North East wave photos given a new look with faces

Owen Humphreys has been the Press Association's North East staff photographer for 25 years, covering news, sport and weather around the region for the regional and national media.

One of his favourite subject matters is the wild North Sea and the region's coastline, which have offered up many incredible waves for him to capture in stormy weather.

A few years ago his friend Mick Carr, also known as 'The Dude-ler', asked permission from Mr Humphreys to add faces to some of his wave pictures.

Read more: 'If you won't move it, I will': Farmer's words before lifting Corsa out the way with tractor

By adding eye, mouth and other graphics to the photographs, Mr Carr, who lives in Northumberland and has a barber shop in Monkseaton, has given each wave a different character and expressed different emotions.

While Mr Humphreys was able to take pictures during coronavirus lockdowns, as a keyworker, Mr Carr produced more and more of the pieces using his phone and now the pair have shared some of their favourites.

Mr Humphreys, from Whitley Bay, said: "Weather photography has become a bit obsession as you never know what you're going to get picture-wise, you always have a plan but never know what you'll capture.

"It’s like that with waves, but for a good wave picture the light has to to be perfect and slightly backlit.

"People always say they see faces, sometimes Elvis or Jesus, or different animals in my waves but Mick has actually added them and the response has been amazing.

"Mick asked permission and I think of them as turnign my photos into art, I really think they're great fun and it amazing how they've become different characters.

"Some look angry, sad, are looking down on a lighthouse and the ones with two feel like one is looking after the other."

Mr Carr said: "I'm interested in photography and art myself and have known Owen a long time, and enjoyed his weather and landscape pictures, especially in lockdown.

"I asked if he'd mind me adding faces to them and he said yes, keep them coming and  when he shared them people have really liked to see them."

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054