Biography
Meet Matthew James Turner;
an award-winning outdoor photographer
hailing from Cumbria in England.
Intro
Matthew James Turner was born in 1989 and raised in the historic City of Carlisle; only a stone's throw away from the picturesque Lake District National Park.
Starting out as a hobby, MJT's photography naturally evolved from taking pictures as souvenirs of his early fell-walking days; mainly as a keepsake on the summit of every Wainwright summit which he completed by the age of 16.
Technique
M J Turner is almost entirely self-guided and has honed his skills through trial and error over the years, embarking on a long journey of growth and learning.
It's this dedication that has earned him prestigious accolades in the world of photography, each one a testament to his gifted eye and commitment to his craft.
Inspiration
Matthew details authors such as Derry Brabbs & Bill Birkett as his first main inspirations, not only in terms of photography, but also for giving him the confidence to go out exploring and venture off the beaten track.
For MJT, much of the excitement is in the planning and discovery of new subjects, not just capturing the image itself.
Style
MJT is not just a photographer but a craftsman of visual storytelling. Describing the main ingredients of his style in an interview with Nick Smith for Issue 282 of Outdoor Photography Magazine , MJT details:
"I like to keep it moody while making people feel as though they want to visit these places, so that they can stand in my shoes as I take the photograph".
As a lover of the outdoors and fell-walking, M J Turner undoubtedly draws inspiration from the stunning scenery surrounding him. Whether he's chasing the perfect light at dawn or framing a majestic vista at sunset, the love of what he sees before him is emulated through the exquisite presentation of his wonderfully crafted natural portraits, which flow gently like the rivers and hills that he dearly embraces. Each image represents a photographic nature trail of escapism, drawing the eye to details and speaking of adventures yet to be had. With every picture, M J Turner hopes to share his poetic vision.
Achievements
AWARDS
- Landscape Photographer of the Year 2011 'Commended - Urban'
- Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year 2017 'Runner-Up - Urban'
- Landscape Photographer of the Year 2018 'Commended - Classic View'
- Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2018 'Runner-Up - Aurorae'
- Monochrome Photography Awards 2020 'Category Winner - Professional Street'
- Landscape Photographer of the Year 2021 'Runner-Up - Lines in the Landscape'
- Landscape Photographer of the Year 2022 'Runner-Up - Lines in the Landscape'
- Landscape Photographer of the Year 2022 'Commended - Black and White'
- British Wildlife Photography Awards 2023 'Category Winner - Black & White'
- Landscape Photographer of the Year 2023 'Highly Commended - My Railway Journey'
- Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year 2024 'Commended - Landscape'
PUBLISHED IN
- Landscape Photographer Of The Year: Collection 5 Book
- Scottish Landscape Photographer Of The Year: Collection 4 Book
- Landscape Photographer Of The Year: Collection 12 Book
- Astronomy Photographer Of The Year: Collection 7 Book
- Monochrome Photography Awards: 7th Annual Edition Book
- Landscape Photographer Of The Year: Collection 14 Book
- Landscape Photographer Of The Year: Collection 15 Book
- British Wildlife Photography Awards: Collection 11 Book
- Landscape Photographer Of The Year: Collection 16 Book
- Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year: Collection 9 Book
EXHIBITED IN
- Landscape Photographer Of The Year 2011 Exhibition
- Scottish Landscape Photographer Of The Year 2017 Exhibition
- Astronomy Photographer Of The Year 2018 Exhibition
- Landscape Photographer Of The Year 2021 Exhibition
- Landscape Photographer Of The Year 2022 Exhibition
- British Wildlife Photography Awards 2023 Exhibition
- Landscape Photographer Of The Year 2023 Exhibition
Magazine &
other Press Coverage
- Outdoor Photography Issue 282 June 'In The Spotlight' feature
- Black+White Photography Issue 278 'Great Mell Fell photo feature (from BWPA)'
- The Keswick Reminder 7 April 2023 'Great Mell Fell photo feature (from BWPA)'
