When you look at the inspirational work of Joseph McGlennon, you’re immediately struck by the subjects, the light, the composition and the quality. Each rendition is a complete package that looks effortless in its resolution, but as anyone who has played with composite techniques will know, that effortlessness is the result of hours if not days and  weeks of careful, painstaking work. Were the art of imagining our subjects as easy as the craft of capturing them.

Joseph says he is constantly accused of all sorts of stuff. “I was even called a Photoshop jockey, which I found humorous at first, then a little disappointing when I realised what was really going on.”

Of course, the majority of critics don’t even know what Joseph is creating and are simply demonstrating what we all hate about social media. “My works are alternative realities. I’m not
suggesting my parrots are real. In fact, the last thing I want to produce is a picture of a parrot; rather I want to create an environment and space that is beyond expectations, a bit like
the precious glimpse you get of a bird before it flies away. I don’t expect people to look at my work and think it is real – so that’s not an issue.

“If these were paintings, people wouldn’t give them a second thought. In fact, as paintings they’d say they were believable, but when they find out they are photographs, their opinion changes. They suddenly bring a lot of prejudices to the work, now saying they should look real but they don’t."

So, where does the dodo come in? And is it real? You bet it is - but you'll have to read all about in the current issue of Better Photography! You can subscribe by visiting www.betterphotographyeducation.com.