Over a few days recently we had some proper snowfall, something which doesn’t happen too often around here. Usually this group of friends are a fairly busy bunch, but this was an opportunity far to good to miss and we all decided to take the day to play in the snow. With us were Iulia and boyfriend Thomas as well as Hope who’s been on here before.
We slipped and slided our way to the park, with a big old cushion in hand to try a little sledding. Everyone and their children were out playing and having fun. So did we! Have a look at the photos.
I know a place where you can feel completely away from the world. In the middle of the woods, and far off the beaten track is a thicket of lush Rhododendron leaves.
Completely surrounded by vegetation, no-one knew I was there. The trees above were swaying gently in the breeze, but that was the only sound. The fresh scent of damp wood and earth permeated through the place. I had wanted for a long time to explore here; to carefully step right into the centre.
London is many things, light and dark. Perhaps nowhere else in England embodies the intersection between chaotic creation and destruction like this monolithic metropolis, that 8.6 million people call home.
There is something foreboding about London; to feel a little intimidated by ‘The Big Smoke’ is a sign of wisdom. The idea of London as the epicentre of historic dominion and oppression remains. You can very much feel the ghost of the terror and darkness that once inhabited the streets; lasting darkness of the kind immortalised in the poetry of William Blake. And everywhere little reminders lay, like the hopeless inequality which hangs heavy and leaden over this place. I have resisted London, although I cannot deny the cultural weight which is here.
In a city of such enormous contrast and energy, it felt right to take photos in black and white. My close friend William and I packed our bags, and set off into the mass.
Blackfriars, LondonCovent Garden, LondonCharing Cross, LondonWestminster, LondonCovent Garden, LondonThe Mall, LondonWilliam looks out from the Switch House tower. Tate Modern, LondonVictoria Memorial, Green Park, London
I have been going to Bristol infrequently for some time now, and every time I do it is a different experience. There are so many areas, and hidden places to find. Without fail, it is an exciting place to be. My good friend Aimee and I wanted to take a day to dreamily delve into this varied city.
City Hall, Bristol (F) Fuji SuperiaWe made a brief stop in Arch House Deli for something to eat. (F) Fuji SuperiaBrowsing through some of the kooky little shops in The Clifton Arcade. (F) Fuji Superia…. okay, so maybe a bit more than just browsing in Papersmiths. (F) Fuji ProviaWe summoned some gusto, to head up and over the suspension bridge. (F) Fuji SuperiaWe finally laid back on the sofa in ANNA Cake Couture. (F) Fuji SuperiaOver what you might call a cup of fancy tea, we savoured the last moments of the afternoon. (F) Fuji Superia
I had really wanted to go back to Cuckmere Haven, having been there several times before. There is definitely something special about the place. Located somewhere between the towns of Eastbourne and Seaford, this is where Sussex runs into the ocean.
The river Cuckmere flows in sinews through the grassy flood plain, and isolates green islets, dotted all over with sheep. There are footpaths which lead down and around it, and out to the sea. A pebble beach gazes across at the chalk cliffs called the Seven Sisters.
I took some photos while I wandered about the place.
The title is not exactly true. This series was shot all through November, December and January. I worked in black and white because I think that, whereas a colour photograph is often real and immersive, a monochrome frame brings out a distinct otherness. It’s still real, but it is more honest that it is a representation of the real. You can be drawn in, but never get too close, as though a sheen has been drawn across reality. December represents the end of the year, but also the end of a lot of other things that are important to me. I see it as perfect that I decided long before, unaware, to use this format. December was some kind of full stop, or maybe an ellipsis.
St Nicholas Market, Bristol (F) Ilford XP2Bath Spa University, Newton Park (F) Ilford XP2
Climbing stairs, with Joseph – Bath Spa University, Newton Park (F) Ilford HP5+Bath Spa University, Newton Park (F) Ilford XP2Terrace Walk, Bath (F) Ilford HP5+Cocoa and magazines – Cafe W, Bath (F) Ilford XP2Kingsmead Square, Bath (F) Ilford XP2
This little boutique magazine vendor first opened up its doors in August 2015, and I’ve been enchanted ever since. Magalleria have followed a minimal model; create a beautifully clean, welcoming space and stock only the highest quality and most aesthetically fascinating print products. After stumbling upon a shop called Magazine Brighton, it stuck out that the city of Bath really deserved a similar space, and happily Magalleria’s chief owner Daniel felt the same. Since the project started, it has been steadily stocking up on a list of publications from around the globe, which include the locally produced magazines Cereal and Another Escape. Tucked away on Broad Street, you might easily walk past without noticing that it’s there. If you do get the opportunity, I wouldn’t hesitate to nip in and say hello (and if your anything like I am, impulsively buy a title).
