About Me
I live in the Forest of Dean in Gloucester and have access to miles of woodland walks minutes from my home – I love to walk in the forest with my camera (or often just my iPhone). This time alone in the woods allows me space to think or sometimes just to “stand and stare”. My images are mainly inspired by the natural world I see around me on my walks and travels. I am attracted to a more interpretative approach to making images, using techniques such as ICM (intentional camera movement) and multiple exposures to convey abstract impressions and emotions or to explore patterns, shapes and colours (I love colour!)
I have been inspired by many photographers and artists over the years, including Fay Godwin (her “Secret Forest of Dean” is one of my favourite books), Eliot Porter, Freeman Patterson , and John Blakemore and more recently by the innovative work of Chris Friel, Paul Kenny, Valda Bailey and Doug Chinnery. I also love the work of Sandra Bartocha and Lizzie Shepherd
Awards
International Garden Photographer of the Year 10 – 3rd place Captured at Kew with "Entwined"
International Garden Photographer of the Year 11 – 1st place On The Go with "Seed Doodles"
International Garden Photographer of the Year 12 - 2nd place Abstract Views with "Sunflower Swirls"
Close Up Photographer of the Year 2019 - 3 images placed in the top 100. See blog post HERE
International Garden Photographer of The Year 13 - Highly Commended in Abstract Views with "The Three Amigos"
International Garden Photographer of The Year 13 - Finalist with "Autumn Fragility" in Square Crop
International Garden Photographer of the Year 13 - Highly Commended with "Waving Winter Grasses" in Square Crop
Publications
Interview with Michela Griffith for “On Landscape” November 2017
You can find the interview HERE (if you are an On Landscape subscriber)
"Entwined" appears in the International Garden Photographer of the Year 10 book
"Seed Doodles" appears in the International Garden Photographer of the Year 11 book and also featured in The Guardian Online (09/02/18), Digital Camera (March 2018),Amateur Photographer (17/02/18) & The English Garden (April 2018) magazines
"Sunflower Swirls" appears in the International Garden Photographer of the Year 12 book
"Winter Oakmoss" appears in Amateur Photographer (01/06/19) as part of a feature on CUPOTY
"The Three Amigos", "Autumn Fragility" and "Waving Winter Grasses" all appear in the International Garden Photographer of the Year 13 book
Exhibitions
Joint Exhibition with Kate Barry and Wendy Chapman in the Cotswolds (Blockley) - December 2018
Group Exhibitions/shows:
International Garden Photographer of The Year Exhibition 2017, 2018 & 2019
"Connected", Patchings Art Centre, April 2018
"On Landscape Meeting of Minds" Conference Exhibition, Rheged Centre, Penrith, November 2018
Newent Art Competition exhibition at the Secret Gallery, Newent, Glos, August 2019
I have been inspired by many photographers and artists over the years, including Fay Godwin (her “Secret Forest of Dean” is one of my favourite books), Eliot Porter, Freeman Patterson , and John Blakemore and more recently by the innovative work of Chris Friel, Paul Kenny, Valda Bailey and Doug Chinnery. I also love the work of Sandra Bartocha and Lizzie Shepherd
Awards
International Garden Photographer of the Year 10 – 3rd place Captured at Kew with "Entwined"
International Garden Photographer of the Year 11 – 1st place On The Go with "Seed Doodles"
International Garden Photographer of the Year 12 - 2nd place Abstract Views with "Sunflower Swirls"
Close Up Photographer of the Year 2019 - 3 images placed in the top 100. See blog post HERE
International Garden Photographer of The Year 13 - Highly Commended in Abstract Views with "The Three Amigos"
International Garden Photographer of The Year 13 - Finalist with "Autumn Fragility" in Square Crop
International Garden Photographer of the Year 13 - Highly Commended with "Waving Winter Grasses" in Square Crop
Publications
Interview with Michela Griffith for “On Landscape” November 2017
You can find the interview HERE (if you are an On Landscape subscriber)
"Entwined" appears in the International Garden Photographer of the Year 10 book
"Seed Doodles" appears in the International Garden Photographer of the Year 11 book and also featured in The Guardian Online (09/02/18), Digital Camera (March 2018),Amateur Photographer (17/02/18) & The English Garden (April 2018) magazines
"Sunflower Swirls" appears in the International Garden Photographer of the Year 12 book
"Winter Oakmoss" appears in Amateur Photographer (01/06/19) as part of a feature on CUPOTY
"The Three Amigos", "Autumn Fragility" and "Waving Winter Grasses" all appear in the International Garden Photographer of the Year 13 book
Exhibitions
Joint Exhibition with Kate Barry and Wendy Chapman in the Cotswolds (Blockley) - December 2018
Group Exhibitions/shows:
International Garden Photographer of The Year Exhibition 2017, 2018 & 2019
"Connected", Patchings Art Centre, April 2018
"On Landscape Meeting of Minds" Conference Exhibition, Rheged Centre, Penrith, November 2018
Newent Art Competition exhibition at the Secret Gallery, Newent, Glos, August 2019