Recent Work

Winter 025 - 026

With a broken spoke, my cycling was cut a bit short this year. By the time I was able to make a repair, winter arrived and brought a lot of wet and windy weather. So, it was back on with the boots and into my local woods. This year I replaced my trusty, but well worn Scarpa boots with a pair of Altberg Malham walking boots. I purchased them from their shop in Richmond and the service and fitting was excellent, despite the assistant being a Sunderland fan. They barely needed breaking in and are very light and comfy, highly recommended.

So, I’ve often been chasing the light or a break in the clouds. There’s been some frosty mornings and a bit of snow, but it’s been mostly rain. At least I’m lucky enough to be able to look out of the window and just head out between the showers. Despite this, I’ve managed to produce some varied and pleasing work. At least there was a welcome break to Yorkshire, which despite the snowy forecast, was mostly sunny. It’s not often I’ll go through 4 rolls of film in a weekend.

Over the last few months, I’ve been become involved in a new initiative called InSide. It aims to bring together photographers through monthly meetings, to support and grow a community of photographers and practitioners. This developed from a future of photography forum, hosted by Side Gallery and Photo Connect last summer.

I went to the first meeting with some trepidation but came away feeling very positive. The meetings are monthly and hosted by Side. It’s still in its early stages, mostly getting to know each other. At the last meeting, some members presented their work, and I really enjoyed seeing such a diverse range of photography. There’s some amazing work and talented people in the region. I shall be presenting my work on February 16th, it appears I shall be amongst good company and I’m looking forward to it, mostly.

Simonside Cairns Fell Race

Parking up in Rothbury early Sunday morning, all was quiet. I headed over to the Jubilee Hall, the dark clouds threatened rain but at least it wasn’t quite so breezy as forecast. I’d arranged to drop off a print that was taken at the Brough Law fell race for one of the runners taking part, he’d seen it on my stand at Thropton Show and rather liked it. After a bit chat in the hall, I headed back to the car and bumped into Paul, one of the organisers, who I normally meet in the middle of nowhere. We were soon joined by Brian, who was wearing the running gear he’d worn on his first Simonside Cairns fell race 30 years ago! It was great to see them both.

I was soon on my way to Lordenshaw and passed a few Coquetdale young farmers in their tractors heading the other way to the Thropton showfield for their rally. It was a busy day in the valley, but not at the carpark, which was eerily empty. With time to spare, I walked up to the hillfort. I had a roll of film to finish and continued some work on my ancient landscape project. I did think about using film for the fell race and I had optimistically packed 4 rolls, including some high speed Delta 3200 that needed using. I wasn’t really looking for grainy black and white that day, but it was an option if I headed up to Dove Crag for the runners return.

I’ve taken photos from Lordenshaw before and knew the climb up from Rothbury would stretch the field a bit for some individual and group photos. I positioned myself a little further back this time, so I had the option of Rothbury or Coquetdale providing a rather nice backdrop, I also had a bit of shelter, just in case. Chris and Jarlath soon arrived, neck and neck through the deer park wall and sped quickly past me with a quiet determination, swiftly followed by Thomas. More runners soon followed and I was kept busy taking photographs from either side of the path. I photographed this fell race for the first time back in 2016, so it’s heartening to see so many that were there that day, as well as many new runners taking part.

Within 15 minutes the sweepers passed by, I packed my camera away and headed back to the carpark. The wind had picked up considerably during the morning and I decided to call it a day. Or so I thought, parking up at Harehaugh for lunch, I loaded up the Delta 3200 and headed up the hillfort for some grainy black and white photography.

I’ve added this, my last event of the year, as a Winter subsection. It means I can add all the photos here and not as a social media photo-dump, something I don’t really like doing. I’ll edit this down in the spring, hopefully just in time for a return to Brough Law.

Autumn 025

It may have felt a bit like Autumn for quite some time and yet at the Alwinton Border Shepherds Show, the last show of the season, it seemed like summer. It was such a glorious day, which I didn’t get to see a great deal of. It was so busy, I barely managed to get out of the craft tent, just a brief wander over to the sheep pens and a chat with some of the shepherds. So many thanks to all involved in organising not just this, but all shows and events. It can be a thankless task, especially when the weather isn’t kind, as it unfortunately was at Thropton Show.

I must admit that a really successful Alwinton Show has given me a much needed boost, that I can take into the rest of the year and in terms of photography, it was perhaps my best ever show. It’s always good to get out and exhibit my work, ever since selling my wares on Armstrong Bridge many years ago, I’ve always enjoyed it, great meeting so many lovely people.

After a bout of Covid, I’ve been getting out in the hills again. I’ve been working on my ancient landscape project, which has already developed in terms of context and process. All quite naturally as I continue to explore and get into the landscape. I’ll be adding a work in progress page soon.

My pinhole cameras have been out again, as well as my large format. After developing my last negatives, I’ve decided to leave using tilt alone for now, a case of trying to run before I can walk. I have bought a new 120mm lens though, I say new, it’s about 30 years old.

Storm Clouds Over Oxford - Medium Format

The Flying Scotsman - Full Frame Digital

Summer 025

I may have mentioned rain in my spring post, it was more of an afterthought really and although the skies clouded over and there were a few lively storms, it’s continued to be dry, dusty and rather hot at times. It all appears to have brought autumn forward. I actually picked my first blackberry in July, and a young farmer explained how she was unable to prepare any sheep for Simonside Country Fair as they were too busy harvesting. Apparently it was perfect weather this year for lambing.

