John Kiely


Profile

John Kiely
City: Ashton Under Lyne
Country: United Kingdom
Joined: Mar 2008

Landscape photography for me is my escape, my therapy, my safety valve!

Like many landscape photographers I am quite a solitary person, I avoid crowds, I hate being the centre of attention. But we all have to earn a living so I have a job that is at odds with my natural instincts, teaching photography. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great job. I get paid to work with other photographers, from complete beginners to practicing professionals and I thoroughly enjoy it (apart from the admin of course). Landscape photography is my escape from this.

I need to immerse myself in the activity, I can’t go out for the odd hour and produce images, I need to dedicate my time to my images. This means that I regularly take my tent up to the Lake District national park in the north west of the UK and spend a few days with just my camera. Quite a selfish activity I suppose, but I have a very supportive family.

The fells of the Lake District have always been an important area for me, When I was in my teens I walked, and rode motor bikes, around them, I sat and looked at them and painted them. Once I decided to concentrate on photography it was only natural that they should be my main subject. I spend full days walking and shooting photographs. The walking aspect I believe is important, it helps to focus your mind and attention on the subject. I was taught by John Blakemore, who encouraged us to almost meditate in the area we were working in, he talked about ‘the spirit of the place’. In away I suppose walking on my own is my way of doing this.

I mainly use Hasselblad, my kit consisting of a 503cx a 553elx with 60, 80, 150 and 250 mm lenses. Large format also plays a lead role in my work, mainly a Sinar Norma with either a 5×4 or a 5×7 back. I enjoy the discipline of the Sinar, but in recent years I have used the Blad more as I am getting older and more unfit!

My work generally consists of at least three projects at any one time. At the moment I am shooting in the Lakes when the weather is suitable, on the coast when its not, and in the Peak District national park or North Wales when I can only dedicate a day to my work. Keeps me busy, and smiling.