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).
A “Mediterranean episode” of weather brought a storm with a lot of rain but also dramatic natural lighting which changed rapidly. A stunning dawn highlighting Menton old town. Later on, it was almost shocking to see the strength of the storm both on sea and at a beach where the Mediterranean usually laps the shore peacefully. Even the guys with the surfboards were packing up and going home as the waves were too violent.
Chateau D'if and the Iles Frioul
Four views of Marseille from Notre-Dame de la Garde, the basilica built on a limestone rock which overlooks the city of Marseille, its bay and the surrounding mountains.
More photos: Four views of Marseille from N-D de la Garde (142 m.)
Photography doesn’t show rain well so the photographer has to find ways to show it indirectly. This is the railing on my balcony.
Skiddaw (931 m.) from Brundholme Road, Keswick
River Lune near Tebay
Four landscape views from my trip to Keswick; compare the shapes and the gradations revealed by the mist and clouds.
Under the palm trees in the tropics of West London: the Palm House at Kew Gardens has been an inspirational favourite since I arrived back from a holiday in the Seychelles in the Eighties. I delighted then in seeing again specimens of the rare Coco de Mer palms I’d seen in the reserve on Praslin Island. But I couldn’t find one of those today amongst the mist and tropical fronds; I spoke with a gardener who confirmed this. Anyhow, my visit was worthwhile to smell again the jungle and dream of Paradise!
More photos: Dreaming of Paradise - the Palm House at Kew Gardens
