Ian Palmer
‘I’ve had poor mental health for the last 25 years and have been on medication for 16,’ Ian explains. ‘Ever since I was a kid I’ve had a camera and have always enjoyed photography.’ Two years ago, Ian suffered a mental breakdown and came very close to ending his life. ‘Thankfully I found some support from a mental health charity and although things are better, I am still not well.’ He then
decided to join a local camera club, which proved to be a breakthrough. ‘My mental health has continued to improve, as well as my photography skills. I bought a new camera at the end of 2019, a Canon 4000D, then a nifty-fifty lens. Since lockdown, I’ve entered several competitions, which has given me a focus that wasn’t in my brain before. It’s also given me a sense of achievement and a new confidence in my photographical skills. Considering I had a career in a creative and highly skilled industry, it’s been wonderful to get that back in my life, but without the pressures of the workplace.’ See twitter.com/ianjpalmer.