The rain did dampen the Blaydon Race though, but it was a cold that kept me away. I’ve not had one for a while, so can’t complain and I was fine enough to photograph the Durham Regatta a few days later. I quickly followed this with the Windy Gyle fell race, which was wet and really windy, it made changing films a bit too challenging, so out came my digital camera.

I’ve continued in a similar vein to my spring post, there’s even been a return to Staffordshire, followed by a few welcome days in Chester and the light has been great for shooting colour film. I have, however, been out with my large format camera. It’s been up the Usway Burn a couple of times, a secluded and favourite valley in Northumberland. It’s always a good place to go, get some practice, take one’s time and get into a bit of a flow. It’s certainly helped to produce some pleasing results.

When autumn actually begins, when the mornings are bright and crisp and the midges become a little less interested, I’ll be up in the hills again. I’ve been taking photos that have naturally developed into a project and I feel that this will become my first book, I’m keen to get started again.

Simonside Country Fair - Full Frame Digital

Newcastle Gateshead Quayside - 35mm colour film

Windy Gyle Fell Race - Full Frame Digital

Spring 025

It’s been a rather busy Spring season this year. Starting with the Brough Law Fell Race, I’ve taken full advantage of the often sunny weather. Getting out on my bike has now replaced my walks in the woods, I’m sure they can wait till Autumn, and I’ve continued to get out into the hills.

There’s been a few trips away, a few days in Staffordshire and a return to Loch Linnhe for a week of exploring. My digital camera got an airing for the first time this year, although I seemed to forget not to shoot digital and film together again. I should also perhaps add, don’t take quite so many cameras next time.

Apart from shooting colour with my digital camera, I’ve been trying some budget colour films. I finally shot some Kodak Gold 200 in medium format and some Colorplus 200 in 35mm, must admit I was rather pleased with both, Ive already ordered some more.

Moving into the summer months, if I can tell the difference, I’m planning on photographing many more events, hopefully starting with the Blaydon Race. This of course, depends on the weather and I’m hoping for just a bit of rain, it’s so dry and dusty out there.

Easdale Island- Ellenabeich - Full Frame Digital

William & Kate - Iona - Full Frame Digital

Brough Law Fell Race

I’ve not been able to get out and photograph as many events as I would like over the past few years. After chatting to one of the Northumberland Fell Runners, I felt the need to get into the hills and photograph some of their events again. With a couple of false starts due to inclement weather, the Brough Law Fell Race looked promising. It’s an event I’ve photographed before and really enjoyed, one of my photographs was featured in The Fellrunner magazine, I also know the area rather well. Then I decided to shoot the event on film, using cameras that I was unfamiliar with, what could possibly go wrong?

After de-icing the car, I set off to Ingram, the sun burning through the light mist hanging in the valleys. After a quick coffee, I headed up towards Wether Hill on the old road to Prendwick. It’s a long gentle climb, unlike the climb the runners would be taking up Brough Law. I was barely into my stride when my fleece went into my camera bag, quickly followed by my coat. It was going to be a beautiful day and was getting rather warm. I thought about taking photographs from Cochrane Pike, the view down to Ingram was lovely, possibly one for the future. I then quickly made my way to the position I’d planned to take my first photographs from. I got myself sorted, metered the scene, readied my cameras, more coffee.

It wasn’t long before Chris Larkin appeared, all effortless smiles, more and more would soon follow. I was a bit rusty at first but soon relaxed into just taking photographs, great to see so many people, many that I knew. Barely ten minutes had passed before I packed up and walked just a few hundred metres back along the trail to my next position. I had barely got myself ready again when Chris Larkin reappeared, he would go on to break the course record. The runners were more stretched out on their return and I was able to take my time, work the area and enjoy myself. With the sweeper’s arrival, it was time to pack up and head back myself. With skylarks singing and snatches of conversations from fellow hikers carried on a light breeze, I walked back the way I came. With lunch at the hillfort above Middle Dene, I took some more photos. I still had half a roll of film in my camera and I was in no real hurry to finish it.

I’ve added this as another subsection here, as it neatly fits in with the end of winter and the start of spring, in fact it almost felt like a mix of both during the day. Did anything go wrong? not really. I’ll make some slight changes for the next one, already looking forward. I could do with changing film a bit quicker, but that will come with time.

Winter 024 - 025

I must admit that I don’t get out on my bike as much during the winter months, it’s not just the cold and frozen extremities, but the local cycle paths and trails can get a bit treacherous. It’s also a bit of time for maintenance and not just the bike.

So, I’ve been getting my boots on and mostly keeping it local, I’m rather blessed with lots of walks and beautiful woods nearby. It was once a very industrial area, the local visitor centre is aptly called the Land of Oak and Iron. There are still many traces of this industrial heritage, yet the area is now a haven for wildlife. Red Kites were successfully introduced here 20 years ago, it’s still a thrill to see them.

I’ve mostly been photographing 35mm with my Nikon F series cameras, but I made myself get out with my Crown Graphic too. I’m not sure what it is with large format, the whole process is just a bit outside of my comfort zone. I just need to get out with it more, at least there are some photographs taken with it here.