Peter specialises in landscapes that others either miss, or pass by unnoticed; the dead tree, a waterfall that springs to life after heavy rainfall, that moment on the beach when the lighting is the definitive backdrop, bridges, water, historical architectural details, interior or exterior, in his favourite medium of Black and White, printed on warm tone fibre based heavy weight paper. These he tones by either natural or chemical colourings, from onion skins, tea, coffee, oak leaves, and proprietory toning chemicals. Each print is treated entirely individually, hence the name 'Fingerprint Photography' as each print is as individual as a fingerprint.

Infra red photography has now become an essential part of the range of work now presented, and it produces an ethereal, surreal effect that can either excite or disturb the viewer, arousing the imagination to new heights of fantasy. This medium is often used in commissioned work for owners of property that they would like portrayed to maximum effect.

His colour work, though not the main part of his catalogue, is regarded as equally special. There is no digital manipulation in any part of his work, except when the customer decides that it what they want. A proud statement of Fingerprint Photography is, The work is done in the true tradition of photography, on traditional old classic cameras, all over 30 years old, 35 mm's, and a twin lens medium format, chemical warfare in the darkroom, and the barest minimum of digital jiggery going on !

This is a hands on operation, for the discerning customer, and definitely NOT for the casual minded. Peter welcomes enquiries from those who wish to have that 'something different' , and can offer a swift service to be where required, when required.

Background

Peter Ballan, born in Surrey ,England, 1943, to Canadian parents, and lived the first part of his life in post war Ottawa, Canada. He returned to live in the UK in 1956, and after an incredibly boring time under the British School system, joined the merchant navy in 1960, buying his original camera, in Aden on his first trip. He has been taking photographs ever since, in all parts of the world. An inveterate traveller, his cameras have always been the heaviest part of his luggage !

Peter has lived in several parts of the UK, from cosy Sussex, the far west of Cornwall, within sight of Lands End, to Aberdeen in the far North East of Scotland. He is now located in Northumberland, Alnwick Castle viewed from his bedroom window, and the wild empty moors of Rothbury, Morpeth and Otterburn a few minutes drive from his town house and darkroom.

When working in Scotland as a social care officer in a hostel for the homeless, he took social comment portraits of local characters, some of which have been published in international magazines.