February’s Photographer of the Month- Andrew Clayborough
‘What can you tell us about your entries which reached Top 10 in our photography competition?’
Pure Joy – September ‘Emotions’ CompetitionPure Joy is a picture of my Son Frank, it’s all about Joy the moment before you know any different that Pure moment before life has bitten you. Joy that’s all it is simple.
- After the Storm- November ‘Capturing Light’ Competition
After the storm was taken after a ten mile hike. in gale force wind and rain we had in sight the last summit of the walk and the weather had started to take a turn for the better, I spotted in the distance the rainbow but had too much foreground and my position on the fell was too low, so I sprinted 100 yards with full kit on, planted myself to the ground the best I could as the winds were still strong. I managed to fire off about 5 frames before the rainbow vanished and the light changed. The shot is taken from Dale Head near the town of Keswick.
‘How did you get into photography?’
I first picked up a camera when I was 12 when my Granddad bestowed the responsibility on to me of Photographing his retirement party. I was lucky enough to be able to borrow my Dads (Grahams) SLR film camera; with quick instructions from Graham on how to catch that moment or reaction in someone’s face and a more than capable camera of doing that, I set about doing exactly as I was asked. I really enjoyed the responsibility of the task and everybody loved the pictures afterwards and so from that point I was hooked. I looked back at the retirement pictures a couple of years ago and they really are good for a 12-year-old even if I do say so myself.
‘What do you enjoy about photography?’
I get so much from Photography, It takes up large amounts of my time, I can’t get through the day without looking around and thinking what a great sky that would make a great picture, or what my next image will be like. The main enjoyment I have got through photography is that I have become an experienced Fell walker and could quite easily navigate around mountain ranges in safety. I’m currently trying to complete the Wainwrights; all 214 of them, I have completed a third of them at present.
‘What are your plans for the future?’
I have my own website under construction www.clayborough.photoshelter.com, and in June this year I’m having my first solo exhibition in my hometown of Otley at the local Courthouse, which I’m really excited about that.
Getty Images have noticed my work and now have a large number of my stock for sale for commercial use on their website. I have seen good returns on my pictures as they have been used by big companies such as Microsoft, The Independent Newspaper, The Telegraph, I even sold a picture to Clinton’s cards and it has been used on a Birthday card, inadvertently my Mum bought the card for me on my last birthday, she was totally unaware that I was the photographer, it made the hairs on the back of neck stand on end when I opened it a truly priceless moment. I’m hoping for more work and more sales and maybe even some more competition wins.
These three images are currently shortlisted or have won competitions with National Geographic, Smithsonian, and The Wainwright Society.
Otley New Years Day Dip NatGeo Traveller 2015 Shortlist TBA Jan 15
Almscliff Crag taken from Otley Chevin NatGeo Traveller 2014 Short List Result
Great Langdale (Wainwright) Winner Open Category and Winner of Best in Show. and Smithsonian Shortlisted TBA Feb 15.
