Eleanor Leonne Bennett: Inspiring Us With Photos!
Eleanor is a 19 years old well known artist recognized worldwide! She has worked with National Geographic, The Telegraph, The Guardian, British Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. She won the CIWEM Young Environmental Photographer of The Year 2013 as well as nearly fifty other first place photography awards!
We had an amazing chat with El to get to know a little bit more of her life and her passion!
Eleanor // 19 // England //
“Currently hold a Level four Diploma in Digital Marketing going for a Level six, I am a freelance book cover designer for many publishers as well as a Communications Assistant, Senior Art Editor for Siblíní Art and Literary Journal and an Art and Painting Editor in another role with CLRI.”
1. What inspired you to get into photography? You started taking an interest on it at a very young age. Tell us about it!
“I remember creating art at a very young age - almost like it was the first thing I wanted to do. I remember first picking up a camera around the age of twelve.
I am nineteen now and the first art competitions I won were the ones ran by the Woodland Trust Nature Detectives club for young people with my mixed media work (at age eleven). This would give me an award winning artist career of eight years so far. Photography is the art form I spend the most time on these days.”
2. What is your overall goal with photography and short term plans?
“To secure more book and magazine front covers in the short term as well as more critical acclaim in awards.
Long term goals would be to secure a solo show or to get in art collections on long term display.
The idea of full photo books with just my work is probably going to happen in the near future. I'm in talks with a good friend of mine. It is likely to be very poetry orientated and be quite abstract in genre.”
3. What has been your best experience since you started with photography?
“I have often had my work shown around the world but not so often have I had the chance to go to the events displaying it or connected to organizing it.
When I won the WPO Photomonth competition I had the opportunity to receive a day of tuition from the great humanitarian photojournalist Reza Deghati who by coincidence had been a judge in another large competition I had the good fortune in winning. It was the first and the last time I had visited London and it was a fabulous day. We were followed by a television crew and saw exhibitions of wonderful award winning photographs. I felt at that moment that art was going to be a very prominent part of my life, more so than I could ever imagine.”
4. Who are your favorite photographers and photographs?
“To help me narrow it down to ten I am going to keep it a list of just ten images from ten different photographers.
1 Philippe Halsman - Dalí Atomicus
2 Bill Brandt - A Snicket at Halifax
3 Alexander Rodchenko - Suchov-Sendeturm
4 Steve McCurry - Afghan Girl
5 Cindy Sherman - Untitled #96
6 Sara Naomi Lewkowicz - Maggie and Shane
7 Richard Avedon - Dovima with the Elephants
8 Ruud Van Empel - World #12
9 Robert Cohen - Police fire tear gas at protesters
10 Photographer unknown to me - Jeanne Lanvin and Marguerite attend a costumed ball”
5. Show us your favorite shot taken by yourself!
“I tend to be fickle with this. I always change my mind on what image that I've taken is indeed my favorite.
Currently it is "Toad on Scar" which was taken around three years ago. When I first took the photo I felt self conscious of publishing such a personal
image. It is my scar and it was from a time in which I felt quite small and somewhat backed into a corner. Sometimes I only found solace in time spent in the outdoors away from troublesome people.”
6. What has been your favorite photo shoot so far?
“I find constant new inspiration to keep overtaking my past experiences. Every new shoot is my favorite until superseded by time itself.”
7. Do you have any advice or tips for budding photographers?
“The ambition to take you away from the well worn track that others may encourage you to copy.
Waterproof equipment to protect yourself when caught in the field by a rainstorm (especially if you live somewhere as rainy as the UK).
Backup Memory to save you from corrupted data.
Festivals, fairs and celebrations to capture people when they feel most comfortable.
Always have safe cleaning tools and wipes to care for your lens when in the field.”
8. What would be your advice to someone trying to break into the industry?
“Care enough to cherish the opinion of those who have the best intentions for you but don't care so much as to let every meandering utterance ruin your entire aesthetic. Cherish new contacts and don't forget about those who bestowed opportunity upon you when you were most in need of it. If you have a niche try to be the best possible person to hire in that niche. You may not have the widest fan base but if you can make a living from a niche make sure to practice and hone your style. Try to learn about a lot of different styles beyond your own. It is interesting to just observe even if you don't try a particular technique.”
9. How would you describe your art? What do you want to transmit?
“I love to work closely with environmental issues and I find it to be a thrill to become involved with increasing awareness for an array of different issues.
As well as working under the themes of energy, environmental and nature photography I love anatomical almost bordering on scientific images as photographs.
I also like to experiment with semi-painterly styles as well as abstract compositions which involve me stepping out from the camera and heading towards my roots in using mixed media work. I love everything from the shot being before my eyes naturally to being as involved in composing something specific with my own hands to control the placement of each and every element.”
10. Do you have any other hobbies or passions besides photography?
“The study of fine antiques and vanities, writing and encouraging young people in the arts and literacy. I believe in social activism as well as increasing the diversity of voices in the publishing industry.”
Come find more about Ellie’s art here:
Facebook page and official website!
