A little trip to Wales but making some Big Plans!
I recently took a few days off after what feels like a very hectic 2023 so far! The idea was simple, a little bit of relaxation and maybe take a few photos if the opportunity presented itself. However, I also had a sneaky plan to try something out that may take my photography in a very different direction later in the year, but would it work out?
I recently took a few days off after what feels like a very hectic 2023 so far! The idea was simple, a little bit of relaxation and maybe take a few photos if the opportunity presented itself. However, I also had a sneaky plan to try something out that may take my photography in a very different direction later in the year, but would it work out?
For a while now, I have wanted to get out into nature and do a bit of traditional landscape photography. I’ve always loved the idea of capturing some stunning landscapes but living in the middle of Birmingham and being a non-driver, I’ve never really had the opportunity to. However, I’ve been working on plans to change this and in my mind, a spot of ‘Wild Camping’ was going to help my dream become a reality, but more on that later…
After a three hour train journey, we arrived at Aberdovey (Aberdyfi) and almost as soon as we stepped onto the platform, the rain started and it looked like being a miserable weekend. As one of the locals explained though, if you don’t like the weather in Wales, wait 5 minutes… We had booked a hotel for a couple of nights and the first couple of days would be fairly simple, plenty of food, plenty of drinks and no real other plans.
However, the third day would be where things got interesting as I had brought my new Wild Camping set up with me to test out. Rather than trying out all of my new gear in a strange new environment, I decided to book onto a campsite to give everything a run out and see how it went. And what a campsite it would be too with stunning views and a very interesting experience in itself!
Before my girlfriend returned home and let me go off on my adventure, we decided to mix things up and have a day out to Barmouth. The 45 minute train journey was spectacular in itself, snaking along the coast and in a nice twist, providing me my first glimpse of where I would be camping. Arriving into Barmouth though, we had other things on our minds, most importantly a bit of seaside grub and a drink in the sun!
“I went bold and only brought a small digital camera, the Sony ZV-1 and one film camera”
I had decided to try and pack light, in particular as I would be carrying all of my camping gear so deciding which cameras to bring with me would be critical. I went bold and only brought a small digital camera, the Sony ZV-1 and one film camera, the Yashica Mat 124G. This might not sound like any kind of setup a landscape photographer would choose but weight was very much a consideration and well, it was meant to be a holiday after all…
Exploring Barmouth with the Yashica was actually quite a treat and I certainly feel these were the best images that I created whilst I was away. For once though, the photography was very much a secondary and this weekend was more importantly a test of the camping gear. On Sunday morning, my Girlfriend headed home and I made my way, camping gear on my back to the Cae Du Campsite.
I arrived at Tonfanau, a request train stop about two miles away from where I would be camping for the night and began trudging my way to my pitch for the night. As I followed the coastal path and made my way through fields of sheep, I suddenly felt a long way from home and very far from the busy streets of Birmingham. It was a literal breath of fresh air though as the sounds and smells of the countryside filled my head. After the long walk, I arrived at the site and was immediately blown away by the views.
Cae Du is situated right on the coast and spread over two large fields that sit on jagged cliffs overlooking the sea. With only one other tent and one camper, I pretty much had the site to myself but immediately went to the far end of the field, a few hundred yards away from anyone else. Now was the moment I’d been waiting for, setting up all of my new gear for the first time!
The tent went up in minutes and was quickly followed by the sleeping pad and all the sleep system. With some dark clouds gathering further down the coast, I was glad that I at least had shelter sorted and decided it was time to cook my first meal - noodles and bread, this certainly wasn’t haute cuisine! The food was a welcome break but it was back to work setting up camp for the night and preparing for a little walk out.
With everything set up and the clouds seeming to be going away from camp, I went for a walk along the coast road with the idea to get up into the hills to take in the views. And what views they were, the hills were full of the signs of spring and it felt great to be out in the countryside, with the sun on my face and the Yashica in my hand. I strolled for a few miles before heading back to be back at camp for sunset.
