PHOTOGRAPHY: Ben's ten stunning images

BUDDING young RGS photographer Ben Keohane first took up the hobby two years ago, encouraged by a relative who works in the industry.

Since then, he has had the opportunity to take photos in a wide range of stunning settings, including Newfoundland in Canada and Tintagel in Cornwall.

Inspired by Ansel Adams, an American landscape photographer known for his black and white images of the American West, Ben says: “He is famous for his work in American National Parks such as Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada - a location I hope to photograph in the future.”

The 13-year-old, from Ripon, prefers to photograph landscapes and says the countryside around Ripon is perfect for discovering interesting and beautiful locations to shoot: “It costs nothing (other than transport), looks amazing if done well and is easier to shoot than a moving subject,” he says.

He uses a Nikon DSLR camera: “But the lens is typically more important than the frame. As a lens, I have a preference towards 50-300mm as it is excellent for range and detail.”

Getting started in photography can be daunting, he explains, because there are so many equipment options: “But there are several expert retailers in the Harrogate area such as Bass and Bligh (my personal favourite) who can help you with recommendations and guidance.”

He edits his own photos: “But the content is always more important than post-production editing.”

Aiming for a career in law, he still has ambitions for his photography: “I would particularly like to photograph a sports event, as I want to try to expand from landscape photography to other genres that interest me.

“The profession of landscape and nature photographer is sadly dying out, mainly due to the capability of mobile phones and the claim they can take 'better photos'.

“In my opinion, the photography capability of phones will never surpass that of a high-end camera, but as technology advances we cannot tell where the future of cameras will go.

“Ultimately though, whether it be on a Nokia or a Nikon, skill is always most important.”

He would urge anyone who is interested to pick up a camera and have a go: “You don't even need expensive specialist equipment.

“I started off taking photos on my phone, and from there it escalated into something I do almost every day.

“I would encourage anybody to pick up a phone, camera, or anything you want to shoot on, and get outside to take some photos of anything they find interesting.

“Photography can be really enjoyable, without huge cost.”