We’ve often heard the phrase ‘less is more’, and when you’re looking at the cream of the crop of minimal landscapes, there’s only one name to check out: Jonathan Chritchley.
One of our fantastic professional photographer speakers at this year’sDigital Splash in October, we caught up with Jonathan in between his extensive travels, to find out the secrets to his success and what draws him to the ocean for the making his signature images.
You've risen to ‘fame’ rapidly in recent years - where many have been struggling to break through for decades. How did you get into photography/what did you do before? What's the secret to success?
I had been taking photographs for a long time, starting in the film and darkroom days, shooting black and white film and developing them in the kitchen of my flat. I needed to earn a living and was offered a job with a surf company, initially driving a van around selling t shirts and surfboards, then as the brand grew I ended up running the French office. I learned a lot in this time about brands, marketing, advertising, the power of an image - and when I decided to work for myself as a photographer these skills proved invaluable.
I treated myself as a brand, finding my style, shooting what I loved and not venturing ‘off-brand’ too much so as to keep the style strong and coherent. Luckily there were others who liked what I was doing and within a year or two I started to get a bit of a name, which was very pleasing.
Ocean related images form a large part of your portfolio - what draws you the ocean so much?
The ocean and my relationship with it, came way before photography. When I was 12 I decided I was going to go into the Royal Navy and train at Dartmouth. Life got in the way of the plans and I ended up doing a variety of water based jobs, mostly lifeguarding, that sort of thing.
When I wanted to really get into photography it seemed entirely logical that it should be water that I follow. I always believe you should shoot what you feel most comfortable with. Those photographers who follow their passions are often the most successful. The sea has always been a place of solace, a place to get strength, a place to feel at once humble and empowered. It’s a part of me and I don’t see that ever changing!
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You have a very distinctive style - what have been your influences in achieving this?
I looked at a lot of books of different photographers over the years, and certain images and styles stood out for me. The stunning early sailing photography of Beken of Cowes and the Rosenthals of the USA was an influence, as was the work of Bill Schwab and Michael Kenna. In addition, there are influences outside photography too – the film director and cinematographer Luc Besson stunned me with his use of space – and of course William Turner’s paintings – his skies and light – still reduce me to near tears. I think you take a bit from every source and add your own ideas and then stay true, just pushing the boundaries from time to time, and that’s what creates a style.
Some of your images are truly minimalist - what draws you to this style?
I like simplicity, space, and of course light. It depends on my mood and the location but I love to push the simplicity to extremes and basically create space with an extra element, whether it be a sail, a pier or whatever. I feel small when at the coast – small and vulnerable – and I like to emphasise that feeling by creating space within my photographs.
Your sailing images remain some of your most iconic and popular - what's next on this front?
If I told you I’d have to kill you….but seriously I have a few things planned including working with sailing vessels around the world – the shapes, forms and colours are so varied and I like to document this.
The feedback on your training courses and tours is also phenomenal - what makes a good photography trip?
I started Ocean Capture 8 years ago with the intention of providing high quality photography tours and workshops to the best water locations worldwide. Over the years this has grown and developed enormously, and today we visit over 15 different countries and run tours with such great fine art names as Michale Levin and Leeming and Paterson.
I still run many of the trips myself and am very proud of the 85% rebooking rate we have. I always try and offer the client more than they expect photographically, but also very importantly as regards the experience. We never take anything for granted, paying close attention to the accommodation, the safety aspect, the food and the fun. It seems to be a formula that works and I couldn’t be happier.
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We loved in your biog where is says, 'In today's hyperactive, overpopulated world, our minds are never at peace. We constantly run from one thing to the next, rarely reflecting on our lives, on our dreams, or on what we really want or need. The mind is like water; only able to reflect when it is perfectly still.' With such successful business how to you find time to reflect?
This was written by Pierre-Yves Cousteau, son of Jacques Cousteau, as a forward to my first book, and I loved it so much I asked him if I could use it on the website. The very process of my photography – being in these wonderful locations, feeling the wind, the spray of the ocean – is such that it allows time for reflection.
It isn’t a burden, having the business and trying to keep it successful – it is an absolute pleasure – it is my passion, my hobby, and a big part of my life and the lives of my family. So taking the helm and steering us away from occasional troubled water is second nature. It’s just what I do.
Being named in the Sunday Times top 100 Photographers of All Time must be a huge honour - how do you feel about that?
Yes it was amazing. It started with Professional Photographer Magazine’s Top 100 Photography Heroes and this was then picked up by the Sunday Times. I resisted the urge to include it in my email signature, but it was close! But seriously, yes the whole thing is very humbling and of course a real honour.
Silver - your first book - is, excuse the cliché - a work of art with fabulous reviews. Was that a fulfilling project for you? Could there be another book on the horizon?
Thank you! It was fulfilling, terrifying, frustrating, wonderful and awful. And yes I’d do it again. Like a shot. I’m going to leave it a year or two but have some ideas for the next one. And the next one!
One photographer dead or alive you'd like to meet/invite to dinner?
I had the honour last year of working with three photographers whose work I had admired for years, and each representing the 3 different aspects of my photography. Firstly, Michael Levin, whose minimalist work has always fascinated me. I ran a workshop with him in France and it was great to sit down at a table with him and talk through his experiences, his ideas and vision. Secondly I spent a day, also in France, with the great equine photographer Tony Stromberg, shooting, drinking wine and eating good food. And three days later I was on a fast speedboat off the coast of St Tropez shooting classic sailing yachts with the Rolex Yacht Photographer Carlo Borlenghi. Working with Carolo was amazing – I learned so much, as I did from the other two. Working with your peers is a fabulous way to grow and each of these experiences proved to me that I still have so much to learn!
But if I had to choose one to meet, I’d choose the wonderful sailing photographer Maurice Rosenfeld. He was quite a difficult man I believe, but his work ethic and courage has inspired me so much over the years.
One tip for people just starting out in photography?
Photography isn’t about the camera, or even the photograph. It’s entirely about the experience that the photograph captures. Enjoy this experience, shoot what you love, embrace every second, only listen to the advice of photographers who are better than you and never stop improving.
Jonathan will be giving two talks at Digital Splash 2016, which now takes place in the city of Liverpool across an entire weekend! For full details & to book tickets visitwww.digitalsplash.tv
Jonathan will be giving two talks at Digital Splash 2016, which now takes place in the city of Liverpool across an entire weekend! For full details & to book tickets visitwww.digitalsplash.tv