In this week's 'A Conversation With... ' we had a chat with Shiplake's first ever Photography Ambassador, Rob Humphris. Rob who is in Year 13, is passionate about photography, so much so that during lockdown he created some 'how to' videos to help other students studying the subject. He talks here about what inspires him in his photography work and his hopes for a career in the field in the future.
How long have you been at Shiplake and what are you currently studying? What additional roles and responsibilities do you have at school?
I have been at Shiplake since the beginning of Year 10 so to be exact I’m in my fourth year at the school. I am studying photography, biology and geography. I'm also currently a Middle School Prefect at the College and also a Sports Scholar for rowing, both of which I am very proud of.
What would you say is the best thing about Shiplake?
For me the best thing about Shiplake is the close knit community that comes with attending the College. For my whole time at the school, it has been easy to communicate with everyone and share ideas and friendships even across year groups. I believe this has given me a valuable insight into many things which wouldn't be possible elsewhere.
You have recently been appointed as the College's Photography Ambassador can you tell us a bit more about it?
Coming into Shiplake photography I had a lot of help from those in the older years and so for me I’ve always been passionate about being able to pass on the same to those who were interested in the subject in the younger years. Over lockdown I made some 'how to' videos on different aspects of photography which included insight on skills that I have learnt but also advice on things I wish I knew how to do when I started out. For me this role was something that I was passionate about doing just to pass on something to people who were in a similar situation as I was coming into the subject. Being given this role was a shock to me and unexpected but I am very grateful to have this opportunity and hope by the time I leave I can do even more for future and current photographers in the school.
How did you get interested in photography?
I got interested in photography from a young age initially watching my Grandpa have a passion for nature photography, which of course sparked my interest, but then later on I developed a deeper interest from my cousin who is a skilled filmmaker and photographer. Seeing these two relatives so passionate about cameras and photography inspired my passion and interest which has got me to where I am now.
What style of photography do you like shooting the best?
My favourite form of photography is street photography. This is simply because it allows me to travel and take images in the moment. This is one of my favourite styles of photography as it’s not set up or thought out - it's more random, but at the same time you can capture the most beautiful, natural moments in time.
Which photographers do you admire the most and why?
Personally I admire the pioneers of photography, the experimentalists and chemists who worked on capturing an image. Figures such as Robert Cornelius and Hippolyte Bayard, some of the first pioneers of photography, make me wish that I could experience the feeling of finally getting it right and taking some of the first ever photos. This has inspired me in my work too as I like to create different and new styles of images that others haven't captured before.
Where do you hope to take your photography in the future?
In the future I hope to study photography at university and from there I hope to be able to travel the world and not only pursue photography as an art but also as a career. I hope that photography will give me many great stories to tell and also be a part of my long term future.
