I have an obsession, an obsession with creating beautiful imagery. Like all photographers I want to share my obsession and display my imagery to an audience, in the hope that my images will stimulate reflection, appreciation, inspiration and most of all enjoyment.

Unlike a news photographer, I am creating art. My RAW files are just that, RAW material which I shape in to my artistic vision. I sometimes spend many hours making subtle changes to perfect my images before I am content to share them. That said, although I allow myself complete artistic license, I am careful not to abuse this freedom. I never add anything to an image that did not exist in the original scene. I use the creative process (both at the capture stage and in post-processing) to subtly enhance the 'atmosphere' and 'soul' of a scene rather than to corrupt or debase it.

Nature often presents a canvas far too beautiful for digital interference and I will often prefer to creatively shape an image 'in-camera' rather than rely on post-processing. It's feels easier, more natural and more fulfilling to practise this way.

 

Pete Bridgwood
September 2008