The sunset was a beauty and as I hurriedly took a few photos, I could feel the temperature drop and the night starting to set in. It felt strange settling down on my own for the evening with just my distant neighbours being the only life for what felt like miles - apart from the cows in the next field. As darkness fell, I got my first sense for what wild camping on my own might feel like and I was totally in love. As I settled into my sleeping bag, the sounds of the waves crashing below me felt deafening with only the occasional rustle of wind on the tent breaking the rhythmic noise.
I slept OK, waking a few times to a few odd bumps and noises, but a shrill squeak of sea bird woke me around 5.00am which I wouldn’t really recover from. After some breakfast and a slow morning, I decided to pack down and make my way home. Packing down was a chore as there had clearly been a bit of a downpour in the night, so everything was soaked. With everything packed away, all of my rubbish collected and no trace left, I decided to walk back to Tywyn where I would get my train back to Birmingham.
The five mile walk went relatively quickly and the weight of my pack wasn’t too bad. The long walk on Tywyn’s pebble beach was a bit of a challenge on the legs and I couldn’t help thinking that if I was bringing any more camera gear, the weight would be a real challenge! However, with rain once again looming and working up a hunger, there was no time for daydreaming and there was a train home waiting for me.
The long train journey home gave me an opportunity to really assess whether wild camping was going to be a good option for me and it felt like a resounding yes! There would still be plenty of hurdles to overcome but the thought of being able to get out into some really remote areas was too much to resist! Plans were definitely forming for more adventures.
All-in-all, the gear had held up well (leave a comment below if you would like me to explain my setup in more detail) and I certainly think I will be doing it again soon! Even though it wasn’t ‘actual’ wild camping, I do think testing all of the gear out was a good idea and it has really whetted my appetite for more adventure. Though I would probably like to head to Scotland next and get out into some even more spectacular landscapes.
One option that I think I will be exploring is the idea of bike-packing - I cycle on a regular basis anyway so the idea of getting the weight off me and onto a bike combined with the ability to move a bit quicker and a bit further, certainly sounds like a good option! However, all of these plans are for another time and after getting home and a warm shower, I was certainly happy to be back in my own bed! Adventure can wait…
About the Author - Ross Jukes is a professional Photographer and Videographer with over a decade of experience. Working in both Digital and Analogue formats, Ross has worked with international clients, had his worked published numerous times and exhibited his work extensively. With a passion for all things photographic, Ross combines his experience, enthusiasm and dedication to his art form to create engaging and educational content for the photographic community.
Disclaimer: All links to Amazon UK are affiliated links - you will still pay the same price but I will receive a small commission for providing the link. All information provided in this blog is intended either for educational or entertainment purposes and is accurate to the best knowledge of the author. However, further research/professional advice should be sort before making purchases/implementing any advice given and no responsibility is taken by the author or parties mentioned here within.
BIRMINGHAMS BLOSSOM IS BLOOMIN' BEAUTIFUL, BAB!
If you are a photographer in Birmingham then there is quite a high chance that you have photographed the Cherry Blossom at Oozells Square at some point. Guess what, it’s back! The beautiful sight is one of the highlights of Spring in the city and after having missed it in recent years, I couldn’t resist the urge to go and get my photographic fill of the flowery magic.
If you are a photographer in Birmingham then there is quite a high chance that you have photographed the Cherry Blossom at Oozells Square at some point. Guess what, it’s back! The beautiful sight is one of the highlights of Spring in the city and after having missed it in recent years, I couldn’t resist the urge to go and get my photographic fill of the flowery magic.
Though it might not be everyone’s favourite photographic subject, there is no denying that the blossom brings a little bit of beauty to Birmingham's city centre. Judging by the amount of people stopping to take pictures, it is certainly popular with both amateur and professional shooters - and copious amounts of passers by grabbing shots for their social feeds!
The blossom normally makes its appearance around early April. However, this year it has sprung a little early. Not that you would miss it, you only have to follow a handful of social media accounts in Birmingham and the iconic scene will soon be filling your feed! The bright pink spectacle is like a call-to-arms for local photographers and more than a few tourists, all attempting to capture the beauty of the blossom.
