Tim Parkin

http://www.timparkin.co.uk/

While researching landscape photographers you get a growing appreciation for how diverse the UK is (although you do see some areas more represented than others).  For years I used to travel around the country with the sole aim of visiting mountains or the sea.  It has taken me a long time to appreciate the full diversity of what is on offer.

I came across the web site for Tim Parkin yesterday lunchtime.  The images on display immediately struck a chord, bringing back places and times in my past.  For me there is a natural quality to the images.

Tim has been taking photographs since his teens, however, has concentrated on large format photography since 2007.  His website states that he has only focused on landscape photography since his 40's.  In spite of this he has featured in the photographer of the year exhibition at National Theatre.  Tim primarily works in the North of England and in Scotland.

Clachaig, Glencoe, Scotland

lens: 80mm Schneider Super Symmar XL f/4.5

speed: 1s

aperture: f/22

nd filters: 0.6H

other filters: Centre Filter

"...whilst I was taking the large format version, I waited for the patchy sunlight to highlight the middle ground but to leave shadows on the background and to be diffused in the foreground. I also took three other pictures with light on foreground, dark background and other combinations. All but the first shot I took look terrible. The mixed light conditions looked wonderful though. Amazing what a few seconds difference can make.. "   Tim Parkin

This image just makes me want to go out walking for the day.  The wall, acting as a lead in line, points the way to go - up.  The wall also mirrors the line formed between hill and sky.  There is a wonderful clarity throughout the image, the depth of field being determined by the small f22 aperture. 

Tim Parkin points out that he took 4 pictures of this view, with the final choice being determined by the quality of light.  As well as thinking about light in general this has started me thinking about using light to enhance the composition itself.

The differing colours and textures are enhanced by the lighting.

location:Glencoe, Scotland

lens: 80mm Schneider Super Symmar XL f/4.5

speed: 30s

aperture: f/32

nd filters: 0.9H 

'By the side of one of the fishing piers was one of the most pristine Fly Agaric mushrooms I have ever seen. ... I didn't want to capture a typical 'flora' shot and ended up balancing my camera on the floor, supported by a couple of books, in order to bring in the background to give some context to the picture. The mushroom looks enormous here but in reality was only about two inches high.'    Tim Parkin

This image has been taken using an aperture of f32, which would typically have been used to maximise depth of field.  In this instance the subject is close to the lens and the use of the small aperture and an nd filter have enabled a long exposure, 30seconds, allowing the capture of a very detailed image.  The fly agaric looks almost velvet in texture.  Leaf litter and the colours in the trees confirm to the viewer that his has been taken in the Autumn.  The primary focus on the mushroom is almost central to the shot, almost looking superimposed.  If taken out the background would appear to conform to the rule of thirds, both  with the edge of the water nd the edge of the tree.

location

Holy Island, Lindesfarne

lens

110mm Schneider Super Symmar XL f/5.6

speed

1/8

aperture

f/22

tilt/swingnd filters

0.6S

 The mountainous terrain in miniature was the initial attraction and the curve of the wall leading to a spiral around the castle. The ring is only about 2 inches across but the use of a 110mm lens (about 24mm on a 35mm SLR) and the looming perspective distortion of back tilt makes it look big enough to moor a supertanker. This is still work in progress as I'm not enamoured of the light or sky, but the composition works for me.                       Tim Parkin        

As highlighted by Parkin himself the perspective is one of the most striking elements of this image.  The colours are also very striking with the rust relfecting the natural background colours. This image conforms to the rule of thirds more than other images that are on the website.

Slime

location: Broadhaven, Polzeath

lens: 24-105

speed: 1/60

aperture: f/16

"The colour contrast combined with the twisting textures of the rock being overgrown by the acid green seaweed provide an alien foreground, accentuated by the ominous sky"  Tim Parkin

Sharpe contrast of colours and use of diaganals make for a very striking image.