Shellharbour's Geoff Smith has turned his love of photography into a lifelong passion.
Since he was a teenager and learnt the craft under the guidance of his father, Geoff has worked in dark rooms producing black and white images, discovering a creative connection with photography that he didn’t feel with painting or drawing.
Now, 40 years later, Geoff is still passionate about featuring monochrome images in his work and when his sister-in-law (who does printmaking) encouraged him to join The Shellharbour City Arts Society, he was surprised and happy to be welcomed as a photographer.
The now-retired Geoff says he enjoys the way nature reacts to different light and he goes walking to capture this reaction. His personal motto: “It’s not just about the subject, it’s about the light falling on the subject.”
Geoff is predominantly interested in landscapes, particularly atmospheric scenes – “If there’s a bit of mist around it’s perfect,” he says – and he's also a fan of aerial landscapes.
But it’s the simplicity of monochrome imagery – the emphasis on line, tone and texture without the distraction of colour – that appeals to Geoff as it creates a more graphic quality. He is currently working in the digital medium, but focuses on getting things right in-camera rather than correcting work at a post-production stage.
Although the emphasis today is on social media and displaying photographs online, Geoff says he prefers to see “beautifully lit landscapes as wall art. It’s the quality of a print, the physicality that appeals.”
He has a long-term project titled “For the Love of Trees” and no matter where he visits he is constantly on the lookout for images that reveal the majesty of their structure.
“This is a monochrome project as I love the simplicity of line, tone and texture.”
Geoff lives on the coast and loves spending time photographing rock shelves, waves and other natural points of interest along the shoreline. He spent seven years living in the upper Blue Mountains, exploring the area's many walking trails, creeks and waterfalls, so he also has a passion for shooting mountain scenes.
For more information visit Geoff's website and the Shellharbour City Arts Society website
