‘Kellett was naturally drawn to landscape photography, perhaps because of his love of the great outdoors’

Amilitary background may not be the obvious starting point for anyone entering the highly creative world of photography, but Richard Kellett has made the transition look easy. The former Royal Scot graduated from Sandhurst Military Academy as a Captain and served in Iraq, amongst other places. In fact it was in Kuwait in 2003, during some down time from operations, that Kellett bought his first digital camera.

However, this could never compare with the camera that his father bought him when he was just 14. It was the first camera that Kellett ever owned, an Olympus OM-10. ‘I realy loved it,’ says Kellett. ‘I still haven’t found the same connection to any of the modern equipment that I use now.’

Kellett has turned his hand to most genres of photography and is particularly interested in portraiture and landscape work. He was natu-

raly drawn to landscape photography, perhaps because of his love of the great outdoors and, without doubt, because he lives on the beautiful Isle of Mull, where he now works for the ambulance service.

‘Living on Mull has given me the most wonderful opportunities to take landscape photographs in a range of light conditions across the seasons. It’s one of the beautiful things about the diversity of the land and the weather that we have in Scotland, there is unlimited potential here.’

Kellett admits to having quite an intense style of photography, but claims that it’s not entirely deliberate. ‘It’s really my interpretation of what Scotland means to me. I like to push my work to at least what I remember the shot was like through my eyes at the time – they’re so much more advanced than even the best camera,’ he says.

‘I love the power of the modern digital darkroom. The potential is only limited by your ideas and knowledge.’

Image: Traigh Gheal or ‘White Beach’ is on the Ross of Mull. It is Kellett’s favourite beach in Scotland and although it is difficult to reach, the white sand and vivid blue sea make it well worth the effort.