“Photography and videography are my therapy to keep my mind active”

This week, John Dearden shares some of his favourite photographs.

John lives in Haydock and has been using a wheelchair since he broke his back in 2019.

Here, in our latest Behind The Lens showcase, John tells us how photography helps with his depression and anxiety and how it inspired him to create is own YouTube channel.

If you would like to appear in our Behind The Lens feature, email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk

Click here to join St Helens Star Camera Club.

Dubai skyline

When and why did you take up photography?

I started taking photographs in 2019 after breaking my back in February of that year. I was bed bound for a long time. I have always taken photos with my phone and I wanted to keep my mind active. I wanted to learn how a photo was made. My family got me my first camera - a Nikon P900. I had an operation in the September which unfortunately went wrong, and I ended up a T6 incomplete paraplegia with severe nerve damage. I was in hospital more than nine months and had 12 months of physio. In the end, there was no way I would be able to walk again and I was told I would always require a wheelchair. I ended up with PTSD and suffer still to this day with severe depression and anxiety.

I got an Olympus OM-D E-M1 mk3 and various lenses and I now have the OMSYSTEM OM-1. I suffer from severe chronic pain and I am unable to stay out for long periods. I have a specially adapted wheelchair as my condition will worsen over time. I found that taking photos and then editing them helps with my depression and I use photography and videography as my therapy. I started a YouTube channel depicting ‘a day in the life of a wheelchair bound photographer’. My YouTube channel is ChairView Chronicles-Life in Motion.

Chester Zoo

What do you love about taking pictures?

I love to visit Sankey valley, Chester Zoo and Knowsley Safari Park and have taken photos all over the UK as well as Spain and Dubai

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Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Where is your favourite place to take pictures and why?

It’s probably Chester Zoo or Knowsley Safari Park, as I love wildlife and can get up close and personal with the animals.

Chester Zoo

What is your favourite subject matter and why?

My favourite is definitely wildlife. I love photographing all types of wildlife. This is closely followed by landscape photography.

READ MORE:

“I love capturing a moment in time that can be shared and kept as a memory”

The Albert Dock, Liverpool

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

I love being part of the photography community and seeing other people’s work and learning new techniques.

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

I would love to photograph tigers in the wild. They are my favourite and to see one in its natural habitat would be so special, as they are unfortunately critically endangered.

Llandudno pier