about my work

About my work

The explosion onto the market of digital technology has had a profound affect on the world of photography. Complex, very capable equipment is now within the economic reach of the masses. Portable devices such as mobile phones and tablets have cameras which are constantly improving in quality. Computer software enables images to be manipulated and presented with endless possibilities. Photographs can be printed at home with a quality rivaling commercial labs. With so many facilities at hand, how does this impact on my work?

Capturing the image
The move to Durness has provided me with the opportunity and time to concentrate on my passion for landscape photography. That is important as many of the images you see in my collections are the result of time-consuming research identifying possible compositions and noting the conditions needed to produce an image which I will be satisfied with. What time of year, what time of day, where to site the camera, what exposure settings to use . . . ultimately there has to be something special about the composition which makes me want to capture it.

Image manipulation
Much has been written about what is acceptable in the production of commercial photography. Which filters (if any) is it appropriate to use? What ‘post-production’ manipulation (if any) is acceptable?
In my opinion, one’s approach to this must be driven by individual values. In my case, a phrase from childhood has always stuck with me and guided me in what I do - “honesty is the best policy.” In practice, what I present as a finished piece of work should be basically what I saw through the camera viewfinder. I do apply minor 'tweaks' to exposure and saturation but will never transpose elements from one image to another. The only exception to this is with my ‘art photography’ and ‘composite images’ where for example the addition of a clean, white backdrop is clear to be seen. This is all just as well as I much prefer working behind the viewfinder in the outdoors to working behind a computer screen!

Filters - The only filters I use enable me to work with the available light - for the technically minded, various grades of ND Grad and very occasionally a polarising filter.

A note on colour rendition
Reproducing accurate colours and tones on a computer screen is notoriously difficult. Please bear in mind that the images you see on this (and other) websites will not be a 100% accurate rendition of the original.

Equipment and Software
In producing and presenting my work, I use the following equipment and software ;
Canon digital SLR’s and associated Canon lenses
Spyder 4PRO colour calibration system
Manfrotto Tripods
Apple computers and Aperture software
Canon Pro printers

Print production and quality
From the outset I have aimed at maintaining a high standard in everything I produce. I could reduce costs by printing on cheaper paper or buying in ready made frames but I’m not prepared to compromise on quality. Instead I construct frames to fit the work and not vice-versa. Most of my prints up to A3+ size are produced on a Canon Pro 9000 printer and are individually quality checked. I use quality Ilford and Hahnemuhle papers. Photographic C-type prints for mounting on substrates such as aluminium are usually printed on Fuji Crystal Archive Lustre paper. This attention to detail extends to my gift cards which are hand crafted using quality photographic prints rather than mass printed offset lithos or inkjet prints on card.

Ordering
My priority in 2013 is to make my prints available from the Cairn House Gallery. Online ordering will follow in due course. In the meantime, if you have seen something you like, please contact me to discuss your requirements, options, and pricing.