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"Pete is a
great teacher; he knows how to make things easy to
understand."
Anneke
Schram - Personal Assistant - Antwerpen - Belgium |
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Peter Evans
began working as a full-time freelance photographer in the
UK in 1973 and although having now 'eased down a gear' he is
still the "photographer on-call" in southwest France for
Associated Newspapers, London*. He has been 'behind a
camera' since the age of 11
Pete (as he
prefers to be called) has diverse photographic experience.
At one end of the scale he has photographed numerous models
and beauty queens (including Miss Wales, Miss United
Kingdom, Miss France, Miss Europe and Miss World) whilst, at
the other, he has produced a four metre wide landscape,
photographed from a two-seat aircraft using a view-camera
and 7"x 5" sheet film. He has also photographed
Prince Charles (as an accredited photographer) and
Julie Christie (as a friend).
Over the years
Pete's photographs have appeared in numerous 'Glossies',
in catalogues and brochures, on advertising posters, on
boardroom and CEO office walls, on calendars and postcards,
in British national and provincial newspapers, and
in various French publications.
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Photo by British
photography client, Brian Maunder |
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The importance of composition is explained
to two clients, from Belgium and the UK
photo by Australian photography client
Malcolm Edward-Cole |
Although experienced in most types of film and darkroom techniques
(working in both B&W and colour), Pete has been '100%
digital' since 2002.
He has also had experience shooting video in a
professional context. "Apart from the obvious, the only
real difference between stills and the moving image is
the way the story is told," he explains, "Which is why
many great cinematographers and directors (especially in
the fields of advertising and music video) have come
from a still photography background.
"To be honest, if
the majority of people with camcorders would just
learn to use them like a normal still camera, their home
movies would be much better appreciated! Actually, this is
even more relevant now that all compact cameras and many
DSLRs are being supplied with video capability." |
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"Like
Jill, I don't favour the classroom style at all," Pete says, "Each one
of my guests receives individual attention
based on his or her own knowledge, ability and camera used. And, also like Jill, I give my guidance
hands on, while we're
actually out working in the field," as per the photos above
and below.
On the subject of cameras used,
Pete firmly believes
John Hedgecoe's
adage that 'cameras
don't make pictures, people do.' As a result, he
discourages obsession with equipment and encourages visual
awareness and an understanding of image creation.
'If I knew how to
take the perfect photograph, I'd do it every time!' Pete
says, paraphrasing the renowned quote from another of
his influences, the famous French photographer
Robert Doisneau. "Joking aside, it is truly impossible to define what makes 'a good photograph'," he says,
"So I approach the task from a different angle; I teach
people how to avoid making a bad one."
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A
Canadian client learns how to avoid
the problem of 'camera-shake'
both
photos by British photography client, Richard Epworth
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Explaining the
challenge of shooting a game of Petanque in
high contrast lighting conditions
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Two of Pete's
former guests, Ed Gowing from Australia and Alison Walker from the UK, have since gone on to
pursue full-time careers in photography. "It made me very
happy to hear that news," he says, "That really is enormously rewarding for me."
* Because of this, you may find yourself
participating in a real-life assignment during your stay!
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Peter Evans is a
member of the
Royal Photographic
Society
and a
member of Nikon
Professional Services
his photographs are available
for purchase from the
World Photography Collection |
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