A new book which captures the vibrant colour across Suffolk has been published by a Bury St Edmunds photographer.
Mark Staples, who teaches French and German at County Upper School in the town, has brought together some of his favourite views of the county in Colours of Suffolk, published by Halsgrove.
Mr Staples, 48, who lives in Bury St Edmunds after moving from the West Midlands in 1994, says his interest in photography began after a visit from Australian friends in 2005.
“Some friends from Australia came over to visit and we visited Aldeburgh,” he said.
“They took some pictures of fishing boats on the beach with a digital camera and I thought they were quite artistic and it got me thinking that perhaps that was something I could do.
“I enjoyed painting and drawing when I was younger so it rekindled my creativity.
“I started taking pictures and sent some to Richard Bryson , former editor at Suffolk Magazine, and it just sort of snowballed from there.
“I began to get requests from calendars and other journalists for images.”
Mr Staples released the book Portrait of Suffolk, also with Halsgrove, in 2010 and he says there is no shortage of scenes to photograph in the county.
“We are so lucky in Suffolk,” he said. “We’ve got the coast, the countryside and landmarks. There is always something to photograph and that’s what I brought to the book – a variety of different shots.
“Since 2010, I’ve spent quite a few weekends around various places in the county and so I approached Halsgrove to see if they would be interested in another book and they were.
“My work tends to favour bold, vibrant colours, which led to the title of the book.”
Colours of Suffolk features more than 140 images of the county’s coastline, countryside and brightly-painted landmarks.
The book is to buy available online at www.halsgrove.com, and at a host of Suffolk bookshops including Waterstones in Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and Lowestoft.
The book can also be purchased at Beccles Books, Harris and Harris Books in Clare and the Woodbridge Emporium.
Colours of Suffolk is priced at £16.99.
For more information on Mr Staples’ photography, visit www.markstaples.co.uk
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