News

"My first ‘proper’ camera was a Pentax Spotmatic with the standard 50mm lens.  I bought this back in the mid-60s when I was stationed at RAF Chicksands during my time with the United States Air Force.  I was immediately interested in ‘people’ photography, and that time period in England was dominated with quirky fashion and a new era of music; London and Liverpool were the places to be!  This exciting time gave me ample opportunity to begin to learn the craft of photography!

When my service with the USAF was complete, I moved to Boulder, Colorado, USA.  There, with my British wife and two small children, I found work to support us and was always looking around for photo subjects.  There’s a vibrant student population at the University of Colorado, so was able to pursue model brochure work and fashion photography with local clothing retailers.  I’d joined the Boulder Fire Department, and working shifts meant I had plenty of off-duty time to pursue my photography.

More model brochure work and fashion photography followed, along with a 3-year stint as the official photographer for the Denver, Colorado Playboy Club.  By this time I’d upgraded to more professional equipment, purchasing a Hasselblad 500C, several lenses and filters, and a proper tripod!  I had a Nikon F with several lenses as well.

My 27+ years with the fire department also introduced me to arson and crime scene photography; suffice it to say that my exposure to various types of photography was widespread!

Upon retirement I moved to the coast of Oregon, USA, and a small village called Florence.  I built a home there which had an unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean.  Sunset photos were an everyday occurrence and the wildlife there, (small herds of elk traipsing through the back garden, bear, fox, lynx, deer, all types of birds and sea life), was abundant.

But one can only make so many sunset or bird images, so when my family situation changed, I moved back to England and I am now living in an idyllic location at the edge of the village of Pavenham.  At 77 years young, I now have the enviable opportunity to expand my photographic pursuits on an entirely new canvas - the United Kingdom!"

Cliff Harvey