Michael Hartley (b. 1973, England) is a nature photographer. He processes digital captures in black and white, with a timeless, spacious aesthetic.
Puncturing through modern distractions, he creates visual reminders of a healthy nature.
I got my first digital camera in 1998 – very basic, but it had a display. The instant feedback from the screen remains the top feature of digital cameras.
I worked through point-and-shoots, then a bridge camera, getting a DSLR in 2013.
I currently shoot with a Nikon D5500. I’m an agile photographer, taking minimal gear and mindful of weight and my ability to move on.
I’ve shot with many photographers and I’m constantly working on my photography, either out capturing or editing. In 2023 I got a drone which has meant learning filmmaking, as well as aerial photography.
I like to capture wide open scenes, long exposures and nature abstracts, maintaining a sense of space in the compositions.
Black and white compliments the ancient subjects I’m drawn to. I work exclusively in this medium.
A fundamental of photography is deciding what to include, and what to leave out. Removing colour further emphasises the subject and mood.
Discovering NFTs in 2021, I’m interested by this shift in presentation and collecting, with provenance stored on blockchains.
Based in Hampshire on the South coast of England, I’m close to the Jurassic coast and the ancient New Forest.
They are both great locations, with many photographic opportunities. A favourite part of my photography is the mystery of what I’ll see.
The biggest draw of all is roaming around this prehistoric nature. To create at the same time.. it’s a potent combination.
Editing enhances the vision and feeling of the things I saw. I move the initial capture from a simple record, into something new.
Music is part of the editing process – ambient electronic, often nostalgic.
I make test prints throughout my editing process, checking tones and impact. I apply traditional attention to detail in all my artwork, including NFT files.
Cameras: Nikon D5500 – Sony RX100 V1
Lens: Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 – Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Drone: DJI Mini 3 Pro
Hardware: Hardware Calibrated Monitor – Printers
Software: Affinity Photo – Nik Collection – Topaz Ai
Dates
1999 FujiFilm MX-1200 (Finepix 1200)
2003 First Website
2003 Minolta DiMAGE S414
2009 FinePix S1000fd/Flickr
2010 Photo Course
200x x
2016 Meet Up