The Essence of Time
In continuation of a successful photowalk with Illuminate where we delved into the unseen, we embarked on another journey as June drew to a close. The location was set at Felixstowe Ferry in Suffolk. This was a spot that I’d been to many times and have documented on this blog. Armed with a Nikon Z6ii and 105mm f/2.8 macro, I wasn’t particularly sure if I’d chosen a lens that was perhaps a bit too tight in focal length for the subject matter, however, I feel that I’ve left with a really strong narrative.
Once again, on arrival, we were given a concept / theme to try and capture, creating a bit of a challenge for everyone involved. The concept given here was - The Essence of Time.
Many things pop into my mind when I think of this concept. Everything from progression and movement of life, decay, impermanence, and the cycles and rhythms that govern the natural world.
With photography, we can capture the essence of time in quite a unique and profound way. When we look through the lens of a camera and fire the shutter, we freeze moments that would otherwise slip away into the realm of memories. Photography can allow us to capture a tangible form, a visual representation of the fleeting nature of existence.
Capturing The Concept
When tasked with the concept, several thoughts and ideas went through my mind, such as windows, anchors, rust and decay, not to mention the sea itself. I often look at such things and wonder at the many stories that could be told, if only they could talk.
A window represents the passage of time, the transition from one moment to the next. We can look through a window and witness the changing seasons, the shifting landscape, and glimpses of the ever-changing world outside, and it stands to remind us that time moves forward, this in return brings new experiences and opportunities. A window also bridges the connection between the inside and outside world, while simultaneously creating a boundary between them. A window allows us to witness the interplay between time's presence and absence.
Something such as the humble anchor - which is easily spotted at a coastal area and is often associated with maritime history and seafaring traditions, can be seen as something that connects us to the past, harking back to a time when they were crucial tools for navigation and exploration, and in a similar sense, time connects us to our personal and collective history, reminding us of the stories, lessons, and experiences that have shaped who we are today.
We then have the ebb and flow of the sea. Something that symbolises the cyclical nature and essence of time. The tides will always rise and fall, representing the continuous rhythm of our life. Ropes tied to docks or boats may sway with the movements of the sea, symbolising the constant motion and change that accompanies the essence and passing of time.
Finally, there is the element of rust and decay. This was the more obvious thought when it came to the concept. Rust can easily be seen as a marker of history and the accumulation of experiences over time, highlighting that, as time goes by, something that was once new, decomposes and reflects the natural process of ageing and deterioration.
To Conclude
Photographs become portals through which we can revisit the past, relive emotions, and evoke memories that may have otherwise faded with time. This can be everything from a beautiful landscape bathed in the golden hues of a rising or setting sun, a child's gleeful laughter, or simply the expression etched on the face of a loved one—these are all moments of magic that are caught in the embrace of a photograph. In the stillness of the image, time becomes crystallized, transformed into a visual language that can tell stories and speak across generations. If you ever look back at photographs from the past, you can see that they become a fragment of the greater tapestry of our lives, depicting an element of the present whilst also becoming a link to the past. Even when I look back at my earlier work, I’m often transported to a point in time and easily recall what was happening in my life at that present moment.
I have to say that the idea of being assigned a specific theme or concept to capture definitely adds an extra layer of contemplation and pushes me to explore diverse perspectives and compositions that I might not have considered otherwise. On both photowalks, I’ve found that my creative boundaries have expanded, opening up a multitude of possibilities and enriching my photographic journey.
All images shot with a Nikon Z6ii & Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Lens.
