taken me over 20 years to be in a position where I may be able to fulfil my creative potential."

What would you like to be doing in 10 years time?

"Ideally, I would like to be splitting my time between commercial and lifestyle photography but I would also like to spend some time teaching because I find it so rewarding."

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