I was determined to capture it this year and as soon as weather conditions looked right (just enough sun to brighten the scene a little) and diary permitting (occasionally, clients cancelling jobs has its benefits!) - and I was off, multiple cameras around my neck and looking every bit a photography cliche! That didn’t bother me, I knew what my mission was and some cherry blossoms were about to be photographed!
“Small groups of locals and tourists were dotted around, carefully examining the view and precisely picking their angles”
As I arrived at Oozells Square, it was already apparent that many others had beaten me to it. Small groups of locals and tourists were dotted around, carefully examining the view and precisely picking their angles. I didn’t particularly want people in my shots, preferring to let the blossom do the talking. However, there was a more pressing issue, notably a huge bank of cloud and rain scheduled - I was going to need to work quickly.
I went straight to the obvious shot. Running diagonally through the square is a thin channel of water - as pretty as it is, it also supplies a fantastic reflection of another icon - well, the actual Ikon Gallery! It’s been done a million times before but like photographing the Bullring Bull, the reflections at Gas Street Basin or pretty much any shot of The Rotunda - the classics are classics for a reason.
I was working with a pretty new (old) camera - a Pentax 645Z. It’s a big behemoth of a camera and in all honesty, I’m still getting used to the button layout. Hulking this huge camera around and fiddling with every button and setting whilst shooting the most obvious scene I could find - I was very conscious that I looked like a complete photography ‘newbie’. As soon as I got my settings dialled in and I started to see the images on the back of the camera, I didn’t care! The scene looked good and the camera was doing its job!
I mooched around for a while looking for different angles, being sure to do little ‘bro nods’ to fellow photographers as people came and went. I even managed to get stopped by security, this is nothing unusual when carrying a camera the size of a large cat (I’ve measured it against my own cat!). What was more unusual was that security just wanted to inform me that there is currently a photography competition running for the blossom - Security, encouraging me to take photographs, yes please! After having a very friendly chat, we went our separate ways and right on time, the rain started to land on my lens and the fun was over.
In truth, I know that the blossom might not be everyone's ‘cup-of-tea’. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the little break to capture the blossom before it inevitably makes way. In terms of a photographic calendar in Birmingham, it is definitely a highlight and the little pop of colour after the inevitably grey winter is always a welcome change!
A few tips if you are planning a visit
If you are planning a visit to Oozells Square to capture the blossom, I would recommend taking a zoom lens or a macro lens if you have one - something I failed to do! There are so many little details to capture, like the reflections in puddles and getting some blossom shots with plenty of bokeh goodness! Also be sure to put some time aside to have a look around the wonderful Ikon Gallery and grab a coffee while you’re there.
One other piece of advice I would give is to plan your visit around the weather but also the direction of the sun! There are a lot of tall buildings around the square which can leave the blossom in shade for much of the day. I found that around 9.00am is a good time to visit (and the time the shots you see in this post were taken). This allows a little bit of sunlight to fall on the Ikon which really brightens the scene - as long as it’s sunny that is!
Looking ahead, I think next year I’ll try to capture some video to accompany the shots and possibly even dust off the large format film camera to capture the scene. For now though, I’m just glad I got there before the blossom hit the floor!
A Little Update
After writing this, the next day the weather looked good in the morning so I decided to run out with the film camera (Bronica GS-1 and Kodak Portra 400 for those who are interested) and grab some shots before the blossom was gone.
The shots didn’t turn out quite as well as I’d hoped. I underexposed most of the shots and I think my chemicals may be going off as there was a bit of a weird colour cast to the shots - all that aside, I do think they have a bit of character to them, but I’m certainly glad I got the digital shots the day before. I would love to know which shot is your favourite so leave a comment below :)
Thanks for reading :)
About the Author - Ross Jukes is a professional Photographer and Videographer with over a decade of experience. Working in both Digital and Analogue formats, Ross has worked with international clients, had his worked published numerous times and exhibited his work extensively. With a passion for all things photographic, Ross combines his experience, enthusiasm and dedication to his art form to create engaging and educational content for the photographic community.
