Favourite photographers: Yann Arthus Bertrand

Yann Arthus-Bertrand has had a profound influence on the way I see both photography and the world itself. I still remember visiting his Earth from Above exhibition in London in 2001 and being completely blown away. Seeing the planet from the air revealed patterns, colours and landscapes that I had never imagined. It was one of those rare experiences that permanently changed the way I looked at the Earth.

What I especially love about Arthus-Bertrand's work is the idea that the world itself is a work of art. His photographs reveal a planet of astonishing beauty, where rivers, deserts, forests and mountains become abstract masterpieces when viewed from above. At the same time, his work carries a deeper message—that this beauty is precious and worth protecting. He reminds me that photography can do more than create beautiful images. It can awaken wonder, deepen our appreciation of the world, and encourage us to become better stewards of this extraordinary work of art that we call home.

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Favourite photographers: Amsel Adams

One of the photographers I admire most is Ansel Adams. His landscapes have an extraordinary sense of clarity, scale and stillness. He had a remarkable ability to reveal the beauty of the natural world, not by exaggerating it, but by helping us see what was already there. His photographs remind me that nature is full of grandeur, subtlety and order if we take the time to look carefully.

What I appreciate most about Adams is the combination of artistry and craftsmanship. He was a master of light, composition and tonal range, creating images that feel both technically perfect and deeply emotional. His work inspires me not only to become a better photographer, but also to spend more time in wild places, slowing down and paying closer attention. His photographs are a reminder that some of life's greatest experiences come simply from being present in nature.

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Favourite quotes

• Photography is an austere and blazing poetry of the real.
• The camera is for life and for people, the swift and intense moments of life.
• When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.
• A good photograph is knowing where to stand.
• Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop.
• I do not think there is any question of photography being an art form!
• Life is your art. An open, aware heart is your camera. A oneness with your world is your film. Your bright eyes and easy smile is your museum.
• The photographic negative is the equivalent of the composers score and the print is the equivalent of the conductor’s performance.
• I believe the world is incomprehensibly beautiful – an endless prospect of magic and wonder.
• I hope that my work will encourage self expression in others and stimulate the search for beauty and creative excitement in the great world around us.
• A great photograph is one that fully expresses what one feels, in the deepest sense, about what is being photographed.
• There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept.
• You don’t take a photograph, you make it.
• There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs.
• No matter how sophisticated you may be, a large granite mountain cannot be denied – it speaks in silence to the very core of your being.
• The whole world is, to me, very much “alive” – all the little growing things, even the rocks. I can’t look at a swell bit of grass and earth, for instance, without feeling the essential life – the things going on – within them. The same goes for a mountain, or a bit of the ocean, or a magnificent piece of old wood.