Totally transformed
Amateur Photographer|May 02, 2023
For John Parker, photography was a salvation after a serious mental health crisis. He tells Amy Davies more about it
Amy Davies
Totally transformed

Up until fairly recently, photographer John Parker was working as a pensions administrator in an office. Following a breakdown, he’d returned to work part time, but was then offered redundancy; at the same time he felt he needed more time to work on his photographic exhibition. ‘It was as if the planets had aligned,’ he explains. ‘I clearly remember the first day after I had left work. I was wandering through the gardens of Renishaw Hall in Derbyshire, the sun was shining and all I had for company was my camera and the squirrels. I couldn’t stop smiling to myself.’

John studied fine art at the Hull School of Art, graduating in 1989. At the time, he specialised in photography, and it was 30 years later that photography was to play a major part in John’s journey back from the breakdown he experienced in 2019. ‘As part of your recovery, you are encouraged to get out of the house, go for walks or exercise. I mentioned to my counsellor that I was having trouble with motivation, and he suggested I combine the exercise with something I enjoy. I mentioned I used to be a keen photographer and it seemed to be the perfect solution.

Denne historien er fra May 02, 2023-utgaven av Amateur Photographer.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra May 02, 2023-utgaven av Amateur Photographer.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERSe alt
140 years of change
Amateur Photographer

140 years of change

AP has become the world’s oldest surviving consumer photo magazine because we have moved with the times, says Nigel Atherton

time-read
2 mins  |
September 24, 2024
Preserving history in platinum
Amateur Photographer

Preserving history in platinum

A deep dive into the meticulous art of platinum printing, and the collaboration between the Royal Geographical Society and Salto Ulbeek. Mike Crawford explores how they brought historical photographs to life with enduring beauty and precision

time-read
7 mins  |
September 24, 2024
Life in the past lane
Amateur Photographer

Life in the past lane

What was life like for an amateur photographer in 1884? John Wade takes a trip back in time

time-read
3 mins  |
September 24, 2024
Choice cuts
Amateur Photographer

Choice cuts

How many trillions of photographs must have been taken in the past 140 years? Amy Davies asked some of our regular contributors for their favourites....a difficult task, to say the least

time-read
4 mins  |
September 24, 2024
How good a camera can you buy for just £140?
Amateur Photographer

How good a camera can you buy for just £140?

Three members of the AP team see what they can find for the money

time-read
5 mins  |
September 24, 2024
Round Five: The Best of the Rest
Amateur Photographer

Round Five: The Best of the Rest

The APOY judges choose their favourite images that didn’t make the top ten of our Landscapes category

time-read
3 mins  |
September 24, 2024
Amateur Photographer of the Year
Amateur Photographer

Amateur Photographer of the Year

Here are the top ten images uploaded to Photocrowd from Round Five, Landscapes, with comments by the AP team and our guest judge

time-read
4 mins  |
September 24, 2024
FILM STARS A lifetime of landmarks
Amateur Photographer

FILM STARS A lifetime of landmarks

Cameras that hit the headlines between then and now. John Wade is your guide

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 24, 2024
140 years of Amateur Photographer
Amateur Photographer

140 years of Amateur Photographer

As AP celebrates its 140th birthday next month, Nigel Atherton looks back at its glorious past

time-read
8 mins  |
September 24, 2024
John Wade considers...World War II: Home Front 1940, by A.J O'Brien
Amateur Photographer

John Wade considers...World War II: Home Front 1940, by A.J O'Brien

Say the word 'Wall's' to those of a certain age and two things spring to mind: sausages and ice cream.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 10, 2024