Berkshire, UK – A few weeks back we ran a story about a young man with autism ‘Teen with Asperger’s creates amazing photorealistic drawings’. It was while reading this article that one of our readers, Rosalind Brewer, contacted us to tell us about her son’s stunning wildlife photography. Reuben, 24, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 14. He took an e-learning photography course shortly after taking his GCSEs, and his love of photography grew from there.
I got in touch with Rosalind and Reuben, as I wanted to ask some questions about his early life, and in particular, what inspired him to start taking photographs.
Rosalind stared by telling me about Reuben’s early years, life at school and eventual diagnosis.
Sadly as Reuben was diagnosed late at the age of 14, Rosalind received no help and support other than from her parents, who were incredibly supportive. School in particular was a difficult time for Reuben as he was bullied.
Rosalind explained that: “Nursery school and school in general was very difficult for Reuben, he didn’t make friends and he was constantly being bullied. He had difficulty coping away from me.”
Reuben also had difficulty in climbing ropes, tying shoelaces and using cutlery.
“Reuben had a problem eating, and still has. Foods must not touch each other and must be on different plates, textures and taste of food also is difficult for him,” Rosalind told me.
As well as being diagnosed with autism, Reuben also has a diagnosis of OCD, but Rosalind believes this to be more ‘tactile defensiveness’, which unfortunately means that Reuben cannot hug or kiss his mother.
It was not until Reuben started at high school that he received a Statement of Educational Needs, and this was only achieved by Rosalind pushing for it. She was also helped by IPSEA (Independent Panel Special Educational Advice). This was in November 2004.
However during the summer of 2004, Reuben suffered a breakdown and was never able to cope in a school environment again. This was also when he received his official diagnosis. During the next five and a half years, Reuben was taught behind his bedroom door by home in hospital tutors, with help once a week from a speech and language therapist (SALT).
Rosalind further told:
“With the SALT’s who trained as an invigilator, Reuben was allowed to take his exams at home in our living room, I was also allowed to be present. This was because Reuben could not cope with the therapist looking at him, she had her back to him all of the time.”
My interview with Reuben continues next.
Reuben, when did you discover a love for photography?
I achieved a distinction grade in an e-learning photography course by UK Open Learning on 3rd September 2010.
My home and hospital tutor allowed me to borrow his digital camera during a school holiday break, and I took photos of anything and everything I was interested in. I took photos of nature, patterns I find in everyday objects.
I was so intrigued at the types of photos I could take, and wanted to experiment more, so my mum bought me a digital camera from an electronics store in town.
Since then I was taking so many photographs, and building up a collection. We saw a photographic editing software in town, and in hopes of enhancing my photographs, we decided to buy it.
From this photographic editing software, I discovered, purely by chance, that it had more possibilities than simply enhancing my photographs. What I discovered was that I could manipulate my photos and alter them in such a combination of ways that I was able to create interesting and colourful abstract designs. I wanted to explore this avenue further, so I began taking more photographs of patterns in hopes of creating even more of these vibrant, colourful, and unusual designs. During an ASDAN course with one of the tutors I sold my designs set in greetings cards, in local craft village shop for a whole year. Also for the course I raised £200 from the sale of my greetings cards for a charity that went to the National Autistic Society.
Why do you chose to photograph nature? (The photographs are simply stunning)
The reason why I chose nature photography is because of the many interesting subjects from interesting, colourful and unusual birds, to flowers, shrubs, and trees in just as many interesting and colourful shapes and sizes. Every time I see something I’ve never seen before that catches my eye, I’m immediately drawn to it and want to take as many photos as I can.
I’m always fascinated whenever I see a new animal visit the garden. For example, I can remember the first time I saw a European goldfinch from outside the window, I immediately got my camera ready, took a few photos through the glass. Came downstairs, but it flew off. Over time I learnt to give the animals a chance to get used to my presence, and eventually they start to come down more trustingly, I just wish I had the same effect on people I met at school. Luckily, it came back a few days later, and I began to take more photographs, this time from out in the garden and closer. I was amazed at the vivid colours, the strong crimson around it’s eye and beak. There was such a contrast between the red, creamy colour and black that surrounded its head.
