Hythe’s beauty is there for all to see, one man who sees it clearly and documents it crisply in sharply focused photographs is Glenn Tutton.
So, Glenn how long have you lived in this fine area of the world?
I first saw Hythe just over twenty years ago and after a few years of occasional visits I bought a house here with the intention of making it my permanent home after I retired. I was lucky enough to be offered early retirement so I’ve been a resident of Hythe for several years now.
What makes it a pleasant community to be a part of?
Hythe is a friendly place and I feel very much at home here despite being a relative newcomer. There are some bigger events which provide opportunities for photography but COVID has meant they have been cancelled for a couple of years. More things happen here than where I used to live and I like to wander about with my camera recording the changes during the year.
What do you find aesthetically so charming about Hythe and its surrounding areas? There’s something about it that stirs and inspires creativity, don’t you think?
I like the mix of buildings around the older part of the town and, of course, St. Leonard’s church and enjoy to just sit observing the world go by. I wake early most days and spend hours at the seafront around sunrise waiting to see whether there will be any interesting colours and cloud formations. I’ve always enjoyed nature and watch out for interesting subjects at the beach and along the canal. I’m not as mobile as I used to be so I don’t travel much outside Hythe now.
What’s your earliest memory of taking photos and picking up cameras?
My first ever camera was a Kodak Brownie 127 film camera which I was given about sixty years ago as a birthday present. It accompanied me on holidays for a long time until I bought my first 35mm SLR camera when I started working, a fairly basic Praktica SLR. I joined the local camera club, mostly so that I could use their darkroom facilities!
What piece of advice would you give a budding new photographer?
Get to know your camera or phone by taking pictures every day. Visit exhibitions to get inspiration. Think about lighting, focus and composition before you press the button. Make sure your batteries or phone are charged!
You don’t need an expensive camera to take good photos nowadays. Most mobile phones include a very capable camera. If I’m out with a long lens on my camera and want to take a wide angle shot, I use my phone and for most purposes it’s fine.