Darren Flindes | About me

’ve had a passion for photography for as long as I can remember. It probably started when I was a child and my parents gave me a little instant camera to play with, although it didn’t have any film in it, I’d spend hours pretending to take photos, especially after discovering a small lever inside that triggered the flash whenever I pressed the shutter. That simple bit of magic sparked something in me.

Fast forward to the year 2000, when I visited Canada and Niagara Falls. I bought a camera just for the trip — not a DSLR, unfortunately, but a point-and-shoot that claimed to be "semi-professional." It was one of the very early digital models, with a grand total of 2 megapixels and a serious appetite for batteries!

After going through a few more point-and-shoots over the years, I finally decided to invest in a DSLR — one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’d always wanted to experiment with long exposures and night photography, and now I could. There's nothing I enjoy more than heading out with my camera, whether it’s exploring the wilderness or capturing the charm of an old, forgotten building.

Over time, my work has been really well received. Some of my photos have been published in books and calendars, and even featured on television — including BBC’s Sky at Night, which was a real honour. I still remember the thrill of getting that email from the BBC. My images have also been used by the EU and Canon on parts of their websites, which was incredibly rewarding.

I'm thrilled to share that one of my photos was shortlisted for the 2025 Astronomy Photographer of the Year Awards, hosted at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. It's truly one of the most meaningful milestones in my journey, and my photograph will be exhibited there until September 2026. The museum has also produced a short film featuring my experience capturing the aurora in the UK, which is currently screening in the gallery, I really hope you get a chance to check it out!

Thanks so much for taking the time to look at my photography. I really hope you enjoy the images — and maybe even find a print or two you'd like to take home.