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).
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
The windmill on Wimbledon Common was constructed in 1817: originally a corn mill, it is now a museum and much-loved landmark for the many Londoners who walk, run and play sport on the common.
Note the visual comparison of Nature vs Nurture: geometry and bold colours vs texture and fractal branching.
Spring carpet of Crocus flowers in Hammersmith Cemetery today. A fine sight nearly at the end of my run back along the Thames Path with the bread fresh from the bakery in Barnes.
I’ve seen daffodils and of course snowdrops in flower elsewhere in the borough this weekend.
Balcombe Viaduct and the valley of the River Ouse in Sussex, seen from the train to Brighton. Lots of green as there has been a lot of rain.
