Preface to 40 Photographic Examples

Pliny, Pasteur, Percy and Photography

Bruce Percy photographs from places where few others would dare to follow; high up on snow-covered mountains, in the middle of frozen lochs, as well as hot, arid deserts, to name but a few. I admire that. He captures a myriad of both subtle and scintillating colours where I would see only monochromatic shades of black and white. I am amazed at that. He seamlessly juxtaposes portraits amongst his landscapes to show us that we are indeed one world, inextricably bound together. I am humbled by that. He also has a passionate interest in good Scottish single malt whiskies - and that I enthusiastically share! 

Photography can be a serious business and photographers often take themselves very seriously indeed. I am heartened to think that Bruce knows and accepts his place in the world - as a pilgrim, traveling on a journey through life, uncompromisingly searching for the elusive grail of beauty in a somewhat tarnished paradise. Walking a photographic path naturally engages a process of curiosity. In AD 79, Pliny wrote "Fortune favours the brave". In 1854, Pasteur told us "Fortune favours the prepared mind". My suspicion is that in 2011, Bruce would add "Fortune favours those who work hard". The first rule of the road in photography, as in life, is to turn up as often as possible. Surprise, serendipity and discovery drive Bruce on. Like all of us, he never knows what the next minute will bring, which excites him. Control over the future is an illusion, and he embraces this knowledge. He embarks on his adventures at every hour of the day and night, open to the infinite possibilities and endless permutations of the elements. His work can never be finished, it is as ongoing as his energy, there is always something new to find. Of course, what he brings back for us to share is not a copy of what he sees and experiences. Bruce is not a dispassionate messenger, downloading visual information for our hungry appetites. Rather, he is an insatiable artist who imbues into his images a singular and subjective sense of mood and reality. His creativity enriches our lives. No matter where we are or what we are doing, it is good for our souls to know and acknowledge how incredibly beautiful the world is. We should all be thankful that Bruce is doing his part to remind us of how fortunate we are to be alive on planet Earth.

Michael Kenna