Event Photography
Just a bit about
There’s already a bit About ME, but this is just a little more. It’s mostly about event photography and those decisions, either planned or often not, which can take you somewhere different and exciting. This website contains many of these moments, from my start at the Tynemouth VW Rally, to my most recent work.
There have been some moments that became rather significant compared to others, but they’re all important. I would never have guessed, as I hiked into Northumberland to photograph the Breamish Behemoth, where that would take me. It was mostly back into the hills again, where I began photographing many sporting events, fell runs, enduros, sportives and triathlons. I began to work for a number of companies, either on my own, or as part of a team. Always something new and different every week.
My work has changed and naturally evolved with time and experience. There may not be quite so many moments, but I still like to challenge myself. It all comes from getting out there, looking and learning. There’s still just a bit of nervous apprehension as I take my first photograph, it means each moment is still important.
Breamish Behemoth
My approach
My approach can best be described as friendly and fairly relaxed. My style is mostly candid, I enjoy a touch of portraiture and I do love a story or a bit of a narrative. A lot of this comes from planning, it always gives me a great deal of flexibility, so I can just work with the light and take photographs.
I may be photographing people in a landscape I love and know well, but it’s more than the photography, it’s the engagement or knowing when to blend in. It’s providing encouragement, respect and support. It’s about meeting people and often just making friends.
Services
I hope this website will give you some idea of the many services I can provide. Not only can I offer many years of experience, knowledge and expertise, but as I also use film, I can provide something that’s just a bit different and unique. So please get in touch, I’m always happy to chat, arrange to meet, I’m always up for a coffee, maybe a biscuit. It’s all about developing a creative partnership, this is how many of these photographs began. I’m also very happy to offer advice and help in any way.
I take commissions, I’ve undertaken quite a variety and always enjoy a collaborative approach, check out The Haining, a long term project, or perhaps Thropton, with a strong community focus. I’m very happy to collaborate on any projects. I’m an active member of InSide, a Side documentary photography community.
Maybe you can help me? I would love to shoot some portrait photography. Perhaps formal or informal, I’ve noticed I’ve been looking for these moments and brief connections at events and would enjoy developing this further. It’s all about using my film cameras, from 35mm up to and including large format, with some black & white film.
Finally, there’s still more to my photography, from product (mostly fashion) and architectural, to covering award ceremonies and conferences too.
Equipment, or what’s in my bag.
It’ll generally include a Nikon camera and lens, it’s what I mostly shoot with. When it comes to digital, I have four full frame Nikon professional DSLR bodies, including 2 x D800, a D810 and a D850. They are incredibly reliable and resilient. I still have and use my original D800, it’s faced many testing conditions and just keeps going.
I have quite a choice when it comes to film, I have a full range of Nikon professional SLRs, from a 1969 Nikon F Photomic through to an F6, I also have a 1959 Nikon SP rangefinder. Which one I choose will depend on the day, as will the film. My go to black & white film is Ilford HP5+, for colour films, I tend to go for Kodak Gold or ColorPlus 200.
Which lens I use will also depend on the day. I do like prime lenses, which are fixed focal length, light and unobtrusive. I have a few zoom lenses including a Nikon Nikkor 24-120 f/4, a great general purpose lens. A Nikon Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 and a Nikon Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8, both beautiful professional lenses.
If I’ve got a bit of space, I’ll add a little point and shoot film camera. Either an Olympus Trip 35, a Nikon L35AF or a Rollei 35S, all fantastic cameras.
From here on, there are cameras that the day is planned around. In terms of Medium format, I have a Mamiya 7, a Mamiya Super 23, a Fuji GS645S and a Zeiss Super Ikonta IV. For something a bit different, I have some 1930’s folding cameras, a couple of Holga’s and probably far too many pinhole cameras.
Moving onto large format, I have a Chamonix 4×5, think big wooden camera with bellows. I also have a 1960’s Graflex Crown Graphic and another pinhole or two!
Then there’s flash units, batteries, memory cards, film, light meter, tripod, monopod, maps, waterproofs, lunch and coffee.