Recent Work

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.

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