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Interview with Robert Dickinson

By Alexandra Francis

Please tell me about yourself and your work.

I am born and bred in Yorkshire, 33 years old, my main work in photography is Capturing
Landscapes around Yorkshire. I also enjoy street photography. But my main focus after university
was to go into the graphic design/digital design industry.

Who or what are your biggest influences?

In art my biggest influence was my grandad and I always enjoyed the art works of Vincent Van
Gogh, I once sat and painted my own version of some sunflowers for a final major project for my
gcse art course.

When did you decide to become an artist/photographer/creator and why?

My late grandad Jack was a very good drawer and so is my mum, I have always enjoyed art but
have never been strong at drawing,
I first got into photography in school when I was doing GCSE art through Leeds art and design
college (Now Leeds Arts University) and learning the film photography process with the darkroom.
I then had numerous digital cameras taking photos of places in Leeds and of my old neighbours
dog. I then got my first DSLR in 2011 when in uni and explored photography more with photo
manipulation in Photoshop. More self taught through books and videos and also through other
photographers on trips out as my photography is more a hobby than it is a career.

If you could describe your work to a complete stranger in only 100 words, what would you say?

I mainly do Landscape photography and I quite enjoy exploring street photography too. I also enjoy
creating digital artwork in photoshop and Illustrator.

How have you developed your career?

I mainly just use social media to show off my photography and I have a website in the works so I
am able to sell prints from. I spent 3 years as a volunteer matchday photographer with Leeds Rugby
and those photos were included in matchday programmes the following week. I have also had
volunteer roles with Cancer Research UK as I photographed a supporters conference at Elland Road
Football Stadium and used that event for a live brief for a project in University.

What accomplishments have you achieved with your work?

I have been featured in a number of photography magazines and also a local newspaper. I have also
had 2 Exhibitions at the Leeds Corn Exchange in 2014 and 2015 where I was successful in selling
prints on display. One of those Exhibitions was for Leeds Autism Service.

What challenges have you faced with your work?

Challenges I have faced with my work is just getting myself out there and also just having
confidence in myself to pull myself together and work hard.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years times?

Hopefully I want to be working in the Graphic Design industry or something which includes
photography. I have always wanted to try portrait photography so I am hoping to higher my skills to
enable me to do this in future and in regards to the graphic design maybe try get into to doing
freelance work.

What is your overall goal?

I want to be in a position where I can be earning enough money from my photography and artwork,
entering more exhibitions and contests.

What is the best piece of advice that you have been given?

Keep practising with my camera settings, and with software and eventually I will get used to it. And
not to give up trying after setbacks.

You can view more of Robert Dickinson's work on Facebook at Photography by Robert Dickinson | Facebook and Instagram at Robert Dickinson (@robdphotographs)

You can also view Robert Dickinson's Photography blog at RobdPhotographer – Leeds and Yorkshire Digital Designer & Photographer and Running blog at NotAFastRunner – My Running Journey

 

 

 

 

 

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