Speaking with Photographer, Pete Rowbottom

Pete Rowbottom is an award-winning landscape photographer with a wealth of photography experience. He captures striking images with impeccable lighting which led him to the prestigious title of ‘UK Landscape Photographer of the Year’ in 2018.

In our latest Azutura interview, we catch up with Pete and discuss his amazing career, how he learnt his craft, finding shooting locations and much more.

Hi Pete, thanks for taking the time to speak to us. Can you start by introducing yourself and telling us a little about your life?

I’m a landscape photographer based in Wigan, Lancashire. I love to travel and of course, combine photography with that passion.

I can often be found in the Lake District and North Wales, along with forays to further-flung places in the UK and abroad.

What’s an average day like in the life of Pete Rowbottom?

If I’m not out taking pictures, I spend a lot of time researching locations. I love looking at maps and getting a good knowledge of the geography of many different areas. I always think if you’ve studied an area before visiting you get a lot more out of it when you do.

How and when did you first become interested in photography?

I guess in the 1980s. I used to travel to Scotland a lot, mainly the West Highlands. I was, and still am, absolutely in awe of the fantastic landscapes there.

Up there, I saw a lot of large panoramic prints in shops by the fantastic landscape photographer, Colin Prior, which was just incredible, and I wanted to be to do that too; to bring something back with me from trips that I would be proud to call my own.

How did you learn to master your amazing photography skills?

I’m a self-taught photographer. I’ve done a lot of reading and researching over the years. With the advent of the internet, learning resources are available for pretty much anything as long as you have the interest to learn and are willing to spend the time doing so.

That said, for learning, nothing beats going out shooting. When you do make mistakes, learn from them and correct them. My thirst for learning on the subject never ends, nobody knows everything.

What kind of kit do you use?

I use Nikon Cameras and lenses, namely D850 and D750 bodies at present. I use NiSi filters, who I’m a UK ambassador for and the same with Fotopro tripods.

How do you find the perfect shooting location?

It’s a good question. I’d say a mixture of both exploration, and research.

Sometimes you can just stumble across a scene and, if the light is right, it becomes perfect. Other times, it’s a case of finding your scene first and hoping the light will work out for you.

Where’s your favourite place you’ve travelled to so far?

Bosnia and Norway were both incredible, but I think for its ‘otherworldly’ beauty it would have to be Iceland.

Is there anywhere on your photography bucket list you haven’t been to yet?

Far too many! Lofoten Islands, Antarctica and Canada, to name just a few. I seem to be drawn to really cold places!

Congratulations on winning the UK Landscape Photographer of the Year in 2018. How did it feel to win the award?

Thanks, the elation is hard to describe. It was a very surreal moment for me getting the phone call telling me that not only had I made the book, but I’d actually won the entire thing.

For someone like me, that loves what I do so much, to be recognised for it by very respected people within the field was just a fantastic feeling. It’s something that I’m extremely proud of.

To you, what makes the perfect photograph?

It’s a hard one to generalise really, as I like so many different types of scenes. I guess, for me personally, it would be a photograph that I can really connect with. One that makes me want to be there and immerse myself within the scene.

What advice would you give to an aspiring photographer?

If you love what you do and put the time in, you will only ever improve. Always be willing to learn.

What’s the future looking like? Anything big coming up?

I’m speaking at the photography show at Birmingham NEC and various camera clubs. I enjoy talking about what I do and also really enjoy helping others develop their passion for photography.

Aside from that, there are a few potentially exciting trips that are still in the planning stages and another trip to the photographer's paradise of Iceland already pencilled in for January. I just take it as it comes and continue to enjoy what I do.