Recent Work

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.

Autumn 024

I appear to have been more prolific than usual over the summer months, especially as I didn’t take many photos at all the shows I attended, I preferred to talk photography instead. I continued to pack my digital camera, mainly when cycling, but also on a couple of hikes too. I still like to work in colour, but film is rather expensive. I love the look of colour film though, so I know I’ll be looking for offers in the coming months.

My pinhole cameras and my Holga have been out quite often, and this has continued into the Autumn. I’m planning on some more large format and bringing out my Mamiya Super 23, it’s been rather neglected lately. At least with all my cycling I’m feeling a lot fitter for the hills.

Manchester

I’m adding a subsection here, as I recently spent a few days in Manchester. I’ve been visiting since I can remember, I even studied here too and yet it’s been a while. It’s really changed, it’s certainly taller and getting more so, I often found myself photographing in portrait. It still feels familiar, so it didn’t take long to get my bearings, I seemed to be walking old routes from memory. That’s where most of these photographs came from, memories of place, people and family. There’s lots of music in there too.

Newburn Reflections - Full Frame Digital

River Derwent and Tyne - Full Frame Digital

Summer 024

Despite the poor spring weather, I actually managed to get out more than I could have hoped. A trip to Scotland with some glorious weather certainly helped. My digital camera also got out a bit more too, I enjoyed its immediacy in contrast to spending time with film. It’s best not to try and shoot digital and film together though, I’ve found it’s either one or the other.

Moving into the summer months, I’ve continued with the mix of digital and film, the changeable weather seems to have continued too. I don’t take quite as many photos during the summer, it all gets a bit too green, but I still like to practice. So, when I’m out on my bike, I’ll often pack my digital camera with either a 35mm or 50mm prime, I prefer the older Nikon D lenses, all nice, light and unobtrusive. When I want to take a break from the saddle, I can take a few photos without wasting film, something I’ve been guilty of recently.

As the colours begin to change, I’m looking forward to all the Northumbrian shows I’ll be attending, all the dates are on my events page, it’ll be great to see you there.

I must mention an excellent morning at the Civic Centre with Andrew Brookes for the Novum Festival Secret City: Newcastle workshop, all very enjoyable. Please check out his website here and also here too.

Newcastle Civic Centre - Medium Format Holga

Newcastle Civic Centre - Full Frame Digital

River Derwent Railway Bridge - Full Frame Digital

Askew Road Footbridge - Full Frame Digital

Tyne Bridge Renovations - Full Frame Digital

River Coquet Yacht Club - Medium Format Holga

Wylam Hagg Bank Bridge - Full Frame Digital

Spring 024

Spring barely sprung this year, in all fairness, it barely spluttered. It hasn’t been all gloomy though, I’ve still enjoyed some nice sunny, but slippery woodland walks. However, the hills have had to wait. I did try once, but it was mostly light drizzle and for once, I turned round and came back.

The clouds may have been grazing the hills again on a rather damp and very quiet May bank holiday. Yet by the end of the week, I was heading out on another bike ride, this time with sun cream on. Great to see some clouds and blue sky for once, light winds too.

I’ll hopefully be out in the hills again soon, which may even include a few Scottish ones. I’ll certainly get out for some more large format, work my way through three boxes of medium format Kodak Tri-X 400 (it was on offer) and hopefully continue with some colour pinhole, the films are currently at the lab. All in all, it’s amazing how optimistic one gets after a few sunny days.