Disclaimer: All links to Amazon UK are affiliated links - you will still pay the same price but I will receive a small commission for providing the link. All information provided in this blog is intended either for educational or entertainment purposes and is accurate to the best knowledge of the author. However, further research/professional advice should be sort before making purchases/implementing any advice given and no responsibility is taken by the author or parties mentioned here within.
WELCOMING THE SPRING WITH THE BEST VIEW IN BIRMINGHAM!
I’m pretty sure I’m not alone when I say that I can’t wait for Spring! It feels like it’s been Winter for an eternity so when the amazing people at Orelle, Birmingham’s hottest spot for fine dining (and even better views!) got in touch and asked if I’d like to welcome the Spring in style, it was a resounding yes!!
I’m pretty sure I’m not alone when I say that I can’t wait for Spring! It feels like it’s been Winter for an eternity so when the amazing people at Orelle, Birmingham’s hottest spot for fine dining (and even better views!) got in touch and asked if I’d like to welcome the Spring in style, it was a resounding yes!!
If you have any connection with the Birmingham food scene then Orelle will have been on your radar for quite a while. The awesome guys from D&D London had been planning something special for their first restaurant in Birmingham and they certainly found a great spot for it! The 24th floor of 103 Colmore Row offers 360 degree views of Birmingham. But as an additional treat, they also have a fantastic cocktail bar on the ground floor.
And it was a cocktail that was the main attraction and the perfect accompaniment for welcoming in the Spring! You see, I’m going to let you in on a little secret, Orelle are launching their own Speakeasy! A secret cocktail launched each month that can only be accessed by those with a special password! I obviously can’t tell you what it is but what I can say is that I happened to be at the bar and uttered the words ‘Golden Key’ and before I knew it, a kindly gentleman behind the bar nodded at me and said ‘Certainly, Sir’ and the magic commenced…
Please note: I received a cocktail for free for attending this event but no other payment or controls were in place, in exchange for publishing this content
The first cocktail to be launched is the ‘Equinox Sour’, a celebration of the changing season it’s a Pisco-base mixed with fresh Spring flavours including, Elderflower, Fresh Lemon and Butterfly Pea Flower.The highlight being the addition of lemon which turns the cocktail slightly pink from its deep purple colour, referencing the changing of the seasons and lighter days and evenings.
However, as much of a treat as the Equinox Sour was, there was something else that had piqued my interest, and that was the views! Even though the promise of a beautiful sunset to mark the changing of the season would have been the perfect way to say goodbye to the Winter - This is England, so of course it was raining! Nonetheless, the views are breathtaking no matter the time of day or night and regardless of the weather conditions!
“I can safely say, those views never lose their appeal and you certainly have to experience them in person to appreciate them.”
In truth, I’m no stranger to the building. In fact, my relationship with the site started many years ago when I joined a group of other photographers to photograph from the roof of the Natwest Tower, which stood on the site before being demolished and replaced by the new 103 Colmore Row.
I was very fortunate to photograph the building throughout its construction and was present at many of the key milestones. I even got to interview the guys from D&D when they first saw the new restaurant space before it was transformed into the beautiful environment you now see. So I have been fortunate to see the panoramic views on many, many occasions. I can safely say, those views never lose their appeal and you certainly have to experience them in person to appreciate them.
However, back to the fun stuff and after watching the Equinox Sour slowly transition from a deep violet to a beautifully layered mix of pinks and purples, it was time to taste it! Wow, is all I’ll say. I’m no cocktail connoisseur, but what I can say is it certainly got my attention! I can see why it’s creator, Tiago Bastos, Orelle’s bar manager thought that this would be the perfect accompaniment to bring in the fresh, bright new season! If only the weather had been a bit more fitting, but I’m not complaining…
After pretty much glugging the cocktail down, I couldn’t help but grab some shots of the views - regardless of how many times I see them, there is always something new to appreciate. In truth, these are far from my best images I’ve taken from this vantage point but I actually really liked the moody ‘Blade Runner’-esque vibes - I could even live with the warm reflections from inside the restaurant which almost felt like light leaks on an old roll of film - something I would know all about!
