“People and their stories have always captured my imagination, in particular urban life. To me cities are rich, dynamic and exciting. They can equally be threatening, edgy and even dangerous. City people can share these same characteristics. As someone now living quietly in a small market town, I find this heady mix intoxicatingly beautiful.”
Photo by Alina Kisina
James was always drawn to photography but life had other plans: shortly after interviewing for the legendary Picture Post at the age of 18, he was drafted into the Royal Air Force. His passion for flying led him to become aircrew in the Malayan Emergency, and photography was put on hold for some 60 years while he pursued other responsibilities, working in TV, politics and education.
He discovered a new purpose as a serious photographer at the age of 83. Going out into the world and engaging with people through his camera gave him a new meaning after the loss of his wife.
Now as we are celebrating his 90th, the only thing (somewhat!) stopping him from taking pictures is the lockdown.
James D Fell’s photography projects have been curated and introduced here by photographer and teacher Alina Kisina who has been working with James since 2014.