Intimate Scapes Photographers from around the World

Once you start to look for and photograph ‘intimate landscapes’ it changes your way of thinking with the camera. You are ‘sucked in’ further, becoming more open to what’s before you and immersed in your surroundings. Awareness of the landscape heightens tremendously but just as importantly; your abilities and control of the camera will improve.

The best intimate landscapes are often those that exert a charm which extends beyond their limited field of view and invites us to let our imagination flow freely.
I spend many hours exploring my local Northumbrian coastline, searching amongst the rocks, seaweed and sand for compelling little scenes that tell stories of time and tide. By taking a closer and deeper look into the world beneath our feet, we open up boundless opportunities for discovering distinctive and fascinating landscapes in miniature.

There is a child-like delight to be had in discovering the beauty in the smallest of scenes. A simple little leaf. The eddy of a stream. Curiosity is awakened and the photographer then uses their craft to capture that image in the most appealing way. The images are creative and personal - often not social media crowd pleasers but quiet scenes taken with love and great attention to detail.

It is in the detail of our natural and man-made landscape that many photographers find inspiration. I’ve always lived and worked in a city environment, strengthening my connection to the man-made landscape which I interpret in my photographs of close-up and abstract details. I challenge myself to find intimate landscapes in locations seemingly without potential, but the results are unique and more personal. 

I have concentrated on making intimate or abstracted photos of anonymous places for over 20 years. For me, they offer the possibility to produce images that are more personal and creative than the expansive view. Rather than being answers provided by the photographer, the more abstracted images can pose questions to the viewer. I want to leave room for the viewer to bring their own story when looking at a photo, blending their view and mine.

The intimate scape is a unique and personal way of seeing that depicts my experience; not just my  seeing what is there, but feeling it.  It is almost an antidote to the ‘big-picture’ mountain landscapes with which I began my photographic journey. It brings a completeness to my vision and enhances my sense of place, wherever I am.

I have found that a selection of part of the landscape can often create a much simpler and stronger image. I normally find it more satisfying too, knowing that it represents my own personal vision, rather than the general view that others might shoot. I seek out the detail in a scene, the elements that make that particular place special.