Inspirational Photographers

Josef Koudelka - a Man apart

I have recently spent some time studying the Czech photographer Josef Koudelka, who started photographing the gypsy community in his free time whilst working as an aeronautical engineer. He happened later to be in Prague when the Soviet army invaded in 1968, and published iconic images of this seminal moment of European history, but had to remain anonymous at the time in consideration for his own safety - the images remain one of the most haunting and accurate represetations of what happened. Later, Koudelka became a French citizen, and finally, in the 90’s, was able to return to his native country. Despite winning countless prizes and accolades, Koudelka remained true to his calling and travelled around Europe with his camera continuing his work as a documentary photographer and eschewing a comofrtable lifestyle. I greatly admire his humanity and how he used his photography for wider ends, and how he has produced such a memorable body of work through turning his lens to what is going on in the world: an example to us all. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Koudelka

Trond Westby - Bird photgrapher

I have gained so much inspiration from Trond’s photographs and his YouTube channel. Such a down-to-earth guy with a strong determination to photograth birds and other wildlife. His enthusiastic whispering (so as not to disturb his subjects!) is almost a meme, and you cannot fail to feel as if you are personally being taken along with him on his photography trips in the wild. I find his approach perfect and his photographic results are excellent. His knowledge of his subjects is very wide and constantly growing, and I have been inspired by being “taken along" with him through following his channel

Mike Smith - Bird Photographer

I think Mike’s work is incomparable! His bird photography, notably his work photographing ospreys, is second to none. Mike documents his work through, amongst other things, his YouTube channel, where his enthusiasm and energy are infectious and show how important it is to him to share his love for his photographic subjects as well as his methods. His vlog truly communicates to his viewers the excitement of his subjects, letting us feel the occasion from

The silent drama of photography | Sebastião Salgado

Salgado is a truly inspirational man and photographer. His story, starting and ending on a poor farm in Brazil, with a life in the middle as an international photographer, and, before that, as an economist, is a lesson for all of us. His return to Brazil in order to work on preservation and re-forestation, and a change of emphasis in his photography to a focus on the world of nature, and away from the often grueling images of the world of man, can be seen in his great body of outstanding images, and outlined by the photographer himself in this video.

Michael Kenna

The British photographer Michael Kenna’s minimalist style makes him one of my favourite photographers

Ansel Adams

Which photographer has not been inspired by the great Ansel Adams?

Andre Kertesz

I first got to know Kertesz’ work when I saw a copy of a book of images taken in Central Park, New York. He advocated spontaneity (and the use of a hand-held camera when this was unusual) and incorporating abstract lines and shapes in work that showed a great empathy with the people he photographed

Neil Burnell

I love the work of this Devon-based photographer. This is a link to his website. https://www.neilburnell.com/galleries

Thomas Heaton, photographer, Lake District, UK

Thomas Heaton is closely asssociated with his home patch, although recently his profile has become more international. But I still prefer to see him working in the Lake District - the love and empathy for this is reflected in his wonderful images. His open and warm personality have also made him a great YouTube hit.

Adam Gibbs

This British-born landscape photographer is based on Vancouver Island, Canada. His website is called “Quiet Light” and this well summarizes Adam’s approach. He has won numerous awards for his incredibly sensitive landscape images, and he has recently published a book of photos. I like his approach to photography as portrayed through his YouTube channel and collaborations with other photographers.

Gavin Hardcastle - "Fototripper"

Gavin Hardcastle often manages to hide the fact that he is has an eye for a great photograph with his very funny and often self-deprecating escapades with his fellow photographers on YouTube. He always seems to create an iconic image of the locations he visits, and I love his energy and enthusiasm and 100% commitment to his life as a landscape photographer (before which Gavin worked in the music industry).

Nick Page

Nick is a landscape photographer from the USA who especially enjoys photographing extreme weather situations. In recent times I have enjoyed his collaborations with Thomas Heaton, Adam Gibbs and Gavin Hardcastle (now officially the G4!). I really like Nick’s images, as well as his YouTube videos which document his thinking, ideas and the stories behind the images.

Simon Baxter - Emotion in Photography

Simon Baxter is a photographer rooted in his own home environment who finds art in local woodlands, and is very much aware of how he can use his work to contribute towards the preservation of the environments which he photographs.

Morten Hilmer

I find the really well-made films which Morten Hilmer creates of his trips into the frozen wilderness truly inspiring. I love the closeness to nature which is evident, and I much admire his toughness, rigour and organization, without which a lesser mortal would no doubt not survive! Plus I very much enjoy Morten’s images.

Nigel Danson - landscape photography

Nigel Danson is a passionate photographer who has documented his own journey as a landscape photographer through his YouTube videos. I like his passion for personal growth and for sharing this with others as a teacher