Comments and Queries

You have a great site here Stephen, a real pleasure to look through.
I look forward to seeing you new work in the future.
Best wishes Adam..

Hi my name is Georgie Gill and i am studying photograhy for a level at Central Newcastle High school. I came across your dereliction photos and feel very inspired by your work. I was wondering if you could advise me in anyway possible as i would quite like to create a dereliction photoshoot, or take photos of an abandoned/neglected area, as the theme for my project this year is 'discord', and i feel i could extend this quite far. Where did you take these photos & how do you make them as effective as possible?
I would be grateful if you could get in contact.
Many Thanks, Georgie.

Stephen says:

Hi Georgie - thanks for your comments. To get these shots to appear as they do I used the HDR technique of taking a series of shots (5) at different exposures, from +2 EV to -2 EV. I then put them through Photomatix Pro to obtain these results. I feel that processing them in this way allows the textures and colours to come through, and it also balances out the very uneven lighting without resorting to flash, which I hate!
I'm afraid I cannot tell you the location, as they were all shot on strictly private property, with the owners' permission.

Hi Stephen my name's Ellie, i'm studying photography at College and have been inspired by your dereliction photography. As part of my course i have to get background infromation on the artsit and their inspiration. I was wondering whether you would be able to give me some further information on your inspiration if that's at all possible? Just a few points about why dereliction inspired you personally, where your photography took place and what you mainly like about the pictures you have taken? etc.

Thanks, Ellie:)

Stephen says:

You ask what inspires me to photograph dereliction.
I think the first thing to say is that I only like to shoot "evolutionary" dereliction. That is, dereliction which has come about through neglect and the passage of time, rather than as a result of, or acceleration by, vandalism and deliberate negative acts.
It is probably linked to my interest in industrial heritage, which in turn is fuelled by being brought up in an industrial environment, working in the cotton mills of Lancashire and then the heavy goods manufacturing industry.
I am intrigued by the shapes that were created in the bygone years - shapes which were put there not for function but for decoration, and as such as a "luxury". I find that the act of decay somehow emphasises these shapes, and indeed the very act of decay brings out new colours of rust and mildew, complementing the original beautiful pastel shades which were originally used.
I also feel sorry that the buildings etc are dying, that no-one loves them, and that they are being allowed to pass away without any attempt to conserve them. Yet when conservation is attempted, somehow this seems to remove some of their charm.
The photos used on my web site were all taken in the disused parts of an old hotel I know of in Scotland with the permission of the owner - for security reasons I don't want to reveal the location.

Hello Stephen

Just visted your gallery and I have to compliment you on the fabulous scenes in your landscapes. Brought up as a child in Oykel Bridge,Ross & Cromarty I had quite forgotten what a beautiful part of the world you live in. It has always been my ambition to return ( albeit for a holiday ) to Scotland to again sample the wonderful sights you have so superbly captured.
Keep up the good work.
Regards
JackBenedict ( Oly Forum member )

I Stephen, Glad to see you are still putting your artistic skills into the photography.

Best wishes to you and Ro for the coming year. Plus a nice bit of feedback for you on the card you sent us at Christmas.

After getting your card it was placed with our others on display. A visiting friend commented on the clarity of how the berries and leaves in the picture stood out, and how the card was so effective in showing a simple pictue that stood out from all the other cards on display. Not bad comments!
Regards, George & Helen

I also saw your website in the Outdoor Photography magazine. You only live 2 minutes up the road! I love your photos! I have a small compact digital, but am saving up for an SLR! I'm mainly into wildlife and landscape photography, and am hoping to set up a website soon (with my dad's help! I know almost nothing about computers!)
Just thought I'd say well done for the great pictures and keep up the good work. Oh, and if you see someone walking a funny coloured Border Collie on Tralee around sunset, that's me!!!
Stephen says:- It's a small world! But this area is so photogenic I'm not surprised there are many photographers in the district!

Dear Stephen,
I found your web site from my monthly magazine "Outdoor Photography". They rated your site as 4/5 and gave very favourable comments.
I use a Canon 20D which was supplied with a 18 - 50mm lens but I agree that the lens is not the best quality and I have just purchased the Tamron 17 - 50 f2.8 and the quality has moved up to a new level.
Many thanks for sharing a great web site
John Burgess
Stephen says:-
Some things in photography haven't changed. A good photo depends on the person behind the lens, and is helped by technology, not dictated by it. But ease of use helps improve techniques.

Found your site through the EOS forums, just wanted to compliment you on your work. Really like the landscapes especially! I am starting off (aged 28!) with a Canon 350 and 18-55 lens. One question for you - if you were going to add 1 bit of kit to this minimal set up what would it be? regards Rob Richards
Stephen replies:-
Regarding your question, it really all depends on just what you want from your camera. The 350D is very capable,and really deserves a better lens than the standard. However, assuming you are happy enough with the results from this lens, then I would add a tele-zoom lens in the region of a 70-200mm. The best you can get without spending a large fortune is the Canon 70-200 f4 L lens, however you may also want to check out Sigma and Tamron. I would try to persuade you NOT to buy lenses designed purely for the small sensor in this camera, such as the Canon EF-S lenses or Sigma's DC lenses, as if you get seriously bitten by the bug you will, at some point, want to go "full frame" and these lenses will not work on such cameras! But most of all, practice!