OCTOBER 2019 DIGITAL CAMERA^9
Andrew S Gray
Abstract photographerBased in a rural Northumbrian village
in the UK, Andy teaches others how
to capture artistic and Impressionist
scenes. Using intentional camera
movement, his images depict nature,
abstract coastlines and landscapes.
http://www.andrewsgray.photographyhile most
landscape pros
wax lyrical about
the golden hours
and finding the
perfect light,
abstract photographer Andrew
S Gray (Andy, as he’s known to
most) is happy to work with what
he’s got. This is just as well: I’m
meeting Andy on a bright, clear
summer’s day that’s perfect for
the beach, but less perfect for
taking photos of the beach.
The plan is to spend a day
with Andy travelling to some of
his favourite haunts around the
Northumberland coast. I meet
him in the early morning outside
Alnmouth’s Old School Gallery,
where his first exhibition is being
held. After viewing his impressive
hanging prints – and getting a
flavour of the day ahead – we
drive to our first destination,
Dunstanburgh Castle.
Arriving at 11.30am, just as the
daylight is peaking, would throw
many landscape pros off, but no
fear. Andy tells me he shoots to
fit around his schedule, and
while he’s checked the forecast
before our shoot, he never feels
confined by plans, or compelledto shoot at a given time. This
is because his personal style is
based around intentional camera
movement (ICM for short) and
long exposures. “I have always
enjoyed having a camera in
my hand to make traditional
landscape images of the local
iconic views,” Andy says.
What started out as minimalist
long exposures progressed to
intentional camera movement,
which is now the only technique
he uses. “The looseness and
ability to play without being tied
by the light or weather affecting
the scene you’d normally be
shooting is the style’s appeal
to me”, he says.
When we talk about camera
kit, I find that Andy’s approach
is refreshing there, too. “I still
use the Nikon D700 I got back in
2012”, he says. “I prefer to make
do and use what I’ve got, rather
than spend money constantly
updating.” It’s this approach that
has pushed Andy’s creativity,
rather than limiting it. Although
he has a mirrorless Canon
camera for shooting YouTube
content, he finds it too sharp
and too well-resolved to create
satisfying abstract images.W
St Mary’s Abbey,
York. A shot inspired
by romantic painter
William Turner.Master ICM with Andrew S Gray