Simon Roberts Research Notes

Simon Roberts is a British photographer whose work includes our relationship to landscape notions of identity and belonging. His photographs are generally taken from elevated positions. These positions allow the relationship between the landscape and the people involved in the photo to be observed with ease. 

Simon travelled across England to construct a portfolio called "We English" which demonstrates the English leisure with the elements of warm colours and elevated landscapes. The resulting images demonstrate the beauty and relationship of people, place and connections to the landscapes around us.

This photograph from his portfolio, "We English", is a photograph of a beach in Cornwall from an elevated position. This landscape has a huge skybox with a crashing wave which creates the rule of thirds in this photograph. The wide depth of field also brings out an aesthetic look to the photograph because it brings out every detail  This photo connotes human sociability and wellbeing since the people involved in this photograph are positioned in a way that they are communicating with each other. This photo was from his portfolio which demonstrates the English leisure with the relationship of people taken in landscapes.

This photo is also from Simons portfolio "We English". It shows elements of nature as well as human structure which do not necessarily match together. It also shows elderly people walking in this environment. The rule of thirds are also seen in the composition of the photograph from the similar height of the power chimneys and the ground which covers the bottom third. This photo connotes how human industrialisation can destroy naturalistic landscapes. This photo was also taken from his portfolio which demonstrates the English leisure through landscape photographs.

This photograph by Simon shows many people gathered around Chatsworth House in Bakewell, Derbyshire. The rule of thirds can also be found in the composition of the photograph. This photograph connotes human sociability and unity since all of the people in the photograph are together in a friendly fashion. The colours also connote comfort and happiness because of their bright colours.

Overall this photographer had a great influence of my landscape photography, especially my project since his photographs are all taken on elevated positions and incorporate the rule of thirds. His photographs also influenced me to explore the urban environment which has been presented in my project.