In the Spotlight

An entertaining short question/answer style article giving more of an insight into myself and my photography. Time to loosen the blanket a little!

How did you get into photography?

I was really lucky as a teenager to have been brought up in the rural East Ayrshire village of Darvel at the head of the Irvine Valley. Darvel is surrounded by beautiful countryside and woodland walks. The River Irvine also flows past the village and nearby is the distinctive landmark of Loudoun Hill, an old volcanic plug. When I started to explore the outdoors further through cycling and walking, I always enjoyed the scenery, watching the famers working away in their fields, discovering the rich history of the area whilst enjoying the fresh countryside air. A friend owned a film camera and so it was only natural for me to also want to record my experiences. I quickly discovered that using a camera and taking photographs was the perfect way to do this. Little did I know at the time that my snapshots of local scenery would develop years later into creating photographs of the landscape.

What was your first camera?

It was a bright red, plastic, pocket-sized panoramic camera with a fixed focus, wide-angle lens. Very basic compared to what we use today but it didn’t cost me anything. It was a gift from my parents. They were both smokers at the time and one of the tobacco companies was running a promotion where if you collected a certain amount of vouchers from inside the cigarette packets you could send away for the camera and some rolls of film. It didn’t have a name or brand and I still remember how badly out of focus a lot of the panoramic images were but being made of plastic, I took it everywhere with me because it was so light. Who would have thought that a promotion give-away would start an interest in photography that has continued to the present day. Certainly not me!

Sunrise at Dunure Castle, South Ayrshire.

How did you learn landscape photography and do you have any qualifications?

I read and studied as many photography magazines and books as I could, learning how other people took their photos, what settings they used and then trying them myself, often without much success. It took a long time but I just kept practicing and practicing. Pushing myself to learn from my mistakes and improve but at the same time always enjoying being outside in the fresh air with the camera. I’m sure I’ve got a couple of modules from college lurking somewhere from away back in the days of film where I learnt how to develop and print photographs in the dark room. Apart from that I’m solely self-taught.

Pow Burn Winter Sunset, Monkton, South Ayrshire.

In your opinion what makes a great photograph?

A combination of technical proficiency, amazing light, personal vision, great composition and a slice of luck. All of these must come together, even if just for an instant, to create a truly distinctive image, so it’s not easy. Especially when you consider that amazing light is very much dependant on the weather conditions at the time of taking the shot. Creating an image is a very personal pursuit and it all starts when something catches my eye, compelling me to stop, investigate further and explore. What you see is what I saw at the exact moment of pressing the shutter with some personal vision mixed in as well of course.

What’s been your most embarrassing moment as a photographer?

It has to be the morning I was exploring the Burn Anne Water near Galston looking for interesting little waterfalls and cascades. I was wearing my wellies as you often have to wade into the water to find the best viewpoints or cross over from side to side. Tragedy struck when I was negotiating some steep, moss covered rocks at the side of a very deep pool. I made a rookie mistake trying to walk along the rocks with the camera still on the tripod. I was totally unbalanced and the moment my weight shifted from one foot to the other, I immediately slid down the rocks into the pool of water which was roughly about six feet deep. I couldn’t stop myself from sliding and it was freezing cold. Yes, the camera did briefly go under the water which came up to about the top of my chest. I was completely soaked through but thankfully camera and lens were fine. My confidence was smashed and a valuable lesson was learnt. Beware rocks and boulders as they can be very slippery when covered with moss or water. A few days later I went online and ordered myself a pair of expensive rubber-soled wellies to replace the cheap plastic ones that had failed me so miserably.

What are your favourite landscape subjects to shoot?

Reflections, waterfalls and seasonal wild flowers.

Sunrise or sunset?

Sunrise as the dawn light is so soft and beautiful. Early morning is when magical things happen with layers of mist on the water’s surface and I just love being outdoors at this time. The roads are quiet, few people are about and the start of the day is often peaceful. When everything comes together at this time it can be really special.

Describe your style of photography?

Peaceful, tranquil, colourful and natural I would say.

River Ayr Reflections, Failford Gorge Woodlands, East Ayrshire.

What’s the worst thing about being a landscape photographer?

There’s not many downsides I can think of although you do have to enjoy driving in the dark as you’ll be doing a lot of it. Whether your shooting the sunrise or sunset you will either be driving there or coming home in the pitch dark, often along narrow, twisty, rough roads. So if your thinking of doing landscapes get yourself a decent reliable car with good lights and tough suspension.

What types and make of camera do you currently use?

I use both full-frame and medium format digital Pentax cameras and lenses. I also love to go out with a Pentax film camera now and again to capture some images.

Do you have a social media profile?

Yes, the best way to follow and see all my latest work is through my Facebook page where I post at least once a week - https://www.facebook.com/HughMaxwellsPhotography

Misty Morning at Glengavel Reservoir, Lanarkshire.

What’s your greatest photography achievement?

Being ‘Commended’ for my image of the Lowran Burn Waterfalls after entering my first competition last year which was The Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year. I’m determined to make sure it’s not a one off as I felt a great deal of satisfaction seeing my photograph featured on the competition website and printed in the awards book alongside my name. I will definitely be entering more competitions in the future.

How much do you post-process and edit your images?

Only the bare minimal I can get away with. I shoot in RAW so always have to process my images and I understand everything about layers but I hate sitting at a computer. This was my job for twenty one years mostly sitting, looking at a screen so I’d rather not, thank you. I edit my images, usually with a glass of malt whisky in one hand and the mouse in the other, whilst listening to music, solely with the aim of bringing out the natural colours and light I saw at the time of pressing the shutter. I normally always do a large print of what I think is the best image from any shoot just to see if it speaks to me emotionally.

Tell us something that few people will know about yourself?

At the moment I’m also a full time carer for my mum so photography has to be fitted around her daily care and needs. It’s always a challenge to find the time to venture outdoors with the camera whilst caring for someone or working full time, but like everyone else, it just means I have to pick my moments carefully. When the longer summer days arrive it’s so much easier as I can be out in the early morning and back in time for breakfast but during the winter it’s more challenging. It’s just another obstacle to overcome and you learn to adapt and knuckle down. Sometimes I just have to rely on the support of family.

Lynn Falls near Dalry, North Ayrshire.

What are your ambitions and hopes for the future?

My ambitions are to have more success in national competitions and to receive more recognition for my work. It would be really good to have more images published online or in print and I’m also currently working on a book and a calendar for later in the year. For the future I would love to coach people on a 1-2-1 basis and give them the confidence with the camera to create beautiful photographs. My job for over twenty years was as a team coach and mentor, helping people grow in confidence and develop, so I hope to use these skills again but this time with a camera and photography.

What advice would you give to anyone else thinking of getting into landscape photography?

Just remember that to be a landscape photographer, in fact for any type pf photography, you have to do it for the love and enjoyment. Learn how the camera works and go from there as photography is only about 20% technical but 80% creative. Practice, practice, practice. If your doing it to make money when you start out you will be sorely disappointed. It takes years and years to learn the necessary skills and craft to create beautiful images and no online or college course can ever replace that. I always remember someone telling me years ago that lots of people take photographs but very few people actually create photographs. That’s the major difference and even after 30 years I’m still learning.

Finally, what role does photography play in your life?

It plays a massive role. Photography allows me to be creative, to express myself and spend time outdoors in beautiful places doing something I love. When I’m out exploring and creating with the camera, the stress and problems of everyday life quickly evaporate. It’s positive for my mental wellbeing and health. Sharing my images also allows other people to enjoy them and relive the high moments I experienced.

Bluebell Woods near Newmilns, East Ayrshire.