Journal
Landscape Photography
Another month, another photowalk with Illuminate. This time it was at Manningtree in Essex, a once-thriving town steeped in history and mystery. The underlying concept this time was to engage in reflection, whether it is in a literal sense, contemplating ourselves, or introspecting about the past or the present.
Situated on the Essex coastline is Walton-On-The-Naze, a place that embodies the essence of a traditional seaside, where time almost slows down, and the simple pleasures take center stage. Whether you're wanting to relax by the sea, enjoy some nostalgia, or take a walk through history, this charming coastal town offers everything.
Nestled along the picturesque coastline of Suffolk lies the unique and captivating landscape of Sizewell. As you arrive at this somewhat isolated spot, the salty breeze brushes against your face and the rhythmic sound of crashing waves fills the air.
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.
Nacton Shores, located along the River Orwell in Suffolk, England, is part of a beautiful coastal village with a rich history and breathtaking natural beauty.
Southwold, a small town on the Suffolk coast, is a photographer’s paradise. With its historic pier, colourful beach huts and picturesque lighthouse, it offers endless opportunities for capturing breathtaking landscapes. But, as any photographer knows, the best images often come from challenging conditions.
Autumn has arrived, and as much as I dislike the seasonal shift mentally, it’s always great for photography, especially when it comes to a stroll in the woods or local heathland.
The village of Westleton is just a brief dash from Dunwich, Southwold and Aldeburgh. Like these areas, it is situated within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Westleton is home to a beautiful heathland and the neighbouring RSPB Minsmere.
I last visited Orford Ness back in June 2016. It’s a unique Suffolk landscape that made an impression on me. On this particular visit, the lighthouse was still standing. In 2020, the lighthouse, which stood for more than 200 years, was demolished due to coastal erosion.
For photographers, late April and early May typically signify the arrival of bluebell season. In recent weeks, bluebell woodlands have been dominating my Instagram feed, so I decided to take a drive to see them for myself.
On the south part of Romney Marsh in Kent lies Dungeness; a stark headland that carries a unique and otherwordly beauty. Dungeness allegedly has the largest shingle beach in Europe, and it’s also home to the smallest railway in the world.
Waldringfield is a village and civil parish situated around 4 miles south of the town of Woodbridge on the bank of the River Deben. It’s a place that’s been on my list for a little while. Having visited The Maybush Pub in the past, situated in the same spot, I’d never actually planned a morning visit to the river itself.
Between Christmas and New Year, I planned to get out and do some photography. There was an element of hope that we would have some cold, sunlit mornings here in Suffolk, but alas, being a holiday and all, this was not the case.
To the west of Butley in Suffolk lies an 80.8-hectare Site of Special Scientific Interest known as ‘The Thicks’.
The Thicks is an ancient woodland that is home to around 4,000 ancient oak pollards, some of which are at least four hundred years old and are the oldest oaks in East Anglia. It is also home to some of the oldest and largest holly trees to be found anywhere in Britain.
Around two miles to the north of Felixstowe at the mouth of the River Deben, is a small fishing village known as Felixstowe Ferry. From here, a ferry boat can take you to Bawdsey peninsula.
Situated between Southwold and Lowestoft, Covehithe is somewhat one of Suffolk’s hidden gems. It’s a place that is quite literally at the end of the road, where due to the current limit of erosion on this stretch of coastline, the road into Covehithe now ends abruptly on the edge of the short but steep cliff. One can’t help but speculate how far this road originally extended.
In early February, East Anglia was hit by a substantial amount of snow, accompanied by strong winds of 40mph. The event was nicknamed the 'Beast from the Baltic' by the media.
Orford Ness is a nine-mile split of shingle and marshland on the east coast of Suffolk. A curious corner of the coast which, at first hand, appears as a starkly beautiful, somewhat tranquil landscape.
Film Photography
Relying on labs is convenient, but at £12+ per roll of black and white, it's definitely not the cheapest option. Also, there's nothing quite like the magic of seeing your images come to life as you pull the spool from the developing tank.
Orford Ness stretches around nine miles along Suffolk's eastern coastline and is a captivating blend of shingle and marshland.
On my most recent visit, I decided to take a different approach and shoot with Lomochrome Purple film to create a landscape that feels like another world.
Mid August marked another walk with Illuminate, and this time we opted to head to the beautiful Orwell Country Park. As per the previous walks, we were given a concept to capture, and this time it was around the idea of “passages”. Like previous concepts, this is something that is open to interpretation.
For myself, I feel that beyond the frame lies a dimension that is defined by the act of taking the viewer on a journey. This journey, in all its intricacies, can be best encapsulated by the concept of a "passage", lending itself to a gateway where we can look to transport the audience from something mundane to the extraordinary.
Nestled upon an elevated spur of land, the charming hamlet of Walberswick sits at the mouth of the beautiful River Blyth.
Encompassing more than a thousand acres of heath and marshland encircling Walberswick, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) safeguards this scenic expanse.
Discover the unseen beauty of the world through landscape photography. Capture hidden narratives, challenge perceptions, and expand your artistic vision. With diverse interpretations and a distinct artistic perspective, explore the limitless playground of the unseen.
Feel like digital has made you a bit lazy? Then I challenge you to try shooting on a film camera for a week (or two). If you embrace the process and take it seriously, there’s a good chance you will notice an improvement in your photography.
I recently attended another workshop at Illuminate Studio in Suffolk once again, but this time, the workshop shifted its focus away from traditional photography and delved into the realm of chemigrams.
At the end of 2022, Ilford launched its budget-friendly Kentmere range in medium format. Both 100 and 400 ISO options have been available in 35mm since 2007 and were very often praised by the film community, so I was excited to hear they were stepping up the options in size, especially as I gravitate more towards medium format when shooting film.
