Peter Laurence
Landscape photographer and author, living in the N.W.of England
My interest in photography began during 2002 as an extension of fellwalking and mountaineering pursuits in the Lakes and Dales. A move to Lytham around 2004 brought me into contact with the shrimpers and fishermen working on the River Ribble. It seemed important to try record what maybe the final days of shrimping in the north west of England. A livelihood that has dwindled to the point where only three or four traditional shrimpers remain, possibly less post covid.
More recently I started visiting the Forest Of Bowland AONB. An area of moorland in the N.W. located close to where I had been brought up. Despite not being so well known as the neighbouring Lakes and Dales national parks, it does possess a unique beauty, and a history dating back to Norman times. The impact of which has shaped not only land ownership, but the moorland environment we see today.
The other project i am running concurrently covers our coastal areas. The British coastline is one of the most diverse in the world. Which thanks to its geology and a human history dating back to neolithic times, is a constant reminder of our nations timeless connection to the sea.
Background to the portfolio
The U.K. landscape embodies a unique sense of history, one that can be traced back thousands of years. Even today there remain visible artifacts, groundwork’s and monuments that have been created by generations of human endeavour . There are few landscapes left in the UK that have not been impacted by humans. Areas that appear primeaval and natural have infact been shaped by farming and enclosure. Even National Parks and perhaps more surprisingly our moorland areas owe much of their appearance to the activity of humans.
Seeing these impacts and the settings in which they are placed enable us to feel some connection to the past. One cant help think back to the lives of the people that created them, and perhaps it is these ancient echos one feels and tries to capture.
This sense of history comes not just from the land but also from sea and the the people who work directly on it. Britains coast and rivers were the early highways and a key source of food . Whilst farming and fishing technolgy has changed, the fundamental connection remains. In some more remote parts of the country there are still smaller scale industries which offer a glimpse of what traditional working lives would have been like.
The Industrial Revolution had a massive impact on the landscape and environment, where the exploitation of people and natural resources fuelled a growing consumer society. This in turn heralded the advent of leisure time and travel for many thousands of people. Ironically this led to some ancient monuments becaming tourist attractions themselves. The combination of tourism and rail travel changed settlement patterns encouraging the expansion of many small idyllic villages and towns. On a more positive note the creation of National Parks, Botanical gardens and AONB`s have been a huge success in preserving parts of the countries pristine and beautiful countryside fom commercial development.
Today we are picking up the environmental tab so to speak, and there is now a realisation that continuing demand for resources fuelled by population growth is driving extensive destruction of our landscape, not just here but all over the world.
Several projects are maintained concurrently in the portfolio, that aim to reflect the UK landscape its history and traditions..
BOOK PUBLISHED:
Lytham & The Fylde Coast, (soft back) 2017, ISBN: 978-1-9160331-0-8 – sold out
Lytham & The Fylde Coast, (hard back) 2017, ISBN: 978-1-9160331-1-5 = sold out
Due for print
Bowland (hard back) 2021, ISBN: 978-1-9160331-2-2
Our Island Coast (hardback), ISBN: 978-1-9160331-3-9
Return of The Flying Scotsman (hardback), ISBN: 978-1-9160331-4-6 (now availble on request)
COMPETITIONS
Monovision Photography Awards 2023
2nd Prize Photo-Journamlism
Monovision Photography Awards 2023
3 Landscape Commendations
Monochrome Photography Awards 2023
2 Landscape Commendations
The Classical Association 2023
3rd Prize (Public Vote)
Take A View
Landscape Photographer Of The Year
Commendation Awards
2008, 2011, & 2012
IGPOTY
International Garden Photographer Of The Year 2011
Commendation Award. Exbn at Kew Gardens 2012
National Geographic Magazine Photo Comp Prize 2009
Royal Botanic Gardens (RGBE)
Landscape Prize 2009
Winner of the Kendal Mountain Film Festival Photographic Prize 2006
Winner Lancaster Gazette Prize 2006
Winner of the Eltermere
Photographic Competition 2005
Lancaster University Photo Prize 2005
EXHIBITIONS
Museum of Classical Archaeology, Cambridge University 2023
Lytham Heritage Gallery – 2022 “Human Land”
Lytham Heritage Gallery – 2018. “Selected Landscapes”
Lytham Heritage Gallery – 2016. “Selected Landscapes”
IGPOTY Exbn at Kew Gardens 2012
Wilfs Gallery (Kendal) – 2010
Glenridding Gallery – 2009
Brewery Arts Cenre (Kendal) – 2008
Wolf House Gallery (Silverdae) – 2007
BOOKS & MAGAZINES
Sunday Times Magazine Feature 28/10/2012
Landscape Photographer Of The Year 2012
Awards Book. P160 Collection 6
Sunday Times Magazine Feature 23/10/2011
Landscape Photographer Of The Year 2011
Awards Book. P160 Collection 5
Landscape Photographer Of The Year 2008
Awards Book. P160 Collection 2
ARCHIVES:
The British Library
Lytham Heritage Centre
Bronte Parsonage Museum
OTHER INTERESTS:
Voluntary Warden for the Lake District National Park
Climbing & Mountaineering
Author: “The Hodder Way Walk” www.hodderway.co.uk
Author: “Three Aqueducts Walk Kendal ” (linked from hodderway site)
Thirlmere Aqueduct Mapping and Historical Documentation
http://www.jdscomponents.co.uk/gates/
Peter Laurence Photography B.A. (Hons), Dip M.R.S. LRPS
