Half term

Well that was a much needed half term break, which got a bit lively on Friday with Storm Eunice hitting the British Isles.

The year thus far at work has been breakneck, so having the past week off, has been a much needed downing of work tools (laptop and mobile) and a lifting of play tools (cameras).

No grand plans, as these are due in April with (fingers very crossed), a European city break with the kids.

But the kids and I popped up to London for a day trip, the kids love the big smoke. They are also avid exhibition / culture vultures, which is lovely.

We went to see the America in Crisis exhibition, at the Saatchi Gallery. £5 general admission, is very reasonably priced for 3 exhibition rooms, with images ranging from the 1960’s civil rights movement, to the storming of Capitol Hill in 2021 and much in between. I can't recommend it enough.

The effects of Eunice resulted in another exhibition being cancelled at the 11th hour, which was a little disapponting. Our walk around our usual haunts (Soho, Wardour Street, Covent Garden, Seven Dials), was hindered by the high winds and cold, but we were about to have a limited meander, which resulted in a couple of keepers.

Next up was the highlight of the day, the kids first gig at Brixton Academy, seeing The Kooks. This was one for my daughter, shes obsessed with them ATM. Its something very sacred and special sharing a mutual like for music, I had a great time sharing this experience with them. I will definately be arrangng more soirees into live music this year, as an antidote to the pandemic. We also have the Red Hot Chili Peppers in London in June 2022, who are hopefully being supported by Thundercat.

Also camera wise, the past week saw me give the medium and large format cameras a workout.

I know it's clichéd that film slows you down and it's more about the entire process, rather than firing off images, but it really is.

Finally, I had a couple of queries from two of my followers on Instagram, one asking for some tips to get into film and the other querying my process on pushing fomapan 400 to 1600.

The former was quite revealing, I dug out an email I had sent to someone else a couple of years ago. I was genuinely shocked how prices of cameras, film and assorted paraphernalia have increased, we are a sacred group film photographers.

The latter was a lovely exchange with a pro photographer, when we shared our workflows, whilst wildly different, the output had the same goal / objective.

THats me for another month, until next time, keep snapping.

Demo season is upon us.

Popped into town this past weekend for a photowalk and decompress from a hectic start to the year. It was also an opprtune time to get into the mood for a chill February 2022 half term with the kids.

Stumbled across two small demo’s, one being an anti vaccination and freedom demo at the Peace Monument at Hove Beach, and the second rather low-key Boycott Puma (sports brand) outside Sports Direct in Brighton, as part of an Israeli Apartheid demo.

Firstly, apologies to the lady at the peace monument in Hove, who corrected me, when I said it was an anti vaxxers demo. It was more than that as a diverse section of society were voicing their views. NHS staff, Granny's, Mums.

These are the first 8 photos.

The last 2 photos were a 'Boycott Puma' demo outside Sports Direct, which was part of an Israeli Apartheid demo.

Both were sedate in nature, but a voice nonetheless. Its also great that demo season is upon is, as Brighton has a active population across all generations, eager to voice their peaceful and democratic right to demonstatrate.

Until next time, keep snapping.

#killthebill #therighttopeacefuldemo #brighton #streetphotography.

Shoot what you know……..

Street photography for me is mainly about creating luck.

What I mean by that is, know your camera (into muscle memory), the settings, the lens range and with knowing your surroundings (quirky people activity or light), you generally get a good shot.

I think the golfer - Gary Player - said this best, when he uttered ‘The more I practice, the luckier I get’. Aka the photo gods deliver from time to time.

This is one of the reasons why I pound the streets in Brighton so often, revisiting the same scene, time and time again. This has led to me exploring different angles and perspectives, such as window reflections through COVID-19 retail shops:

When I have been studying the theory of street photography, I discovered that Joshua K Jackson called this the curiosity gap. Watch this excellent video on Sean Tucker’s channel, when he outlines this theory. It's intriguing.

What I have found of late is a little fatigue, or 'Brighton Revisited' which has generally been caused by the pandemic and the restriction of movement that we have all experienced.

Also, due to commitments with my kids, I cant really journey out too far of a weekend. However due to the upturn in the weather of late, my son and I recently ventured over to Folkestone. A place we hadn't frequented before.

Deriving from the landlocked West Midlands, for me, there is a general kitsch allure of a seaside town, it's idiosyncrasies and especially one that is emerging from the closed season of the winter, into their high season.

Whilst I hadn’t been there before, I suppose I had an opinion of the place, the stance on Brexit and the imminent impact of the motorway turning the county into a Brexit car park.

I decided on my usual kit. My trusty Fuji GS645s (I need to do a blog post on the GS645s, its a truly exceptional camera. Pin Sharp, light and nimble, its the perfect street photography medium format camera) with two rolls of Kodak Portra 400 and Berrger Pancro 400. I also took my Sony A7iii with a 35mm lens.

We headed off at 08:30 for the 1 3/4 hour drive, honestly, it was a little weird heading out on the motorway, after a year, mainly quiet, but I can report that the wacky races of the M23 motorway is as mad as ever!

