Photographer of the Month — Jenny Cameron — July 2019
Jenny Cameron is one of those brave and inspiring photographers who have carved out a very unique style in their landscape photography. Jenny’s images are a feast of light and colors, and a genuine treat to the eyes. Her story is a compelling read about dedication, hardships and overcoming obstacles.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am born and raised in the north of England, but moved to the Scottish Highlands in my mid 30s with my husband and two dogs following our dream to escape the rat race. We live on a farm within a private highland estate in the far north — I really have never lived anywhere so beautiful in all my life. I have always been a bit of a dolly daydreamer. My senior school was set in a rural location with views down a pretty valley and my step father once told a teacher that I’d never get any work done for staring out of the classroom window in my own little world. He was not wrong! I’m a very competitive person but only with myself. I am my own biggest critic, never happy with my images.
What made you start out with landscape photography?
I’ve always had a passion for the great outdoors and travel, and most of our holidays and free time were either spent long distance backpacking, hiking, climbing or skiing. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with a rare bone disease aged 35 which put an end to our adventures and I spiraled into a dark place. A few years later I found solace taking photos whilst walking my dogs in the beautiful countryside where I was lucky enough to be living, using a basic point/ shoot camera. I finally took the plunge and purchased my first Canon DSLR in October 2015.
What do you want to communicate through your photos?
I try to communicate depth by means of interesting foreground, textures, light, different focal lengths and focus. Emotion is never far from my mind when processing, which I hope is something I manage to convey in my photographs. Oftentimes, I will use more warmer palettes to portray happiness whereas more moody cool tones can show the opposite. I never set out with a plan, I kind of go with the flow wherever my mood takes me. I truly find great pleasure inviting the viewer into the scene and the world through my eyes.
What has photography done for you?
It’s helped me with mental negative demons, and in a way it’s given me back the old part of my life in the great outdoors without debilitating hip pain. Whether I’m on location or post processing, it will take me to another world. I’m not sure if others will relate to this but it’s like I’m able to escape the chaos of life and zone out in my own little world. Not to mention the genuine friendships I’ve made through photography. The generosity I’ve encountered continually astounds me.
How would you describe your work, and how has it evolved since you started out?
As much as I’m known for a lot of post processing, I do feel over the years I’ve learnt to tone it down a wee bit. In the early days I thought saturation and heavy vignettes were the best thing ever, whereas these days I try to be more selective and use it to lead the eye into key areas. Studying light has been a game changer for me. Knowing where your light source is and where the light / shadows will fall is a must. I’ve learnt a lot just by spending time in nature — you soon learn what colours work best … you can’t beat nature’s own colour wheel. Also I give myself more time these day on composition, searching for patterns and leading lines, whereas I never use to give it much thought.
I suppose most of us have periods when we seem to lose the fun of photography. Have you developed any strategies to keep the fire burning?
Absolutely! There are most definitely times when this happens. Then I need time away mostly from my computer and usually spend extra time on family road trips. Especially to the west coast of Scotland — famous for rain but once it stops and the sun comes out there is such amazing light playing on the land that it’s hard not to feel exhilarated and then I can’t get the camera out fast enough! It’s like an itch that needs scratching and I’m back before I know it. I’m very fortunate to have such a supportive husband. He understands when these times happen but will never let me give up when I’m throwing a tantrum (usually in post processing) — he’s always there championing me on which really does help re-igniting the flame.
Have you ever been severely criticized for your work? And in that case how did you handle it?
Oh yes ….! It sure happens, especially in my early days and I didn’t handle it well emotionally and took it to heart. The purists often criticise my creative licence but I am not here to appease them, my art is selfishly for myself. I’ve learnt over the years to take it with a pinch of salt and move on as photography is subjective and you’ll never satisfy everyone — the world would be a boring place if we all liked the same thing. These days if I see a negative comment on social media I literally ignore it. Gone are the days where I try to reason with them, and at the end of the day they are quite entitled to their opinion. After saying that categorically I can say that I’ve never criticise anyone else’s work, even if someone directly asks me for constructive criticism I still struggle, it’s not in my nature. My gran always taught me if you have nothing nice to say then don’t say anything at all.
Have you any hobbies besides photography?