And while I’m at it, how amazing does the restaurant look?! I can’t say I’ve had the pleasure of trying the food yet but one thing is for sure, anything would taste better in these surroundings, possibly even my cooking! The warm, welcoming interior screams class with just enough of a hint of fun, and when combined with the ground floor cocktail bar, you can certainly tell that the guys at Orelle are offering something truly special for visitors from Birmingham and beyond.
Thank you again to the guys at Orelle and ReWired PR for the very special invite and complementary cocktail. If you get the chance to experience the bar and restaurant for yourself, don’t forget to utter the magic words (Golden Key!) to one of the bar staff for a very special treat - Oh, and grab some photos of that view!!
About the Author - Ross Jukes is a professional Photographer and Videographer with over a decade of experience. Working in both Digital and Analogue formats, Ross has worked with international clients, had his worked published numerous times and exhibited his work extensively. With a passion for all things photographic, Ross combines his experience, enthusiasm and dedication to his art form to create engaging and educational content for the photographic community.
Disclaimer: All links to Amazon UK are affiliated links - you will still pay the same price but I will receive a small commission for providing the link. All information provided in this blog is intended either for educational or entertainment purposes and is accurate to the best knowledge of the author. However, further research/professional advice should be sort before making purchases/implementing any advice given and no responsibility is taken by the author or parties mentioned here within.
Corona Virus Update - I'm back to work!!!
I hope you are all well!! Just a quick update… It’s been a challenging few months for everybody, that’s for sure. After all of my work being cancelled back in February, I am finally in a position to start accepting new commissions. Even though I have not shown any symptoms of the virus (thankfully) I have been following all of the lockdown guidelines and to the best of my knowledge, not been in contact with anyone who has had the virus.
With this in mind, I will now be returning to work. However, I will be being incredibly cautious over ‘what’ & ‘how’ I conduct any shoots etc. So please do feel free to get in touch if you require any assistance and I’ll be happy to describe how I can help.
I will also be returning to photographing my beloved streets of Birmingham so I will hopefully have new images available for use soon. With regards to print sales, the print lab that I use have returned to work but are working on a limited shift basis, so there may still be delays but I will do my best to mitigate these.
All in all, I am very excited to be back to work.
Why shoot Film Photography in 2020?
The Corona Virus Pandemic has undoubtedly been a terrible time for a lot of people. Personally, I have seen all of my work cancelled which has left me with a lot of free time. Rather than simply binge on box sets, I have tried to use this time productively. One of the things that I’ve wanted to do for a while now is to get back into shooting film. On a side note, I will be making a series of videos about this on my YouTube channel, so keep an eye out for them.
Why Film?
The obvious question for a lot of people, is why shoot film when you have a perfectly good digital camera? The simple answer, for me at least, is to achieve a look & feel that has eluded me for years. Looking at my images, it’s fairly clear that I always try to achieve an element of nostalgia, shooting in soft light and adding grain etc. to make the images feel older than they actually are.
That’s all well and good apart from the fact that digital images tend to be over sharp and well, are clearly digital images. This might sound counter-intuitive to a lot of photographers, ‘you don’t want sharp images?’ - in a way, no. You only have to look at any family album with 70’s, 80’s or 90’s and look at those blurry images to get an instant nostalgia fix! The brain seems to make a correlation between those images and something in our past that always seemed to feel like a ‘better time’. Now, this is obviously not factual, but something in those images makes us feel a sense of comfort - and that is something that I’m always striving to achieve.
