Journal
Viewfinder: Sophie Hustwick
Next up in our Viewfinder series is Sophie Hustwick (@sophiehustwick). With a background shaped by a lifelong exposure to photography and early influences from family, Sophie's work is rooted in observation and a deep appreciation for the details often overlooked. Drawing from a foundation in sketching landscapes, she brings a thoughtful, intuitive approach to imagery, paired with a striking use of colour that defines each frame. What's your story? Photography has always been present in my life. Both my Grandad and Dad had a huge collection of film cameras, so I grew up around the idea of documenting moments and preserving memories. My Dad first taught me how to use a camera, which encouraged me to explore the medium further, eventually leading me to study photography. Before photography, I would often go on road trips and sketch landscapes, trying to capture a feeling or atmosphere rather than simply recording a scene. Drawing taught me to slow down and really observe my surroundings, noticing light, shape and subtle changes in mood. In many ways, photography became an extension of that process. The two feel closely connected; both are about paying attention and responding to the environment. Where drawing required interpretation, photography allows me to preserve fleeting moments as they naturally exist, holding onto small details that might otherwise pass unnoticed. Tell us about 5 of your favourite images A Quiet Corner I hadn’t seen my friend in what felt like forever, the kind of gap that quietly stretches without you realising how much life has happened in between. The diner was half-empty when we walked in, and there was this booth glowing in burnt orange as the late afternoon light filtered through the blinds. It felt staged, almost too perfect. It was around Halloween, when the light always golden, and the staff were in costume, which added an extra cinematic feel to the place. Painted Streets Cuba had always lived in my imagination through my dad’s stories, spoken about with a kind of reverence. When I finally went, it felt less like discovering somewhere new and more like stepping into something I already knew. The colours were everywhere, sun-faded pastels, bright cars, walls layered with history. There was a sense of being gently cut off from the rest of the world, like time had slowed. Watching cigar makers at work and riding horses through open landscapes, it all felt grounded, tactile, real. Reflections at Dusk The walk to the pier to watch the sunset had become routine, almost automatic. Every evening I’d go, focused on the changing colours in the sky like it was the only thing worth noticing. One evening I stopped to admire an orange car and noticed the reflection of the palm trees stretching across it. That moment became a reminder to slow down, and the image later became the first in my book Colourway. First Day Back Coming out of lockdown felt surreal. This was the first photo I had taken after restrictions lifted. The market was overwhelming in the best way, colour everywhere, people everywhere, noise, movement. After so long indoors, surrounded by the same walls and muted tones, it almost felt too much to take in at once. The colours felt exaggerated by contrast, heightened by absence. Built into the Landscape I’ve been spending a lot of time in Lanzarote since my mum moved there. The architecture stands out in a way that feels intentional, clean lines, bold shapes, colours that work with the landscape rather than against it. It creates a balance between nature and design that feels almost curated, but still completely natural, like the landscape and the architecture were always meant to exist together, shaped by the same volcanic ground they sit on. What would be your dream location or subject to shoot? Visiting Cuba was a dream of mine, and it reflects the type of environment I feel most inspired by. I’m drawn to places that feel rooted in the past, with interiors and exteriors that hold the character of another time. Spaces shaped by history often carry subtle traces of the people who have moved through them, and I find that incredibly compelling to photograph.Having the opportunity and freedom to travel is very important to me, as I’m continually inspired by experiencing new places and cultures. I’m interested in locations that feel authentic and colourful, where texture, light and atmosphere can tell a story without needing too much intervention. What's a 'must-have' item you couldn't live without on a shoot? I’ve always believed you don’t need the most expensive gear to create meaningful work. For me, the heart of my process is the film stock itself. I’ve developed a strong connection to specific stocks that complement the tones and moods I’m drawn to. Kodak Portra and Kodak Gold are staples. They produce colours that feel natural, warm, and slightly nostalgic, which perfectly suits my style. I almost always carry both a reliable 35mm and 50mm lens. Switching between them lets me move seamlessly between capturing the environment and honing in on details.And batteries, because there’s nothing worse than being stranded mid-shoot with a film camera that relies on rare, hard-to-find power sources. Big thanks to Sophie for taking the time to share these gorgeous photos and stories with us. You can explore more of Sophie's photography on Instagram @sophiehustwick. You can also purchase Sophie's book, Colourways, here.
