Tracey Swain

I am a professional photographer trained in London to degree standard and holding 2 Distinction’s in Photographic and Litho/Reprographic printing, using both analogue and digital techniques in camera, darkroom and litho press I have been involved in the photographic image and colour print since the age of Nine when I was given my first SLR.

I try to keep my degree training and techniques in place. If it’s not captured in camera I don’t have it, “To Thine Eyes Be True” Although obvious techniques like Sepia an Infra Red can be digitally manipulated 90% of my work is as it was captured in camera. Using only traditional darkroom techniques applied digitally to achieve my photographic art. I try not to enhance an image beyond what I saw with my eyes.
All my working life has been spent in print either photographically or on press.

I went on from college to become a professional darkroom technician working for some of the best names in the West End. When the Apple Macintosh arrived on the scene, I decided it would be a good move to follow over and retrain in litho print or photo-lithography the art of image through ink. Due to the extensive training and experience in my fields I have the ability to capture an image and take it right through from camera to either final photographic print mounted and framed or a design to be printed on a calender, advertisement, book jacket or brochure.

I have had a passion for photography since a very early age, combined with a love of nature and landscapes it was an obvious choice for me to follow in the steps of my idols Ansel Adams for his stunning B&W landscapes and Simon Marsden for his mystical Gothic works in Infra Red. I believe with a passion photography is an art form that is dangerously close to being lost in the age of technology, where speed is over coming quality. All of my framed work is still professionally printed using light sensitive, emulsion coated, photographic paper in a photographic laboratory.

Diagnosed with Fybromayalgia/ME in 06, after a spine injury, due to an accident at work. I had to give up my working career in London and the South East. Unable to work for several months due to this, I decided to become self employed in January 07, with the help of a very good friend. I am still working in print and design, with photography being part of my life as often as I can manage, this helps me to keep some sense of normality in my life, yet still maintains my professional work ethic for professional photography and good quality print. I moved to Shropshire after falling in love with the scenery on a three day calender shoot in March 07. I am still discovering the beauty of this wonderful part of the world and I hope to continue to do so for a long time to come.

In November 2011 I stopped in the lane to ask Hilary Jane Jones, a lady I semi knew who writes poetry, from our local bookshop, wondering if she would be interested in joining with me to produce a book of photographic images with poetic verse. Since then we have been collaborating through our Briar Ridge Books Publishing company and are just about to release our eagerly awaited third book Part Two of The Journey, The Faerie Glen.

Only taken me 30 years but finally I set out to achieve what I said I would at 10 yrs of age produce a book of my photography, set to verse. It is a wonderful feeling to have a dream come true. Even more wonderful is seeing how much others love that dream and are willing to share it with you. Long may our books continue to bring the love of Mother Nature and the beauty of seeing the world with a little imagination to others.