Not sure if it’s a hobby but it sure takes up time! This past year I’ve thoroughly enjoyed spending time with seven horses on our farm whom I’ve become very attached to and seem to connect with on an emotional level. It’s really quite bizarre in a heartwarming and calming way. Also I enjoy reading, and watching far too many films.
In which direction do you believe landscape photography is heading?
In all honesty reflecting on the past 20 years in the mountains of Scotland I’ve witnessed huge environmental damages. I feel social media is like a virus to landscape photography. So many people travel the globe to iconic places just to post on social media to gain more likes and/or followers. It’s really very sad what’s happening to these beauty spots. Don’t get me wrong- I accept wholeheartedly that anyone has the right to go where they wish. We’re all guilty of that up to a point. For me travel is about adventure and fun, not letting Google direct you to a location you’ve seen on Instagram. For example 20–30 years ago the famous Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye only had a few daily hill walkers. There wasn’t even a car park. Not many people knew about it, people would simply park on the roadside and for the odd few cars doing this it really didn’t matter. Unlike the past 10 years where it’s snowballed to craziness on a whole new level with endless streams of tour buses all year round. It really hurts me seeing the erosion caused not only to the roads but footpaths too literally scarring the vistas. I don’t know if people are plain selfish or just don’t realise that this damage is permanent! Even if everyone stopped going from today it would take many hundreds of years to return to its former glory. I honestly don’t know where it’ll all end.
What is the most amazing place you have visited? Is it possible for you to articulate why it made such a huge impression on you?
In 1994 my husband and I rented our house out to fund a road trip for a year traveling fourteen countries in Europe and Scandinavia. There was one very special country we never wanted to leave which was Norway. It left a huge impression, especially the enormity of the turquoise waterfalls and Troll Wall. Such a beautiful country in so many ways. We were able to take our watches off and mostly didn’t know if it was day or night as it was summer time and never went totally dark.
What inspires you?
It’s got to be the moody Scottish weather. Some say it’s not great due to all the rain but for me there’s nothing better than after heavy rain fall when the sun pops out often revealing great light rays. Also foggy mornings make my heart swell when the mist slowly lifts from a river or loch — it really does make for interesting photography.
You have been severely ill. How has that affected you as a person and your photography?
March 2018 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, and my world came crashing down. Photography definitely inspired me to overcome my fears for the biggest fight of my life. My consultant told me I’d be out of action for a year with surgery and treatments. Luckily a few weeks after diagnosis a fine art gallery south of Glasgow approached me to display some of my work. This gave me mental balance, something positive to focus on and true hope. It took a few weeks after surgery to get back to doing some post processing, and I was only able to use one hand. Sadly I wasn’t able to hold my camera, let alone use it as I was so weak and sore. Cancer might have put my life on hold but there was no way it was controlling my love of photography. Within this time I wrote a full post processing tutorial of one of my images from start to finish for a photography magazine, and also had a selection of my work published in a hardback coffee table style book.
Photography helped to shut out the reality of the outside world, and took me to another world full of magic, with a sense of calmness and happiness. It gave me the confidence to hold my head up high, I was alive! No matter what I had to face my escape was always my art. I buried my head in my own little world where anything was possible. Eventually I got through surgery, 5 months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and albeit a little battered and bruised I survived! It’s the old cliche that you often hear after a life-changing diagnosis — “the world looks different now”. It’s so true. Before my diagnosis I would shy away from certain opportunities but now I want to grab life and live it to the fullest. I received many messages of support from fellow photographers who told me their stories of how cancer had touched their families. Photography has been my saviour and still continues to help rebuild “me”.
Do you have a piece of advice for young aspiring landscape photographers?
Be true to yourself, do what makes you happy and don’t worry what others may think. Don’t follow the crowds or chase the followers — it will become stressful and dull your creativity. Take inspiration from others but don’t copy. Try to find your own unique style which in return will give you more abundance. Never compare yourself to others, it’s a slippery slope of despair. Social media can of course be inspirational but at the same time can leave you with a feeling of lacklustre and loneliness and can quickly lead to unhelpful comparisons. If this happens take some time away even if just a couple of hours and do something completely different — for it can suck the life from your creative flow. And finally, practice, practice and more practice, it’s the only way. Oh… and don’t be too hard on yourself — it’s about having fun!
