02/09/2026
This month we meet member, Julia Rich.
1. How would you describe your photography style in a few words?
I don’t have a deliberate style, but I do have a very strong drive to record what I see. Other people do tend to recognise my photos as mine – I suspect that’s more about my subject matter than a specific style. If anything, my photography is usually ‘about’ rather than ‘of’ my subject – its very observational, I respond to opportunities rather than plan.
It doesn’t win competitions often because it takes thinking about what is being seen rather than an immediate WOW! response. It’s a Marmite space – many people don’t ‘get’ what I show them, others enjoy what I do and some even laugh at my humorous observations (it’s a ‘win’ when they do!).
2. What or who encouraged you to start Photography?
My big brother started me off in the mid 1950s by handing down his elderly box camera (Ilford but ‘same as’ the notorious box Brownie). I then upgraded over the next 14 years as pocket money allowed to better kit, then received the most amazing 21st birthday gift from my uncle (who was serious about his photography).
That gift was an SLR (Canon Pellix) with 50mm and 300mm lenses. And that was IT! Hooked for life on photography, going as far as studying for a degree as a retirement project.
3. What camera/lens (s) do you use the most?
I run several systems – a matter of acquiring and appreciating what each one offers, so there’s an element of ‘horses for courses’ in there. I have Canon full frame as a result of upgrading over the years from that original birthday gift to the R system now, which I use especially when I desire the full frame advantages.
I tend to use it most of the time for the sheer quality of image it gives. Then there’s Micro 4/3 with Panasonic bodies – lighter to carry, comprehensive lens choices, and decent quality images. I have had two Panasonic cameras converted for Infrared capture, and also tote compact cameras when I want to go really light.
Then there’s the 11-year old Fuji bridge camera – old enough to use AA batteries – which can be remarkably capable given chance, simple, light to carry and NO charger needed. It gives amazing colour rendition. I also have an Olympus Tough – for its amazing macro capability and to cope with general wet conditions such as Dartmoor weather in winter. My most used lenses are fairly long zooms – I have a favourite range for general use around 24-240mm that covers most of my photography in a flexible way.
4. What subject matter do you love photographing?
I photograph anything that catches my interest, but the majority of my subjects are ‘natural world’: landscapes, flora and fauna, seascapes, environment, architecture and pretty much ‘you name it’. I have been known to photograph humans, but they’re right at the bottom of my list of subjects.
5. Where do you find inspiration for your photos?
Having grown up without the benefit of being able to search the internet, I still tend to go to magazines and books for ideas and to see other photographer’s work. Over the years I have enjoyed images by Ansel Adams, Charlie Waite, Joe Cornish and Rachel Talibart and many more photographers.
But I have also been influenced by paintings and drawings – there were a LOT of artists in Cornwall when I was a child, plus museums and the Tate St Ives – this gave me a different view of image creation.
6. What is the favourite photograph you have taken?
I don’t really have a favourite – I’ve taken far too many over my photographic life to settle on just one. In the set with this questionnaire is one of a hare – it gives me the giggles, because all you can see of the hare is its ears. It thought I couldn’t see it. So the image is a favourite memory of an enjoyable day in the countryside with a really silly moment happening.
I’m also rather attached to some of my infrared images, and yes there are two in this set.
7. What editing system do you use?
Adobe Photoshop – I started using the Photoshop program in the Elements form at version 2 a long time ago – then upgraded to the full CS5 version and have stayed with the system through its upgrades to the current version.
8. What has photography has taught you?
I grew up being told to look, observe, SEE. Photography has honed that seeing factor into a precision tool. Photography gave me the means to record what I see and then share it with other people.
One take home from that is that if you show a photo to three different people, you will get three different responses – with the possibility that none of them have responded as I did when I initially saw what I imaged. Its an interesting learning curve working out where THEY are in the exchange.