(F) Fuji Superia The magazines are all neatly displayed in corresponding sections. (F) Fuji Superia (F) Fuji Superia
A group of guys who hang out and play each other electronic music is growing into something bigger. They call themselves Havana Breakfast Club, and all currently hail from the city of Bath. Not long ago, somebody put one of their mixing sessions out on YouTube, and people liked it, so they’re doing it again. A friend of mine invited me round while they set up for a live stream, and got some music going in the background.
What was the first thing that happened when I walked in? Fish through a little box of records and put the needle to vinyl. (F) Fuji SuperiaRelaxing and listening to music is just a way of life to some people, and everything is about an almost intangible feeling. (F) Fuji SuperiaThese guys do not skimp on sound equipment. But then, when your playing out records that perhaps only a handful of people get to hear, they deserve to be heard in all clarity. (F) Fuji Superia
This is the symbol of Havana Breakfast Club. Electronic music follows this sign everywhere it goes. (F) Fuji SuperiaTaking turns to choose tracks is all part of the Breakfast Club experience. (F) Fuji SuperiaThe laid back, strung out atmosphere means you always feel involved in the Havana Breakfast Club mixes. (F) Fuji Superia
The Switzerland trip began as an opportunity to go and visit an old friend, and morphed into a parallel opportunity to go and fulfil every cliché about Switzerland that we could haphazardly compile into a list. Skiing, snow capped mountains fondant, pristine hillside country and the clean, regimented furore of Zurich were what we expected, and most of that didn’t happen or changed. It was a great time just the same. Myself and good friend Madison would fly out together, to be met by our old university hall-mate Laura.
I shot all of these pictures exclusively in medium format, here below is a brief window into our time in Switzerland.
On the very first evening, we were welcomed with this enormous expanse of fire tinted sky. (F) Fuji VelviaSt. Galen is the kind of place where the richly cultured and historic Switzerland is reconciled with the modern energy and relentless pace of the country’s large cities. This is one of the towns University buildings. (F) Fuji VelviaAppenzell is a fiercely traditional, back-looking town, where centuries old traditions of community and beer making are lovingly upheld. (F) Fuji VelviaThe rural area surrounding the town of Horn and banking Lake Constance is fertile in every sense. There are orchards and groves in every direction you look, separated only by little fields and an occasional house. (F) Fuji VelviaEvery night there was a show of exquisite colours, as the sun disappeared somewhere behind the distant western hills. (F) Fuji VelviaThe fine sliver of land that you can see on the horizon with a clear afternoon is the edge of Germany. (F) Fuji VelviaAlong the way, we met up with fellow old block-mate Axl, who was accompanying a friend on a European road trip. Axl and Madison, in a state of recovery from the night before. (F) Kodak PortraRail travel is incredibly popular in Switzerland. Trains are christened with individual names when they come into service, and each one finds home in a different town, in a kind of anthropomorphic ritual. (F) Kodak PortraOur wonderful hostess Laura at the observation point, reaching out behind her is the city of Zurich. (F) Kodak PortraLake Zurich disappears off into the haze. (F) Kodak PortraIts a very long way down from the Uetliberg observation tower. (F) Kodak Portra
The last few weeks have been a period of metamorphosis, things have been shifting, and so has life. Moving out of Uni halls, and back home for the summer has tendered a moment to slow down and simplify. Working outside, walking and breathing in the countryside.
Ruth and the arch-pillars. (F) Ilford HP5(F) Ilford HP5Bean Field (F) Ilford HP5Athyrium. (F) Ilford HP5A party was held in the woodland. (F) Ilford HP5
