ENTRY DESCRIPTION
Taken from the project " Tools for Small Trades " this selection of Vintage Tools are beautiful in their own way.

AUTHOR
Born in London in the 1950’s, I can only think my photography work was greatly influence by watching black & white films and television. I had enjoyed art at school, but it wasn’t until my 20s that I started to take an interest about learning about Black & White photography.

I first became inspired by the American West Coast photographers such as Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Paul Strand, the more abstract approach of Bill Brandt and I also admired the work of Irving Penn, a master of using natural light to tell a story about his subject matter.

My approach to photography has always been eclectic, I feel the moment you see and capture an image is always circumstantial. Working in both digital and analogue also allows me the flexibility to adapt and create how I visualise the finished image.

The majority of my images are unplanned, as I enjoy the anticipation of what’s around the corner and working largely in monochrome also allows me to focus on texture, form and light without the distraction of colour.

I’m drawn to the natural world, inspired by places like the wild landscapes of the Scottish Highlands and the beautiful seasonal light found in places where it feels like time appears to have stood still.

Recently, I have focused on more of a project-based approach to my work. Inspired by the excellent book by Irving Penn – Small Trades, I started a still-life project titled ‘Tools of the Trade’ drawing appreciation on tools which have a history and are crafted to stand the test of time. This won a portfolio award in the British Black & White Photography magazine and has inspired me to expand and finish the project with a published book.

Whether my images start life as digital files or analogue film, all my exhibition work is printed by hand using traditional darkroom methods, offering a truly handmade final print.

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