What Inspires My Photography Style
If anyone told me when I was in school that I would be an artist, I would have laughed in their faces. I always thought of myself as the black sheep of the family; the scientist in a sea of artists. I had no interest in it (or so I thought). If I got dragged to a gallery, I’d be counting down the minutes until I could leave. Paintings did nothing for me.
What I didn't realise, was that I was an artist in other, not so conventional ways. I loved making jewellery, making and decorating mutli-tiered and sculpted cakes. I was creating things, just not in a way I recognised as ‘art’.
And then I found photography, and my whole outlook changed. I realised I did have an artists eye after all (and always had). And, in a twist no one saw coming, I discovered a new interest in classical art. Renaissance in particular. I even own a book on Caravaggio now, shock horror!
The way those artists used light to sculpt their scenes is exactly what I try to do with my camera. It's like I'll be walking along and suddenly see how the light is hitting a certain patch of flowers, or I'll be eating dinner and see shadows dancing in the sunlight on the wall and make whoever is nearest go and sit in the light before it disappears. It’s like I’m possessed by a very enthusiastic lighting technician.
The there are the less obvious inspirations. The sea being a massive one. When I'm under water, it just feels like a whole other universe, the sounds, the colours, the movement of the ocean and the life it holds. It’s impossible not to be inspired by that.
Books too. I've always had an overactive imagination. I can picture worlds and characters vividly, as if I am right there with them (anyone ever read Inkheart?) when 'm reading and that comes into play in my art.
Film and TV have crept in too. I now find myself really paying attention to how shows and films have been lit and colour graded and seeing if I can replicate that in my own edits.
And there's plenty more. But my point is, anything can be an inspiration, you just have to have the courage to see where it leads you. You never know, you might be the next Annie Leibowitz.