Viewfinder: Luke Davis
Next up in our Viewfinder series is Luke Davis (@lukeckdavis). With a creative background rooted in music and years spent performing across Europe, his journey into photography was driven by a desire to capture the same energy and atmosphere he once felt on stage. Now working across travel and commercial projects, his work blends cinematic tones with a natural, story-led approach. What's your story? Before picking up photography in my early 20s, music was my life’s goal. Performing, writing, touring, you name it. I was in a very heavy metal band from age 15 to around 23, and during that time I was fortunate enough to do just that: playing to crowds of 1 to 1,000 all across Europe. I’ll always look back on that period fondly; however, the uphill battle of ‘making it’ in the industry, coupled with my changing tastes, left me looking for other creative outlets. There was a photographer in the scene who captured many of our UK shows, and there was this atmospheric, filmic quality to their work that always grabbed my attention in a way that still images rarely had until then. It was that moment that spurred me to pick up my first, albeit old and beat-up, DSLR. From there, I sunk my time into an embarrassing amount of YouTube tutorials, learning the fundamentals and being inspired by household names like Peter McKinnon and James Popsys. I used any free time I had to get out on the Jurassic Coast where I put those theories into practice. This was my journey up until COVID, during which I was out of work and faced a fork in the road: keep photography as a side project or hunker down, hone my skills, and try to pursue a freelance career. I count my lucky stars every day that I chose the latter. As the world began to open up and I started making connections within the industry, traveling to beautiful destinations with like-minded creatives became an ever-increasing reality. Coupled with the strides I was making in finding my first commercial clients at the time, the rest is history! Tell us about 5 of your favourite images Dubrovnik, Croatia This image is one I’ve always been proud of. Taken a couple of years back, on my first project with Fujifilm, by where I set out to document Dubrovnik, Croatia in peak Mediterranean summer. Atop a cliff overlooking the old town I spotted both locals and tourists enjoying the crystal clear waters of the coast. I loved the painterly look of the scene and did my best to mimic that feeling in the edit. Durdle Door, Dorset Having been born and raised just down the road from this coastal landmark, I’ve visited dozens of times over the years, both with and without a camera. I took this on an impromptu outing late last year, and whilst the door itself remains the same, the conditions surrounding are always so unique. This fiery sky looks like it was ripped straight out of Blade Runner 2049! The final image serves as a reminder to myself to not overlook locations just because I’ve seen them already, and that there’s always something new to discover. Bonfire Night, Dorset As much as I love travelling to some of the world’s most stunning locations for my photography, I find just as much joy in seeking out the smaller moments. Taken on bonfire night last year, I debated whether bringing the camera out that evening would be worth it, but I’m so glad I did. Seeing this little girl experience the wonder of the fireworks display and developing what will no doubt be a core memory for her made carrying the gear about so worth it and taught me that no excursion is too small to pack the camera. Lake Como, Italy Last Summer my partner and I were lucky enough to be able to squeeze in a quick personal getaway to Como, Italy. I brought minimal camera kit with me, as this wasn’t strictly a ‘photo trip’ but when location, weather and subject all align it’s hard to turn down the opportunity. Sharing an understanding nod with her, I sprinted down the pier to snap this before the boat sped off. This image gives me a sort of Studio Ghibli vibe that lines up perfectly with the calm, joyous atmosphere Como gave us. Switzerland In March 2023, as the world began to open up again after *the 2020 event*, I was able to travel with six other creatives to a blisteringly cold Switzerland. On one of the first nights, we were graced with an incredible sunset that drew my eye to the layers of mountains surrounding the village we were staying in. Taking this image gave me that ‘this is exactly where I’m supposed to be’ feeling, and it’s that feeling that I’ve been chasing in my photography journey ever since. What would be your dream shoot location or subject? Ever since I was a kid I have wanted to visit Easter Island, I even have a Moai statue tattooed on my arm! I would love the opportunity to not only visit, but to document the Island, it’s landscapes and famous structures, but also the people of Rapa Nui and their incredible culture. What's your favourite thing to do that has nothing to do with photography? I’ve been an avid gamer my entire life. I blame my Grandad for giving me an N64 on my 4th birthday but it’s been a constant in my life ever since. I suppose that idea of escapism lends itself to my photography mantra in many ways, although always having a camera in my hand definitely gets me out of the house a lot more than gaming ever could! Second to that, I’ve been really into bouldering in recent years. I had a mild quarter life crisis a few years back, wanting to take a little more care in my health. Bouldering became a form of exercise and pseudo-meditation, helping to improve my life, both physically and mentally. Helps that it’s crazy fun too. Huge thanks to Luke for sharing these amazing images and stories with us. If you’d like to see more of his work, which we highly recommend that you do, you can follow him on Instagram at @lukeckdavis or check out his portfolio here.
