My life through a lens: Topher McGrillis
We’re asking a North East-based photographer to open up their archives and select two handfuls of images which encapsulate life as they’ve captured it
Travelling gave Topher McGrillis his first taste of the joys of digital photography, sowing the seeds for a passion which would become part of his professional career.
Up until that point, his big passion had been film-making .
“I was always obsessed with playing with my friends’ camcorders growing up but didn’t get my first video camera until I was 18.
“I have always been very interested in films and cinema, and I have always wanted to be a director. I purchased a camera while in Singapore on a gap year in 2003 and loved what digital photography offered.
“I could make many mistakes and it wouldn’t waste a piece of photographic paper! Having Asia and Australia as inspirations made it a lot easier to fall in love with.”
It was while working for Newcastle-based Dene Films as an editor and director, that Topher got his first proper camera in 2008, enabling him to start taking photography more seriously.
“My dad made this possible by buying me a Nikon D300, which I used to photograph a wedding,” he says.
“Subsequently, I began working on side projects, photographing theatre behind the scenes, as my sister was starting her acting career at Northern Stage.”
Admitting photography isn’t something which comes naturally to him - ‘I really have to concentrate on it and spend time thinking about it’ - Topher says his biggest challenge is keeping things interesting, which is a hazard when your hobby is also your work.
While he enjoys the chance to photograph people and create portraits, street photography has also captured Topher’s interest in recent years.
He says: “I love my kit and have purchased some old Fuji cameras, which are small and light, so I often just drive to a location I haven’t visited before and try to find interesting light and spaces.”
Subject wishlist-wise, a glossy magazine spread for The Sunday Times would be up there.
“Something where I can meet interesting people in interesting locations. I am not necessarily interested in photographing celebrities but in creating images that grab people’s attention,” he says before sharing the people behind the photography he admires.
“I love the work of Steve McCurry; his work is incredible. I love how his shots are always so striking and full of colour, set in locations that feel as though they came straight out of a film.
“I recommend people look at a war photographer named Larry Burrows. His book about Vietnam is so good because he manages to create photos that almost feel staged, as they are so perfect in capturing moments which again make them feel as though they come straight out of a film.”
And - as always - we asked Topher for his top trio of tips for aspiring photographers:
I have never enjoyed using a phone for photography, so I would recommend buying an actual camera, as using different lenses can completely change the way you photograph a subject.
Practice, practice, practice. I think many people simply point a camera and click, whereas a good photographer will actually consider where the light is coming from and think about where to place a subject. I appreciate this isn’t always possible, as sometimes you just want to capture a moment, but just thinking about the shot will make a huge difference to the final result.
Set your viewfinder to black and white. I have found this to be a really good way to learn about lighting, as black and white photography is very unforgiving when done incorrectly. It teaches you about creating separation from a subject and learning about composition. I will often shoot in RAW but take the image in black and white so that I can convert to colour later. I have found the results are always better.
You can find out more about Topher’s work via his website, tmcgphoto.uk
1. This was one of the first shots I took with a proper camera back in 2007 on Westgate Road in Newcastle. I am not really an abstract photographer, but I have always liked this picture for some reason.
2. Another shot on Westgate Road. I walked the same route to work every day, and one day I saw this guy sitting on a bench. I summoned up the courage to speak with him, and he let me take his picture. Because I took this with a 100mm macro lens, I had to stand in the middle of the road to photograph him. I never saw him again.
3. Midsummer Night’s Dream. My first-ever job was in theatre, and I have since been lucky enough to work for some amazing companies. This shot was a BTS (behind-the-scenes) for The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford.
4. This aerial photo was taken above Alnwick Garden. Drones are a brilliant tool for gaining a different perspective.
5. I took this portrait as part of a project for a homeless shelter in South Shields — Hospitality and Hope. This guy had such striking eyes, and it’s an image that has always stood out.
6. I love landscape photography, and having lived in the North East for over 20 years, I am always spoilt for choice. This one was taken near Allenheads, I think.
7. Lockdown. One long summer day in 2020, we were sitting by a fire on the beach, and the kids played cricket as the sun went down.
8. I live in Whitley Bay, and every year on New Year’s Day, hundreds of people charge into the freezing water. You get lots of characters, and this guy was definitely one of them!
9. Winter in the Bay. One of my favourite black and white shots, taken during a particularly rare snowy day.
10. I really enjoy portrait photography, and sometimes it all comes together perfectly. Theatre set designer Gary McCann wanted something with a bit of drama, so I had a lot of freedom to try different ideas. This was taken in The Lit and Phil in Newcastle, which is a great location.