Amateur photographer explores the town capturing what others can’t see

This week, we’re talking to Joseph Schuster, who is 25 and lives in Stockton Heath.

He started taking pictures during the Covid-19 pandemic and loves capturing unusual images around Warrington.

If you would like to appear in our Behind the Lens feature, email heidi.summerfield@newsquest.co.uk

Click here if you would like to join Warrington Guardian Camera Club.

Warrington Guardian Camera Club member Joseph Schuster

When and why did you take up photography?

I started taking photography during 2020 lockdown and I wanted to do something as a hobby. So, I went walking and cycling around different places in Warrington to explore what we have in the area.

What do you love about taking pictures?

What I love about taking my own pictures is that whatever catches my eye is unique to that moment and it’s the right time to take a photo. Other photographers will have captured their own images in the same place but I use my imagination to come up with my own ideas and make my photos different. I try and position my camera to see what others can’t see maybe taking a picture from a different angle or adding an object. Exploring is my passion and I want to live my life seeing it all and take photos along the way. We’ve all got one life and our own memories to make - we can’t go back – so why not capture the moments while you’re experiencing them?

Walton Church in spring

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The Eiffel Tower at night

Where is your favourite place to take pictures and why?

There are so many places I’ve been to that inspire me. I love looking at landmarks and the culture and nature of our planet. I have two favourite places. My favourite cold place is Iceland. There is so much beautiful scenery with waterfalls and glaciers. I saw the northern lights there and did whale watching. There are lovely areas of volcanic beaches – it’s a beautiful island. My favourite hot place has to be Egypt, which I visited last year. There are so many temples to see and it’s incredible to witness how they made the pyramids. I found it emotional and remarkable to see one of the wonders of the world. The patterns and colours of the hieroglyphs in each temple were amazing.

Sunlight through the trees in Grappenhall Heys

What do you enjoy about being part of our Camera Club on Facebook?

Firstly, I like seeing the wonderful photos of nature and history together, taken by people who are so passionate about photography with a real skill and talent for the art. Seeing other people’s photos encourages us to get outdoors and improve our mental health. I think it brings the community together.

Penketh waterways

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“I love being able to freeze time and emotion in a single photographic frame”

If you could photograph anyone/any place/anything, who/what would it be?

If I could photograph any place or anything I would say the Seven Wonders of the World. I’d love to photograph the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal and Victoria Falls. I think the person I would like to photograph has to be Sir David Attenborough. I admire him as a person and all he has done over his lifetime. It would be fascinating to photograph him.

Skogafoss, Iceland