Award winning, Dave Fieldhouse is a landscape photographer based in the West Midlands (UK). The self-taught photographer has a passion for breath taking scenery, Dave likes to share the mood of the moment by reproducing it through a photograph for others to enjoy as much as he did. You can also find one of Dave’s images featured on our new packaging for our glossy papers.
When did you discover your passion for photography?
Only recently really. It was late 2012 when a friend commented that my holiday snaps were ‘better than average’. Within 2 weeks I was immersed in books and had purchased my first DSLR.
How did you come to the world of landscape photography?
I have always enjoyed coffee table books of landscape images from around the world, so it was only natural that my chosen genre would be influenced by these. I also enjoy being outdoors, alone with my thoughts, away from the hussle and bustle of the city.
Which of your projects/motifs opened the door to the art market/professional market?
My photograph ‘Bright Eyes’ won the Classic View category in the 2014 ‘Take a View’ landscape photographer of the year competition. It was then published in many magazines and newspapers around the world. Being an amateur photographer, I don’t have a budget for advertising. I am therefore fortunate that this image has opened many doors and provided me with opportunities that I had previously only dreamed of.
Who inspires you most?
The list is long, and changes on a weekly basis. If you’re forcing me to name just one I guess I should go back to the beginning. When I started ‘studying’ photography and looking more closely at images, dissecting them to see what appealed to me, one name kept appearing, and that was Adam Burton. I loved the realism of his landscapes. His eye for composition and handling of the light, which was some of the best that I could find.
How would you describe your personal photographic style?
I try to keep things real. I would say that my style is similar to that of the classic landscape painters, like Constable, Turner and Gainsborough. Although I do sometimes mix things up with some long exposure or monochrome shots.
What is most challenging about shooting landscape?
The weather is most definitely the most challenging aspect for me. Regardless of what anyone tells you, you need good conditions to make a nice image. Light is an essential part of a photograph, and almost impossible to add artificially while maintaining the shots integrity.
What importance do you place on the printed presentation of your artwork?
It’s hugely important. I print, cut mounts and make my own frames to make sure everything is exactly how I had intended it to look. I’m not a control freak, but I do like to ensure the final piece of artwork is something I would be happy to display on my own wall. A brilliant photograph can be ruined with poor presentation.
Which is your favorite Hahnemühle paper and why?
I really like a smooth, matt finish, and a stiff paper that’s more like a card. Something like the Photo Rag Ultra Smooth 305gsm would be top of my list when choosing a media to print on.
Do you have a dream project you would like to realize sometime?
I visited Iceland when I hadn’t been shooting long. It was a fabulous place and my time there made me realize that photography was what I really wanted to do. I made heaps of mistakes and missed plenty of golden opportunities. I would love to go back there one day with the knowledge and experience that I have gained, and am gaining every time I go out with my camera.
What’s next?
Currently, I am providing photography magazines with images and working on my first wall calendar. I will no doubt be entering more competitions as and when they come round. More commercial work would be more than welcome to fund expeditions and equipment. And when the weathers bad, I still enjoy printing, mounting and framing the work I have been getting up at 4am to capture. Thats the thing with photography, taking the image is just the start of the process.
You can view more of Dave’s work on his website: www.davefieldhousephotography.com or his Facebook page.
