Steve Thearle LMPA - 2 million photos later, and just as fascinated by the art of photography

Commercial, Editorial, Event, PR and Wedding Photographer based in Cowes on the Isle of Wight .
My early training was three years at Guildford School of Photography studying under 'the Father of Modern Industrial Photography' - Walter Nurnberg. Since then, and after a period as assistant, my father and I
set up a studio on the Isle of Wight which we ran for 18 years, until the dawn of the digital era.
I now work from my home in Cowes and operate mostly within the Island and the south.

Product photography

My studio photography has now largely moved from the studio into the client’s premises. I still use most of the same equipment but now it travels with me on location. This includes backgrounds in vinyl, paper and canvas; tungsten and flash studio lights; and still-life tables for shadow-less product photography. If required, pictures can be made with the camera tethered to a laptop for real-time client verification.

Panoramas, virtual tours and 360 degree product photography

I feel the most stunning application of computer technology for still photography currently lies in spherical panoramas. Please see the panorama gallery page for examples of creative possibilities for your web site. Many of these are viewable at full screen and, guided by your mouse, allow you to totally explore horizontally as well above and below. Some of these have been taken from the top of a mast, giving a spherical view from four metres high. In product photography, the 360 has the engaging selling quality of permitting the viewer to thoroughly inspect an object from any angle.

Weddings

Large or small, are a recently revived and expanding part of my business. With experience of over six hundred weddings, I am probably the most qualified local photographer to guide you through your day. I have been described as fitting into these events with ‘quiet professionalism'. Every wedding is different and I can adapt my style to suit – I am as happy to conduct the grand pictures as I am to blend in and catch the moments of tenderness, romance and jollity or the swirling action on the dance floor.

Portraits

I like to use locations whenever possible as I feel the creative possibilities are expanded greatly outdoors. Children are certainly less self-conscious and seem to enjoy the process far more when allowed some space to 'perform' in. I like the idea of having an appropriate or meaningful background in these family shots.

PR

Even in the days of analogue photography, Thearle Photography was known for a fast turn-around of images for publicity. Today is no different.

Tourism

Having lived for most of my life on the Isle of Wight, I feel strongly that its beauty should be preserved (and recorded). When a photographer captures a picture he finds especially pleasing, in this action he is often saying "Hey, come and look at what I've found". This sentiment is precisely what motivates me when creating images for tourism. My work is represented on picture libraries such as Alamy, Dreamstime and Fotolibra, along with my own on this site.

Retouching and restoring

This most often involves repairing tears and cracks, boosting faded originals in B+W or sepia, or enhancing colour. The result is made into archival permanent prints and/or archived on CD. Retouching extends to new images where I am often required to alter backgrounds or turn a ‘snap’ into a presentable portrait for framing or as a gift. I am occasionally asked to retouch in order to make the picture kinder to the sitter's years. This may involve reducing marks and wrinkles and sometimes a little bit of slimming or a change of background - my art school training proves useful here. For those that still have them, I can scan negatives or transparencies and burn them to CD or DVD for playback on TV or PC.

Commercially I am often required to remove backgrounds, leaving the subject surrounded by transparency ready to place into a page or web layout.

Artists’ artwork

I shoot mainly for reproduction or exhibition applications. 3D work is shot with emphasis on empathy for the subject, whilst 2D work is normally photographed with accurate colour calibration for reproduction in mind.

Other elements of my photography include Prints for Interior Decor, Coverage of Balls and Functions, Christenings, Portfolios and Passports

Some recent endorsements:

Hi Steve,

Just got the disc with the photos - absolutely beautiful !  Great job..  I think we have more than enough and the coastal shots are breathtaking.

Can't wait to start working on the design stage.

We publish in June so you will receive a book with the fruits of your labour then.

Many thanks,
Lynn
Time Out Guides

Steve,

The pictures are really excellent.
You seem to have captured the spirit of the house very well and made a glorious weather day even better. I am sure we will work together again before too long.

Simon [Designer and builder of a beautiful house on our East Coast]

With over 7,000 commissions behind me [600 of which have been weddings], you can be assured that your requirements will be cared for with professionalism and expertise.

home : blog of recent work : decorative prints : galleries
site map : commercial : panoramas : library : wedding : links : contact info
website design by Steve Thearle, email me