Photographers in Hertfordshire and north London no longer have to work in the dark thanks to a new pop-up photography and digital media gallery situated in a previously vacant shop unit in Watford town centre.

Artists, both established and recent can use the space to display their photography, film, animation or projection at the council-run venue.

Frogmore-based artist Paul Knight (40) is among the photographers who have submitted work for display. He saw it as a good opportunity to showcase his expressive series of landscapes.

“There are definitely not that many places to exhibit and the whole idea of a pop up thing is exciting to have this new opportunity and use of the space.”

Paul moved to Frogmore ten years ago having grown up in Cricklewood. He attended St Mary's School in Hendon where he enjoyed art and design but says his photographic skills are entirely self-taught.

“I left school and did an old-fashioned, kind of apprenticeship in a photographic studio in Edgware. I had quite a steep learning curve as a photographer’s assistant but the shop had a darkroom and the manager would let me stay on and use the darkroom after work. I’ve always been passionate about photography and I’ve always asked professional photographers lots of questions.”

When not creating photography for art exhibitions, Paul freelances for Christies auctioneers taking pictures for their sales catalogues.

In everything he does he is precise and exacting.

“Before digital you really had to really sit and wait for the right light and conditions. You’d create effects in camera and I try and keep to those values.

“You can tell when digital images have been worked on too much. I want to use the best of what digital technology has to offer. It’s an old-school mentality but I want to keep it as real as possible.”

The Pop Up Gallery is at Unit 4, Charter Place shopping centre, open from 11am on Thursday, July 1 and then Thursday to Saturday, 11am to 4pm until Saturday, July 31. Details: 01923 278333, www.watford.gov.uk