World Photography Day has landed and to celebrate we asked two of our photographers to share some of their favourite images and the stories behind them.
Wullie Marr and Jason Hedges are two of the newest members of our photographic team, but together have snapped thousands – if not millions – of frames in pursuit of the “perfect” image.
Here, we look at just a few of their images as they discuss their average day behind the camera and give advice to budding shooters.
Jason’s ‘love-hate relationship’ with storm photograph
Jason, who is based in Moray, finds he covers everything from the mundane to the spectacular with his camera gear.
Being so far north, and often called upon to travel the Highlands for us when required, he often finds himself going from portraits of new business owners to raging wildfires and storms across the breadth of the patch.
When he joined DC Thomson in 2018, it was after a notable career in London where he snapped pictures of celebrities and the infamous Anders Breivik.
“A lot of what we do relies on capturing people in their element,” he says.
“I think getting stuck into the heart of the action, shooting close at 28mm for example yields a far stronger image than say using a telephoto lens, you can feel it in an instant, but that’s not without risk!”
And as in Cullen, pictured above, he has even been known to put his body on the line to get his results.
“I was nearly swept out to sea once,” Jason reminisces.
He adds: “I have a love-hate relationship with this photograph.
“In January 2022, whilst searching for a dramatic weather picture during a storm, I noticed two people at the end of the sea wall in Cullen. Hoping to photograph some of the sea chop behind them, I ran down to them.
“Without warning, a massive wave peeled over the sea wall before pounding down on the three of us. I was instantly floored, submersed temporarily and sustained elbow and knee injuries but managed to save the camera.
“Elvis once sang ‘only fools rush in’, I learned a lesson or two that day and the photograph was, well, almost worth it!”
“Between feature photography and news, it’s a varied life,” Jason says.
“One day you’ll be asked to take some pictures of cakes for a food review, or to go to some community event, then get a call to head to a breaking police incident 50 miles away.”
As for his own idea of the perfect image, Jason describes it as a “rare blend of strong content, clever composition, and beautiful lighting”.
“But,” he adds, “take a lot of pictures. Be discerning, be consistent, take risks, and work like a dog.”
‘The perfect picture has yet to be taken’
Wullie Marr, likewise, thinks the perfect image is hard to attain.
“The perfect picture has yet to be taken,” he says.
“There are pictures that are perfect for their intended use.
“They will have enough content to tell enough of a story to back up the words or encourage someone to read the words. But, in our line of work, we need to be able to tell a story in pictures with a beginning, middle and end, and that can sometimes be challenging.”
Wullie’s background, like Jason’s, is in freelance photography.
Closer to home than his counterpart, he became a regular fixture at local – and national – farming shows and had been a regular contributor to The Press and Journal before joining the staff during the Covid pandemic.
Wullie explains his start in farming photography, in particular, came through a speculative request to provide images and a willingness, on his side, to try something new.
“I had been asked if I could cover the Stirling Bulls Sales for three days and, although I explained I had never done it, I was prepared to give it a go,” he says.
“I sent in a mixture of what they wanted, along with what I wanted to shoot – more documentary style – and it seemed to go down OK.
“I now have a good understanding of the animals, how they should be standing for example, as well as just finding out more about the agricultural industry as a whole. I always find if something piques my interest at the start I will try and learn as much as I can about subjects which I think gives you a better appreciation of them.”
And it is this willingness to try everything that has held Wullie in good stead throughout his time behind the camera.
From shooting sport to food features, he has run the gamut on what the job offers.
“It’s also something that keeps you on your toes and requires you to be continually focused. I was once told many years ago that if you see something happen, you didn’t get the shot, and this is something I still go by,” he says of sport photography.
‘Shoot for yourself – not likes on social media’
Some of what he enjoys most, however, is finding the best picture to perfectly tell a story.
“I really enjoy shooting for features, whether it’s for the paper or some of our supplements or sister titles,” he says.
“As photographers, we tend to be given plenty of time to get creative and we all tend to use that creative time differently, giving our feature jobs more of a signature.
“In turn, it stops jobs looking boring with page after page, picture after picture, all being in the same formula.
“The range of features is very varied as well – from small boutique type businesses to large scale industrial jobs. Each has its merits, and each has its challenges.
“No two jobs are ever the same, so you approach each job with a blank canvas of ideas, and think on your feet.”
And it is this advice he wants to drive home to anyone interested in picking up a camera for a career.
The secret, he thinks, is not to conform to what others are doing.
“Enjoy your photography,” he says.
“Shoot subjects you are knowledgeable about, which will help you learn at your own pace, and enjoy what you do.
“Finally, shoot for yourself – not likes on social media.”
Conversation