OK, so get an old 35mm Camera…
Well, again, things are never quite that straightforward. I’ve shot enough 35mm in the past to understand it’s benefits and limitations. So straight away, I knew it wasn’t going to cut it. So I did what any ‘want-to-be’ hipster photographer would do and went straight to medium format and in particular, the Mamiya 645 Pro. Again, I will make a separate video on the perks & quirks of this particular camera but the simple benefits are that it feels modern enough that I could use it without thinking too much and more importantly, it’s a 120mm film camera - and I want that medium format goodness!
I was always sceptical over people saying that you ‘just can’t replicate the medium format look’ and I still don’t fully subscribe to it, but I do agree that the extra negative size has its own benefits over its 35mm counterpart. Most notably, I love the fall off in the out of focus areas that are very difficult to replicate on 35mm. That combined with the go-to Kodak Portra stocks, is a winning combination for me.
OK, so you just want to be a Hipster?
Well, I do have a beard and more than one check shirt. However, the truth is no. The camera, the medium and even the subject matter are all just ‘tools’ to provoke an emotion. I am not trying to get ‘Insta famous’ - far from it. I have simply found a way to translate the feelings of nostalgia that I want to achieve into an image in the most natural way.
That being said, there is obviously a bit of a trend for photographers turning to film in an attempt to show their credentials as a fully-fledged master of light! Again though, it is not about achieving any acclaim for me, it is simply to understand the process better and to take full control, from start to finish, of the images that I create. So that means I am also developing my own film and scanning my own images - again, more videos on this soon on my YouTube channel.
So no more digital then?
Far from it, I actually still carry my digital camera even when I am shooting film. I will obviously be shooting digital for client work - though I am interested in offering commissions on film, that would be fun! The whole process of shooting film is merely to help convey a metaphor in my images, in the same way, that some might choose to shoot purely black & white because it makes their images feel more ‘honest’. Digital is still absolutely a necessary tool but film simply allows me another option, depending on the subject matter.
What’s next?
I will be shooting a lot more film in the interim and will also be travelling to some of the lesser shot areas of Birmingham to find the kind of gritty, run-down scenes that I like. As previously mentioned, I am developing and scanning at home so I will be looking at simplifying and improving that process too.
Overall, shooting film in 2020 is a great new area for me to explore and allows me to keep developing my own skills. It allows me to slow down a little and work on my composition skills and also improve my ability to meter and read light. All of these will hugely benefit my commercial work and throughout the process, I will, of course, bring you with me to share my experiences and knowledge. I am really excited and glad that I can take at least one tiny positive from the crazy times that we are living in.
10 Useful things Photographers can do during Lockdown!!!
The Corona Virus pandemic has well and truly turned our lives upside down and whilst the health and safety of friends & family is the absolute priority, it can also cause real problems for those working in creative fields. Not only is it hugely damaging to income, but it can also destroy any form of creativity and motivation. However, there are still things that we can be doing to keep ourselves active.
Here are ten things that you can be doing during Lockdown to keep your Photography passion going in the right direction!
Corona Virus Update: April 2020
It’s amazing how much all of our lives have changed in such a small space of time. I want to start by saying that this is a truly scary time and I’m pretty certain that everyone’s lives will be affected somehow, and I am incredibly sorry for that. At a time like this, everything gets put into perspective and what is truly important to us, the health of those around us becomes the absolute pinnacle of our concerns.
With all of this in mind, I’m sure everyone has more important things on their mind but I thought I would provide a quick update of where I am with things, just in case there are any enquiries…
Are you available for work?
All of my work dried up overnight and as much as I wish I was still out there doing what I do best, I am following the government Guidelines for Social Distancing very closely. With that in mind, I have to classify my work as ‘non-essential’ and therefore limiting my contact with others. However, the moment this changes, I will, of course, be available for work.
Can I still buy prints?
I take a lot of pride in my prints and therefore choose to outsource the printing process to professionals. The company I use are currently closed and therefore, I am unable to get new work printed. However, I do hold a small selection of prints so please feel free to contact me to see if I can be of assistance.
How are you filling your time?
