"Great work always stands out because it has depth" insists landscape pro Colin Prior

My journey into photography began not on land but beneath the waves. I was fascinated with the underwater environment and thought it might be a good idea to attempt to capture what I was experiencing underwater.

I am currently working on material for my tenth and probably final book, which is very much a work in progress. In my talk, I plan to share some insights into the vision and approach I have adopted for the project. 

The world offers so many different opportunities for photography and each country has its own unique and distinctive landscapes. Of all the countries I have travelled to, I’ve spent more time in Pakistan’s Karakoram Mountains – a landscape of superlatives that embodies the pinnacle of human experience. Nothing from life’s adventures can prepare you for the sheer magnitude and randomness of this chaos. Granite walls rising from glaciers in towers and cathedrals challenge our sense of wonder and reality, creating an atmosphere of intrigue and mystery where the spirit soars. In my opinion, it is the most inspiring mountain range in the world. I didn’t choose them – they chose me. 

It’s crucial. Photographers spend most of their time living other people’s dreams and not their own. If you have anything to say about the world as an artist, it is important to create a body of work that is your own.

Ignore the fact we’re living in a world super-saturated with images. Great work always stands out because it has depth – getting that depth takes time and that time takes money. Sophisticated cameras and lenses aren’t the source of great work; ultimately, it is what you bring to this side of the camera.

I’d probably have retired!