introducing: Peter Eastway

We are thrilled to announce that we will feature some beautiful and soulful portraits by Peter Eastway in Len’s Journal Volume 2, Issue 2, due for publication in May 2022.

Len says: “Peter has a lot to answer for. He introduced me to Lightroom about twenty years ago. I raced home and bought a copy that night. Eight years ago he decided that my writing was worthy of publication. A year ago we ran our first workshop together. But most importantly Peter has taught me about seeing. He has done this by his intensely relentless output of outstanding photography. The diversity in his work is so motivating.

We are so proud to show his work in this issue in this format. Printed to such a high quality that fits in so well with his own production values. His work in this issue helps push us outwards with considering portraits as artworks and to be able to be enjoyed as art.”

Peter says: “When Len and I sat down to discuss this portfolio, I was more than happy to revisit my photographs with a view to creating a body of work specifically for Len’s Journal.

So, what would my portfolio look like? I love Len’s monochromatic approach and his square outlook on life. And Len says he loves my colourful and Bohemian approach to post-production, but he indicated a strong interest in something different, something that would have readers familiar with my photography asking, ‘Is this really Peter Eastway’s work?’

With this in mind, we settled on portraiture, rather than landscape; monochrome rather than colour; and I almost went square, but the rebellious side of my nature couldn’t give Len absolutely everything I thought he wanted. Exploring my archives with a 4x5 ratio crop and a curved top was a thoroughly enjoyable exercise.

As an aside, I love portraiture. I have learnt all about lighting from portrait masters. I learnt a lot about black and white from Irving Penn’s work, a portrait master. Over the years, I’ve been put in the ‘landscape photography box’, but it’s not the only genre I enjoy working in.

These portraits were taken in Bhutan on photo tours conducted over the last six or seven years. If you’re interested in joining me and another black and white photographer, David Oliver, we’re going to Bhutan again at the end of 2022. You’ll find details on the www.betterphotography.com website.”

Subscribe before 8th April 2022 to receive Volume 2 Issue 2, due for publication in May, in which Peter’s work appears.

Photograph reproduced with permission. Photograph copyright © Peter Eastway 2022