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About Stephen and Deanee Clark
Eight years ago Deanee and I moved from Northamptonshire to Norfolk, although we had made frequent visits to the area, (my wife and I are both keen bird watchers) my photography up until then had been focused on birds and natural history of which I have a large library of images taken in both the UK and worldwide. The move afforded me the time to appreciate the wide diversity of the north Norfolk coastal landscape. I spent 20 years working in my chosen career which was forestry and conservation. My interest in photography developed from the bird and wildlife photography, pictures taken whilst on holidays in places such as Australia, Africa, Trinidad and Israel to the genre of today which is Coastal Landscape and Natural History. I am self taught and have had no formal training. Using the images from each trip I was able to put together slide shows which I used to raise funds for many local organisations. It was not until my personal
circumstances changed in 2001 when my wife became ill that I
retrained and established my picture framing business. I started to
sell both picture frames and my photography via local outlets, Craft
Fairs and the internet
By listening to people I met at the shows I quickly realised that my Coastal Landscapes were by far a more commercial subject. People would ask if I had any images of the local area and it was soon apparent that if you could capture the light in the landscape it potentially had the ability to evocate a passion for an area in so many people. The North Norfolk coast is firstly now my home. The whole area offers such diversity for the photographer. The ever changing coastline challenges you during each season. Changes to the seascape made by the winds and tides ensure that even the smallest section of the coastline will have changed next time you visit. One statement I often hear when people look at a sunrise or sunset photograph is “That was never taken around here, What, filters have you used? Yes it was, and no I don’t even own a filter. Norfolk experiences some of the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets, form June to September it is even possible to see both from the same beach. I have always found that first light and early evening offer the best light conditions for coastal photography, during the summer months its too bright during the day ( which ensures that I get at least some framing work done – Photography is a passion which supports the cost of your equipment and gives you a couple of nice holidays a year. In winter a clear, cold, sunny day gives crispness to the colours, the sun stays low over the landscape creating shadows and reflections in the sea
When asked “Are they digital?” Yes my photographs are taken with a digital camera, but I don’t spend hours manipulating an image. I only learnt how to switch a computer on three years ago. That was when I bought my first canon 300D and it was essential that I could down load my images! For this I use in Canon Zoom browser. I still find that I achieve my best results by using the camera settings to there full potential. Maybe similar results can be achieved by sitting for hours in front of a computer screen – I prefer to be out taking pictures. I use Photoshop CS2 for cropping and cleaning images (sand on the lens is a drawback) I don’t have any special equipment the lens I find I use the most is my canon EF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM this has such a low F stop it allows for better results in low light conditions, especially before sunrise and after sunset. A good pair of Wellington boots or waders I find are essential for coastal land and seascapes I have for that past 3 years had two exhibitions a year Next year 2008 they will be June 6th – 8th and September 26th – 28th In Brancaster Staithe Village Hall Norfolk (free admission) – The Marsh Larder tea rooms – Holkham and The café – Burnham Deepdale both have an selection of my work on sale throughout the year www.themarshlarder.co.uk www.deepdalecafe.co.uk - Both offer an excellent breakfast opportunity. The website of the Digital Photographer is www.dphotographer.co.uk |
The
following is written by Stephen Clark from which an article appeared
in February 2008 issue of the
A spring tide will cover areas
of marshland not normally covered by the sea. Equally a full moon
over the marshes with clear skies offers a chance to capture light
and shadows.