As a travel photographer whose extensive catalogue spans continents, cultures, and climates, Ben Pipe showcases some of his most exciting work. From his recent pursuits in Nicaragua and Costa Rica to the arid plains of South Africa, Ben reflects on his career to date and shares his ambitions for the future.
In the ever-changing landscape of travel photography, staying abreast of evolving trends and digital advancements can pose unique challenges.
Armed with a collection of prestigious accolades as a two-time finalist for the Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY) and having shot five feature assignments for National Geographic Traveller magazine, Ben is well equipped to navigate potential obstacles within the industry.
As such, he emerges as a celebrated professional not only in travel, but in lifestyle, architectural, and interior photography.
Ben’s love for photography can be traced back to his 15th birthday, when he was gifted an Olympus OM1 camera, sparking his creative interest. Just a handful of years later, he emerged from university with a first-class degree in photography.
Today, Ben’s work has transported him to over 70 countries and counting. From the Accursed Mountains of Albania to the raw beauty of Kruger National Park in South Africa and the majestic peaks of the Himalayas in Nepal, Ben revels in the opportunity his work presents him to capture the often-complex cultures and unique landscapes of these sought-after locations.
Prestigious contracts from global brands such as Chevron in Kazakhstan and Chrysler-Jeep in Hong Kong are a testament to Ben’s professionalism, competence, and deep understanding of client requirements.
With plans to add to his ever-growing repertoire of international pursuits, Ben hopes to continue capturing the very essence of Earth’s most exciting destinations through his photography.
Q&A WITH BEN PIPE
Firstly, what drew you to work in travel photography?
Ben Pipe (BP): I was always interested in art as a child, and photography was a natural progression. At school, we had to choose between those two subjects as optional GCSEs, as you couldn’t do both, so I had to make a choice.
My uncle, David Norton, is a renowned travel photographer, and seeing the postcards of the exotic destinations he had visited to shoot inspired me to follow his career path and see the world through my art.
What do you find most exciting about this kind of work?
BP: I enjoy the variety of being a freelance photographer. This job has given me such privileged access to so many incredible places and people, and hopefully there is more still to come.
On the flip side, what are the biggest challenges?
BP: Making a living from travel photography is certainly a challenge. In the past, good photographers could live off the stock sales from their shoots. However, since the dawn of the digital age and the birth of the internet, the value per image has come down significantly, which means photographers today have to find other ways to make income.
For me, that has been about commercial photography, particularly shooting architecture and interiors for clients in and around London.
How would you describe your style of photography?
BP: Often, my travel work is about trying to capture tradition in foreign cultures, which is a romantic way of viewing the world. I also aim for pictorial work that showcases the beauty and drama of nature.
Then, some of my architectural photography can be about showing geometry and symmetry in man-made structures, and sometimes, I just enjoy documenting rare or unusual lighting on a subject.
What has been one of your favourite destinations to capture?
BP: Photographing the Himalayan mountains in Nepal was a great experience. I spent six weeks shooting personal work in the country, so I had the opportunity to conduct extensive exploration; it was so different to anywhere else I had ever been.
Have you been involved in any interesting assignments or projects recently?
BP: I was assigned to photograph South Africa for National Geographic Traveller magazine, which was a dream job. The writer and I spent nine days in the Kruger and Marataba National Parks, doing safari drives and hikes every day. It was a truly magical time, and I shot so much great work.
Finally, what’s next for the future? Are there any new destinations you’d like to cross off your bucket list?
BP: There are always so many places still to visit! I’ve just returned from Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and I would love to revisit Vietnam and Japan as I feel like I could do a much better job shooting with more current photography equipment and years of experience. Jordan, Egypt, Canada, Bhutan, and Norway are also all on my to-do list going forwards.
HOW I GOT THIS PHOTO
BP: Getting to Wolfberg Arch in the Cederberg Mountains of South Africa required a strenuous hike and, being one of the hottest days of the year, nobody else had braved the conditions; this meant I had the arch to myself at golden hour.
The sun was behind clouds for most of that last hour, but in the final five minutes before the sun set, it passed below the clouds and illuminated the scene in this rich, warm glow. I’ve got a big print of this particular photograph at home to remind me of the perseverance needed for great work.
CONNECT WITH BEN PIPE
Ben Pipe: 07743 639702
