21st Aug 2024
Chris Orange - The Art of Landscape Photography
A catch-up with landscape photographer and Rohan ambassador, Chris Orange.
Capturing the raw beauty of nature requires a blend of technical skill, artistic vision, and a profound appreciation for the outdoors. We sat down with longtime friend of Rohan, professional landscape photographer, and YouTuber Chris Orange to learn about his history with the brand and gain insight into his photographic process.
A Chance Encounter
Chris first discovered Rohan over 10 years ago while working on a photoshoot in York. Unprepared for the freezing conditions that he and the crew were working in, Chris headed into town in search of outdoor clothing. He stumbled upon the local Rohan shop and decided to head inside.
He purchased one of our lightweight down jackets to stay warm during the shoot. Chris was immediately impressed by the jacket’s quality and found that it kept him much warmer than expected. By the end of the shoot, Chris found that he was the only crew member not completely freezing. After experiencing the difference that high-quality technical gear can make, Chris became an instant convert and began to expand his outdoor wardrobe.
Early Beginnings and Inspirations
Chris’s journey into photography began at a young age. His grandmother and father were both keen photographers, and on his twelfth birthday, Chris received his very own camera. He quickly became obsessed with taking photographs. Experimenting and learning as he went, Chris developed his technical skills, and photography soon became a steadfast hobby.
Although photography remained a hobby throughout his younger years, it wasn’t until later in life that Chris considered pursuing it professionally. A kind word from a stranger in a café who had glimpsed Chris’s pictures gave him the push he needed to take the leap into the unknown. He started selling his pictures at fairs and markets, eventually landing commercial opportunities that allowed him to leave his job and pursue photography full-time. That was 12 years ago, and Chris hasn’t looked back since.
Elgol, Skye
Isle of Harris
The Art of Capturing Nature
What sets Chris apart in the competitive field of landscape photography is his ability to convey a sense of place and emotion through his images. In his personal work, Chris aims to make photos feel as raw as possible, truly capturing the wild and rugged essence of the environment. In his own words, “I love standing in a really wild, windy, and bleak atmosphere. It’s way better than standing in the sunshine; it’s way more interesting.”
Isle of Lewis
A Journey into Remote Britain
One of Chris’s most popular series on his YouTube channel is Remote Britain. As a landscape photographer, it’s tempting to jet off abroad in search of epic and rugged landscapes, but Chris spent much of his childhood holidaying around Great Britain and developed a deep connection with the British countryside. He felt driven to capture the landscape he grew up in and show people how truly wild and remote some areas of Britain can be.
The project took Chris all over the UK, but it was in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland that he found what would become his favourite destination to shoot. He now plans much of his year around trips to The Hebrides and the Scottish Isles. The main aim of Remote Britain is to highlight the unknown beauty and wilderness in our country and encourage people to explore the incredible wildlife and countryside.
Little Langdale
A Growing Online Community
In addition to his commercial photography work and personal landscape projects, Chris also runs a popular YouTube channel. After being active on social media for a few years, he noticed a shift from photo-centric to video-based content online. This prompted him to start his own YouTube channel to document his trips and photographic experiences.
Chris had limited experience with video at the time but was determined to learn and progress as he went. He enjoyed the challenge of mastering a new medium and creating content for his channel.
Initially, Chris struggled to balance creating content for his channel with his personal experience of the trips. “I was trying to get away from the world, to be on my own in this landscape. And then suddenly I'm bringing along thousands of people with me.” However, he soon found that longer trips allowed him to balance content creation with the enjoyment of the environment.
Isle of Tiree
Isle of Skye
Chris’s YouTube channel now has nearly 40,000 subscribers and offers a blend of informative technical photography content alongside documentation of his travels around Britain and the world.
Chris recently returned to the Outer Hebrides and documented his experiences and travels on his YouTube channel. As a Rohan ambassador, we sent him some new gear to help him thrive in the often harsh and unpredictable landscape.
Check out Chris’s channel here.
Great Langdale
Chris Orange