Biography

Lee Pengelly:

I have a passion for the landscape and love to be out in the great outdoors in all weathers capturing the changing light. Living in Plymouth in Devon I am fortunate to live close to stunning scenery. Beautiful coastal landscape and the rugged wild moorland of Dartmoor are all within easy reach. I love to shoot at dawn and dusk when the light is at it's best and just being there soaking up the atmosphere is very special for me, the resulting pictures are my record of those moments.

I was a latecomer to photography, not picking up a camera until the age of 24. A college course enabled me to get to grips with the technical side of things and later a B.F.P, (Bureau of Freelance Photographers) course helped me to understand the business side of photography. Between 1996 and 2000 I honed my craft putting in to practice all that I was learning. I was completely hooked on photography and soon realised that this was what I wanted to do for a living. I spent the first few years building up a client base supplying pictures to various outlets including magazines, books, postcards and calendars. 

My lucky break came in 2001 when I was able to give up the day job and turn professional. I now specialise in four main areas, landscape, architecture, nature and food photography producing work for editorial, advertising, industrial and private clients. I run my own library of material covering the above subjects and also lifestyle, wildlife, social issues, environmental and conceptual imagery. I have a growing image collection of more than 30,000 pictures which are added to on a monthly basis. I also supply image stock to 4 main agencies - Alamy, Britain On View, Loop and Imageclick. My work is now sold in the UK and overseas including the United States, Europe and Russia.

I set up Silverscene Photography Workshops in 2004, the workshops cater for those with a passion for outdoor photography. The workshops take place in stunning parts of the UK with new locations added each year.

Influence & Inspiration:
My inspiration comes from many sources the main one being the natural world itself. A question I am often asked is Why do you take photos ?, this has to be one of the hardest questions to answer, there is no definitive answer. I cannot fail to be moved by a beautifully lit landscape, it’s a moment where I am completely absorbed in the atmosphere where everything slows down, something special happens in those moments. This is the closest I get to explaining why without sounding loopy !!.
My influences include work by photographers like Joe Cornish, David Noton, David Ward and Charlie Waite, not just their pictures but what makes the pictures and their vision and experience. I gain inspiration from many photographers and always scour books, magazines and adverts looking for great pictures.

Gear:
I have used many different cameras and formats over the years and this will continue to change I have no doubt. They are just tools but they are good fun too, I like a change now and then and like the challenge of new equipment and formats and the effect they have on my work.

I cannot deny that digital has changed the way I work, I went digital 5 years ago and shot film and digital alongside each other. I used to say I would never use a digital camera, awful bloody things I said !. This year I have completely switched and now shoot exclusively on digital equipment. I love the flexibility and my photography has changed for the better.

Camera - Nikon D2x.
Lenses - 10-20mm, 18-70mm, 70-300mm.
Tripod - Manfrotto 055.
Accessories - Lee filters, various 1GB, 2GB cards, Nikon SB28DX flash, Lowepro Computrekker backpack.


Please contact me to discuss picture requirements, commission rates and book/print sales.