Andrew James
Where it all began, a natural curiosity:
At a small rural primary school—charmingly old-fashioned even by 1970s standards - a teacher first inspired me to learn about wildflowers, trees, and wildlife. For the rest of the year, we absorbed geography, history, and maths through practical exploration. It was brilliant for young minds - can you imagine such a curriculum today?
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By the time I reached secondary school, many of us could identify native plants and trees, track down sticklebacks, and understand local habitats, from Saxon villages to Bronze Age Landscapes. We could even draw detailed maps of our area. These were the kind of instinctive, hands-on experiences that seem sadly absent in modern classrooms - experiences that helped shape a lifelong appreciation of the natural world.
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As a child I was drawn to wildlife documentaries, one early favourite was "Before the Ark", which aired around 6 a.m.—just after the Open University programmes, I was about seven.
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This background inspired me to start photography—to create a record of what’s there. From that point, it wasn’t a big leap to start seeing things more artistically. I began to see people and subjects differently, focusing on balance, light, background, and atmosphere - more than just their everyday appearances.
Preserving the Natural: More Than a Picture:​
No matter how often you return to a familiar scene, it never truly looks the same. The sound of the wind, the way light moves across the grass, the texture of water, or the shifting sky—these subtle, sometimes subliminal elements shape how we experience people and places.
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Capturing the details - the feeling:
Atmosphere - the essence of a moment - is what makes an image truly work. To me, this holds true across all subjects: people, nature, events, even commercial photography. It’s not just about what you see; it’s about creating an image so vivid that the viewer feels as though they were there too.
We’re part of the environment too:
Whether it’s a quiet family walk, traditional rural activities, or historical structures with stories to tell—these are all meaningful parts of a greater whole. My hope is that they aren’t just fleeting memories, but reminders of a world we still have time to preserve, not destroy.
There’s already too much artificiality creeping in around us. Automated software and AI-generated imagery are blurring the line between real and synthetic. In the process, we risk losing a natural record of who we are, where we’ve been, and what truly matters.
I still believe we can save what’s real. And I believe photography can help.
Just wanting to take photos isn’t enough:
You have to want to be out there - to experience the place, the light, subject, atmosphere - on its own merits. The passion for photography starts with a passion for the subject. The image follows.
If you’re not genuinely interested in what you’re photographing, it shows. On the other hand, when you love the place or moment you're in, it naturally translates into images that resonate beyond the image.
Over time, as you set the bar higher, more dedication is required but it becomes automatic and instinctive.
I don’t believe in excessive editing. The images you see here are true to the scene, to the light, and to the subject. No composites. No AI sky replacements. Just honest, thoughtful photography.
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Protecting lasting memories and art - real life:
These days, anyone can buy a camera—often a fancy one loaded with automatic exposure settings and built-in software to enhance or correct images. Many so-called 'professional' photographers rely on these tools and even build careers from them. But what you often get are images tailored for social media—momentarily pleasing but quickly forgotten. A week later, you're left with an empty feeling, realizing there’s nothing meaningful to show for the emotional buildup and expectations. Nothing real, especially as AI continues to blur the line between truth and fabrication.
A real photographer—someone with experience, intention, and vision—creates work that resonates. These are images you'll return to for years to come.​​