Another very good example about animals and their trust is squirrels. Now, squirrels can be a nuisance when it comes to eating all the bird food, but I’ve learnt a few techniques, including weighted bird feeders, and chili suet. What really interested in me about the squirrel is its intelligence. Over time, I started to notice something. When I moved my hands in certain ways, as a way of expressing myself to explain something to the squirrel, after a few attempts and trust, it responded. What I mean is that, it felt confident to come down and feed on the bread on the floor. Then, not too long ago, I started to notice it started making chewing motions. I, thinking nothing of it, repeated the action back to the squirrel. After a few copying motions, it then came down and fed. Amazingly enough, the next time it arrived, it began making chewing motions again, remembering my actions the last time. I responded, and after a few attempts, it grew more trusting, and began to crawl down the fence and fed again. Now it’s become a routine, and they’ve been repeating this action every time they see me, like they are trying to receive reassurance that it’s alright that they can eat the food. This has really interested me, as this is not the only garden animal that responds to my actions.
What inspires you with regards to your photography?
As I said in my previous answer, I’m inspiration by anything and everything I find interesting. Natural photography is the field I concentrate the most on, and it’s the one aspect which has many fascinations in itself. There are many different plants and animals you can capture on camera out there, everywhere from parks and nature reserves around the country to wildlife, flowers, shrubs and trees in your garden.
How do you go about taking your photographs, the planning process etc.?
When it comes to my bird photography in my garden, I just sit out in the garden, and wait patiently, as still as I can, and the birds will eventually come down to feed, and I slowly bring my camera round and take photos. Sometimes some newer birds, or certain types of birds, can be too timid and fly away at the sight of me making any sudden movements. At those times, I try to keep my camera as close to my eye as I can, it can be a bit uncomfortable after a pro-lengthened amount of time, but more often than not I’m rewarded by getting the opportunity to take photos of the more shy birds. One good example is the wren. The wren are such tiny little birds that are brown in colour, that they are very easy to miss. As they are so tiny, they are also very agile fliers. You really have to be extra prepared when the wren is around, because as I’ve found, they don’t stay around for long in one place before they move. When you are able to take a photo of these little birds, you can see why they can hide so well in the natural landscape. The one biggest giveaway with the wren is its call. Even though it’s such a tiny little bird, they have such powerful, loud, and distinctive calls.
When it comes to my flower photography, well, I just look out for anything I see unusual, and/or colourful and take photos.
Nature photography is much easier for me due to my difficulties. Nature involves flora and fauna, not people, so there is very little anxiety involved, apart from getting to these natural places. The most anxiety I experienced was when I was taking photos of the deer when I was lucky enough to get to Richmond Park in London. They are majestic animals, but with those antlers they can be a little intimidating, I felt like they carry an aura of nature around them. I could never understand why they were hunted in history.Planning my natural photographic experiences, well, it depends on where you’re talking about.I have a local lake around my area, which includes an art centre and café, I’ve been to this lake many times growing up so I know the area very well. There is very little planning needed, apart from getting my camera ready for the birds around the lake.
When it comes to going somewhere I’ve never been to before, then it becomes a lot harder. I’ve only ever been on day trips to places, like Richmond Park and Kew Gardens. It’s been difficult, particularly since public transport by train can be difficult if I need to take a change of trains. This adds more anxiety, and creates a greater difficulty. Taxis can be difficult as well, but it all depends on several aspects due to my sensory issues and OCD. I always remember to bring cotton gloves with me due to my difficulties with touch involving my sensory issues, so that I can put my seat belt on without having to touch the strap with my bare hands. This would relate to all situations, even my local lake, I would also always remember to bring my hand gel, just in case, so that if I accidently touch something I feel uncomfortable with, I can use the hand gel to numb the feeling and rid the smell. This is particularly handy if it involves metal as metal always tends to leave a metallic smell on my hands.
Once I arrive at the place I’m going to, all my anxiety lifts, briefly, I can concentrate on my surroundings, making the most of it. My anxiety does come back again when mum and I have to make our way back though, but when I get home, I have a whole new set of photos that I can look at and remember my experiences when I was there at the time.
