Photographer Chris Gurton uses aerial and ground-level images to show the fields, machinery and people involved in British agriculture—work most shoppers never see before food reaches supermarket shelves. Based in rural Suffolk, he photographs the patterns of farmland from above and the practical effort of farm work up close.
Why Gurton photographs agriculture
Gurton told Digital Camera World that he wanted to document what happens at the start of food production, rather than only the finished products people see in shops. “Most people only see the finished product on the supermarket shelves; I wanted to capture what takes place right at the start of the food production process,” he said.
His interest grew from living among farmland in Suffolk and from a long fascination with aerial photography. He cites French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s book The Earth From the Air as an influence: an elevated viewpoint, he says, can make familiar landscapes appear entirely different. Consumer camera drones made that perspective more accessible to photographers than hiring a helicopter or light aircraft.
For Gurton, the aerial view is not just a striking angle. It can reveal field patterns, textures and scale, while his ground-level photographs bring machinery and workers into the frame. He says time spent on farms has deepened his appreciation for the skill, dedication and long hours involved in producing food. The images are his view of that work, not a complete account of the UK food system.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
How aerial and ground-level photographs tell different parts of the story
| Approach | What it can show | Gurton’s reported equipment |
|---|---|---|
| Ground level | People at work, machinery, details and the relationship between a task and its setting. | Nikon D7500 DSLR with lenses ranging from wide-angle and 35mm prime to 500mm telephoto. |
| Aerial | Field-scale patterns, textures and the layout of agricultural landscapes. | DJI Air 2S camera drone. |
These are the tools Gurton says he uses, not a recommendation or a comparison of image quality. He argues that a newer camera alone does not make a strong photograph: light, composition, timing and the story matter more. A separate interview describes one image made with the Air 2S using an ND128 filter at 1/8 second; that is a single image-specific example, not a general exposure recipe. See Global Lens Photography Awards’ interview.
Access and safety come before the shot
Farm photography can bring a camera close to large, moving machinery and people concentrating on complex tasks. Gurton says trust is essential: “Trust is incredibly important because I’m often photographing people while they’re concentrating on complex tasks with large machinery.” Permission and awareness are practical necessities, not optional courtesies.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- Ask the farmer or landowner before entering a field or photographing on the property.
- Keep well clear of machinery, stay alert to what is moving around you, and follow instructions from people responsible for the work.
- Never distract an operator or put yourself where a driver may not see you.
- Build relationships over time. Gurton says his farm photography has also led to images for farmers’ websites, social media and promotional material.
Gurton’s approach to photographing farm work
Understand the task before anticipating it
Learn what the machines and people are doing together. Knowing the sequence of a job can help you anticipate moments such as unloading or repositioning, rather than reacting after the action has passed.
Use light beyond the obvious moment
Gurton points to golden hour and the period after sunset as opportunities to change the mood of dust and machinery. Conditions do not have to be bright daylight to make a scene photographically useful.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Include context and people
A machine on its own may say little about the work around it. Crop lines, sky, birds and people working together can establish a stronger sense of place and human involvement.
Wait, or return when conditions change
Weather, machinery schedules and light can disrupt a plan. Gurton’s advice is to be patient and flexible: a useful image may require waiting or coming back another day.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
What is established about Gurton’s awards
Awards are reported at different levels of detail, so the category and stage matter. Digital Camera World’s October 2026 profile says Gurton received an honourable mention in the 2025 International Photography Awards’ Special Night Photography category for “Harvesting at Night.” The IPA certificate instead records “Harvesting by Night” as an “IPA 2025 Official Selection” in “Special, Night Photography.” Those are distinct wordings and should not be treated as interchangeable; see the IPA certificate.
The profile also reports that Gurton came second in the 2026 Lumearth Photo Awards Agriculture and Rural category for “Farming in East Anglia.” Lumearth’s published page identifies him and the image on its 2026 initial shortlist; that page confirms the shortlist placement, not the reported second-place result.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Gurton’s own news page says “Potato Ridging” won a 2026 Global Shot International Photography Awards drone category, while his homepage uses a related “Golden Shot” name. Because the naming differs on his pages, the award name is best read as self-reported rather than independently confirmed here.
A personal project alongside a day job
Gurton says photography is not currently his full-time work, though he hopes to make agricultural photography his career. “My ambition is to make agricultural photography my full-time career one day, continuing to tell the stories of the people and landscapes behind our food production.” The profile presents one photographer’s experience of gaining access, learning the rhythm of farm work and using a drone to make that work visible—not a claim to represent every farm or everyone involved in food production.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
