Member Profile: Brian Nicholson

About me:

Who are you?

Hello, my name is Brian Nicholson and I am fortunate enough that I no longer have to work, I am from Edinburgh in Scotland and 55 years old. In my younger days, I was a competitive amateur in cycling and running and competed in triathlon; I have always been a lover of the great outdoors through hiking and wild camping. I also love music and I have a variety of vinyl albums, I am single and living the dream nowadays with photography and my campervan.

What has your photography journey looked like?

I have always taken images with phones etc, but it was the Covid pandemic that brought photography to me. My friend suggested that I should give it a go as my phone pics were good. Initially, photography was the perfect thing for me to get into as I loved nature and with the lockdown restrictions, it helped me to get out of the house before and after working from home.

I love how we can see the ordinary turn to the extraordinary through photography with composition, and light. I also find it a great way to help with mindfulness allowing me to slow down and appreciate nature.

I came across TSOP whilst scouring YouTube to find a way to help me learn and when I saw one of Marc’s videos I checked the website out and joined, it was the best thing I have done and love the assignments and all the members’ participation.

The beginner photography course was the first one I did as it had everything I needed in a well-structured manner, I then did the Lightroom course and once again it was the same with this course well organised and structured, I am currently on the Astrophotography course right now.

What is your preferred genre?

I have found my place with woodland photography but I appreciate nature which is where I see myself right now. I see my style as portraying my journey through my photography to bring people that follow me. No specific techniques are used, I apply them depending on what I am creating.

What inspires you to create photography?

Being out in nature and using a camera to record what I see creating memories to share with others is the inspiration I get.

My favourite photograph:

6 reeds sticking out of water in black and white — My favourite photo that I’ve taken ©*Brian Nicholson*

What is your favourite photograph that you’ve taken?

Minimal Reflections - I had been visiting Gladhouse Reservoir for a long time and had visualised a particular image to have the reeds reflected in the water. The water had to be calm and flat and no wind to blow the reeds ....fog would also help to create a monochrome effect.

One day after driving home from a woodland I was photographing I could see fog in the vicinity of the reservoir and I set off to it, nature had created all the elements I was looking for and it's one of few images that has a deep connection with me.

This image has also been selected to be exhibited in the Royal Scottish Academy's Centenary Exhibition running in Feb 2024 which for me is such an honour to have it displayed in this wonderful gallery in Edinburgh.

What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned from TSOP?

How to create a file structure in Lightroom.

What’s next for Brian?

I want to develop my astro photography more and just looking to continually develop through the assignment set here and just be outdoors and create. My big adventure in 2024 is a trip to New Zealand in the last quarter of the year.

Conclusion

My photography journey has developed from the monthly assignments we get set here. Since I gave up work in June 2023, I have had time to develop more by having time to connect with nature and slow down in my mind with a mindfulness approach to photography. Also being out in nature where I use all my senses to fully appreciate what surrounds me and what nature creates in front of me is simply a wonderful experience.

Where can people follow you?

Website: www.briannicholsonphotography.com

Facebook: Brian Nicholson Photography

Instagram: cyclingbrian68