A Narrow Patch of Sky 22nd February 2012

Clouds and contrails – 07:46:22

A Narrow Patch of Sky – 21st Feb 2012

Unfocused Grey 10:56:08

Today’s image was made not as a reaction to accidentally seeing something that triggered a response but more of an impulse to “go and get an image right now!” Planning and crafting an images is a wonderful process and is at the heart of slow considered photography but occasionally I believe one should just make an image on the spur of the moment, a true SNAP SHOT. What I find particularly exciting is how reality and the finished image differ from one another, I guess its all about the emotional response to what one sees and how you feel at the particular time.  What I’m doing is of course nothing new and in large part pays homage to the work and brilliance of Alfred Stieglitz and his series ‘Equivalents’. Take a look at YouTube for examples.

A Narrow Patch of Sky

As a photographer I have always had something to say with my images but of late I have found it more than a little difficult to find my visual voice. It’s a very difficult concept to adequately articulate to oneself let alone the big wide world out there but for me the need to have something to say has always been paramount. So what does one do when the message you are so desperate to articulate is either missing or so elusive that you run the risk of going crazy looking for it? Well for me the answer has proved to be so simple despite it taking me ages to see what is so clear and obvious, just make images…

‘A Narrow Patch of Sky’ is a continuing series of images made of the sky and horizon roughly between 100 and 160 degrees east to south east from my front door. It is what it is and the meaning of the individual images are personal to me but the real importance of the work lies not in the manner of production but in the act of making and showing the images. What I find exciting is the prospect of “what may be” and a reminder of just how unique each view, day and moment truly is. This initial post will consist of two images from two very different days, all other post will be on a daily basis and consist of one image taken from those made in the 24hour period between 0659 and 0700.

I came across these words on the website of a truly brilliant Hungarian photographer Zoltan Vancso, which sum up so eloquently what I’m attempting to do…

“We would be unable  to live if we did not deem important that which has no importance whatsoever” (E.M. Ciotan)

17th January 2012 08:50

20th February 2012 07:56

What really caught my eye with this image was the finest sliver of moon visible just before the sun rose, it was an all too fleeting moment.

Netheravon Sky Triptych

Today I was working for the Museum of Army Flying documenting some of the few remaining early Army Flying Corps historic buildings at Netheravon Camp in Wiltshire and saw these magnificent Skies. Photography is the food that feeds my soul and today proved to be a wonderful and welcomed banquet.

A letter to Father Christmas

Madeleine posting her letter to Father Christmas on Dec 1st 2011

But of course Father Christmas exists! Why on earth would he not and what a true joy to believe in the possibility that he is there at the North Pole waiting to receive all the letters from countless children who need no convincing of the magic.
So the big question is “Do I believe in Father Christmas”? Well of course I do, don’t be silly…

I hope your Father Christmas brings you what you want and need but especially love and peace to all.

11-11-11 Time Again to Remember

Well that time of year has come around again and for me its a time to remember just one soldier amongst many. Staff Sergeant Chris Muir, a Royal Engineer Bomb disposal officer who was killed in action in Iraq the day after I took this image of him. Although I only knew him very briefly he made a huge impact on me and I shall always remember him and in doing so remind myself of the utter futility of war and conflict where so many  lives become mere shadows…

Today was a rather special day because I was truly honored to be invited, with others, to mark Remembrance Day with past and present Army Photographers and members of the AFPU (Army Film and Photographic Unit who are for forebears of the present Army Photographic Trade ). The ceremony was held in Pinewood Studios which served and the Headquarters of the AFPU during WWII. A wonderful opportunity to see old friends and colleagues and to get to chat to the current Army photographers who without doubt carry forward the torch lit by the AFPU.

11-11-11-11

Old Friends and colleagues, Rick Dawson and Angus Beaton who received an honorary membership of the AFPU for his work in supporting ties between them and Army Photographers.

Paul Clarke on the right, one of the few surviving members of the APFU and secretary of the association.

All in their finery sporting the proof of their many operational campaigns, some of the current Army Photographer with an Officer from the MOD

A New Beginning – My Advertures in Silver

Maddy in a moment of contemplation and thought

A group of Bosnian Muslims stand at the mass grave of over 100 victims of the Ahimica maccacre. Stari Vitez Central Bosnia April 1993

The two images you see displayed on this page represent a connection that may not be readily apparent to most observers. Not only are they separated by nearly 19 years of time but also what seems to me a lifetime of experience and experiences. One represents all that is good, innocent and wholesome while the other is the product of bitter division, ethnic racism and a horrifying willingness to forget ones shared humanity. The context of these two images could not be further from each other however they share a common and simple bond. The were both made to tell the story of the moment/event/individual and they make no attempt to act as an advocate for the technical prowess or complexity of their method of capture. These images are not about pixel count or stratospheric iso rating, you can’t be certain what aperture or shutter speed were used to produce the exposure and there is no library of irrelevant information imbedded in the developed silver halides. In truth they are not surgically sharp or even scanned to perfection (yes they were both shot on film HP5plus). They are images, captured fractions of time, visual and physical representations of my eye, heart and soul; they are photographs.

