Based in Dorset U.K. I (John - boring name but it could have been worse) tend to travel as much as I can and am a self employed photographer and publisher in Dorset, England.
I love other cultures - particularly the wonderful people I usually meet. Often I feel very humbled by their charm, openness, friendship and kindness. Recent travels include Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, Ethiopia,Rwanda, Morocco, South Africa to shoot a calendar and before that (January 2006) to Chile and Argentina. Other trips include the sacred pilgrimage around Mount Kailash in Tibet as well as visiting lake Manasorovar and trekking up to the advanced base camp on Everest. I've also travelled widely in Syria, Iran and Pakistan and just cannot understand the Islamophobia that pervades much of the western world.
Sometimes I feel like a fish out of water. I can't see the point of celebrity magazines or Big Brother (What the f**k is all that about, I just don't get it - some misfits in a house! Why would anyone waste their time even turning it on?). I can't understand why footballers earn more in a week for kicking a pig's bladder full of air around a grass field than a nurse gets in a year. I don't understand why anyone (almost everyone) moans about their lot in the west and look glum when my friends in the 'third world' have virtually nothing, no running water, no health care, no job and smile all day long. Anyone else feel like this or is it just me? So basically I don't care how much money you've got or how important you think you are; the only thing that interests me is 'Are you a decent human being?'. If the answer is yes - well welcome; we'll probably get along fine.
What you think about yourself is much more important than what others think of you. What's money? A person is a success if he/she gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he/she wants to do.
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children; to learn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a little bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
My favourite photographer? Eric Valli without a doubt. If I could take one shot as good as his - I'd be happy. Olivier Follmi is also pretty close as well and Steve McCurry ain't bad either!
I have not been at Myspace that long and have some misgivings as its owned by Rupert Murdoch. However, I don't message or add people at random; only when I think there might be some mutual benefit/interests etc. If I do message you at least have the common decency to reply even if it's to tell me you're really not interested in talking to/knowing/working with an old git like me. Oh and girls don't add me if you think I'm going to click on your link to some fairly 'iffy' pictures of you on some pay to view website. a) I have a life thank you and b) I've almost certainly done it/seen it before. I have a perfectly happy relationship with my wife so whilst female friends are very welcome as I love women (chatting/deep meaningful conversations/having fun/going to gigs/taking pics) as friends. I'm not looking to get in your knickers (seems often to be a MySpace assumption); sorry for feeling the need to make that clear. Bands please don't add me unless I invite you.
If you are interesting, have a brain of your own, and are a independent spirit - well say hi, I'd love to hear from you and add you. Whilst I'm happy to talk to anyone of any religious conviction and will respect your views please note that I am an atheist who views organised religion as evil and the indoctrination of children into any particular religion as a form of child abuse perpetuated against vulnerable minds. There is no such thing as god; just enjoy your life. Edit: this last couple of sentences has certainly slowed up the number of add requests I get lol; although I'm not sure why Myspace keeps suggesting that I should be friends with some certifiable 'christian' nut from the southern states. For the record I'll get along with anyone, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Jew, Christian; just don't expect me to believe the same. It ain't going to happen.
Being a photographer i'm always on the look out for interesting people and faces. So if you live reasonably local (i.e. within Dorset/Somerset/Wiltshire) and have an interesting face give me a shout. I might take your portrait/photos for free or TFP (for aspiring models). This is genuine and you don't have to be one of the beautiful people! Indeed it would probably work best if you have your own ideas/style and a great sense of fun. On the other hand don't bother contacting me if you're not prepared to put the necessary work in to create a good photograph.
Risa who did a TFP shoot with me. More tfp photos here
Taken in Limpopo, South Africa, February 2006. This picture has got me into the final of Digital Camera Magazine's Photographer of the Year Competition. It also won the Renaissance Photography competition in 2008, was bought by the world's fourth largest law firm for their offices and has appeared in the Times newspaper as their 'Image of the Day'.
Here's another from the same shoot in South Africa
I shot the cover for the July 2006 edition of the Dorset Magazine. I live a few miles from here in the South of England.
Novice monks at Namkha Khyung Zong on the Nepal/Tibet border. I trekked from Nepal to Tibet on my way to Lake Manasorovar and Mount Kailash. Very special places.
Old Wardour Castle, Wiltshire, England - Near my house
Mount Kailash, Tibet