Alex Rutherford
Name: Alex Rutherford
Camera: Nikon D5200 and Z6 II
Favourite type of photography: ICM (Intentional Camera Movement), multiple exposure (in camera) and close-up.
Location: Thames Ditton, Surrey, UK
Website: alexrutherford.photography
Instagram: @alex.r.rutherford
How did you get into photography?
I did a Foundation Art course at Hugh Baird College in Liverpool, one of the areas covered was photography. We would walk around the city with a big clunky Pentax K1000 before disappearing into the darkroom to reveal our images.
Do you have any photographic qualifications or accolades?
Initially, I did art school training, and then, when I returned to photography in the digital age, I did the online course “A Year with my Camera,” I didn’t have formal qualifications.
What's the first photograph you remember seeing or shooting?
An image of our first dog, a Border Collie called Butch, taken by my dad in the early 1960s.
What do you love about photography?
Photography gets me out of my “headspace,” and I can wander around for hours looking for different viewpoints, tiny details, colours, and textures. I usually return home relaxed and refreshed…. but not always!
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What do you wish you'd learned about photography earlier?
Just how much digital photography was going to transform things. I’m a creative rather than technical person, so it takes me a while to learn editing processes and lots of practice!
Where is your favourite place for photography?
Anywhere with water! I can usually be found bent double with my eyes 3 or 4 inches away from the surface of a stream or river, looking for abstract patterns and reflected light.
Do you have a favourite photographic technique?
Close-up but not macro, I also love ICM (Intentional Camera Movement).
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Can you briefly outline your approach to image processing?
I tend to use Lightroom for effects and detail. Recently I have experimented with Snapseed and sometimes use just Apple Photo editing. I try to do as much as I can in-camera.
What's your favourite lens?
Currently, it’s the Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G.
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Do you have a favourite accessory?
My monopod.
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Have you found the perfect camera bag yet?
I use a Roka rucksack, so no!
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Which photographers have influenced or inspired you, and how or why?
Paul Gravett, Sebastiaan Knot, Brigitte Bourger and Reiner Heisel - all experimental photographers pushing the boundaries.
Please recommend 2 or 3 female photographers to follow on Instagram.
Jan Beesley @jan.beesley, Rachel McNulty @Rachelmcnultyabstract and @rachelmcnultyphotography, Charlotte Bellamy @charlottebellamyholland
Is there a camera, lens or accessory that you don't have yet but you'd like to buy at some point?
I would like to experiment with some vintage lenses.
Is there a genre of photography that you love but that you haven't tried yet?
I’d like to improve my street photography.
What's your proudest photographic moment?
My first shortlisting in NPOTY (Nature Photographer of the Year) in 2019.
If you could have one superpower that could help you with photography, what would it be?
To become invisible when I pick up my camera for street photography.
Your favourite baked goods are?
Custard tarts and Eccles cakes.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am married to Max and we have two grown-up children, Ben and Katy. I’m dog mad, have rescue dogs and our current one is a bonkers English Setter from San Sebastián, Spain (who doesn’t like the sun!) One day, I hope to have some llamas. I trained as a textile designer at Hornsey College of Art and recently met the lady who influenced that journey, the wonderful Zandra Rhodes! As a family, we have spent a lot of time in Pembrokeshire, walking the coastal path and along the amazing rivers. I’m not a great one for flying but would quite like to travel by train around Europe with my camera, just stopping where the mood takes me. I enjoy cooking simple Asian dishes and gardening when I’m not out with my camera.
