Shaping Perspective

Introduction

Every photograph is shaped by more than the moment it was taken.

The way I observe people, respond to environments and document the world has been influenced by years of reading, travelling, visiting museums, working alongside researchers, engineers and volunteers, and continually asking questions about how people understand the world around them.

Photography is often described as capturing a moment, but I believe it begins long before the shutter is pressed. Every experience, conversation and book adds another perspective, influencing not only what I photograph, but how I choose to see it.

This page explores some of the ideas and experiences that continue to shape my work.

Seeing Science

Science has always fascinated me, not simply because of the discoveries it produces, but because of the curiosity that drives it.

Science has taught me to look beyond outcomes and become interested in process. Reading about astronomy, engineering and exploration has encouraged me to appreciate the experiments, collaboration and persistence that often remain invisible behind every achievement.

That perspective naturally influences my photography. Whether documenting a university rocket campaign, an outreach event or researchers at work, That perspective influences every STEM assignment I undertake. Rather than concentrating solely on the finished achievement, I look for the discussions, testing, teamwork and quiet moments that reveal how ideas become reality..

Recommended Reading

Learning to Observe

Observation develops through experience as much as study. Museums, exhibitions, conversations and visual culture have all influenced the way I approach photography, encouraging me to slow down, consider context and recognise that every photograph carries meaning beyond what is immediately visible.

Conversations That Matter

Some of the most valuable lessons I've learnt haven't come from books or classrooms, but from conversations with the people I have photographed. Spending time alongside researchers, engineers, students and volunteers has given me a deeper appreciation of the work they do and continually influences the way I approach new assignments.

Places That Inspire

Books provide one way of understanding the world, but experiencing it firsthand offers another.

Working in research laboratories, universities, observatories, museums, engineering facilities and launch ranges has shown me how ideas move from imagination to reality. These environments continually influence how I approach photography, encouraging me to document the people, objects and spaces that often go unnoticed.

Every new location offers a different perspective. Whether standing on a windswept launch range, walking through a museum or exploring a university laboratory, I try to understand each environment before making photographs within it.

Curiosity Beyond Photography

Photography is only one expression of my curiosity. Astronomy, aerospace, aviation and engineering continue to inspire me away from commissioned work, encouraging me to keep learning long after the camera has been packed away.

Astronomy, aerospace, aviation and engineering continue to shape the way I think about observation and exploration. Following space missions, visiting museums, reading about new discoveries and spending time in places where science and engineering come together continually provide new ways of thinking about photography.

I believe remaining curious is one of the most valuable qualities a photographer can have. The more we understand about the subjects we photograph, the more meaningful and honest those photographs become.

Influences in Practice

Every assignment reflects these influences in different ways.

Working with scientists has taught me patience. Photographing volunteers has reinforced the importance of trust. Spending time around engineers has developed an appreciation for precision, while community projects continually remind me that people remain at the centre of every story.

Although the subjects change, the approach remains the same: understand first, photograph second.

Continuing the Journey

No influence is ever complete.

New books are added to the shelf, new places are explored and every project introduces new ideas, challenges and perspectives. That continual process of learning is one of the reasons photography remains endlessly rewarding.

Each assignment becomes another opportunity to understand a subject more deeply, meet remarkable people and refine the way I see the world. I don't expect that journey to end. Every project introduces new ideas, new people and new perspectives, ensuring that every assignment becomes another opportunity to learn, grow and see the world a little differently.