Photographer Matt Harris uses art as an escape. We ask how his troubled background helped to shape his photography and develop his love of the countryside.
PROFILE
21-year-old Matt was raised in South Harrow, London. He bought his first camera aged 18 and quickly caught the bug, investing in a refurbished, digital SLR 6 months later. He now spends his time working in Stubbington, Fareham, where he lives with his Mum and her partner, capturing images during high tide and shooting at dusk.
Kit Used
Nikon D200 DSLR with Sigma 10-20mm ultra wide, amongst other lenses and high quality filters.
There is no better way to describe school drop out Matt Harris than eccentric. Shaggy bearded and scruffily attired, he gives the impression of someone who has not made the fortune he deserves and behind his eyes lies a troubled past which hinders his career. Matt believes art should create new thoughts or stimulate memories and after starting his career on a whim, this is what he tries to achieve with his high dynamic range photography.
The photographer is influenced by his coastal surroundings, applying computer wizardry to transform ordinary photos into modern artistry. He chose a career in photography after buying an SLR camera on an impulse. “I figured I had nothing to lose, all to gain, and just went for it,” he said, trying hard to sound nonchalant.
Offering a cup of tea, the welcoming artist explains that he escaped to Fareham four years ago. Although fascinated by the countryside, he spent the first year of his new life living as a recluse, after developing severe anxiety problems. “This is still alien to me,” he explains, gesturing wildly at his surroundings. “But I have always been a water baby, so once I was able to make it out the house, seascapes seemed the most natural option for my photography.” The city boy now feels he couldn’t live anywhere bigger than Stubbington, because of his love of the surroundings that inspire his artwork.
Matt has great ambition, hoping to expand his work to include promotional portraits and images from around the world, but it is clear his passion will always lie in landscapes. “I couldn’t imagine myself not being a landscape photographer anymore.” Even his ambitions of portraiture include wildlife. “I want to work with young, indie designers, and integrate fashion into my dreamy land and seascapes.”
The quirky photographer has had great difficulty in gaining public exposure due to his anxiety problems and is – after four years - yet to use Fareham’s public transport systems, making his ambitions to travel seem somewhat futuristic.
Living in London, Matt was subject to 4 gang attacks and blamed by some for the suicide of his best friend. This began an onslaught of agoraphobia, which hindered publication of his camera work. However, his background has shaped him and influenced his photography. His lack of trust in people encouraged him to focus on the natural world and his love for it is reflected in his pictures. “I have a finer appreciation for things now” he shrugs shyly – the first indication that he isn’t comfortable when speaking of his past – “I hope my work inspires people to get involved in nature… People don’t appreciate it as much as they should!”
Mark Upfield is a studio photographer who shares his lighting knowledge with Matt. “I love Matt’s photography,” he enthuses. “Since I started shooting with him mine has improved a lot. The knowledge he has on cameras is incredible!” Self-taught over just 3 years and with no previous work experience, It is astounding how long Matt is able to talk about cameras, spurting technical jargon that very few would understand.
Although Matt has recently developed his photography to include images of people, he admitted that he has a way to go before he will be getting out into the wide world. “It was very spur of the moment,” he said. “Me and Mark were out shooting when he mentioned his skater friends were out. We asked if they were interested in being photographed – which skaters always are - and arranged to meet them”.
Like many artists, Matt has struggled to sell his work. “I’m used to places screwing me around when it comes to payment” he grumbles “I have sold little more than a dozen prints so far”. Working from his office at home, Matt’s prints are displayed in a few small galleries and framing shops along the South Coast. “One shop makes my office look tidy,” he jokes, “and my office looks like it’s been subject to blitzkrieg”.
Matt’s dishevelled appearance is certainly reflected in his work place. Even after rearranging his pokey studio several times, the clutter just doesn’t shift. It does lead you to wonder if this disorganisation is the reason for his lack of work. Despite this, a number of Matt’s prints are displayed at Brown’s Fine Art, in Locks Heath, a studio run by husband and wife partnership, Graham and Helen Brown. “We love his work! It is very enhanced but has a good sense of composition and colouring,” Graham said. “Photography is a difficult game at the moment, you could never sell it for as much as fine art because people don’t rate it as highly.”
Framework, in Lee-on-Solent, a cafe/deli in Hill Head and Titchfield Haven RSPB reserve all display his prints. He also has work published in various magazines such as ‘Practical Photography’ and ‘Digital Camera’ for which he did a photo-shoot with reader, Simon Brown. “It’s not often you find such talent willing to share knowledge,” Simon said. “He is on the road to bigger things and it couldn't happen to a nicer young man”.
Matt has debated taking on a second job at his local wildlife trust to keep the money flowing. He doesn’t shoot during the day due to lighting, so this wouldn’t affect his photography and with plans to actively promote his website in the New Year, he is certainly not giving up the evening job any time soon.
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