Over a long career in photography I have found enjoyment in photographing a wide range of subjects and experimenting in ways of making pictures. Much of my work shows evidence of people - their effect on the landscape or their "personal space" - without showing the people themselves.
When I was photographing in Skelmersdale, employed as a photographer in residence, I started to have mixed feelings about stopping people in their hometown and asking them if I could take their photograph. To be honest I wasn't really interested in the person and I felt I was using them to make a better picture. I still find these complex feelings of possible exploitation of people difficult to deal with. When Stephanie and I are commissioned to make a portrait of a person then a different dynamic occurs and there is a more equal collaboration between ourselves and the subject.
When I photograph friends, family and work colleagues - people with whom I have a relationship - any sense of exploitation is greatly diminished and the reason for making the photograph is clear: to celebrate my connection with the people photographed.
The photographs in this gallery show my early attempts to make portraits.