A portrait photographer whose work is already on display in the National Portrait Gallery wants to say ‘watch the birdie’ to Dacorum bird-watchers – and he’s hoping golfers and bee-keepers will want to get involved in his latest project, too. .
Luke Archer, 24, from Potten End, said: “I am looking at different groups in our society – basically just quirky, outdoor activities which in a way have parallels with photography.
“They all have a history, they require time and effort and specialist equipment. They are all hobbies, like my passion for photography itself.”
The photography graduate’s current long-term project about peers in the House of Lords, entitled Inheritance, was inspired by the rediscovery of his grandfather’s 100-year-old camera.
Although he says that camera is too sentimental to take out and about on his new mission, he will still be using vintage equipment.
“It is still old-fashioned, I will have to go under the cloth and things like that. But I might incorporate some digital as well.
“I want people to come forward who are willing to spend some time being photographed this way. If someone is a member of a club or society, it might lead to more people knowing about it.”
Those who sit for Luke’s project will be given a print of their image and he will not use them for commercial gain without the subject’s permission.
“You can’t really tell when you start a project where it will end up. I just do it with the aim of as many people seeing them as possible,” said Luke , whose work can be seen {http://www.lukearcherphotography.co.uk|online}
“I just want to group images of these subcultures together, so it becomes a story of Hertfordshire and some of the activities and pastimes in the county. I haven’t done any projects based on my own area before, it is nice to do something more local.”
If you are a golfer, bee-keeper or bird-watcher and are interested in sitting for Luke, contact him on 07841574644 or lukearcherphotographer@gmail.com