For quite some time I have felt that there is a yawning chasm of creativity in my personal work and in truth I haven’t produced a really great body of work for a long time. Its not been through want of trying or desire that the images have not been forthcoming but a realization that something of the true passion and raw spirit that photography once represented for me had quite possibly all but disappeared. The realization of this possibility proved to be a hammer blow to my sense of personal self worth and confidence as a photographer, what was I to do if in the words of Austin Powers “My mojo had gone”…

Two very recent events have thankfully brought me back from the precipice and as I tentatively walk out towards a new beginning it is the past that provides not only the salvation but perhaps more importantly the method and means. My youngest daughter provides the motivation. Recently I had all my Leica M8 digital cameras stolen which left me utterly bereft. Some days after the theft I was explaining to my youngest daughter Madeleine what had happened and how sad I was, without a moments thought she looked at me and said “don’t worry Daddy, every camera tells a different story”. Pretty much the next day  I bought a very old and used Leica M6 film camera and declared, quite without thinking about the consequences, that I would return to B&W film for my own personal photography. The first steps were somewhat scary, lacking in confidence and memorable by several incredibly stupid mistakes, however the much desired eureka moment did arrive and once again I seem to have the purpose, desire and direction in my photographic life. You may be asking yourself when did this all happen, well not more than two hour ago after developing the first batch of 35mm film at home, filing the cut negatives, inspecting them with a lope over  a light box before scanning them into the Mac. (the true darkroom will follow shortly and will be an accompaniment to the digital “dark room”)

So we come back to the two images which represent so much for me not only in terms of past successes and professional accomplishment but also a kind of courage if you like. Courage to follow my own vision to continue this wonderful and magical journey that is photography in the way I see it and want to make it. The process of shooting on film is so much more than just making an image, it is a meditation, a contemplation, a true focus on what has to be recorded; in a slow considered and measured way, oh and the smell of fixer is fantastic…

As irrationally in love as I am about all things Leica I have to remind myself that paradoxically photography is not about the camera, its really about the image and its heart, soul, passion. I truly believe that we as photographers are in danger of becoming so transfixed by the latest bewildering leap in photo technology that we may just forget what its all about, ie the things that made us want to tell stories using two dimensional representations of our reality. I’m not saying that going back to film is the only way and that to be a “proper photographer” you have to use old techniques or expensive manual German cameras. I’m trying to say that we have to be honest with ourselves and the viewers of our images and not be afraid to follow the path that best articulates our vision.

My friend Matt

Balloon seller, the Bullring – Birmingham

AFPU 70th Anniversary – Imperial War Museum

Today I had the pleasure of being a guest at this years Army Photographic Competition Awards held at the Imperial War Museum in London. The awards were being held on the 70th Anniversary of the formation of the Army Film and Photographic Unit. This was a relatively small unit of the British Army that filmed and photographer the operations and war fighting of the soldiers during the Second World War and were in large part the forebears of the current Army Photographers. At the awards a recently produced short film was shown honoring the work of these amazing men, the opening address being given by Lord Putnam whose father Len Putnam had served in the unit. I hope in 70 years time there will be people honoring the work of the current Army Photographers.

All the fun of the Fair

One of the many joys of being a father is being able to be a KID and share in being this kid with your children. Thankfully Eleanor & Madeleine still want to take their old Dad to the fair and oh joy of joys I got to go on all the whizzy roundy pukey rides imaginable, A great time was had by all and long may it continue especially eating all the candyfloss on the way home mmmmmm.

The rather remarkable talent that is Jane Corbett

There are times when images and words are necessary to explain the magic and wonder of an occasion, experience or object that one has experienced. Sometimes despite ones own talent and desire to do justice to the experience you just simply fail to capture the magnificence of what you saw and experienced. This morning proved to be one of those rare occasions when despite my best efforts and massive encouragement the images I produced do not even come close to the experience.

My good friend Jane Corbett – Couture Milliner Extraordinaire and Outstanding Artist – asked me to photograph some her incredible creations. Her work is really quite extraordinarily beautiful, complex, mysterious and needs to be seen to be believed. Jane I hope these images do some justice to your work. It was such a pleasure to work with you particularly given the four jam doughnuts and 11 gallons of coffee I consumed. I cant wait to start our work in the new year…