In November I found myself back at Illuminate for an introduction to Large Format Photography. Having shot medium format for several years, I was always curious to scratch that itch with large format, and as soon as I saw this introduction, it seemed the perfect opportunity to sign up.
Pinhole photography consists of a simple lightproof box (cardboard or wooden in most cases), a pinhole aperture, and film. Light is passed through the aperture to project an inverted image onto the paper or film. It’s the absolute basic concept of photography and can be an exciting intro to analogue photography.
Printing your Black and White images in a darkroom was once the main way that photographers crafted their work.
Today, instant gratification surrounds us in the world of photography. Nearly all of us carry a camera in our pockets. Film photography allows us to slow down.
Situated on the south bank of the River Orwell, just on the outskirts of a village called Chelmondiston, is a place called Pin Mill. Like many of the spots I visit, this place lies within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
For some time now, I have had a curiosity about the Fuji GW690. A medium format rangefinder camera, often dubbed the “Texas Leica” (apparently because it’s the size of Texas) with a 90mm f/3.5 fixed lens which equates to a field of view of approximately 40mm.
It's been a while since I last used Fujifilm PRO400H. Although I typically shoot with Kodak's Portra 160/400 film stock, I recently became interested in giving PRO400H another try.
When I’m walking about with a film camera, I frequently encounter inquisitive looks from others. It usually becomes a conversation starter that eventually leads to the question, "What's the reason behind shooting on film?"
Usually when shooting film, my go to stock would be either Kodak Portra 160 or 400, both of which are very reliable, deliver consistent results, and have a great exposure latitude.
Gear
The Canon 5D Classic, in 2023, is an eighteen year old full-frame DSLR and hosts a 12.8-megapixel sensor, which, by today’s standards, might not be considered exceptionally high, but I truly believe it remains entirely practical for most uses.
In an era marked by an abundance of auto focus points, phase detection technology, remarkable high ISO performance, and impressive burst rates, it's natural to wonder if "less is more."
The original (OG) Fujifilm X100 is one of those rare 'vintage' digital cameras that has recently captured significant attention. When it was first released in 2010, it faced various issues, which caused a division among users. The camera was slow and clunky, the focus was questionable, and the list goes on… However, over time, after a few firmware updates, it managed to carve out a special niche and developed a bit of a cult following, with many preferring it over the models that came after.
When it comes to editing your photos, ensuring that you are seeing an accurate representation on screen is so important.
The Spyder X2 Ultra by Datacolor provides a swift and uncomplicated method for calibrating your monitor. The process is completed in just a few minutes, and for those who are not overly tech savvy, the slick setup process guides you through step-by-step. Say goodbye to off-set colours and iffy brightness!
I had been toying with the idea of getting a drone for the last 18 months or so. Having flown a DJI Phantom 3 in the past, I never felt a particuarly confident flyer, though I think this drone had a few underlying issues as it never felt reliable in terms of software.
For some time now, I have had a curiosity about the Fuji GW690. A medium format rangefinder camera, often dubbed the “Texas Leica” (apparently because it’s the size of Texas) with a 90mm f/3.5 fixed lens which equates to a field of view of approximately 40mm.
The Fuji X-Pro1, launched in March 2012, was Fujifilm’s first mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera. It was a camera that sparked interest in those that wanted a smaller system with great practicality. As far as features go, the X-Pro1 is as broad as a serious photographer would need, and most importantly, isn’t bloated with things that will often never be used.
General
Back in February, I submitted a selection of images to compete in the prestigious Landscape Photographer of the Year competition. My journey in this competition had started back in 2020 when I was shortlisted but sadly went no further. However, with a good range of new images taken since then, I figured that I would give it another shot.
Photography serves as a powerful tool for mindfulness, and it offers a unique avenue to be fully present in the moment. When we engage with our camera, we can easily find ourselves attuned to the world around us, noticing intricate details, subtle shifts in light, and the beauty in everyday scenes that often go unnoticed.
There's a distinct thrill when it comes to the world of classic and sports cars that's hard to encapsulate with mere words. Whether it’s the sound of engines revving, the gleam of meticulously restored paintwork, or simply the palpable nostalgia for eras gone by. All of these things come together to create an atmosphere unlike any other every year at the beautiful Helmingham Hall in Suffolk.
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.
Discover the unseen beauty of the world through landscape photography. Capture hidden narratives, challenge perceptions, and expand your artistic vision. With diverse interpretations and a distinct artistic perspective, explore the limitless playground of the unseen.
As we begin a New Year, I wanted to blog about something many of us face as a creative. Something that is essentially baked into us.
Before Christmas, I posted a story on my Instagram asking what people wanted to work on or achieve in 2023. Some comments were steered towards pushing more business, while others were more towards learning and getting out more with the camera. However, several points that arose were centred around this feeling of imposter syndrome and self-doubt as a photographer. This was either shooting as a hobby or professionally.
Initially, when I started using a camera, I never gave any thought to how my work would connect with and reach an audience. For me, photography has always been a personal journey, an escape from the mundane routine and an opportunity to explore my surroundings.
A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of photographing Beckie of Beckie Egan Photography in Southwold, Suffolk. Beckie and I connected earlier in the year via Instagram and finally met for this shoot.
I was recently very fortunate to be given a voucher to try out the Saal Professional Photobook range in return for an honest review.
Orford Ness stretches around nine miles along Suffolk's eastern coastline and is a captivating blend of shingle and marshland.
On my most recent visit, I decided to take a different approach and shoot with Lomochrome Purple film to create a landscape that feels like another world.