I have taken a little time to myself and tried to wrap my head around what is happening and the potential fall out it will have for the rest of this year. I think it will be incredibly difficult to predict what happens next so I have spent a bit of time making some much-needed changes to my website, cleaned my gear and organised a few projects that had been on the back-burner. Most of all, I am just sticking to the ‘stay home’ instruction and annoying my girlfriend, which is surprisingly easy to do apparently!
How do you keep yourself motivated?
This is a real challenge and after speaking to several friends, I know a lot of other people are struggling. However, I have taken some time to teach myself a few new skills, including home developing and a few new editing techniques. I have also thrown myself into a few good books and I am enjoying the time to find new inspiration.
Are you going out and getting ‘empty street shots’ of Birmingham?
This is a real touchy subject. I love the idea and I believe times like this should be documented. However, I personally think the risk of passing on infection and putting unwanted strain on the NHS is still too much of a risk to warrant going out just for photography purposes. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t take my camera with me on my allowed ‘exercise’ time, but I won’t be producing any new projects on the back of what is a very difficult situation for so many people.
What’s next for you?
Like so many others, I am just waiting for the opportunity to return to some kind of normality. At this point, that seems a way off. I will also be producing some new work for my YouTube channel so please consider taking a look at that.
Finally, I would just like to say please take care of yourselves. This is such a strange and challenging time for so many people that our priorities must shift. Hopefully, we all come through this stronger and with compassion for those who have had their lives severely impacted by these terrible times. Stay Safe.
VIDEO: Burnout Killing your creativity? This is how to deal with it!
It is all too common for us creatives that from time to time, everything just get’s a little bit too much and we end up exhausted! This is Burnout and it is very dangerous for creative people! Not only does it stifle our creativity, but that loss of passion can lead to even worse things such as turning work away, becoming withdrawn and even depression.
This video looks at how creative people, such as Photographers and Videographers can cope with Burnout and turn it around into something positive!
Don’t forget to hit ‘Subscribe’ while you are there.
Modern Nostalgia: A Backwards approach to Photography
I have been struggling with my photography lately. Call it ‘Photographers Block’ or maybe actual apathy but either way, something just hasn’t gripped me like it use to. Recently, I went out for an evening stroll, mainly just to clear my head but with the intent of grabbing a few photos. I found myself drawn to the same old things, dereliction, grime, dirt and basically anything on the more run-down side of life. As I stared at the old shop frontages, the run down streets and pictured how they would look with my heavy-handed edits, it suddenly dawned on me, I am a nostalgia whore… I pimp myself out to anything that has even a remote whiff of sentimentality.
This is nothing new, I’ve pretty much spent my whole ‘photography life’ trying to make my images look like they are from another time. In fact, Birmingham itself has a weird duality of personality between being this historic relic that should be preserved for future generations and every available derelict space being knocked down to make way for the ‘latest in modern living’. In fact, there are people out there so attached to the past that they simply must live in converted old factory units, as long as they come with all of the trappings of modern life - even I couldn’t resist that level of ‘authenticity’.
However, having more than a subtle nod to the past seems to be the new craze in Photography, well not new, but certainly more prevalent than ever. I see images all over social media that could be plucked straight out of the back-catalogue of any 1970’s photographer worth their salt. Even more, I see people returning to shooting film to try to achieve that authentic feel, something than simply ‘can’t be recreated in Lightroom’ so instead they are returning to the darkroom. This got me thinking about why so many of us are so determined to add a feeling of Nostalgia to our images and why we would even waste thousands of pounds on modern equipment, only to apply filters to make the image quality, well, worse.
As I continued my walk, thinking deeper and deeper about why I am personally drawn to a whimsical sense of past, a thought crossed my mind and seemingly got stuck there and wouldn’t budge. Quite simply, maybe we just always associate the past as being better than the present. Now that may not ring true for everyone and it certainly isn’t intended to be so sweeping, but I do think that most people have a tendency to remember the past in a more favourable light. Music, food, sport, fashion.. everything was better when you were younger, right? Well the truth is, probably not… But that doesn’t mean that we don’t hark back to a time when our lives were less stressful and our fashion choices a little simpler.
