"I love capturing moments and making an image come to life"

This week, Gareth Olley shares some of his favourite photographs.

Gareth, who is originally from Blackbrook but has lived most of his life in Rainford, has recently come back to photography but has been hit by the bug.

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St Helens Star Camera Club member Gareth Olley

When and why did you take up photography?

I’ve always enjoyed taking photographs but never really took it seriously. In the past 10 years, with the way mobile phone cameras have developed, I haven’t picked a proper camera up in a long time. However, at the start of summer 2023 I decided I was going to invest in a decent camera and I picked up a second hand Olympus OMD EM1 (micro four thirds) camera and I’m loving my new hobby. I have been given some help from a friend and I’ve spent hours watching YouTube videos to give me some tips.

Long exposure of the North Sea battering the sea wall at Tynemouth Lighthouse

What do you love about taking pictures?

I love capturing moments and making an image come to life with a bit of editing in the Lightroom app I use. As I have learnt to tinker around with images rather than just relying on Instagram filters, I feel like an edited photo becomes a piece of art when you compare it to the original image.

Mersey Ferry 'Royal Iris' on the River Mersey taken from Canning Lock through the love locks

Where is your favourite place to take pictures and why?

I really enjoy the coast or lakes to take pictures. I have spent a lot of time in, on, under or around water since I was young, right up until the present day where I work as a police diver, so I enjoy capturing that sort of scene.

Farmer harvesting the field at the top o' Rainford

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St Mary's lighthouse, Whitley Bay, at sunrise

What is your favourite subject matter and why?

I enjoy capturing sunsets with water in the composition to give reflections and add to the drama of the colours. I also enjoy capturing long exposure images with traffic or water, with the motion really helping images to come alive and stand out. I also have a DJI drone, which I enjoy using to capture aerial images and footage. I have done a couple of voluntary projects for Rainford’s All Saints Church for their Christmas lantern walk and advent windows that went on YouTube. I was able to use the drone inside the empty church one night, which was a real privilege.

Long exposure shot taken on an iPhone at Rainford Junction station.

What do you enjoy about being part of our Camera Club on Facebook?

It’s a great place to share images, both of local places and further afield. It’s also good to see other people’s work, which for me as a beginner, gives me ideas and tips on things I could improve on.

Sunset at Crosby Beach

If you could photograph anyone/any place/anything, who/what would it be?

I think I would have to up my game with regards to ability first, but if I were capable and equipped with the right gear, I would love to travel with a professional photographer to somewhere like Alaska or Canada to capture some big wilderness with rivers and bears hunting salmon. I think the whole experience would be amazing.