HE was a young schoolboy from Honley and fascinated by the old camera on his grandad’s mantelpiece.

Now, 10 years on, self-taught photographer Benn Kafanke will host his first public exhibition.

The 21-year-old will profile the work of fellow Yorkshire photographer Bill Major in the Blacklight Gallery that he opened in Huddersfield’s Byram Arcade six weeks ago.

It is the first of what Benn hopes will be several exhibitions of work by photographers.

Benn, a former Honley High School pupil, said: “I have loved photography ever since I saw the old camera at my grandparents’ home.

“It was something I wanted to do so I saved up the money from my paper round in Honley and managed to buy myself a Praktica camera off eBay for £30.

“I studied music at Kirklees College, but I never lost my love of photography and over the years I have developed my skills.

“Opening the gallery was a dream come true.”

Since he started work, Benn has had commissions from the likes of GQ Magazine and clothing label giant All Saints.

He has produced a collection of portraits, landscapes, abstract and event imagery.

Benn recently won the Iconic Images of Huddersfield competition with a shot of Castle Hill and is currently listed at number 22 in the National Geographic Photo Contest 2011 with his Trearddur Cliffs, Anglesey, photo.

The ‘Exactly How It Isn’t Photography’ exhibition opens on December 16 with a special preview from 7 to 11pm.

The exhibition will then be open the following week, Monday to Saturday, from 9am until 5.30pm.

Benn said: “Being able to work with other photographers gives me inspiration.

“All of Bill’s images look normal to the eye, but they’re overlapped and layered images.

“He incorporates photographs with photographs, which is intriguing and thought-provoking.”

The exhibition includes images of York Minster and the Victoria Quarter in Leeds which will intrigue visitors.