What advice would you give to other budding photographers out there?
My advice to other photographers, well, I guess it depends on the subject matter itself.
When it comes to garden wildlife, most animals tend to be very shy at first, some more than others, but the more you sit patiently, and give them time to come closer, they begin to trust you, little by little, and eventually you can get the chance to take more photos.
When it comes to flora photography, well, the wind can be your biggest enemy, it can be very impatient to take a photo of that certain flowers etc. you’re trying to capture on camera when the wind keeps blowing. One option is to hold the flower’s stem out of camera’s eye shot, however; that may not always be possible, in those cases, you’d either need to wait a little longer, or try a less windy day. Not only that, but there are many photographs of flowers out there, it’s all too easy to take a photo in a very similar way to another, this is why I’d suggest trying different angles, using different concepts and ideas, that way you can take something a little more unique.
In general, whatever strikes your interest and creativity. Explore and discover that which interests you and make the most of every opportunity you can, you never know what fascinating places, objects, etc. there are to see out there.
Where can we view and buy your work?
I began showing my artwork in 2012 on a website called DeviantArt, here is a link to my gallery: http://rjbphotoanddesign.deviantart.com/gallery/. I’ve been meaning to sell my artwork for a long time, and I’ve always been trying to find new ways. After a while, I set up a way of selling my work through their website. However; I noticed, it was more expensive to sell my work through DeviantArt as they would take a share of the profits. That’s when I came across a website named Tictail, and it inspired me to create an online store to start selling my own work on postcards. http://rjbphotoanddesign.tictail.com/
What are your hopes for the future regarding your photography?
I only have one product on sale on Tictail, but I’ll be adding more soon. I’m hoping, as I start to develop my online store that I can begin to sell my photographs and designs on different products. I’ve always wanted to be able to go further with my photographic and designing, and to earn money by doing something that I enjoy, well, it’s uplifting and can boost my self-esteem, and believe me, living on the spectrum in a neurotypical world, I need all the help I can get.
I’ve also been wanting to try to find ways to portray my feelings in my photography and artwork, and I’m hoping to be able to create more works of art that have that effect.
My wildest dream in terms of my photography, is nothing but a pipe dream for me at the moment, especially considering all of my difficulties I experience due to my Asperger’s syndrome, Sensory Processing Disorder and OCD. That dream involves travel, and for me, two countries in particular, Japan and China. Both countries have so much culture, natural beauty, interesting historical architecture, and in general, I love anime, their music both traditional, and in the case of anime, modern Japanese music as well. I’d also love to learn the Japanese language. In fact, through the video games play, I even have some knowledge of their histories as well. There are so many photographic opportunities for me in those countries, there is no way in the world I’d be able to take photos of everything that would interest me in one visit. I’d have to bring with me many memory cards and charged batteries to make the most of the visit as I’d be taking photos almost every minute. I’d probably come back with tens of thousands of photographs, there are just so many places and natural wonders to feel inspired by.
Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers?
Being different, growing up in a school environment where difference was seen as a weakness, I unfortunately suffered greatly at the hands of bullies. At the time, my life was thwart with many turmoil’s, ranging from alienation, mental, physical and emotional pain, betrayal, bullying from teachers, and a breakdown following an incident of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
This lead to my breakdown, whereby with the help of the statement of special educational needs that my mum fought for, I was able to be taught from behind my bedroom door, with the help of two home and hospital tutors. This was very successful and I passed my exams with the help of my Speech and Language Therapist who trained as an invigilator, sat with her back to me in the living room, and my mum was allowed to be present. I was also able to pass my photography course with a distinction grade, and I achieved a merit in web designing. Unfortunately, when my statement of special educational needs ended when I became 19 years old, I was left with nothing.
I began trailing forums trying to find some advice and help, and through that I began writing about my experiences I’ve been through over time.
I would very much like to thank both Reuben and Rosalind for taking the time to answer my questions. I would like to wish Reuben the very best of luck with his future career in photography.
More of Reuben’s photography can be viewed on DeviantArt at http://rjbphotoanddesign.deviantart.com/gallery/.
And on his online store at Tictail http://rjbphotoanddesign.tictail.com/