I've been thinking a lot lately about how my photography has progressed since late 2006 when I really started to get interested in making images.
I started off trying to record the amazing places I was visiting through working around the world. At first it was the landscapes, architecture, and street art I passed by. I had always been interested in becoming an action sports photographer as I have skateboarded, surfed and snowboarded since as long as I can remember.
Over time I became excited by street photography and capturing the beauty of everyday life on the streets of the cities I visited. I was purely an observer and tried to remain invisible as much as possible.
When I got an iPhone I was blown away by how much fun I could have with such a tiny camera sensor and all the image processing software there was available to add emotions to the subjects I was capturing. For a while I barely used my "grown up" camera as I experimented and learnt. There's a lot to be said for a single device that takes photos, processes them and then allows me to share with others as well as consume other people's work! I even had an exhibition of images entirely shot and processed on my iPhone 4.
Toward the end of 2013 the outward facing camera on my iPhone suddenly stopped working. At this stage in my life I had a fair bit more time available to really use my Canon 5d Mk3 that had been patiently waiting to spend more time in my hands.
Over the last few years I'd also come to start to like working with people which hadn't been such a priority in my life before then when I'd been working with machines, networks or riding things that slid or had wheels.
I now find myself on the brink of starting a new career of making images of people, capturing events that involve humans and recording their movements, expressions and activities and I'm excited. If someone had told me 10 years ago that I might be taking photos of theatre shows, weddings or creating advertising images I would have told them they were crazy!
It's amazing how our direction can change, how easy it is to re-invent ourselves if we really want to and take the right actions. I'm not 100% sure what I'll be photographing in 12 months time and for once in my life I'm not too concerned or trying to really control that outcome. I am certain though that I will have learnt a whole bunch of new skills, met some awesome new people, seen some cool events, and as always have some crazy stories to tell.
Bring it!!!