January's Photographer of the Month- Chris Ley
‘What can you tell us about your entry into our photography competition?’
“Mud in your Eye” was shot in 2007 at a Fenland Grass Track motorcycle event in the nearby town of Wisbech. I had just switched to photography as a career at that time and was trying many different genres to see which worked best for me.
I had also joined my local photography club, March Camera Club, but it wasn’t until quite recently that the club had an “Action” competition which happened to coincide with Picture Frame Express’ October competition too so I worked on the image and was delighted when it did well in both competitions!
‘How did you get into photography?’
I left the NHS in 2007 which coincided with a niece’s Wedding which I agreed to photograph as a favour (having been quite a keen amateur on and off for many years). I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and decided to start as a sole trader in photography, working from home doing portraits and weddings which meant that I was working with people again and enjoying it once more.
I also found the creative side of digital photography very stimulating (and quite challenging at times too).
The image below “Love Is” has become a signature image for my Wedding Photography.
‘What do you enjoy about photography?’
Having tried many different genres I soon realised that for me the enjoyment lies mostly in People Photography but can also lie in being creative when post-processing images. I have often gone back to images years after taking them and realised that there is a potential to create something more than I originally saw.
“Mud in your Eye” was an example of that and I found that it worked better as a gritty monochrome with a dark vignette and a fairly tight crop.
“You’ve been Framed” below was an early example of my creative efforts at portraiture.
‘What are your plans for the future?’
Five years ago I started a Photography Studio (see www.charlesdavidphotography.co.uk) with another local photographer who subsequently left. We built the studio in an 80 square metre unit which is great for large family groups.
I plan to continue to run this alone for another couple of years and then look for someone to take it over so that I can reduce my workload and maybe teach photography for a while.
I may also try other genres of photography again; perhaps I will try landscapes or trains (such as “The Union of South Africa” as seen here)?
‘What do you plan to do with your framing voucher which you received for winning runner up in October’s competition?’
I have already used the voucher for a bespoke frame to produce a lovely artwork to give to my sister-in-law as a Christmas present. It was her daughter whose Wedding I photographed when I left the NHS and so this seemed quite appropriate.
