The Photographer

John Boyd LRPS

For many years of my adult life I worked in the media, I was a Radio Presenter on both BBC and IRL Local Radio. At one stage I used to read the Saturday news bulletin on BBC TV in the North and parts of the Midlands. Unlike radio this made me recognisable to the public. A man walked up to me in a pub once and having claimed he knew who I was then told me that I should drop the telly and stick to being on 'the wireless', it suits your face better,he told me.
This kind of episode teaches you not to take yourself too seriously and I never do !

During my working life I was fortunate to meet and interview Patrick Lichfield, a charming and lovely man he was too as well as being a terrific photographer.My influence though has come from Karsh amongst others. His monochrome portraiture is the best I have ever seen. I also admire the early work of Linda McCartney,when she met all the 60's groups ( we didn't call them 'bands in those days-a band was something Joe Loss had ! )and amongst the modern snappers I like Charlie Waite and Joe Cornish.I also admire the work of my Wakefield Camera Club colleague,Les Forrester. Take a look at his site,it's brilliant, and he's a nice bloke as well - Les Forrester- faceonmages.co.uk. I can't complete this section without mention of Andy Box, he's probably my best pal photographically speaking. He's always given me lots of support and help and he's a great photographer too. Check out his work at andyboxphotography.co.uk.

I don't know if I'm unusual amongst my peers but I do love looking at other peoples work. Problem is it can either inspire or deflate !

For the record I am using Canon equipment, a 5D Mark2 and a 7D. I have a variety of lenses including the EF-S 17-85 f4-5.6, the EF 17-40 f4,the EF 24-105 f4, the EF 100-400 f/4-5.6.and a real little cracker in my 100mm f/2.8 Macro.
I print on an Epson Stylus Photo R2880 on a variety of papers, Epson Archival Matte is my current favourite.

I am very happily married ( the wife isn't but then you can't please everybody !) and I live in Leeds with said wife and lurcher dog Alfie who trys to keep me fit with loads of walks. I used to play lots of golf but recent heart trouble has meant a curtailment of that avenue of pleasure but I do have hopes of resuming in the future, just like Tiger - ah well maybe not !

If you ever see me, especially in a pub, just shout 'what are you having' and I'll respond very quickly. Otherwise I wish you all good luck and good fortune.


John Boyd-LRPS-Clubman of the Year 2009 Wakefield Camera Club.