Leon Taylor
Introduction
Leon uses analogue cameras and produces traditional monochrome silver prints of his work. He is an occasional contributor to Black and White Photography magazine and has shown prints in various exhibitions in recent years.
Leon's philosophy
Leon takes great inspiration from the contemporary peaceful and contemplative style of monochrome landscape photography, preferring to use simple compositions in the square format and take pictures during twilight hours or extreme weather conditions. Exposures invariably run into many minutes or are built up over time - a method that results in even the most furious of seas seeming to be mill-pond still. His compositions seek to exclude all the clutter and detritus that litters the surrounding landscape and concentrates upon single or small groups of strong features against stark skies or blurred seas.
There are no preferences for super-sharp perfection in Leon's pictures. Blur from poor quality or plastic lenses is used as much as sharpness from high end optics. Leon's main concern is the portrayal of visual and emotional impact through his pictures to the viewer. He sees the negative as a pencil-sketch from which the final image is realised through printing and toning techniques.
Leon prefers the craft of creating a print through darkroom techniques rather than the use of digital hardware and software. This is down to personal choice and not a statement that infers a superiority of process.
further information
Leon is a co-founder of a small internet community called Filmwasters : a light-hearted website that promotes the creative use of film photography and includes notable guest galleries, a forum and a regular podcast.