Andrew Yates | BickertonGrace

Andrew tells us about himself with a simple Q&A

Q1 Who is Andrew Yates?

I have always been a visual person with my journey in photography starting at the tender age of six, rapidly developing into a passion to capture all those moments in time, after school I followed my dream and studied fine art and then photography and design.

Moving to London in the late 1980”s I went freelance in 1990 and “Andrew Yates Photography” was born. My debut was in fashion and editorial photography which through time evolved to include people and portraiture. Here I learnt to see the art of composition from behind the lens which ultimately changed the way I look at the world. It was within these fields of photography that I gained my technical and creative skills that help me produce my ongoing work, which now enters around animals and the natural world, trying to capture images that convey the relationship that we have with both domestic and wild animals, my journey has led me to Africa, where I have been privileged to be able to photograph the animals and the rich and diverse landscape of this fascinating Continent.

Q2 Where do you get your inspiration?

Inspiration for me comes from a variety of sources, I tend not to plan too much!! I let the environment and light that I find myself in layout the plans and then I use the animal to fill in the gaps.... I was once told by a much more experienced photographer when I was an assistant that ” light illuminates but shadows define ” and I tend to live by this in all my work....

Q3 Did you have any training?

I left school with not much more than qualifications in Art...... but was lucky enough to be accepted to do a one year foundation course in Fine Art, from there I scraped into college and studied Photography and Design for two years, everything else I use is self taught..... usually by trial and error.

Q4 How would you describe your art?

Thats difficult.... My work is always evolving, but I do find the majority of my images are dark, moody and more often Black and White. I have a strong passion for low key photography, so I guess I would describe my images as Fine Art Photography.

Q5 What artists inspire you?

I don’t follow trends or that many specific Artists or Photographers, I like what I like.... I can see an image and think Wow.. and use it for inspiration in my journey, but I guess during the early stages of my relationship with the camera I used to look at a lot of photographs by Man Ray, Helmut Newton, Robert Frank and Don Mcullin so I guess they are the foundation of my inspiration.

Q6 What does Sentiment mean to you?

To me its an attitude toward something, a mental feeling that triggers a tender emotion, its something I try to capture in my work to hopefully convey to the viewer to bring them on the journey with me..... art can speak louder than words and can hopefully produce an emotional response..... to me this is sentiment.

www.andrewyatesphotography.co.uk

Andrew's Sentiment Piece

The Giant

This stunning photograph is now part of the Sentiment Collection printed on canvas and divided into 1000 pieces ready to be shared and create a connection. Each piece is mounted on a 24 carat gold leaf base with a thread of gold running through symbolising a connection with all the pieces in this artwork and and all the artists in the Sentiment Collection.Signed, numbered and framed in a simple black shadow box frame 12cmsq. A copy of the whole image is printed and inserted into the back of the frame with details of this artist.