Those of you who follow the blog regularly will know that I love photography and take as many pictures as I can wherever I go. So, when I discovered that one of my favourite photographers – Deborah Fletcher – was showcasing some of her photographs in a new exhibition at Thoresby Gallery, I took the opportunity to ask her a few questions about her inspiration, her process and her influences!
Tell us a little bit about yourself – how did you become interested in photography?
I don’t have an artistic background, in fact I was discouraged from an early age to pursue something else due to my lack of skill! My career was mainly in the travel industry which did give me the opportunity to photograph many an exotic beach and well known landmark. I bought my first serious camera around 12 years ago after following a friend around the North Yorkshire Moors watching him produce such beautiful images, I was really hooked after that.
What are your favourite subjects to photograph and why?
The coastline and landscapes are probably my favourite places to photograph, anywhere that’s off the beaten path and remote as I like the solitude. If you are lucky you get to a time in your life when it hits you how simply amazing this planet is and how connected you are to it all. My favourite subjects to photograph, however, are flowers. They are just captivating, and being a keen gardener I’m always in awe how these fragile and vulnerable creatures emerge from the dark and dirt every year to have their moment in the sun.
You’re currently preparing to showcase some of your work in an exhibition. What was your process when creating the collection?
My work for the upcoming exhibition has been a labour of love – and frustration. Plans to travel abroad were curtailed and a personal project was delayed which threw up challenges as to what to include. I’m fortunate to have a friend who curates work and after a couple of hours (over endless coffees and cake) I had a plan of how to bring images together in a more cohesive manner – small groupings of linked images telling a story, a flow if you like which is how nature works.
Check out some of Deb’s work here – click on the images for the full picture…
What technology/camera gear do you use in your process?
I use a Canon EOS 5D – I also have a Canon 400D which I have a macro lens for when I get very up close and personal with a flower! All my gear is well worn, my Manfrotto tripod has been dropped off a ferry in Vancouver, and the legs groan from being covered in sea water so often. I also use Lee filters on occasion for landscape shots. For processing images I like Lightroom, Photoshop is still a mystery to me so I avoid it where possible!
Who are your biggest photography influences? How do you take your inspiration from them?
Joe Cornish I’m in awe of. I’ve seen him in action, he has tremendous vision for a scene and he is so dedicated to his craft. Although I’m not a portrait photographer I love Sue Bryce for her passion, honesty and generosity in sharing her experience as a photographer. Instagram has many talented photographers producing astonishing work too. However, it’s very important to take inspiration but do not compare your own work with others. Comparison crushes creativity and can seriously dent your confidence. You travel your own path creating your own work.
What is your advice for budding photographers who are look to start promoting their work?
Gather your best images – quality over quantity, and get them out in to the world. Be it a website, Instagram, competition or printed photographs sold at a craft fair – just give it a go. Do not wait until you’ve achieved ‘perfection’, a wise man told me recently ‘done is better than perfect’. You will never think your work is ‘good enough’, you will stumble when it comes to asking for money for your work, there will always be people who don’t like what you produce.
Want to see more? Deb’s exhibition opens on Fri 02 June until Sat 01 July 2017 open 11am – 4pm (closed Mondays) at Thoresby Gallery, Thoresby Park, Nr Ollerton, Newark, Nottinghamshire and is shared exhibition along with artist Dominick Cuming
You can find more of Deb’s work, available to purchase on her website here
You can also find her on Twitter @DebFPhotography and on Instagram @debfletcherphotography
All images used are created owned and copyrighted to Deborah Fletcher and are not available for use.
Suzie Speaks 
Cool and knowledgeable interview!
Thank you!
I love her advice of just getting your best work out there. I need to do the same. Thanks!
Hi Tiffany, thanks for reading my interview with Suzie. You have some great travel photography on your site so pick the ones you love and have some printed – make them a good size. Looking at them as a hard copy in your hands will give you a different perspective on your work and you could always try selling some at local fairs. Or even frame them and hang them up at home so you get an idea how they look as pieces of art. Best wishes! Deb
Thank you so much Deb! I need to get them printed. However, I have no home so not sure where they would live. Might give them as gifts. Thanks for having a look at my blog.
Love Debbie’s macro work. Looks easy to achieve and that’s the difference between someone who has an eye for photography and those that don’t. Good luck with your exhibition would’ve loved to have gone to it!
