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How did you first get into photography?
My mum always had a camera when we were kids and it sort of stemmed from that early influence. It became a hobby in my last year of school when I had chance to join the School Camera Club. The first camera that I ever used was a Pentax ME Super.

Why landscape photography?
The interaction of the light on the landscape and wanting to capture that fleeting moment when all the elements come together is what drives me. To turn up at a location and search for the perfect view point and then wait for the light - it's a great mental cleanser, particularly in my day job. I'm a Health & Safety Manager, if that's the question you're thinking.

How did you get started with landscape photography?
I've always had a love of the outdoors, a keen hill walker and mountain biker for many years. I was always looking for new places to go and see, naturally taking a camera with me to record the places I'd been. Eventually, the photography became the purpose for going out and not the other way round.

What equipment do you usually use when photographing landscapes?
Nikon D300, 12-24mm, HiTec 100mm ND, ND Grads, Polarizer, remote cord and of course the all important sturdy tripod. All carried about in a weatherproof Lowepro rucksack. The 12-24mm is a new purchase but soon become my favourite lens, the perspective it gives is awesome.

What is the key to good landscape photography?
This is a tricky one; I don't think there is just one key element but many. I'd have to say the light, location and viewpoint. The light having to be the most important, you can have the most stunning location but it won't work if the light won't come out and play. On the other hand you can have a boring location and then the light comes out turns it into something special.

Where do you get your ideas and inspiration from?
Inspiration has come from the work of respected landscape photographers, such as Charlie Waite, Joe Cornish, Colin Prior, David Noton and Ansel Adams whose vision and style I have studied over the years; not to emulate but to help in developing my own vision and style.

Also the many numerous talented photographers that upload their images every day on ePHOTOzine. Photographers such as LeighRebecca, Newman P, MartinL and SteveH63.

What advice would you give to anyone who wanted to get into landscape photography?
Look at the work of other photographers and ask yourself what you like about the images. Study the viewpoints, the chosen lens, the elements that have been included in the image, the time of day and the type of light. Also get yourself a copy of David Noton's ‘Chasing the light' DVD - educational and inspirational!

Do you prefer Digital or Film and why?
Digital - I like the instant feedback and the ability to have total control over the final image.

Tell us about the work you have recently had published?
A number of my landscape photographs were published in the 'Readers Pictures' section of the 15th March 2008 issue. I sent 10 images in of my favourite landscape images just to see if anybody else thought they were good enough to publish and got a full page spread for my efforts. I was dead chuffed and it gave me a real boost!

Who are your greatest photographic influences and why?
My greatest photographic influences are Joe Cornish, Colin Prior and David Noton. Colin Prior's book ‘Wild Scotland' was awesome. The panoramic format pictures of the Scottish highlands were amazing.

Have you had a go at any other forms of photography or do you prefer to stick to landscapes?
I also shot weddings and would also love to do more architectural photography. I love old buildings, churches, stately homes, ancient sites etc.

Of the hundreds of photographs you have taken, do you have one that is your favourite or particularly special to you, if so why?
I have one picture that I took many years ago of my wife with my eldest daughter at Haworth. It was shot on Kodak TMAX 100 and the negative went missing some years ago, so the print is irreplaceable.

How has the Internet helped with your photography - in particular having a website?
The website has been up and running since last October and has slowly had more and more visits each month. This has resulted in a number of print sales but not as many as I would have liked, but its still early days. Most sources reckon you need to have had an internet presence for at least 3 years.

How long have you been a member of ePHOTOzine?
I've been a member since 14^th November 2006, 8 days after my 40^th Birthday for which my wife bought me a Nikon D70 kit.

Have you ever thought about turning pro?
I would love to turn pro, but there are so many talented non-professional photographers that I think its getting harder to make a reasonable living from photography alone especially in my chosen field. Just have to see the high standard of photography on ePHOTOzine to see what I mean.

Have you always got a camera on you? Have you ever missed something because you haven't?
Unfortunately, I don't always carry my camera gear with me because of the chance of having it nicked from the boot of the car. I do carry at all times a 3.2mp camera phone, mainly to record a location or viewpoint that I've come across to hopefully return later with my gear. I've missed numerous shots by not having the camera gear with me, but that's life!

You can view Chris's portfolio here.

Words by James Sharp.