Go Furness

PROFILE ON: Go Furness Creative Trainee of Month

In the first of a new series of in-depth profiles, we talk to local trainee Peter Stockton about training to become a photographer. Check out some of Peter’s work in our Photos section.

What’s your background – do you live locally?
I am based in Broughton-In-Furness on the west coast of Cumbria. I’m originally from Yorkshire, but I’ve lived in Broughton for the last ten years and I went to John Ruskin School in Coniston, then I completed a BTEC National Diploma in Music Practice at Kendal College.

How did you get into photography?
I’ve been involved in a lot of creative work across the arts, and it all ends up intertwining. Music has always been very important to me and I’ve been playing in bands and projects for years.

I spent the last year traveling around the world and a lot of that time I was on my own, so that was when I started concentrating on taking photos, learning how to use the camera and working out what I wanted to get out of photography as a medium.

Up until this point photography had been something I’d only messed around with, but my experiences on these travels got me a lot more interested in the power of photographs. 

What kind of photographs are you interested in taking?
Photos that convey the beauty of everyday life and fleeting glimpses, photos that have a narrative and layers to them.

What would you say makes your work interesting?
It’s a basic thing, but an interest in life; little parts of your day cropped down into a photo, different angles and viewpoints and acting as a different person when taking photos. I’m always trying to do something different with every series of photos and I would hope that comes across to the viewer.

Tell us about the training you did recently with Signal Films
Recently, I felt that a lack of technical knowledge and camera skills was preventing me from developing my ideas as photographs, so I have just completed a mixed media digital photography course through Signal Films.

Did you find it useful?
The course was very useful, not only did I develop skills and have access to better camera gear, I have gained confidence and contacts within the industry.

And what’s the best thing about being based in Cumbria?
There isn’t a huge pool of people doing creative stuff so you can gain a different perspective to people in the hub of things. You have something of a blank canvas to work with – and that’s meant in a good way!

What do you think the area offer to young people living and working here?
It really all depends on the individual but it feels as though there’s more opportunity to create and learn here than there has been in the past. I think we have to do more for young people though, more options and training that’s not doled out in an archaic way – Signal Films is a good example of this.

What advice could you offer other young people wanting to gain more skills and perhaps even start their own creative business?
I have never been much of an entrepreneur, but I know you have to believe in what you’re doing and be prepared for hard work setting up your own creative business. In terms of gaining skills there are good flexible courses around that were never there before, just get involved and get your work out there.

Will you pursue more training?
Yes definitely – some of the photographs I took on the course have been used in my portfolio for University applications and I have been accepted at Middlesex and Camberwell for BA Honours courses next year. I’ve just had an interview with London College of Communication too so I’m waiting to hear back from them, but Camberwell sounds good as the course is set in a fine art context and that appeals to me.

So your aim is to do photography professionally one day?
Yes – I have been involved in other aspects of the creative industry that I felt sapped out your creativity – with music, I found the further up the education ladder I got with it, the more I felt that creativity was replaced with ability, and while across the arts a level of ability and understanding is needed, for me it doesn’t substitute creativity.

Professional photography seems to have a lot of different areas to specialize in and it always give you some amount of creative control over what your doing, which is important to me.

What do you think you need to do to make it happen as a career for you?
Be honest, interested in life, and try to do something different every day.

What would be your ultimate dream job or achievement?
Hmmm, god knows… to be able to make a living and gain notoriety in the arts would be lovely, but so long as I’m doing something I enjoy or something that facilitates the things I enjoy in life, I’m happy with that!

What’s next, what are your future plans?
At the moment I want to enjoy taking photos and I’m looking forward to starting my photography degree next year. And of course I am always available for commissioned work so please email me with any requests on petestockton@hotmail.co.uk

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Posted by Phil Powell on 11th May.