The journey into Kent and Folkestone on the M20 was largely eventless, other that the self imposed 50 miles an hour speed limit, as we entered into Folkestone.

We got there at 10:30 and parked in the main Shopping Centre car park.

Next, we did a quick circuit of the town centre, to familiarise ourselves. I actually thought the town centre evidenced signs of gentrification and the shopping side (national store chains), left Brighton wanting. That said there was still instances of small town UK on show, providing plenty of charm and character.

The creative quarter was a delight, a cobbled lane with colourful shops housing the creative element of Folkestone, the light bathed the street beautifully and I was lucky to get a couple of keepers.

Next we headed down to the harbourside. The imposing Grand Burstin Hotel, is a stark contrast to the regenerated side of the port town. I can only imagine that this side of the town is packed when the restrictions of COVID-19 are not evident.

Lunch was taken in at Chummys Seafood Cafe. Prawn chilli noodles and squid. Very very good.

One more lap of the down evidenced plenty of photo opportunities and items of interest.

Folkestone is a place that I have marked as a place to revisit, for a number of reasons: street photography, the harbourside, the shops (for the kids) and also the seafood.

Until next time, keep snapping.

A selection of the images within this article are available for sale on the Website or Etsy Store, if you would like to enquire about something else, please click the email icon at the foot of this page.

Nifty Fifty.......? .......... go on then.

I’m frantically getting out and about before lockdown 2.0 or the weather puts a stop to it, the idea is to build a catalogue of photos to edit over the winter.

Yesterday was pretty pleasant in Brighton.  Folk out and about enjoying the last rays of summer / autumn sun.

I actually bumped into a photographer yesterday, we were both CHIMPING, gave an acknowledged nod to each other.  Having a chat for a couple of minutes, the fella was from London, and was enjoying his maiden trip to Brighton.

To change things up, I started using my 85mm, which I used as part of my ongoing COVID19 coverage here in Brighton, I just love the compressed images and the bokeh, these are ideal for environmental portraits and street in general.

I have also queried why I have not been interested with the 50mm, I think the very reasonable prices and kit lens status, had pushed me away from it, numpty!

I’ve been reading quite a few photo books since March 2020, to get some creativity ideas.  What I have enjoyed of late, is taking more street portraits and candids.

I acquired a Sony 50mm kit lens for the A7iii, as I’m keen to build on my street portraits, as well as providing a different perspective for my general street photos.

As well as the perspective being that bit closer to that of the human eye of 43mm, the compression allows you to stand a little further back from street portraits, which I’m finding is more friendly when taking candids in the street, compared to the 28mm or less in the face.

Yesterday was World Mental Health day, long may the spirit and mindset of this fella last through the winter.  

I asked to take his photo, was told sure buddy, when I asked ‘Are you doing to a Stag Do, or a Birthday Party’? he responded ‘Naaa mate, I haven’t been out for a while, so I thought I didn’t dress up’.

Good for you.

Until next time, keep snapping.

A selection of the images within this article are available for sale on the Website or Etsy Store, if you would like to enquire about something else, please click the email icon at the foot of this page.

Take it to the streets………..

……………….. a saying people often use to encourage protest.

Last Saturday, whilst I was passing through Brighton, I came across a protest about #BLM (Black Lives Matter).

This was the 3rd protest that has happened locally, since the savage murder of George Floyd.

It’s not only the amount, but also the diversity of the protesters that seems to grow each time.

My kids and I also participated in the original march in June 2020.

Comparing to protests in London or America, the Brighton march seems almost sedate in comparison, but the message is clear, Its truly endearing to have and see the presence of youth and hear their voices.

While I was there I met many people including two of they guys who helped organise the protest (along with many others).

I was utterly mesmerised by their compassion and dedication to keep the momentum moving as a passive movement.

There has not been much coverage of this significant shift in this human rights movement, I am loathed to say this, but I think it largely hinges on the outcome of the American Presidential Campaign, which is due to be concluded on November 2020.

#BLM No Justice, No Peace.

A selection of the images within this article are available for sale on the Website or Etsy Store, if you would like to enquire about something else, please click the email icon at the foot of this page.

Lockdown

Decided to pop into town for an end of the day meander.

Seeing first hand the sheer quietness of COVID-19 and the impact of the lockdown on the city, is dystopian.

This period has also led to some interesting discussions with my kids.

What their generation have lost with the exclusion from their peers and friends in the school environment, they have made up with their ability to understand and adapt to these changing times.

What I did notice tonight was a little change.

Whether it was shop owners painting their shopfronts, signs on windows stating 'Opening soon' or owners dusting down counters, there is a sense of change in the air.

This is a once in a lifetime event, I'm so glad that I decided to document it.

You can see the COVID-19 project here.

As this is an ongoing project, I decided to make this into my first zine, Volume I - COVID-19, which will go live this weekend.

Exciting times

A selection of the images within this article are available for sale on the Website or Etsy Store, if you would like to enquire about something else, please click the email icon at the foot of this page.