John Linney: From Markets to Moorland
by Laura Storey
Capturing the contrasts of Calderdale
From the bustling streets adorned with Victorian architecture to the sweeping, heather-covered moors, photographer John Linney captures the striking contrasts of the Calder Valley and beyond through his lens.
WHEN DID YOU START TAKING PHOTOS?
Inversion – Calderdale
I’ve always taken photos since my early teens. Back then, I had an Instamatic camera and took a lot of family photos – I
still do! Photography was a family thing, as my grandad was a semi-professional photographer. He taught me about light and composition. He was a portrait and street photographer, while my dad was a landscape photographer. I became serious about photography in the last eight years or so. A few people said to me, “Oh, you’re quite good at this!”
I used to work for the National Health Service as a psychiatric nurse but retired on health grounds about 20 years ago.
Since then, I’ve done a few other things, including a degree in conservation. About two years ago, I started getting paid for photography. I do my prints and have had exhibitions.
Market Entrance – Halifax
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PHOTO YOU’VE TAKEN?
Treetops – Calderdale
It’s that old thing – your favourite photograph is always the last one you took or the next one! In terms of popularity with others, I took a photograph called Treetops. It was during a cloud inversion in Calder Valley, on Height Road towards Old Town. I captured this fantastic blue-green light. I often chase cloud inversions. Where I live in Mytholmroyd, I can see the top of the opposite hillside, and if I notice clouds sitting below, I grab my gear and rush out to capture it.
“I LOVE THE COLOURS OF AUTUMN AND THE STARKNESS OF LATE WINTER. AS LONG AS YOU DON’T MIND GETTING RAINED ON, BLOWN OVER, OR SNOWED ON, YOU’LL BE FINE!”
Recently, we were down in Dungeness, Kent, and I took a few pictures of the lighthouse on the beach. One was through the wreck of an old boat, and that’s probably one of my favourites at the moment.
Wreck – Dungeness
New Lighthouse – Dungeness
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE TIME OF YEAR TO PHOTOGRAPH?
Evening Light – Whitstable
I like autumn and winter, though I’m not particularly fond of taking photos in the snow. I love the colours of autumn and the starkness of late winter. As long as you don’t mind getting rained on, blown over, or snowed on, you’ll be fine! People say the light is too bright in summer. Most photographers will tell you to go out at sunrise or sunset, but they don’t bother in the middle of the day. I don’t really agree with that. I’ve taken photos in full sun that turned out well – you have to work a bit harder to get the result you want.
Misty Treetops – Wales
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT STREET PHOTOGRAPHY?
Protest – London
It’s basically a bit of people-watching, which goes back to my time as a psychiatric nurse. We spent the first year of training being taught observation skills, which was essentially watching people! It becomes part of your psyche to notice how people interact and behave.
“I LOVE THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE TOWNS AND THE MOORLANDS”
I’m particularly fond of Victorian markets and buildings, so I’ve taken many pictures around the Leeds and Halifax markets. I used to live in north Leeds, and we’d go to the market every week. I love Leeds Market – it’s a fantastic building where Marks & Spencer first started. It’s one of the architectural wonders of the North of England. I went to Stockport a few months ago to see their beautiful old market. It’s small but lovely. I’m planning to do a photo book on Victorian markets at some point. They’re pretty unusual and almost unique to the North of England. In the South, many of these markets have disappeared, but there are still a few left up here.
Shiny Pavement – Piece Hall Halifax
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHING CALDER VALLEY?
In a Hurry – Halifax
I love the contrast between the towns and the moorlands. Calder Valley is such a deep, steep-sided valley that you get dramatic landscapes you’d typically only see in places like the Lake District or North Wales. Then there are the mill towns, which are fascinating to photograph, especially for someone like me who enjoys capturing the interaction between humans and nature. You can go from Blackshaw Head on the tops to Halifax, and it’s completely different, yet you’re still in the same valley and have only travelled about ten miles.
Backstreets- Hebden Bridge
WHAT CAMERA DO YOU USE?
Wavy Steps – Hebden Bridge
I’ve used many cameras over the years and tried different brands, but I currently shoot with Nikon cameras. I’ve got two or three Nikons. I’ve also just bought myself a Pentax film camera for the princely sum of £40!
I decided to give film photography another go, although it’s quite an expensive hobby.
Vertigo – Ripponden
ANY ADVICE FOR BUDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS?
Two Green Chairs – Winchelsea
Take lots of photos! Some people might say, “That’s not much advice,” but actually, if you’re too purposeful at the start, you won’t learn. You need to take lots of photos and make lots of mistakes.
That’s the beauty of digital photography – you can make hundreds of mistakes and learn from them. Get to know your camera, understand what it’s good for, and don’t be afraid to try different types. If it feels comfortable in your hand, you’re more likely to take it out and shoot. Everyone recommends small cameras, but I find them fiddly. I prefer Nikons because they’re bigger, have a larger grip, and feel more comfortable in my hands. I don’t mind the extra weight.
Pizza Window – Halifax
WHERE CAN PEOPLE SEE YOUR WORK?
I’m exhibiting with Will Lake in February at Northlight Studios in Hebden Bridge. Visit my website, johnlinneyphotography.co.uk, for more details and to see my images.
NorthernLife Dec/Jan/Feb 24/25
