Interview with Jim Barrott

Hi Jim! Tell us about yourself in two sentences - who are you?

I am a retired Biology teacher, living on the edge of Oldham in Lancashire, only a stone's throw from the wild and windy moors of northern England's Peak District. I have always had a great affection for the outdoor life and try to get out with my camera gear, walking, cycling, or just travelling to somewhere remote and interesting, as often as possible.

QWhat's the weirdest situation you've found yourself in while taking a photograph?

AI really don't think there is one. Unless you consider lying face down, sinking slowly into a bog, photographing cotton grass as a strange thing to do? Or standing up to your waist in a pond. This sort of thing seems perfectly normal to me and I'm sure lots of people do it.

QWhat do you shoot on? What's your favourite set up?

AI shoot on a Canon EOS 600D. Mainly using either a Tamron SP (10 to 24mm) wide angle zoom or a Sigma DC macro (18 to 250). But to be honest I'm not much of a gear buff and start to doze off when someone who knows what they are talking about gets going on the subject.

QWhat's your number one tip for an aspiring photographer?

AIt is very difficult to get beautiful, interesting landscape shots on a bright, cloudless summer's day. Great for a walk but not usually for photography. Get out in the wind, rain and snow and look for those fleeting opportunities for a dramatic shot when the clouds part.