Archaeologist - Photographer

As Director of Aerial-Cam a specialist archaeological photography service, I provide expertise in photography gained over 25 years, coupled with more than 8 years experience as a field archaeologist.

The photography service covers all aspects of archaeological photography utilising a variety of techniques for detailed, high quality imagery, of small finds, stratigraphy, excavation areas, landscapes, historic buildings and ancient monuments. Working with commercial archaeological companies, as well as University led and community orientated research projects. I do this throughout the UK and occasionally on special projects in other parts of the world.

Archaeological photography is a vital part of the recording process, particularly when preservation by record is the only option; it is also an invaluable medium for communicating information about the evidence of past human activity to a wide audience. Applying the well practiced principals of pre-digital photography while championing new technologies and techniques for the highest quality and most useful results is my mission.

With nearly a decade of archaeological field work experience, my knowledge of finds and features from the full range of periods, along with my understanding of the process of archaeology, gives me the advantage of being able to integrate with on-site teams swiftly and the ability to produce the best and most appropriate results. Generally I am commissioned by day to photograph excavations and historic buildings with Aerial-Cam and the other equipment I use, but being involved for the duration of a project is where I feel my contribution and the benefit of my experience is greatest. With more time to monitor and record the process on-site, the finds/features being discovered, the contexts and conditions in which they are found, the more informative and complete the resulting photographic archive. I am a strong believer that the photographic archive should not just be a collection of sanitised record shots (although they are still vital), but should also reflect how an excavation has progressed and changed along with its diggers.

The recording of rock-art is a particular passion of mine and helps demonstrate how fundamental the appropriate use of light is for teasing out the detail of motifs or inscriptions as well as information about how the designs were created. The ‘Painting with Light’ technique works around the basic principal of using a light source directed obliquely across a panel of art, to create shadow in areas recessed or in relief of the main panel surface. A camera is positioned perpendicular to the panel to record the resulting effect of the oblique lighting and shadow. Correct exposure will be determined by the chosen light source and the amount of effective ambient light around the panel. Light sources can include direct sun light, battery powered torches, remotely triggered flashguns, and studio or work lights. Of course the same principals can be applied on a macro scale to small finds such as flint and coins, as well as on a much larger scale with low raking sun light across a landscape.

Photographing rock-art within the Barclodiad y Gawres Burial Chamber, Anglesey.

I co-direct the Anglesey Rock-Art Project which has been ongoing since 2004, with every field trip we make new and significant discoveries there and in other parts of Wales. It became clear that the project needed to be extended to the rest of Wales and its border counties, so in 2009 we set up the Welsh Rock-Art Organisation which is now a member of IFRAO and largely un-funded but supported by volunteers. At present we are working on our outreach capability via the WRAO website: www.rock-art-in-wales.co.uk and we hope to have this updated (with much help from Heritage Data Solutions web developer Henry Rothwell) within the next couple of months. We are conducting a field trip to look at rock-art within the area of Kilmartin, Scotland, later in May 2011 and will be conducting a rock-art field school and small excavation in Pembrokeshire in September following on from our very successful rock-art field schools on Anglesey in 2009 and Pembrokeshire 2010.

The rock-art projects grew from field trips I organised through my company Archaeology Safaris Ltd providing fully accompanied Archaeology field trips & field schools for anyone interested in Archaeology, Pre-history, Megalithic monuments & Rock-Art. Field trips can be organised for individuals and archaeological Society groups, enabling people from all walks of life to get together and be actively involved in new research and field surveys. Destinations have included: Jersey, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, Pembrokeshire, Anglesey, the Boyne Valley in Ireland, Valcaminica in Italy and Ronda in Spain; as well as many other fascinating places with high concentrations of prehistoric monuments/landscapes. For much of this work I work closely with Dr George Nash Archaeologist & specialist in Prehistoric and Contemporary art.

If you would to contact me about my work and what I do, then send me an email or call on 07815 007128.

I am Member of the Institute for Archaeologists and a Nikon Professional User.