Martin Leighton
Martin is a keen landscape photographer who, like many of us, struggled during the lockdown. ‘Photography has been the light in my darkness,’ he explains. ‘For me, losing my freedom made me appreciate how beautiful the natural world is. My big film camera also broke during lockdown which was devastating, but this was a blessing in disguise as I bought a Canon EOS 5Ds – I realised how digital is awesome and so much easier.’ For Martin, photography was really helpful for keeping him calm. ‘It soothed the woes and suppressed all the horrible news. When you are artistically challenged, you find ways of expressing yourself, and discover parts of the brain that you never really use. Going out to a beautiful place at sunrise with your camera actually gives you an excuse to be in that place and can help you work stuff out, especially when you are feeling low. Seeing the world in great light kind of puts your woes into perspective. Landscape photography can teach you that life goes on and also that nature is strong – so should you be.’