This month we are celebrating Lewisian Finn Hopson, a local landscape photographer who frequents the local area around The Grain Store.

We of course have one of Finn’s beautiful images hanging in The Grain Store and whilst you are staying with us don’t forget to visit Finn at his gallery where you can peruse and purchase his breathtaking images.

Finn recently visited us at The Grain Store and we had the opportunity to ask him about himself and a few insightful questions about his work.

How did you develop your expertise in photography?

I’m still learning! I have always been interested in visual arts, but it took a long time to work out what I really wanted to do and to pursue it with the kind of determination required to do it for a living. I am lucky to have worked in television production for a few years around the time that digital photography was becoming the industry standard.

I was surrounded by people with years of experience in things like lighting and camera operating and lots of people who were enthusiastic about photography and the latest technology. They were generous with their knowledge and expertise, and this was a great place to learn some of the basics about using a camera, thinking about light, and how to start composing more interesting pictures.

Ever since then (more than twenty years ago now) I’ve spent as much time as I can out with my camera in places that I love. I think that rather than trying to be an expert at using a camera, I’m trying to develop my expertise about the place, and the photography follows from that.

What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?

That it’s OK to just make pictures that I like and not worry about what anyone else thinks. Obviously, my livelihood depends on people enjoying my photographs, but first and foremost I have to make that work that I find most interesting, pictures that reflects my own emotional connection to the place, and the rest will follow.

When you go out to shoot, do you take any essential items other than a camera and lens?

Warm clothes, a waterproof and a snack or two. I often go out for several hours at a time and I find I do much better work if I’m not hungry and cold. That sounds obvious but if I want to get bit lost in being creative then it helps to be comfortable.

The South Downs is a very safe landscape, so I don’t need to worry about falling off any mountains, but I’d hate to have to head home because I didn’t have the right kit to keep warm in winter, or enough to drink in summer. Also batteries, lots of batteries, even better if they are fully charged.

What is your favourite place to take photos in and around Lewes?

I absolutely love the collection of hills and valleys that run behind Woodingdean over towards Saltdean, and past the lost village at Balsdean up towards Kingston Ridge and Lewes. There is so much in such a small area and its very typical of the textures and colours that you’ll find at this end of the national park. There are wonderful shapes and patterns in every direction, magnificent views out to sea and up into the Weald, and there are year-round opportunities for interesting photographs.

Out of all your photos, which one is your favourite? Why?

I find it hard to choose just one. They all exist as part of wider bodies of work so it’s hard to think of them in isolation, but if I were to pick one that I really like from the area near the Grain Store then perhaps it is ‘Raviliesque’. Taken during the snowy winter of 2018.

Eric Ravilious is everywhere on days like this, the landscape totally transformed by a dusting of snow and looking more like a painting. Days like this are so rare here, and I really enjoy the muted colours and simple patterns that show off the shape of the fields and hillsides, reducing it all to something slightly otherworldly.

What one piece of advice you would give to a budding landscape photographer?

Find something that interests you and really, really get to know it. Visit a place in all seasons, all times of day, all weathers. Meet other people who spend time there. Get to know all the little details, and really pay attention to whatever it is about that place that makes you feel something. Be proudly, weirdly obsessed and don’t forget to enjoy it.