TITLE: The Unseen Poem

The Unseen Poem series asks the viewer to interpret each image as a student might when reading the 'unseen poem'. It asks them to find meaning in the images and extract meaning both subjective and collective.

AUTHOR: Richard Bentley (Qatar)

I’m Richard Bentley, a British Photographer currently based in the Gulf.

My interest in photography started aged about 8, when I was given an old camera by a family member. We also had this really cool 8mm movie camera we used to take on family holidays. I loved that thing and can clearly remember filming my action figures on the back garden with it.

During my ‘A-Level’ days of studying art at college in The UK, I used photography to support my ideas and then went on to study film & TV at University in London, followed by 7 years in Denmark to work in the industry. I’ve since worked for The BBC, ITV, Avid and broadcasters in the Gulf. I also hold photography workshops from time to time.

I’ve been lucky enough to work in around 55 countries and meet some amazing people along the way.

These days, I shoot with ‘large format’ cameras. In particular the Fujifilm GFX 100, 50R and 50s using Fuji’s GF mount Fujinon lenses, which are in my opinion, some of the best lenses in the world. Shooting on these cameras means I am able to create photographs that are incredible detailed, rich in texture and have a wonderful ‘depth’ to them. I can also print huge prints with enormous detail. I also own and shoot with a Leica Q3, newly acquired in January 2024.

Coming from an analogue film background means I bring a ‘less is more’ approach to my work. All too often in the world of digital photography we are tempted to over shoot. My preference is to slow down, consider the environment and selectively shoot what matters to me, often forming the final image in my minds eye before pressing the shutter button.