AN avid dale photographer is to exhibit his work for the first time, despite having studied the art more than three decades ago.
Chris Morse is probably best known for snapping the action from the sidelines of Barnard Castle Rugby Club games on the Demesnes, but few know of the hours he spends in the woodlands around the town where he captures some striking landscapes.
Using both infra-red as well as traditional digital cameras, his images are full of the atmosphere provided by a canopy of trees.
Mr Morse first found his passion for photography at Newport College of Art.
He said: “I tried a few things in the foundation year but there was a guy doing photography who was in the top 100 photographers in the world – he said he really liked one of my photos of the high rises in Newport.
“It was the first bit of praise I had in the college. That’s where I picked up my enthusiasm for it.”
Despite studying the subject, he never took it up professionally.
He said: “It has always been a hobby for me – I never wanted it to become a chore.”
Since retiring from GSK in 2019 Mr Morse spends more time in the woods, perfecting his art.
The 53-year-old said: “Sometimes I am out three times a week [in the woods], but at least once a week. We are spoiled for choice round here. My aim is to try and show the magic that I find when out walking in these places, to show the adventure that awaits.”
“I always use a tripod, even if it is a sunny day, just to get the best settings.”
Currently he has four cameras, one for rugby, two infra-red cameras and a Nikon D500 which is his main colour camera.
People can view his photographs for the first time when some 34 images go on display at The Witham, in Barnard Castle, during March.
Unique to the exhibition is the huge variety in the size of the prints on view.
Mr Morse said: “I have used recycled frames, which have been donated or that I have picked up in charity shops. So, every photograph has been custom printed [to fit the frame].”
The exhibition Mostly Woodland runs from March 2, to March 28 and entrance is free.
