The Artist by the Artist
I remember getting a camera for Christmas when I was about 10 and taking silly pictures of my friends. It was so much fun looking at the photographs when they were finally developed. Since then, I don’t remember ever being without a camera.
With the arrival of the internet my eyes were opened to the possibilities of what you could create with a DSLR and the digital darkroom that is Adobe Photoshop. I took many photographs and taught myself how to process them in Photoshop.
A couple of years ago I began following the work of some black and white minimalist photographers. I loved how the lack of colour in their images allowed you to focus on the simple graphic elements in their photographs creating a sense of calm and surreality. Eager to learn more, I attended a Rohan Reilly workshop in Venice earlier this year. Since then I have been creating photographs mostly through the use of long exposure. I am loving this new direction and hope to continue with it well into the future.
Personal faves
The Grand Canal, Venice Adele Spencer
As this is where it all began, I have to start with a classic view of Venice taken this year. This is the Grand Canal which on any day of the year is dotted with gondolas, water buses, speed boats, etc. Indeed, it can be like the M50 at rush hour sometimes! The long exposure enabled me to capture this peaceful and serene photograph as anything that was moving disappeared and the water became smooth and calm.
Winter Tree, Phoenix Park Adele Spencer
You don’t always need a long exposure to capture a minimal scene. I photographed this tree in the Phoenix Park on a cold and frosty morning last winter at sunrise. I loved the character of the tree with its bare branches and how it was leaning over. The morning mist in the distance helped to soften the scene and lend it some atmosphere.
Contemplation Adele Spencer
This is an image I had envisioned for quite a while. I had taken the original photograph of the pier at Coliemore Harbour on a foggy morning earlier this year but always felt it was missing something. I enlisted the help of a friend who kindly posed with an umbrella and I blended the two images together in Photoshop. This is part of an ongoing series based on the theme of figures in surreal landscapes. Hopefully I will be able to add to this series over the coming year.
My Inspirations
The Source Rohan Reilly
As mentioned above, I attended a workshop hosted by Rohan Reilly, so it goes without saying that he is my first source of inspiration. This photograph, which is very aptly titled The Source, demonstrates his dedication to realising his vision. He visited the Gap of Dunloe numerous times so as to get the right conditions and the water at the right level in order to get the S formation this way. I’m not sure I would have had his patience. But his patience paid off and I love the end result.
Contours Noel Clegg
I met Noel Clegg when he was a guest tutor on Rohan Reilly’s workshop. I love his minimalist and simplistic style and how he can choose something so simple as a harbour wall to photograph and create an award winning masterpiece. I tried this myself with the harbour wall at Bray but it didn’t have quite the same effect!
I have recently finished work on my website, and you can find it here. I hope to be able to add to it over the coming years, so keep an eye out for updates!
