Local interest | JANUARY 2013
Julie Southdown I
nspiration for Henfield photographer Julie Mitchell, who runs the successful Southdowns Photographics, comes ready-made in the form of the beautiful Sussex countryside surrounding her home. If you are a walker you may have seen Julie and her dog Fergie out on one of their many walks, her love of the countryside is captured in many of her stunning landscape photographs.
Julie grew up in Henfield and returned again in ’93 after getting married. She is rarely without her trusty Nikon camera, capturing the seasons as they roll over the South Downs. Her images show vibrant colours as the leaves turn; crisp and clear close-ups of nature unfurling in the spring; the intricate beauty of a cobweb encrusted with hoar frost. They make you want to pull on some walking boots and get out there to enjoy the beauty of it all. “I just love living here,” said Julie. “Walking with Fergie is such a pleasure and seeing a familiar view at different times of the year as the seasons change is something too tempting not to catch on camera. There are no tricks to my photography – I just keep my eyes open!” This is a modest statement from Julie; having an eye for colour, light and the perfect angle is a rare skill. Many of us with digital cameras will know how technology allows us to take some reasonable shots and covers a multitude of lighting and composition sins, but Julie’s breathtaking images are in a league of their own. Julie’s love of animals is apparent in her pet portraits.
She likes to capture the animals in their own environment, often combining her stunning countryside images with the animals. Most of her commissions are dogs and horses, although she has been known to take pictures of hamsters and guinea-pigs! “There is something lovely about these commissions, everyone wants something slightly different which can be a challenge, but it keeps me thinking creatively and makes the portraits very personal,” said Julie. Back in 2009 Julie took part in her first ‘365’ project. This involved taking a photograph a day for the whole year, which she published on Flickr, the photography sharing site. It’s a very personal project, which she has repeated several times since. “Sometimes, on a gloomy old day in February, it can be a bit of a challenge to find a good subject,” explained Julie. “But often these are the most interesting shots, when you have to think hard and compensate for bad light. For a photographer it’s great practice and helps you to think in a very creative way.” You can see Julie’s 365 on www.flickr.com/photos/juliemitchell. Alongside friend Tracy Smyth, Julie organises the annual Henfield Arts and Crafts Fayre in the Henfield Hall every Autumn. This successful fayre has grown and grown over the years, achieving a following of visitors who appreciate meeting local artists and craftspeople face to face. Look out for the dates this Autumn in BN5.
You can view and purchase Julie’s photographs, fully mounted and printed professionally, through her website www.southdownsphotographics.co.uk or contact her on 07759 476246. Emma Osman
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