About the photographer

Beginnings
I’ve always been artistic and enjoyed painting and drawing when I was younger, and I still do. I am very attentive to detail and as I became more ambitious with my art I became increasingly disappointed by lapses in concentration and technique.

When I started photography I understood the technical aspects very quickly and I didnt have any of the frustrations of painting or drawing. Instead I had total creative freedom and started involving myself in the more complex aspects of lighting and composition.

Style
My creative goal is to simplify the landscape to give clarity and communicate ideas and emotions in an immediate way. My style is often minimal but I also aim for the spectacular. I like to show locations at their best by photographing them in vivid light, particularly around sunrise and sunset. This is especially true of my images of Dartmoor, a National Park that is so often covered in cloud that you could be forgiven for thinking it was never sunny!

Dedication
Moments of spectacular light are rare and it takes a lot of dedication to be in the right place at the right time. I often have to push myself hard in order to get the shot I am after. Although creativity plays a significant role you can’t underplay the importance of hard work. Landscape photography is rarely easy!

I camp overnight on Dartmoor and around the UK throughout the seasons, even in the snow and cold of the winter. I regularly head out on my own (unless there is someone mad enough to join me) and I walk long distances with heavy equipment.

The hard work is always rewarded in the end. Although I can go several trips without getting a glimpse of good light, when there is a spectacular sunset on Dartmoor it's all worthwhile.

“Inspiration”
I don't struggle to motivate myself to take photos so I dont really look to others for inspiration or ideas, but I do greatly admire the work of many photographers. Currently these include Floris Van Breugal and his wonderful photos of California and the Sierra. Hougaard Malan’s images of South Africa and Namibia never cease to surprise me and it strikes me that in many ways our styles are similar. Nate Zeman is another brilliant photographer and trailblazer of American landscape photography. Closer to home I enjoy the Dartmoor landscapes of Steven Sellman, Guy Richardson and David Clapp.

Awards and Publications

Landscape Photographer of the Year 2009 & 2010: 2 Highly Commended, 4 Commended
Covers of various national photography magazines
Covers of Dartmoor Magazine
Various local and international websites
Several low circulation book covers

Gear
People have it in their heads that good photos are the result of good cameras and that just isn’t the case. Nevertheless, since people seem interested here is a list of my gear:

Canon 5DmkII, Canon 5D as a backup
Canon 'L' lenses: 17-40 F4L, 70-200 F4L, 400 5.6L
Gitzo G2228 Explorer Tripod & RRS BH-40 ballhead
A range of high performance outdoors and camping gear