You clicked, so here goes...

For my sins....I'm in my '50's, have always had an interest in, and appreciation of different forms of visual and tactile artwork. I am very firmly of the belief that good art should evoke some form of emotion in the viewer, and certainly within the natural world, when out with the camera, feeling humble and honoured to be part of the landscape and to feel and experience that which I can is a big driver for me. Over the years, I have explored many media, but have latterly taken up painting seascapes, landscapes & wildlife in watercolours again, as well as my photographic and film work.

I was raised as a child in Lincolnshire, and took inspiration from my grandfather and step-dad - both great countrymen, whom with I explored most of the rivers, coast and the farmlands/woods of the Lincolnshire Wolds, flatlands and coast. At 17, I joined the Forestry Commission in East Anglia, and worked in many locations throughout England and Scotland, until I had a change of career into Horticulture and Agriculture - an area which until 2010, still paid the mortgage and kept the belly topped up. An unwelcome and forced job change away from the land left me in charge of training and education within a wide range of small industries, but also cleared the mind enough to realise that in a big organsation, you are just a number with no value to people who you do not directly affect on a daily basis. With that in mind, I currently find myself with itchy feet and on the move at last. I have decided to concentrate on that which I truly love, and am about to move house to somewhere VERY special - so keep watching what I'm up to. Photographically, I began as a youngster with an old box brownie camera, working my way through a number of rangefinder and Russian SLR cameras before ending up with a beautifully balanced system based around the old M42 lens system - most of which I still have. With time at a premium, and real life taking precedence, I abandoned serious photography in 1980, returning in 2000 after a 20 year gap to carry out my final real film project - to photograph what remained of the old Southern Railway system with a view to writing a few books, but was beaten to the punch by other authors. Eventually, I published the photographs as a website.

With the end of the railway project in 2006, I made a move to digital imaging having tried a Casio, then a Canon point and shoot. I felt limited creatively by the loss of the film SLR, so finally took the plunge in 2007, and chose to go with the Sony system (see Equipment), I have never regretted the move to digital and the freedom to experiment which it affords.

I love to photograph wildlife and land/seascapes, but have been drawn to macro work and the casual/street type portrait on occassion. I will try anything to get the right image - regardless of the subject, and enjoy looking for the normally unseen and ignored when I work - hopefully, you will see this sometimes amongst the galleries. I'm also quite inventive - if you like photography gear, have a look at some of the old film kit Ive adapted for digital use (LINK-DIYPHOTOGEAR)

I am lucky enough to have won a few competitions with my photography, both within the UK and internationally, had my work exhibited, shown in magazines and in publications, and also shown on television. It seems well received when I show it, and sells reasonably well when I offer it direct and sell face to face - suggestions then, caused me to develope this website - to offer a wider range than I could carry with me to shows.

My approach to photography allows income to cover costs sometimes, and any profit is put back into maintaining this website, keeping my gear well looked after, and my software/techniques up to date. I have made a commitment to photography as an investment in my future and as a shield for when I retire - everything between now and then is practice.
I love my nature, sea and mountains, and would quite happily take photography to a higher level professionally, but current commitments do not permit. Usually, I have a few ongoing projects - keeping my eye open for chance images which fit a theme, and often pre-plan photo shoots for certain weather or site conditions, or to fit my 'style', which has been diversly described, but frequently as dark and brooding (I must admit, I do love storms, big seas, and dramatic landforms) - something I actively seek to brighten up when I can!

Other interests of mine include cabinetmaking and woodwork, railways, industrial archaeology, and other lesser interests - it is just the time which lacks - but then that is our most precious commodity. Whatever I do, I tend to do with passion - throwing heart and soul into getting the most out of what I put in.

I've often been asked what it is that inspires me and maintains my interest - a difficult one to answer - all I can say is, that I wish the world could see through my eyes sometimes, then, I see something, or have an idea which becomes the spark which creates a deeper or bigger thought. Time allows that to develope, then opportunity presents itself, either planned or by accident, On a journey to somewhere, I play music in the car, and that tends to set a mood - then the place gives everything else I need. Wanting to repeat the simple joy of being out there and doing it, it what truly sustains.

I currently sell images under a number of gallery names, depending on the subject matter and where the images are hosted for viewing and sale, but the copyright of all images presented in the galleries remains firmly under the title of Graeme Pettit Photography.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoy the website content enough to buy something and keep me on the path to a new career.....