Thanks very much Suzanne for your kind words and encouragement! Kind regards, Deb
Thanks for introducing me to Deb’s work Suzanne, now following on Instagram 😁
Thanks for the follow Emmalene! Kind regards, Deb
Wow, what beautiful images. I love taking photos but was totally blinded by science when I took a beginners course in photography- I’ve stuck with dodgy iPhone pics ever since!! 😜
Hi Shelley, many thanks for your kind words. I know what you mean about being blinded by the science of it, I’ve been on photo courses like that! Just find your own way and don’t get hung up on the technicalities or it takes all the joy out of it. Love your writing, I received ‘How I Changed My Life’ for Christmas and enjoyed reading it. Best wishes, Deb
Oh wow, thank you so much, Deb. 😊
A great interview! I am a total amateur photographer, and my phone is my mode of image making!
Thanks Ritu! Best wishes, Deb
Thanks for a really interesting interview. It’s great to hear Deb’s advice for photographers and her talent is awesome.
Hi Deb, thanks for reading. You have some amazing photography on your website, beautiful work! Kind regards, Deb
Thank you so much Deb for looking at my blog and for your comment on my photos. I just love capturing views and moments and it’s amazing what an iPhone can do!
These are gorgeous photos! Thanks for sharing the images, as well as the interview. I’m always interested in learning the “behind-the-scenes” inspiration that triggers great art.
Hi Gabe, thanks for reading and your kind words. You have some great artwork on your site, do you show your work? Best wishes, Deb
I appreciate the quality over quantity advice. It’s tough to get a great picture!
Hey Phil, thanks for reading. As a man of quality I appreciate your comments! Regards, Deb
A man of quality? You may be giving me too much credit, but I’ll take the compliment. Thank you!
Love Deb’s work. Interesting how photographers also go through the ‘my art is not good enough’ perfection thought process.
Hi Lucy, you summed it up in your post Magical & Messy Creative Moments! Trying to produce anything is a mix of chaos and clarity, and praying the end result turns out ok. Best wishes, Deb
Thx 🌸😊
Incredible pictures and diverse subjects. Love her saying don’t wait for perfection – so true in anything (writing, painting and photography).
Thanks very much for your kind comments. Imperfect is so much more interesting don’t you think!
I appreciate the advice here, which could apply to any creative person: gather your best and give it to the world–don’t wait for perfection. What is perfection anyway? If it evokes something meaningful and reminds us of the wonder and beauty–or ridiculousness–of life then it’s as close to perfection as it ever needs to be. Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks very much Angela. I love your take on perfection! Best wishes, Deb
What beautiful photographs! I must look her up on Instagram! I love her advice about sharing your work, and quality over quantity, and done is better than perfect! I need to remember that, too. 🙂
Thanks for your lovely comments Becca!
This is a great interview and very inspiring! I love Deb’s work and the fact she started out not having an artistic background. I love taking photos and feel as if I should pursue it more having read how Deb did it! Cher xo
Hey Cher, you have a fabulous eye for a great photograph and should definitely pursue it. Love the Chicago from the air posts you’ve done xx
Oh Deb, coming from you this is a huge compliment because you are a fabulous photographer! Can I just say that you’ve made my entire week? Thank you so much!! I’ll pursue it!!! Cher xo
Thank you. I enjoyed this interview and have an interest in photography but do it just to please me. I did go to a photography club once and they tore my photographs to bits without too much constructive suggestions at the other end. I never went back. But living out at the Back of Beyond, there is not a lot of scope and beach and bush become boring after a while.
Thank you very much for the interview Suzie and the tips and encouragement, Deborah. I have taken note of the quality over quantity. These days when photography is so much cheaper and you can proof your images as you go and just keep on taking shots until your card fills up or battery goes flat, there’s almost like a glut of images and perhaps the skill for the contemporary photographer is to be able to pluck the needle out of multitudinous haystacks. That discernment is an important skill.
I have been an official school photographer for 6 years, photographing events at my kids’ school, not doing official portraits as well as photographing my own kids.
When it comes to looking back at photos of my kids, I do love those runs of photos which tell a story like a frozen film strip. They really recreate the moment and have a strong sense of the story.
i guess that’s where your curator friend came in handy, building that sense of connection and story between what could well have been unrelated images. That would be a very interesting exercise.
I am hoping to put together an exhibtiion of photographs I took earlier in the year in Tasmania and so I’d bear that in mind.
xx Rowena