“Of course, there will always be those who look only at technique, who ask ‘how’, while others of a more curious nature will ask ‘why’. Personally, I have always preferred inspiration to information.” – Man Ray
I hope you enjoy wandering through my journey of photography. This site is a mix of old and new, digital and film, showcasing previous projects and bringing new to the mix. The emphasis on perfection is all too prevalent in photography, technically crisp. Of course this raises the question of “How?”. I want to show work, old and new, that may or may not be technically crisp but more about the “Why?”. Work that may have imperfections, that technically as it should be but more thought provoking, images that possibly strike an emotion and make you, the viewer, think “Why?”
I think I was about 5 when I was handed a camera with the following instructions.
“Look through here, make sure you can see your mum and me and then press this button.”
Turns out I was great at feet shots and forehead shots, anything in the middle was a bit of hit or miss to be honest. It wasn’t long before that responsibility was taken from me! Some folk out there probably thinking I should have totally given up at that point!
For me, Stuart McAllister (BSc, Dip. Pro. Photo), photography is not just a profession, it’s a lifelong passion. It’s also a way to tell stories, ones that express powerful emotions and make statements. Growing up I saw taking photographs as a “magical experience.” At about the age of 19 I began to realise photography as a skill, a talent, and an art form.
I was often sought after by clients, both private and commercial, for being innovative and creative, taking a fresh approach to each project and producing photographs that exceeded client expectations. After years of client centric assignments my photography journey took a different route and I started to focus on paying back the kindness shown to me over the years, putting my time and passion into work with like minded creatives conjoint collaborations. This new stage of my journey saw collaborations with some of the most talented and creative make-up artists, students and professionals. And stop!
After a long break it is time to restart my journey, a new focus and direction, more inspiration than information. working with trusted friends and a new face or two along the way.