John Ross is one of UK’s leading photographers. His formal training in photography has helped him develop a unique style which has caught the eyes of many. He has a wide variety of pictures to his credit.

People like to talk about their 'lucky breaks' but I think it's more hard work and passion that leads to a breakthrough to becoming a professional photographer. When was your breakthrough?

After leaving Art School where I studied photography, I assisted, I really think that I had a few lucky breaks, getting my first assisting job, day after I came to London, however, it was on no money and fairly miserable existence for 6 months! After assisting a few photographers, my then boss decided to move the studio and I took over his old studio. Big commitment, but..... had to be done, back to no money again!

How did you first get interested in photography and what was the first object you shot?
I first became interested in photography at the foundation course. In fact, it was not until applying for art school that I considered doing pure photography. My then tutor said that I should apply and so I thought why not! Applied to Manchester and got in.

I think the first image that I can remember having captured was a photo of my younger brother in front of a load of Graffiti under a railway bridge.

You have loads of nature inspired photographs (flora, fauna, seeds, landscape, to name a few) to your credit. What is it about nature that attracts you so much?
Gosh difficult, but I think that is almost tied up with your other question. Being interested in the science and nature is part of it all. I think that the way you look at certain things you have a small interest in the scientific side I guess, plus I suppose consider the lighting. The different shapes of flowers, the image of a bird in flight and the way oil reacts with water.

Does the science of photography appeal to you as much as the art?
I think they are one and the same, nature and science are art, I think I once heard that Maths is the purest form of art! The approach to photography is a bit scientific, so you are always going to have that combined with your art.

“The approach to photography is a bit scientific, so you are always going to have that combined with your art.”

Your album boasts a wide variety of different kinds of photography. You have created miracles with abstract photography, still life photography, human body, the list is endless. Which is your favourite till now and why?
Favorite, I still love the marble images that I created, I need to do some more, but love them.

Do you ever go out to photography with a specific purpose in mind? Do you have a certain feeling you want to express and go out to find an image that will satisfy this?
Yes and no, you always go out to shoot a certain subject, but what happens in camera can be a surprise. A question of not being able to literal, but let the moment take its course.

“I do find myself sometimes wandering, you can’t help it, suddenly someone walking past a building, or usually when a bit of light hits something you stop and look and take it in.”

Your work has led you to travel to many remote places. Which has been the most challenging and most exciting till date?
I went to Samoa last year, very interesting, but remote parts of Iceland. It was very exciting especially as it had just snowed. Got to see the northern lights!

As a photographer, do you find that you see photographically all the time, or do you turn it off and on when you’re shooting with a camera?
Yes sometimes, but usually turn it off; otherwise your world gets totally wrapped up. I do find myself sometimes wandering, you can’t help it, suddenly someone walking past a building, or usually when a bit of light hits something you stop and look and take it in.

“The approach to photography is a bit scientific, so you are always going to have that combined with your art.”

What do you think of the work that’s being done by younger photographers? Do you find any trends that you are interested in, or puzzled by, or critical of?
Yes very much, some very exciting photographers, always looking at what is out there.

	Quick8: Your Favourite Camera: Sinar Your Favourite Printer: I do my own now Your Favourite Shoot: Whatever I’m working on at present Your Preferred Location:  My Studio Favourite Photographer: Penn or Avedon Most memorable story:  too many of them Current photographers you like: Shinichi Maruyama Toughest day at work: Mondays

More Photos by John Ross / Fotosocial

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