Exhibiting at The Smile Within, showing on the joint stand (H94) of the BDA Benevolent Fund and Bridge2aid at The British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show (NEC Birmingham) on 15th & 16th May during Mental Health Awareness Week.

Damien Walmsley’s photography is rooted in observation, patience, and storytelling.

A retired academic dentist and Emeritus Professor of Restorative Dentistry at the University of Birmingham, Damien’s creative journey has run alongside his professional life, evolving from early film photography to a deeply reflective visual practice shaped by landscape, light, and human experience.

First drawn to photography at the age of six, Damien honed his skills through dental photography before expanding into street, urban, documentary, and landscape work.

Since retiring in 2020, he has become a well‑recognised amateur photographer, enjoying success in national and international competitions.

A defining feature of his work is its narrative quality. He enjoys images that invite the viewer to pause, reflect, and imagine themselves within the scene.

Damien is happiest wandering through urban landscapes or wildflower fields with his camera in the quiet of early morning, where photography becomes both a creative practice and a source of calm.

Featured Artwork: Cool Light on Poppies
Minimum bid: £300

Limited Edition: 1 Print

• Original photographic print, 80 x 60 cm
• 60cm x 90cm (overall with frame) Xpression Smooth Fine Art Print 
• Art Glass
• Framing – 50mm white mount https://centrado.co/product/create-white-flat-closed-grain-cr3300wh/

Captured at dawn near Kinver Edge, Cool Light on Poppies was the result of careful planning, patience, and a willingness to simply wait with the scene.

Arriving well before sunrise, Damien set up his tripod, using a long lens to focus on poppies at the front of the field as mist drifted through the landscape.

“I had time on my side as there was around 30 minutes to sunrise; as I was taking my picture, mist rolled in and the poppies took on a magical look in the cool, dawn light.” Damien recalls. “The experience of photographing the scene was deeply mindful: time slowed, distractions disappeared, and the pressures of everyday life fell away.”

This quiet stillness is embedded in the final image, which celebrates the vibrancy and emotional impact of wild spaces.

Cool Light on Poppies has received significant recognition, including:

• Winner: Eden Project and Canary Wharf Wildflower Photography Competition 2026 (amateur photographer)
• Runner‑up: International Garden Photographer of the Year 2025 (Wildflower Landscapes Category)

The print is a limited edition print of 1 only. It is framed and ready to hang and would suit any home or dental reception to give viewers a peaceful and mindful moment.

Featured Artwork: Mystery in the Fog
Minimum bid: £100

• Original photographic print, unframed 60 × 50 cm
• 50cm x 400cm (overall) Xpression Smooth Fine Art Print 
• 50mm white mount

Taken during the third COVID‑19 lockdown, Mystery in the Fog was captured on a permitted exercise walk at Umberslade Park, close to Damien’s home.

Photographed simply on an iPhone, the image shows figures walking through dense fog along an avenue of tall trees towards a distant vertical beam of light.

The scene feels cinematic and otherworldly, echoing the uncertainty, isolation, and quiet hope of that time.

“I wonder who the couple ahead were” reflects Damien “how they were coping with Covid and what circumstances they faced.”

The walks themselves became essential to Damien’s mental wellbeing, offering reflection, routine, and connection to nature during prolonged restriction.

Originally shortlisted by the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, the image holds added poignancy today: the avenue of trees was later felled as they reached the end of their life, meaning the landscape no longer exists in the same form.

“It makes the photograph feel like a record,” explains Damien “a reminder of the value of trees, nature, the changing seasons and fleeting moments in our lives.”

This cinematic print will bring calm and contemplation to any space.

Photography, Wellbeing and Storytelling

For Damien, photography is not just about capturing an image, it’s about creating space to think, feel and notice.

Whether standing alone in a misty field or walking familiar routes during lockdown, the act of photographing offers mindfulness, perspective, and emotional grounding.

“Having a good network of family and friends is essential for my wellbeing, though I recognise that photography gives me space and time to enjoy my own company, enjoy the outdoors and get lost in my own thoughts.”

Damien is also known as a keen BBC Weather Watcher, occasionally seeing his images appear on BBC Midlands Today, further reflecting his fascination with light, atmosphere, and changing conditions.

Inspired by documentary photography, record‑cover art, and photographers such as Linda McCartney and the artwork of the Pre‑Raphaelites, Damien’s work invites viewers to build their own story, observe, and step into the image and make it their own.

More about Damien

Damien Walmsley has two works featured in The Smile Within and will be attending the exhibition in person.

“I’m looking forward to this unique event and seeing other exhibits. It’s a joy to share the passion and creativity that exists in the dental community.”

You can find out more about Damian and his art by following his social media channels or visiting his website:

Meet the other Artists

Below is a selection of other featured artists. Click on the links to see their artwork submissions, each deeply connected to mindfulness and mental wellbeing.

Join us at The Smile Within art exhibition in May and make a difference, one pledge, one piece of art, one smile at a time.

We look forward to seeing you there.

The online auction website is now live.

You can bid online, as well as at the event.

Online bidding ends at 3:45 pm on 16 May. The winning bidder can collect their artwork on Saturday, 16 May, from the stand after 4 pm. If you (or a trusted friend) are unable to take your piece with you, we’re happy to arrange delivery. Please note that postage and packaging costs will be added and confirmed after purchase.