Stages of a photographer

David Constantine Photography Exhibition – Bristol 13-28 August 2011

David is one of my oldest and best friends, I met him when he joined The Photographers Workshop in the early 1980’s. We taught each other about so many things, he was my first web master and computer guru I showed him how to develop and print. His work has always been an inspiration photographing in more countries than even the most seasoned travelers. If you can’t make it to his exhibition then have a look at his website here

For the first time in over ten years Bristol
based street photographer David Constantine
is exhibiting his stunning collection of portraits
at the View Art Gallery in Bristol.
Open Mon-Sat 11am-6pm; Sun 12pm-5pm
The exhibition is open on 13th – 28th
August 2011.
19th August at 7pm – Come to an evening
where David Constantine speaks about his
photography and experiences. All welcome.

“If I think back I feel I have always ‘seen’ images. Having the ability to capture them in the way I wish to see them has always been the challenge. I am particularly enthused by light and the sun. If I am in a room, I have a overwhelming urge to always move and place myself near or into the natural light, particularly sunlight.

During my teens when I started to photograph more seriously I was finding my way to the type of images in this book. However on this journey I did try as many photographic forms as possible, dabbling in sports, surf, landscape, music and people.

However, my focus was brought into sharp detail when, following my injury in 1982, aged 21, I was left paralysed from the shoulders down and unable to grip or pick up my camera. I decided to give up photography as just another one of those things I was going to have to accept in my new life as a quadriplegic wheelchair user. What I hadn’t counted on was that I couldn’t just give up what I saw that easily.

With help from a number of key people, in particular Ian Dickens, Head of PR at Olympus Cameras and photographer Keith Barnes, I was able to start taking pictures again just over a year following my injury.

It wasn’t until I moved to a medium format camera and started to travel that I found my real challenge. That challenge is to photograph people in their own environment in a relaxed setting and at their ease. I am not quick, I cannot run after my subjects and I certainly can’t blend into the background as Henri Cartier-Bresson mastered so skilfully. However I can present myself to my subjects who are generally as intrigued by me, as I am by them. A foreigner in a wheelchair with a camera is not something one sees everyday, if ever in many of the countries I have had the privilege to travel to.

I am inspired by the way people live and in many countries I go to, how their faces tell many stories, often of hard work and struggle to survive in a way that we, living in more privileged circumstances, often take for granted. The recent history of a place or country always fascinates me and I try to photograph people who would have lived through or even possibly will live through times of great change in their country.

The images on this site have been taken over the last 20 years, often in moments squeezed into or around my working day. Luckily for good light, one has to rise early. I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I have enjoyed taking them.”

David Constantine
July 2011

Guardian Masterclasses: Photography Programme

If you live in London this might be an interesting course for you, if you live in or near Oxford have a look at our courses

Legendary photographer David Montgomery will take students on a journey of discovery through the mysterious world of “seeing”…

©David Montgomery

Course programme

All sessions will take place at the Tower Bridge Studios, London E1.

The course runs from 27 September to 13 December 2011, and consists of 12 two and a half hour evening sessions. All sessions will take place on Tuesdays from 6.30pm-9pm.

Students will be expected to have the use of a digital SLR camera and separate flashgun.

Since ‘homework’ will be set every week, participants must be prepared to set aside some time outside of the course in order to get the most out of the sessions.

The subject matter of sessions as listed below is a guide only. The exact course content will be finalised according to the experience and interests of the group and guest speakers’ availability. The detail of the course content is at the discretion of the course director and Guardian Masterclasses.

Full information here

Dates: Begins 27 September 2011

Duration: 12 weeks, Tuesdays 6.30pm-9pm

Location: Tower Bridge Studios, London E1

Course price: £2100 (inclusive of VAT)

Maximum number of places: 15