|
January 2008
I have had a very successful 2007. The year just gone has seen me involved in an exhibition in London, my photography and philosophising published in a book.
My work has also appeared in numerous magazines and I sold more prints than ever before. I have also started the planning for my first solo exhibition. 2007
has also seen me manage to commit more time both in the outside actually making photographs, as well as to the administration involved with being a professional
photographer. I really haven’t got much to complain about!
 |
The Prison, Quirang, Isle of Skye, Scotland. |
Favourite photograph I made in 2007 - The Prison, Quirang, Isle of Skye, Scotland. I stood for quite a while, poised on the top of a small plateau on the
rock structure as the swirling cloud came and went around me. I knew that if I waited long enough something magical would occur. Suddenly, the mist
partly-obscured all but one of the pinnacles just as a bird landed on the rock on the right hand side. I knew instantly that this was the picture that I was
waiting for.
Favourite bit of kit I bought in 2007 - A pair of wellies. OK, so I know it’s technically not a piece of photography kit, but having a pair of wellies
has enabled me to literally take steps forward with my photography. Walking boots will allow you to skip across the occasional river or stand in a puddle, but
if you want to wade into a river or let the tide wash over your feet then you need something more substantial. However, now I have the wellies, I am finding
myself dreaming of owning some waders...
Favourite book I bought in 2007 - Life, by Frans Lanting. I was very fortunate to be at a presentation by world-renowned nature photographer Frans Lanting
as he was promoting his Life exhibition in London earlier in the year. His collection of images for the project illustrates life on Earth from its earliest
beginnings to the present day. It was one of the most inspiring and mesmerising presentations I have ever seen. To view his exhibition on the web, please visit:
www.lifethroughtime.com
Favourite lesson I learned in 2007 - That successful photographs can also be made in soft lighting conditions. I am a huge fan of dramatic lighting,
especially around dawn and dusk. The vast majority of my photographs are made around these golden hours and I rarely photograph outside them. But this year, I
have started pushing myself out of my comfort zone and into uncharted territories. When the sky is grey and the sun no-where to be seen, I used to believe that
the only good photograph to be made would be a more intimate landscape, concentrating on a small portion of the scene, a macro or an abstract. However, this year
I have begun to see the potential, and the beauty, in the understated soft light for wider vistas too.
My Photographic Resolutions for 2008
The following are my photographic ambitions and goals for 2008.
To return to my black and white roots - I am not abandoning colour photography altogether, but I would like to get back into the darkroom during 2008,
after many years away. When I first picked up a camera, I also took an evening college course, which was totally dedicated to black and white. I loved my time in
the darkroom, but have since moved house (and never set-up my darkroom in my new home) and changed format (so my negatives wouldn’t fit in my enlarger anyway) but
I have recently found myself wishing to get back in there with the smells and chemicals. If you haven’t experienced a print appear before your eyes in a tray of
developer then I recommend you try it out as it’s an experience that you’ll never forget.
To create a 2009 calendar - A calendar is a great way to promote your photography. It means that you end up on someone’s wall for a whole year, and
hopefully therefore, your name is also in their mind for a whole year too. I began thinking of creating my own calendar during 2007, but wasn’t completely
convinced that I could achieve the quality in production that I was after within the limited timescale until the end of the year. However, as I have almost a
whole year now to get organised, I hope my photography to be gracing a few walls come January 2009.
To enter more photo competitions - This really is a perennial resolution. As I write this, I know that I am a finalist in a major nationwide competition.
So fingers crossed that I may even win! But whatever the outcome, I am motivated and eager to enter more in the coming year too.
< Back
|
