28 March 2020 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I subscribe 0330 333 1113
CourtneyLeathleyisapromising
youngphotographerwho’sU.N.C.L.E
projectwasexhibitedatlastyear’s
PhotoNorthFestival
Whatdrawsyou
particularlytowards
documentaryphotography?
It’squitesimple,really.I love
documentingthings,aswellas
havingthepowerandthe
abilitytodocumenta unique
momentintime,something
thatpotentiallywon’teverbe
recreatedagain.Tellusmoreaboutyour
photographictraining.
I amstudyingfora BA(Hons)
PhotographyatLeedsArts
University.I’minmyfinalyear,
withalsothepotentialtodoa
masters.Inthefirstyearwe
learnedthebasicsofusing
studios,lights,filmcameras
andthedarkroom.Second-ONE TO WATCH
Courtney
Leathley
© ALL IMAGES COURTNEY LEATHLEY
year modules were harder and
included essay writing, looking
at ethical issues, and
videography. In the third year,
it’s a bit more independent. It
includes a dissertation of
5,000 words. I wrote about
the ethics relating to
photographing people with
disabilities and vulnerabilities.What are you hoping to
achieve after your training?
I want to do the master’s
degree and then apply for
courses such as interior design.
I also want to focus on projects
I have been too preoccupied
to develop and then start
sending work out to people in
the hope that I get featured,
published or recognised.
That’s the dream.What has been your biggest
photographic obstacle?
My confidence – I’ve always
doubted my abilities, which
stops me from applying for
competitions or going to talks
or portfolio reviews. I still
struggle with this aspect, but
my final year has helped make
me more determined.Who influences you?
Ansel Adams has always
been one of my influences.
I mentioned him in my
university interview. His
process using film and his
sensitivity towards nature is
what appeals. Another is
American photographer
Eugene Richards. His book,
The Blue Room, is incredible,
capturing unseen moments
inside abandoned homes
across America.What equipment do you
use and why?
I mostly use film. I have a
Pentax K1000 35mm film
camera, which I use a lot,
mainly as it’s small, compact
and very easy to use.
My other film cameras are
my Mamiya 645, which I use
for landscapes, as it’s heavy. I
also have my late grandma’s old
Kodak auto wind point-and-
shoot camera. It’s great foron-the-go snapshot style
photographs.
For my black & white
photographs I use Ilford HP5
Plus 400 ISO film as it’s got a
really lovely grain and contrast.
I use the darkroom in my
university, and for scanning I
use a Hasselblad Flextight X5
scanner. It takes some time to
scan each photograph, but it’s
amazing quality. I’m never not
in there – I think they must be
sick of me!What advice would you
give to other young
photographers?
My main advice would be to
not worry about whether your
work is good enough – some
people might not like it, but
others will. There is a market
for everything. Push yourself
and don’t think that
opportunities will come to you- go to them. Always ask
people for their opinion,
constructive criticism is the
best thing you can receive to
get better.
N E W TA L E N T
Courtney used her
photography project to
build a relationship with
her estranged uncle