A Newcastle Street Photographer Shares His Incredible North East City Images
We catch up with local photographer John Robert Charlton, who tells us about his love for the North East and how he got into photography
Growing up in Alnwick, John originally took up photography in the ‘90s after his dad bought him his first camera. From the moment he tried it out, it never left his side. ‘To this day I never go anywhere without a camera,’ he says.
He moved down to Newcastle to study, which is when he eventually went digital. ‘That changed everything,’ he continues. ‘Going digital allowed me to experiment more compared to film cameras which were time consuming and costly. However, I now have a vast collection of vintage film cameras which I enjoy restoring and I do use from time to time.’
Getting out at least once a week allows John to capture our beloved region, particularly the city centres. ‘Taking pictures is therapeutic for me. I especially like it when it’s raining, as the puddles create great reflection shots, especially at night.’
Throughout the years John’s approach has developed and he has now crafted his own personal style. ‘My signature style is low perspective, wide-angled shots with foreground detail to lead your eye into the photograph. This produces an unusual and different take on familiar locations or landmarks,’ he explains. Despite the vast landscapes to be found across the North East, John’s passion lies with architectural and street photography. ‘I enjoy documenting the ever-changing architecture and buildings in the city,’ he says.
Taking inspiration from films and cinematography, John’s photographs are unique and have caught plenty of people’s attention. ‘Last year, my photograph of the Quayside at sunset won a competition to be displayed in arrivals at Heathrow Airport. The competition was to showcase the best of Britain and I’m proud that my shot represents the North East and that thousands of people will see it every day,’ he says.
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Other than planning the location, John likes to see what his surroundings are giving him at the time and use his eye for detail to capture the perfect shot. ‘There’s nothing better than being in the moment and coming across a great composition and getting the shot,’ he says. ‘I enjoy city centres, with my preferred place being Newcastle, as it’s on my doorstep. I like the architecture especially on Grey Street, and showing an unusual perspective on a familiar location and making people look at their surroundings in a different light.’
For anyone looking to work on their photography John shares three top tips. ‘You don’t need an expensive camera to take good photos, a lot of my shots are taken with my phone. What makes a good photo is not the camera, it’s the person. Use the equipment you have to hand – a compact camera, mobile phone, whatever and use them to your advantage. Also, experiment as much as possible and find out what type of photos you like taking. Once you do, refine your technique as practice makes perfect. Finally, explore your location and think about angles – even if it means crouching down, lying on the floor or pressing against a wall. You may get some funny looks but the results will be worth it! Think about the subject, composition, exposure and how it could be edited. Just keep shooting and don't be afraid to take risks or make mistakes. It's all part of learning, and most importantly have fun and enjoy it.’
To see more of John’s work follow him on Instagram @jrc_images