However, there is one important person that we are missing out and that is the viewer. Why do nostalgic images appeal to the non-photographer viewer? Well, from what I see it is simply that, we like old things because they remind us of a better, simpler time… a time pre-Brexit. I love the work of Fred Herzog, but have no attachment to 1960’s Canada. I’m constantly amazed by the work of Saul Leiter but have no reason to feel sentimental about New York nearly 70 years ago. Even Gregory Crewsdon and Todd Hido have their enigmatic ‘can’t really place a time on them’ style of images beguile me and they are working very much in the present!
So what does it all mean… Well, for me personally, I doubt I will be changing my style anytime soon, though the more I see the same style of images, the more I know I need to do something different. Whereas I hugely enjoy the work of many photographers that shoot with film, find beautifully nostalgic scenes or even just apply film grains to give their images more ‘feels’, I do think the nostalgia bubble will eventually burst. The main reason for this? Well you can only fake authenticity so far.
However, these are just the ramblings of a photographer trying to cement a style and work out the ‘why’ - and I will continue to dream of living in my modern abandoned factory unit with just the right-level of ‘voice activated heating’ whilst looking at bare-brick walls with images of run down 1970’s American petrol stations in the desert… Maybe one day… What are your thoughts on this? Please leave a comment below.
What is the meaning of Photography?
It’s that time of year when we all get a little bit reflective and look back at the year that has passed, but also look ahead to what is to come. I, like many others, have some big plans for next year but I kept coming back to the same thought that I felt like I’d lost my way a little. Somehow, I felt like I wasn’t even sure ‘why’ I was taking pictures. This got me thinking, what is the meaning of Photography?
“the process or art of producing images of objects on sensitized surfaces by the chemical action of light or of other forms of radiant energy, as x-rays, gamma rays, or cosmic rays.”
Now, in the most fundamental sense, photography is, as the definition states, simply capturing light in one form or another. However, anyone who has ever captured a beautiful sunset or the smile on the face of a loved one, knows that Photography is much more than that. You don’t even need to be particularly talented to take an image that means something to you, many of my favourite images were taken in the 80’s & 90’s on disposable 35mm cameras and the reason the images mean so much to me, they are of my Mom & Dad, who are no longer with us. That means that these images, with all of their technical imperfections are still incredibly valuable to me.
So what does that mean for those of us that are lucky enough to either has Photography as a hobby or even a job, what does it mean then? Well, the truth is that it becomes a passion. It is something that you can’t go a day without, like food and drink. Many people will get differing things from the art form. For me, it started an an opportunity to explore my city, Birmingham. It was a great way to discover new areas that I wasn’t aware of. It also open the doors to a whole new social world of people with a shared passion. I was fortunate that Birmingham has a fantastic community of photographers who are incredibly supportive (and sociable!).
In terms of Photography as career, when you are out shooting a muddy building site on a freezing December morning, it may seem like it would be easy to become disillusioned and just see Photography as a ‘job’. However, the pure satisfaction of creating an interesting image from the the bleak surroundings is still incredibly rewarding. Having a skill and being able to achieve something where others may struggle is a hugely satisfying thing.
On the other hand, there is social media, where ‘likes’, ‘hearts’ & retweets are strewn around like nobodies business. We all find a secret little thrill when we hear the ‘ping’ of the latest notification and our eyes dash to the vivid red of that latest ‘heart’ on our images as the endorphins start to race around our bodies. Nobody else feels like this? OK, well I may need to see a Doctor!
So what is the meaning of Photography? For me, it is simply creating something meaningful, something that brings joy to others or simply gives you the gratification of knowing that you have a skill and can harness it to your own advantage. This is what I feel I may have lost sight of over the last twelve months as I went through a bit of ‘creators block’. I now feel re-energised and ready to go into 2019 and focus on creating images that bring me satisfaction and maybe, other people might enjoy them too. We will see.