Photographer Spotlight: Heath Holden

Behind every photograph is a way of seeing a rhythm of thought, emotion, and light. Photographer Spotlight is a continuing series from The Monochrome Collective, featuring conversations with photographers who use their craft to explore the world in shades of black and white.

Each interview delves into the artist’s artistic style, creative process and the inspiration that shapes their work. From quiet studies of everyday life to ambitious documentary projects, these voices remind us that photography is not just about what is seen but about how we choose to see.

Through these spotlights, we celebrate the diversity of vision within our community the subtle, the bold, and the deeply personal illuminating the artistry that connects us all.

Today we are spotlighting photographer Heath Holden.

Here is our interview:

Artistic Style

What draws you to photography?

I enjoy the process very much, I have always been a technical minded person rather than artistic or creative. My earlier life was full of BMX and mountain bike racing, I was trained as an automotive technician and I think this just overflowed into the process of using a camera, working out how to make a picture feel like I wanted it to, I am still trying to work it out.

How would you describe your style in three words?

That is a hard one, I have so many interests and enjoy photographing many different genres, but a common thread between them all would be something like, “intentional, conscious, thoughtful”, maybe?

What subjects or scenes are you most drawn to?

One of my deep interests is volcanoes and volcanic environments, I have always been fascinated by the power of nature. Over the years I have visited quite a few and I am slowly developing an idea for a series which I hope to dig into soon. I really enjoy travel portraiture also, the two mix very well.

Is there a story behind your favorite photo?

My favourite photograph would be a picture of a Tasmanian devil walking through the bush in a snowstorm, which I made in 2017. It took 3 years of effort and thousands of driving kilometers. This was the final part of a 6 year self assigned story on the iconic and endangered devil, found only in my homeland of Tasmania. Pictures from this work are regularly licensed for use in conservation campaigns, science stories and fine art prints.

www.heathholden.com/selectedworks/the-life-of-a-tasmanian-devil

What emotions do you try to capture in your work?

Authenticity is a must for me, if I am photographing a person it really needs to feel real, nothing posed or forced for a picture.

Creative Process

What gear do you shoot with?

My gear consists of Leica and Hasselblad cameras; M262, M10R and M10M, SL3 and a selection of lenses ranging from 21mm, 35mm, 50mm and 75mm for M mount and a 24-70mm and 70-200mm pair for SL, a Hasselblad X1Dii plus a few lenses and a beautiful 500cm

How much do you plan vs. shoot spontaneously?

Spontaneity is generally my approach, coming from a background of newspaper work it seems more natural to me than planning, some work I do requires light planning but I steer clear of the whole shot list type of work.

What’s one editing tool or trick that you use?

My special editing trick is to do as little as possible, in a job and world full of screens the least time sitting at a computer the better.

Film or digital — and why?

I would say digital, my photographic life began just as digital became accessible and somewhat affordable (my first DSLR was a Canon 300D), so I don’t have the nostalgic mind from film days, saying that I have a very nice Hasselblad 500cm and the 6x6 negatives stunning.

‍ ‍What’s something you’re currently working on improving?

Storytelling is something I want to improve on, specifically the non-photographic part of it, working as my own producer.

Inspiration 

Who or what inspires your photography?

I have a very curious mind, I like to learn, observe and explore, this keeps the fire burning inside.

Any photographers or artists that influenced your style?

I worked on a lot of conservation stories and campaigns back in Tasmania between 2010 and 2018 and was deeply inspired by the National Geographic photographers Michael Nichols and Steve Winter, especially with my Tasmanian devil work. With documentary travel and portraiture I think it’s hard not to mention Sebastiao Salgado and Steve Mccurry. Christopher Anderson and his use of colour and reflection, the list is too long, Alistair Taylor-Young and his editorial work, simply stunning.

What’s one non photography source that fuels your creativity?

I have heard (podcasts etc) so many of the greats mention they look at painters for inspiration rather than other photographers and I really began to understand this after a visit to the Uffizi gallery in Florence, the renaissance period influences us all to this day, even if we aren’t consciously aware of it.

If you would like to see more of Heaths work you can find him on foto @heathholden or on his website www.heathholden.com.