Image above: Dragons Breath Dawn © Grant Hyatt
A landscape photographer who is based in the Brecon Beacons, Grant Hyatt is never far away from a beautiful location to capture. He answers quick-fire questions for our online series Short Exposure.
OP: Hello! First of all please introduce yourself: tell us the type of pictures you like to take and how you first got into photography.
GH: Hi! I’ve been wandering around the Brecon Beacons with my camera for just over two years and (quite like my other my hobbies) it started on a bit of a whim, with no prior knowledge or interest outside of admiring other people’s photographs. I found myself with some spare cash one month so took the plunge and bought myself a camera. I’ve been captivated ever since!
Image above: Corn Du © Grant Hyatt
OP: How often are you able to get out there and photograph, and is there a particular location you normally go to?
GH: Like most people interested in landscape photography I’m driven by the weather, so if the conditions looks right then the likelihood is I’ll find the time to go out. Perhaps I’m more fortunate than some as I live in the shadow of the Black Mountain on the western edge of the Brecon Beacons, so I can get to some great locations in no time at all. Traveling from my home to my favorite mountain lake can take as little as an hour.
OP: What have you been working on recently?
GH: Autumn was sensational in the Brecon Beacons so I found it impossible to concentrate on anything other than getting to locations when the forecast looked good. I was lucky enough to witness and capture some amazing scenes. For this season’s project I’m looking at mountains in moonlight.
OP: Where do you find your inspiration?
GH: While the Brecon Beacons are my chosen subject, what inspires me the most is the weather. I love how the changing conditions completely alter the look and feel of a place and how much of an impact this can have on my experience.
Image above: Winter Cribyn © Grant Hyatt
OP: What’s your dream photography project?
GH: We recently visited the Isle of Skye on a family holiday and it completely swept me off my feet: I loved the topography, the way the morning light makes the land look like velvet – even the ale was to my liking! While I had a few opportunities to get out with my camera, I went home with nothing that came close to capturing how I felt about the place. To be able to spend more time there would make me very happy.
OP: Is there one thing in particular you think would help you improve your photography?
GH: I’m still very new to photography and even newer to the wonders of good light. As a result I can get very caught up in the moment, which occasionally can carry through to my processing, so I rush and make silly mistakes. I need to learn when to step back, be patient and take my time.
OP: What do you think it hot right now in the photography world?
GH: I live in a bit of a bubble where the latest gear and kit is concerned, plus I’m really happy with my camera and lens combinations. As far as popular locations go, in autumn my social network feeds were filled with the most incredible woodland images, so much so that one morning I considered heading to the forest instead of the mountains. I decided to stick to photographing mountains and I took my most praised image to date.
OP: Where do you see your photography in five years time?
GH: Currently I’m only happy with my photographic efforts from the last 12 months, so if in five years I can look back and still enjoy my efforts beyond the 12 months then I’d be very happy. I am starting to feel comfortable with the way I create a photograph so I hope this will be possible.
Grant’s work is featured in the latest issue of Outdoor Photography, our February issue, on sale from 14 January. See more of Grant’s work here
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