I'm influenced by the old school photographers like Henri Cartier- Bresson, Joel Meyerowitz, Vivian Maier, Edward Hopper and Saul Leiter. I noticed when I was in Paris recently-ish, there were fewer people on their phones than in London, maybe the Parisiens I saw were more open to interact with each other, at least from my camera's point of view.

Lately, I've been doing more abstract photography using multiple exposures and Intentional Camera Movement having looked at the abstract work of Chris Friel, Valda Bailey, Doug Chinnery and Andrew Gray. When maybe asked what a particular image of mine was about, I'd like to reply something like, 'Ah, yes, but how does it make you feel?' I haven't as yet been in that exalted position. I like the paintings of (late) Turner, the French Impressionists, Picasso and Rothko.

I also admire Martin Parr for The Last Resort and in a similar vein Peter Dench. I interviewed PD about his technique when he wrote 'England Uncensored', he told me that he never used a telephoto lens and said they were the older photographers crutch but now he's gotten a bit older he's started to use a zoom too.

In 2018, I worked on a joint exhibition with fellow photographer Jon Chater at Oxford House, Bethnal Green entitled, 'Coming or Going'- EU Londoners Contemplate Their Future. We photographed and interviewed people from the EU following the UK's decision to leave Europe in March 2019.

All of my images are available to purchase from my website, stephenbellphotography.co.uk/