Freelance photographer and film maker.

My interest in photography began in the early 80s when an uncle showed me how to make a pinhole camera and develop the sheet of black and white paper in his darkroom.

Began my career in local newspapers at the Bailey Newspaper Group in Gloucestershire in 1986 and have been freelancing since 2002, covering press, PR and industrial photography, though now shooting more video than still photos.

During my early years in press photography I was lucky enough to be taught on the National Council for the Training of Journalists Press Photography course at Stradbroke College in Sheffield. I passed the Proficiency Test in 1989 and was awarded the Annual Portfolio Award for that year.

A large part of my work now is as a film maker and cameraman working for companies in the UK rail industry and making corporate/promotional videos for the web.

I've been a member of the North Nibley Romania Team (www.nnrt.co.uk) since 2000 and have visited the country on numerous occasions.

Inspired by the work of W Eugene Smith, Chris Killip, Don McCullin, Bert Hardy, Andreas Gursky, Joy Division, Johnny Cash and many others.

www.matthewbigwood.co.uk