In today’s episode, W. Scott Olsen talks to Giles Penfound, a documentary photographer from the United Kingdom.
You can listen to this interview using our podcast player below, but we strongly encourage you to subscribe to the podcast in your podcast app so that you don’t miss any future show episodes.
Have you ever thought what you’d say to your younger self if only the opportunity to speak with them would present itself?
I’d tell him not to worry so much, to have faith in his own decisions and to say “thank you” for always being a dreamer. It’s those dreams and romantic ideas that have shaped, moulded and driven my life.
From the age of 20 when I left home to join the British Army I’ve lived a life filled with the most amazing adventures, challenges and extraordinary opportunities. I’ve met some truly remarkable and inspiring people and seen how utterly beautiful and fragile this world is.
My greatest, most meaningful and important adventure has been finding my wife Nicola and together having our daughters Eleanor and Madeleine. They are in every respect the loves of my life and everything pales in comparison to them. I have a small handful of friends who have a very special place in my heart and I’m so fortunate to have their honesty and support.
While my family and friends are the very foundation and bedrock of my life photography is its meaning and purpose. Since the age of twelve I’ve had a profound connection to and love of this truly glorious art form. My life is happily consumed by it and there is not a day that goes by that I don’t in some way dream, think or create with photography.
I received the very best photographic education thanks to the Defence School of Photography at RAF Cosford. It’s here I learned my craft and was inspired to be the photographer I am today. With operational tours in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and around the world I photographed and documented the very best and worst of what humanity is capable of.
In 2007 after a 22 year career I retired from the army and established my own commercial and documentary photographic practice, again working around the world and being privileged to meet some remarkable people and experience life as it is.
So here I am, at what most would consider the final chapter of my professional photographic life and career, but oh what a chapter it’s going to be. I’m devoting my time, talent and experience to documenting my home town, breathing new life into my photographic archive and to providing photographic education and inspiration to those curious about this remarkable art form and creative process.
Once again I offer heartfelt thanks to my younger self for being a dreamer and to all those remarkable people who have made this adventure possible.
Giles Penfound
© Giles Penfound
British Army Soldier separating a mother carrying her baby from her husband/men folk as these desperate people fed the city prior to the full invasion, caught in the middle of an illegal invading army and local fedayeen fighters.
Making this photograph reminded me of the selection ramp of Auschwitz Birkenau. See photo Fourteen Gulls.
© Giles Penfound
Fourteen Gulls sit on the once electrified fence posts separating the men’s camp and selection ramp at Auschwitz Birkenau. This photograph would come back to haunt me as I made photographs of British Soldiers separating families fleeing Basra Iraq in 2003.
© Giles Penfound
Congregants in their final prayers and thoughts. The baptist chapel at Long Lane Chieveley Near Newbury in Berkshire held the very last service on the 1st June 2003 before it was deconsecrated and converted to a private house.
© Giles Penfound
Stopping strangers in a shopping mall in Newbury and asking to make a photograph of them, just ordinary people.
Wishing you all fair light and full frames.
© Giles Penfound
In late 1999 the last remnant of the women’s peace camp comprised of an old caravan and a few ramshackle tents. Living here were the very last few of an incredible band of women who stood alone against the insanity of nuclear weapons, the might of the British and American Cold War establishment and the indifference of the very people they were trying to protect.
This lady seemed to have to weight and trials of her time spent at the peace-camp etched into her features, quiet a remarkable person.
© Giles Penfound
Rosie Brooker wasn’t a rich person and the simplicity and scarcity of her possessions were witnessed to that. It may be a bit hokey to say but her richness was not confined in the possessions she owned but in her spirit and the love she gave and engendered in others. She smoked like a trooper, lived with cancer and always had a pot of tea on the go and a smile for whomever came to the door. It would be wrong of me to say that I knew her to any great extent, in fact our friendship if you can call it that was somewhat limited in time and scope. Despite this however she had a significant effect on me and played an important role in our family life. She is remembered with great love and affection by us all.
© Giles Penfound
GILES PENFOUND
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Linden
January 6, 2025 at 16:40
Scott, Giles, I really enjoyed this conversation. I settled in, and while listening, looked at the photographs here, and on Giles’ site. I can just imagine how transformative so many of these experiences must have been. Lovely to hear from such a self-reflective photographer.
Giles Penfound
January 9, 2025 at 12:36
Many thanks Linden for your kind words, much appreciated.
Wishing you fair light and full frames
Giles
Mali
January 7, 2025 at 12:05
A great episode, wonderful to listen as always from start to finish. Giles exudes the love of photography from all his thoughts and explanations, humility and creative poise. One of the great British photographers of our time.
Giles Penfound
January 9, 2025 at 12:38
Dear Mali,
you are too kind, thank you very much indeed.
Wishing you fair light and full frames
Giles
Stephen Wallace
January 13, 2025 at 11:47
Omg…what a fantastic listen. This is heartfelt from start to finish, pure honesty throughout which is remarkable. I have learnt a lot from this.
Giles or AKA ‘Rambo’ keep up the fantastic work in your photography and touching people all over the world.