Renowned Photographer Joe Cornish in Leamington

Joe Cornish Fortress of the Four Winds.

Ask any keen landscape photographer what JCB stands for, and the chances are the answer will not be the manufacturer of big yellow diggers.

For those dedicated to capturing evocative landscape images, the initials represent a Joe Cornish Boulder.

That refers to the art of composing a landscape picture so it includes a closer feature to provide some foreground interest in addition to the distant vista.

It is a style named after internationally-renowned landscape photographer Joe Cornish, whose images are noted for his frequent use of the technique and are influenced by classical artists including El Greco and Constable.

Joe Cornish Kerulsfjord Greenland.

Now local landscape enthusiasts have the opportunity to learn from the master himself, as Joe is to give an eagerly-anticipated talk in Leamington at the end of April. Joe’s presentation, hosted by Leamington Spa Photographic Society but open to non-members, will take place at All Saints’ Parish Church in Leamington on Tuesday 30 April.

Joe, who has worked as a professional photographer since graduating from Reading University with a Fine Arts degree 1980, began his career as a photographer’s assistant and then as a commercial photographer in London. He formed his perspective on landscapes while acting as the official photographer for an Operation Raleigh expedition to Alaska more than 30 years ago.

Joe Cornish By Alex Fisherfield

And it was through his passion for landscapes that Joe, who is now based near the North York Moors, from where he has photographed the North Yorkshire landscape but has also worked capturing scenes throughout the British Isles and overseas, became internationally recognised.

The fourth largest Photographic Society in the Midlands, with more than 90 members, LSPS hosts a number of speakers during the year, as well as staging photographic exhibitions at the church, where it holds its weekly meetings.

The society has a number of ‘special interest groups’ in which members who share common interests, including landscapes, street photography, natural history, macro photography, abstracts and portraiture, share their enthusiasm – often taking part in group photographic activities and visits – as well as a Learning and Development group at which more experienced members pass on their specialist knowledge in various aspects of photography.  

Joe Cornish_Dunstanburgh.

During his talk, Joe says he will be ‘drawing on key events, turning points and life lessons’ from his 44-year career, as well as talking about his techniques, to expound his overarching concept of bringing the landscape to life.

Looking at the significance of other arts as a source for all photographers, Joe’s talk and images combine ideas on life and nature that are described as ‘both intensely personal, and yet also universal.’

An Evening with Joe Cornish, one of the world's finest landscape photographers, at Leamington Spa Photographic Society, at All Saints’ Parish Church, Victoria Terrace, Leamington Spa CV31 1AA on Tuesday 30 April at 7.30pm. Tickets, which cost £10, are available from Leamington Spa Photographic Society by contacting events@lsps.org.uk