 Interview with John Carpenter by Abbey Clarke
Today I met up with a true gentleman to discuss his passion for photography over a coffee. John Carpenter is a bright, bubbly character who wants to make a difference to the way we take photos and advise us that you are never too old to start a new hobby. I interviewed him to get the low down on his amazing talent.
So John, you are an avid photographer, how long have you been practising your talent?
I first became interested in photography when I was 8 or 9 when my dad brought me my first camera with a roll of black and white film. I set out straight away taking pictures - mainly of aeroplanes at that time as I was fascinated with them. I was very enthusiastic as a child and remember the agony of having to wait to see the pictures I had captured until the film was finished!
How did you learn to take such amazing photos?
I practised! I guess I learnt by just taking pictures and seeing what looked good and what didn’t work so well. I got my first 35mm camera when I was 18, which was a fairly average camera to start me off, and just kept snapping photos, at weddings, of family and friends and of landscapes. I learnt what styles I was good at and carried on from there.
Do you specialise in any style of photography in particular?
I love to take pictures of landscape scenes, in particular using a wide angle lens. It’s all about capturing the whole of the scene and editing to focus in on key areas.
Can anybody do it?
Yes, the beauty of photography is that anyone can do it and enjoy the finished results. People of all ages can take photos, what with the younger generation being so technologically minded and the vast amount of cameras out there to suit everyone’s abilities. I’m 63, which goes to show that age doesn’t make a difference.
So how would I get started?
I always say start off by getting yourself a fairly simple camera that can be bought for around 100 Euros, have a play with it and don’t be afraid to try new things. Learn how to upload the photos onto your computer and how to edit them, then once you’ve got some more confidence you could get a more exotic camera for around 200 Euros - I found mine on EBay!
Is photography a Hobby or a profession for you?
For me it is a Hobby that occasionally pays some money. I like to take pictures and get them framed; either on canvas or on A3 sized photo paper, so that people who like them can buy them. For my profession I work as a Business Development Manager so my love for photography comes in handy when professional photos for the company brochures are needed. It enables our company to cut costs by doing the pictures myself.
What interests you most about photography?
Because I travel around a lot, taking photos enables me to capture the places I enjoy on camera so that I can then show others who might enjoy them too. I’m not a great fan of taking portrait photos, not that I don’t like to but I’ve never really tried it.
Tell us a bit about yourself…
I was born in Woolwich, London, moved to North London when I was three, then to Poole, Dorset when I was 15 and grew up attending air shows that often take place in my home town. I used to take pictures of the aeroplanes at the shows and I’m now in the aerospace engineering industry, so you might say I also have a keen interest in aeroplanes! My partner Gloria lives in Arboleas so I spend a lot of time here in Spain with her, showing her photos of my travels to and from Devon where I work. At 63 I am full of life and enjoy using my camera in my spare time to relax and capture beautiful scenery.
So what guidance is out there for the technophobes who are worried that cameras are too hard to use?
There are many basic point and shoot cameras on the market that can allow anyone to take a decent picture. Downloading it to the computer is probably the most difficult part but can easily be picked up when following the instructions. Cameras and computers go hand in hand these days as most photography is digital. Many charity shops sell photography books and there are websites where one can get advice on using cameras. Photography is suppose to be fun and doesn’t have to be difficult. A good place to start is at www.photoradar.com – an online magazine with links to shops if you’re thinking about getting your first camera.
How do you decide what to take photos of?
It’s a good idea to use the internet to look for inspiration. For me, the American photographer Ansel Adams is the genius of black and white landscape photos. Look up ABE Books on Google where you can get books of his photos.
Describe your talent in 3 words…
For me photography is all about scene, colours and the crop.
Why should I learn how to take photos? How will it benefit my life?
Learning anything new is good exercise for the brain to maintain a healthy level of alertness. Also seeing the world through a camera allows you to see things you would never have noticed before and therefore helping to develop a broader and deeper vision. |
