Paul Mitchell FRPS

Born in East Yorkshire, Paul's interest for photography began at school. He then studied graphic design at art college and soon after began his design career in London working for many well known FMCG companies and brands. He now lives in East Dorset as a professional landscape photographer and specialist book designer.

Paul has had numerous exhibitions in London and the South East and has had articles and images published in many photographic magazines. He is a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and is the current Chair of the Landscape Distinctions panel. He also serves on the Visual Art and PhotoBook panels and is a member of the prestigious Arena group of photographers. Paul is also a well respected photographic judge and lecturer.

Paul has also been successful in the prestigious Landscape Photographer of the Year competition, winning the Sunday Times Choice Award in 2013, the Urban Category winner in 2015 and commended in 2017 and 2018. He has also had successes in the Outdoor Photographer of the Year and the International Garden Photographer of the Year. In March 2022 Paul won the RHS Gold Medal and Best in Show at their Botanical Art and Photography Show held at the Saatchi Gallery.

Apart from his self-published book on pinhole photography “Spirit of Light” he has collaborated with four renowned photographers to publish “The Coast – a personal view of the English coastline”. 

Current Lecture Subjects

"Confessions of a Landscape Photographer"

An illustrated talk about how Paul researches and plans ahead before going on his landscape photography trips at different locations (coast, woodland etc.). He also gives an insight as to what techniques he uses when composing landscapes and the type of landscape images he would make under varying weather conditions. It also covers the type of software apps, filters and equipment he uses. Paul's talk is fully illustrated with digitally projected images and prints.

Duration: 2 hours which includes a 15 minute interval

'Woodland Ways'

This talk centre's around some of Paul's favourite woodland locations including Burnham Beeches, Savernake Forest and various locations throughout the UK. Paul's talk is fully illustrated with digitally projected images and prints made throughout the four seasons.

Duration: 2 hours which includes a 15 minute interval

"The Seeing Eye"

Paul talks about looking beyond the obvious and includes exploring details, textures and shapes found in both nature and man made objects. He will also explain various creative techniques such as intentional camera movement, multiple exposures through to the use of creative lenses and filters. Paul's talk is fully illustrated with digitally projected images.

Duration: 2 hours which includes a 15 minute interval

"Spirit of Light"

A pinhole specific illustrated talk explaining the basic principles of pinhole photography and why Paul still uses one. The talk culminates in the planning and execution of his successful Fellowship panel, the first person to achieve this accolade with pinhole photography. Paul's talk is fully illustrated with digitally projected images supplemented with his Fellowship Panel of 20 prints

Duration: 2 hours which includes a 15 minute interval

“Beyond the Visible”

This lecture centre's around Paul's fascination for infrared photography. He will cover the various ways to capture in IR together with some of the practicalities involved. This talk will be fully illustrated using images made throughout the UK over the past decade. 

Duration: 2 hours which includes a 15 minute interval

“Creative Vision”

Paul talks about how his career in Graphic Design has influenced his photography over the years. Even today Paul still begins with a blank piece of paper and sketches out initial ideas, it is the same principle as looking through a camera viewfinder and populating it with ideas. He will discuss compositional aides such as the rule of thirds, the golden ratio etc. as well as the use of colour, shapes, scale, symmetry, repetition and pattern. Paul's talk is fully illustrated with digitally projected images.

Duration: 2 hours which includes a 15 minute interval

Please contact me for available dates in 2025 & 2026

From January 2025 my fee for visiting a club will be £130 plus mileage @ .45p per mile (PAGB rate)
From January 2025 my fee for an online lecture will be £90

Current Lecture Dates

Date: 27th February 2025
Location: Paisley CC
Subject: Confessions of a Landscape Photographer (Zoom)

Date: 5th March 2025
Location: Horndean CC
Subject: Woodland Ways

Date: 17th March 2025
Location: Workington CC
Subject: Woodland Ways (Zoom)

Date: 27th March 2025
Location: Lee Valley CC
Subject: Woodland Ways (Zoom)

Date: 1st April 2025
Location: Chester CC
Subject: TBA

Date: 2nd April 2025
Location: York CC
Subject: TBA

Date: 7th April 2025
Location: Guildford CC
Subject: Creative Vision

Date: 8th May 2025
Location: Shaftesbury CC
Subject: Creative Vision

Date: 27th May 2025
Location: Norwich CC
Subject: Beyond the Visible (Zoom)

Date: 11th September 2025
Location: Long Buckby CC
Subject: TBA

Date: 18th September 2025
Location: Marlborough CC
Subject: Woodland Ways

Date: 24th September 2025
Location: Stirling CC
Subject: Woodland Ways (Zoom)

Date: 13th October 2025
Location: Amersham PC
Subject: Fear of Flying

Date: 15th October 2025
Location: Bridport CC
Subject: Woodland Ways

Date: 25th November 2025
Location: Romsey CC
Subject: Beyond the Visible

Date: 8th December 2025
Location: Wimborne CC
Subject: Seeing Eye

Date: 27th January 2026
Location: Knutsford CC
Subject: TBA (Zoom)