black and white Archives | JK Photography

How to improve your photos, by a Derby photographer

As a Derby photographer and lecturer I am in regular contact with people who are interested in getting into photography in Derby, either as a hobby or career. A lot of people think that to take better pictures you need to splash out on a fancy SLR camera. If that’s what pleases you then go ahead but it’s worth stopping for a moment to think about what you actually want to achieve. In this article I will offer a little photography advice, focusing on the picture rather than the camera. [Read more…]

Roads To Wigan Pier – 28 Years Later

In 1984 I was in the second year of the BA (Hons) Photographic Studies course at Derby College of Higher Education (now the University of Derby). I was commissioned to produce photographs for a group exhibition to be held at Impressions Gallery, York, titled “Roads To Wigan Pier”. During July and August of that year I travelled around the North of England exploring what was to me an unfamiliar landscape. At that time Lewis Baltz and his fellow topographers had a huge influence on the way I viewed the world. I enjoyed their cool, detached style, and the focus on urban environments. [Read more…]

Pet Portraits

Despite the warning about never working with animals or children I have done both on more than one occasion. Here are some examples of my encounters with animals (more can be seen on the Portraits page of my website). Although I have shot pet portraits in the studio I find that the experience of going into a strange environment can be unsettling for the animal, and it is a more relaxing experience all round to take photos in the animal’s familiar surroundings. [Read more…]

The Wardwick, Derby

It looks like the 1970s are making a comeback… Recent photography inspired after seeing talks by Joel Meyerowitz and Richard Kalvar, and viewing work on show at Format Festival. To see more visit my Flickr page here.

Recent portrait work

Here’s a selection of my recent portraits, mostly shot in the subjects’ own home. I do love the control of working in a studio, but from the sitter’s point of view it’s more relaxing to stay at home and let the photographer do the work! Most houses have enough of a neutral background to create a “studio” look if required, and sometimes enough natural light not to bother with artificial lighting. [Read more…]