Phil Lewin has been a keen photographer since the 1980s. He enjoys all aspects of photography, and is never happier than when he has his camera primed and ready to fire. He has invested heavily over the last few years in new equipment, including lighting and a digital SLR camera, and also in training on Adobe Photoshop, the world's number 1 digital photography program.
My photographic style; Varied. I like to cover all kinds of subject from weddings to landscapes to live gigs to motorsport. I love the less formal 'Photojournalistic' style of wedding photography.
My greatest strengths; I am honest and reliable. I am also tenacious, and determined to get the right shot. Whether it be photography or my day job, I like to get the job done to the best of my ability. I also have a good eye for detail.
I have been in photography; 25 years.
How I got started in photography; I first took an interest when I was given a 110 pocket camera in 1981. Many staff at my boarding school had the SLRs of the day, and showed me pictures which I found my 110 could not manage. A family holiday in Switzerland was planned for 1984, so I convinced my parents to buy me an Olympus OM-10 for Christmas in 1983. Many people bought SLRs around this time, which have long been discarded. I have stuck with one ever since.
On a professional level, I was asked to photograph a wedding ceremony in 2005, when the official photographer was delayed. The official photographer did arrive later, and several months later allowed me to shadow him at another wedding.
My personality; I am polite, and generally confident with people. I faced numerous difficulties in other areas of my life, so am always keen to take on new challenges.
Geographic areas I cover; Principally Bristol, Bath, North Somerset, & South Gloucestershire, but will travel further afield if required.
Venues I frequently attend; I have photographed a wedding ceremony at The Compass Inn, Tormarton, near Bristol. The lighting wasn't great and I wasn't allowed to use flash during the ceremony, but the venue overall was excellent. I have also taken wedding pictures at Chewton Place, Keynsham (between Bristol & Bath). I would love to shoot a wedding at a stately home, eg Dyrham or Longleat. Motorsport-wise, I love Castle Combe Circuit in Wiltshire. I also love photographing birds, so WWT Slimbridge is another favourite haunt.
I find inspiration from many sources. I find contemporary photographers such as the Australian Yervant inspiring. Photographs such as "That Lichfield moment" by the late Lord Lichfield (the picture where the bridesmaids are all laughing and chatting, which Lichfield candidly shot after saying "That's all") are also sources of inspiration.
Success in photography; Qualification-wise, I passed the portraiture module of City & Guilds 9231 Photography in 1996
I also won 1st prize at a local evening class competition in 1985 for a picture of Bristol's Council House, taken at night.
Photographic training; I attended an evening class in photography from 1984-6, then City & Guilds in 1996 at Soundwell (now City of Bristol) College.2003-4: Took training on Photoshop 5.5 at City of Bristol College
My interests outside photography; Music, Social life
Major events; Getting married in 1995; Passing driving test in 1985; Passing motorbike test in 2002; learning to ride a bicycle in 1976 aged 9; Climbing to the top of Snowdon as a teenager in 1980, 81, and 83.