Viewfinder: Ben Ingram
We’re excited to re-introduce Tens Viewfinder; a series where we shine a spotlight on the photographers and filmmakers who inspire us. It’s all about stepping behind the lens and hearing the stories that shape their work. First up is Ben Ingram, a UK-based photographer. We chatted with Ben about how he got started, what draws him to natural light and real moments, and why slowing down helps him create images that actually feel like something. Let’s get into it. What's your story? I studied Media Production as a Bachelor's degree, and during my time at university, I was introduced into so many different avenues that the media industry could offer - from programming, to lighting installations, to assistant producers on a film set. The choice was somewhat overwhelming, however I found that even amongst the sea of all the options, I kept coming back to how much joy I got with a camera in my hand. Throughout my 3 years at university, I kept honing in on my craft at using cameras to make photos and videos, and then by 2021, I decided to ignore all the career pathways that were suggested by my lecturers, and start my own business as a photographer and videographer. Now, 4 years later, I'm still going strong. Tell us about 5 of your favourite images Durdle Door, Dorset The story behind each of these photographs is unique, because each photo is from a different place, and period along my photography journey. In this shot of Durdle Door, I took this photo on the day that I quit my job to become a full time self-employed photographer - so this photo will always mark a bit of a waypoint for me as the point in my life that I started being a freelancer, and making my life the way I wanted it to be. Not only does it hold that sentimental value, but it also just has a nostalgic summer feel to it, with the contrasting of the blue sea and sky, with the bright yellows of the beach and the rock, telling a story with the kayakers enjoying a day out, all those elements coming together really make it a favourite of my back catalogue. Cloud Inversions, Madeira The cloud inversion at the very top of Madeira is another shot that is always going to be a favourite of mine, because it was my first ever trip abroad with my camera. I travelled to Madeira with another photographer for 3 days, and it truly sparked my love for travel, as well as adding even more fuel to the fire for my passion for photography. In many ways, not only does this photo remind me of how giddy I was being up in the Madeira mountains, but it also feels like the start of my love for exploring, travelling and documenting new places. Glimering Ocean, Gran Canaria This is one of my most recent favourite photos, it was taken on a simple point and shoot film camera, on a very bright day in Gran Canaria. It's a very simple composition of some steps leading down into the ocean, but the way it was rendered on film with the starburst halations over the glimmering sunlight in the water, as well as the rich blues and yellows, really creates a nostalgic summer feel to the image. I love how it evokes so much feeling, even though it was taken on a 34 year old film camera. It goes to show that having expensive gear is not everything in photography. Amlafi Coast, Italy Back in 2023, I remember seeing a video of someone riding a vespa through Amalfi, on the Amalfi Coast of Italy, and I literally booked flights to take photos there based on that one video I was recommended by Instagram. Walking around at Positano, one of the prettiest places I've ever been, let alone in Italy, with my camera at golden hour, was certainly a top 3 photography moment for me. Could it have been the copious amounts of pizza, cannolis and birra moretti in my system? Or just the fact that everywhere I pointed the camera looked amazing? This photo always stands out to me as an image that I constantly wish I could transport myself back into. View from Cafe, Swiss Alps Also in 2023, I travelled to the Switzerland alps, with 6 other people. We had an amazing week with a roadtrip exploring all around the Bernese alps, as well as the Zermatt area. I'd never been anywhere like it before, and the sheer scale of everything around me was always dropping my jaw to the flaw. However, I often found respite in scenes like this one, something that still shows the giant scale of the mountains, however through a cafe window, a way for the viewer to find some peace in the scale. This cafe also served some amazing Swiss beer and pastries, and you could walk outside to the longest glacier in the whole of Europe. You shoot a variety of styles - which is your favourite to shoot? I really hate to niche myself down as a photographer, as I rather enjoy shooting a lot of different genres. I think where I find the most joy, is mixing both portraiture & landscapes together, in a documentary/lifestyle way. Capturing somewhere, something or someone, for myself, or on behalf of a brand, always leaves me with a big wide grin on my face. My dream thing to shoot would be to capture a lifestyle campaign, including photographing people and places, for a travel brand. There's something that excites me about working in places that are unfamiliar to me. Is there something that sticks out to you as a favourite or significant moment in your photography journey? Honestly, getting to travel to new places and capture somewhere with a fresh eye will always be my favourite. Something that sticks out to me in particular, was last year in November. Getting to document Gran Canaria for a week on the newest Fujifilm camera with one of my best mates, who is also a self employed photographer, and then literally the following week, we both flew to Portugal to photograph and video a lifestyle campaign for a household name brand for their summer marketing assets. It felt like a real pinch me moment, that this was my job and my lifestyle, to travel with my friends to new and exciting places, and to get rewarded doing so. I'll never forget it. Huge thanks to Ben for sharing these amazing images and stories with us. If you’d like to see more of his work, which we highly recommend that you, you can follow him on Instagram at @framesbyben
