Photography
My photography
I use photography to show something about where I’ve been or people whom I’ve met. As well as trying to see the beauty in a scene or situation, I’m also trying to convey ideas and feelings. My photography is about me and what I do, who I meet and where I go. All my photography tries to be contemporary and creative. I’m resistant to being fitted in to a taxonomy by categorisation such as “travel” or “conceptual” or “nature”. All image-making is political simply by the act of selection and hence exclusion but I am not campaigning for any particular point of view, except to try to see the positives and to live life to the full.
I use 645, 35mm and DX formats plus a handy little digital compact that shoots RAW files. I’ve experimented with non-lens photography - do ask!
I first worked in a monochrome/silver wet darkroom at age 7, helping my Father with scientific prints; I’ve used colour negative materials since age 21 and digital since 2005. I use Photoshop (Adobe) and Photopaint (Corel).
Maurice “Jim” Stewart oak tree on Clapham Common, London
I’m happy to report that Maurice’s oak tree is thriving on Clapham Common. It had suffered storm damage a few years ago but now looks to be in good leaf and developing the classic oak tree profile; it’s grown to more than 6m. height and the main trunk is well over 10cm. diameter.
This oak tree was planted as a memorial to our friend who passed away in 2012, aged 79 years. I was honoured to be one of those invited to the tree planting, having known Maurice as a friend and mentor since 1980, when he was based in Fitzwilliam Road, Clapham.
Sunset over a swan and some geese on the River Thames at Hammersmith Bridge, London. A high tide on this the last day of May. Lots of people out enjoying the show, having a good time whilst respecting the distancing guidelines.
English Strawberries with Cornish Clotted Cream in the garden means summer has arrived. So English.
Cygnets, baby coots, rowers, canoeists and even the Thames Clipper out on the water around Putney and Wimbledon
More photos: On the water - Wimbledon waterfowl & Thames boats
Fountain in the ornamental pond at Bishops Park, Fulham that I walk to from my home in West London. The area immediately surrounding the pond is closed to people and the sky is an unusually pure blue at the moment due to the lack of jet vapour trails and vehicle pollution as the lockdown continues.
