Welcome to my Blog showcasing examples of my art work.

This photograph was taken in the early 1970's. I was a young boy at the time holidaying with my family. I regard the image as my first proper attempt at a serious photograph. Fisherman repairing nets at Newquay in Cornwall. The camera used was a Russian Lubitel-2 medium format, at the time a popular amateur choice as it was cheap! All images copyright.

I have a huge catalogue of images covering a broad range of subjects. Here is a selection of my work, I have chosen an eclectic mix that highlights my skills as an artist and technician.

Distant Horse.

I liked the vertical and horizontal lines, wooden groins, shadows and cloud, on the horizon is a horse and rider adding great depth to the scene. I deliberately split the image into three sections, groins, textured sands and top half sky.  

Blue against Brickwork or a Seascape Sun Set. 

This photograph was taken on a bright summers day and when I saw these blue metal coverings against the orange brickwork it reminded me of the works of american artist Ellsworth Kelly (1923 -2015), his ideas of hard edges, Colour Field painting, minimalism.

Small Tarn, Howgills.

The small tarn added a strange abstraction to this image, I like the fact the foreground is the focus despite the atmospheric complex background. I enjoy working in colour, processing RAW using LAB Colour Space, it's fascinating how the human eye separates colours from their surroundings. Optical illusions and simultaneous contrast are aspects of how the human eye evolved as a form of survival instinct for example setting apart edible from poisonous plants. LAB is a development of ideas from the work of Michael Eugene Chevreul (1786-1889) researching colour contrasts  between yarns in his book The Principles of Harmony and Contrast of Colours, 1854.

7100 4-6-2

Photographing moving objects is a challenge. However, the above image is much more than a locomotive travelling at speed. I wanted to show the locomotive steaming under the electric power lines and pylons. I like how the wires dissect the image and ruins the sense of nostalgia. The engine looks out of place. 

M6

Photograph of the M6 Lune Bridge. I wanted to capture the impressive reinforced concrete open spandrel fixed arch which is invisible from the motorway above. The architecture represents post war optimism, from the mid 1950's to the mid 1970's is termed The Golden Years, capitalism never looked so good and many believed it would never end. Infrastructure projects like the M6 motorway stamped their optimism across the countryside. The bridge represented a new technological dawn. 

Ebb and Flow

This image of soft sandstone was taken at a local coastal beauty spot. The corrugated surface and hollowed out bowl is formed by the ebb and flow of the tide. There is a real sense of geological time. 

Biker

The photograph could be a study in biker culture, British BSA motorbike, leathers, open-face helmet, it could be set in the present day or the 1960's. I like the image as it questions the new trend in "vintage" and "retro" culture and the desire for nostalgia. Is the image of a real biker or just someone dressed up for the part?

Kiosk

This photograph is from a series "Out of Season". I wanted to capture the sense of desolation, unemployment and fragility of seaside resorts. I was interested in the idea that every year a new set of people would be working on a temporary day to day basis in this kiosk. I can see a resemblance to a Martin Parr subject without the people. 

Groins

The image was inspired by Fay Godwin (1931-2005). I admire her photographs most of which are in black and white. I saw this scene and thought straight away it would look just as good in colour. I like the contrasting shapes, detailed pebbles, rolling sea and the wave pattern across the top of the groins.

Livelihood.

Photograph taken early morning in Marrakesh, Morocco. Everything this person owns is here, the bike is his livelihood, I wondered if he slept here regularly or occasionally. I wanted to document how for many people life hangs in the balance, it challenges the inequalities of capitalism.

Snow

This photograph was taken in deep snow on a freezing windy day near the top of Harter Fell in the Lake District. I have succeeded in capturing the spin-drift adding to the chill factor. 

Horizons.

I like how this image is split into four sections all containing elements of shapes and texture. The pallet in the foreground particularly interested me, it caught the light at that moment and dominates the photograph. I like the way the eye travels up and down the image. 

Winter Brambles.

I never get bored looking at this photograph, it reminds me of all kinds of things from wild hair to cosmic nebulae. It resembles a Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) painting. I enjoy the chaos within the image and how nature can create such an event.

Blea Moor.

This photograph was taken at Blea Moor right next to the Settle to Carlisle railway. There is all sorts going on in this image. The building used to house the signalman and is now used for storage. It feels a creepy place. The hanging dummy and face mask against the wall add a sinister edge to the image. I burnt out the sky to add even more atmosphere. The photograph definitely tells a story. 

Gravestone.

This photograph is from a series. Beneath all the moss and lichen is a gravestone. The surface is a micro-landscape for the eye to wander through, the bold lettering reminds us of age, death and its inevitability. 

I found these animal bones in the detritus on the river. I felt an urge to construct a pattern, make the shape, create some order. It felt instinctive to want to do this and the process gave me a sense of satisfaction as if I was in touch with nature.

  

This empty factory has since been demolished. I wanted to capture the idea of a shell, the light worked really well adding to the impression of a thin wall that now had no purpose. 

When out walking I'm always looking for objects in the landscape. This sheep skull is exactly as I found it, a bleached weathered skull makes a great subject. 

This photograph is of a tiled wall taken through glass. I am leaning towards more abstract photographs and have some ideas I intend to explore. 

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The image below is from a concept of using flower heads to resemble stellar objects. I was disappointed with the result although it was an interesting process.  

                                                                               

Below shows the image processing.

The Tree Sequence was originally meant as a long term project photographing the same tree over many years. However, the tree was felled during year 2, it was a shock turning up to an empty space, it was a sad reminder of loss and uncertainty.

Private Places in Public Spaces project. The work comprises of a number of photographs taken in various locations of seats. I wanted to explore the idea of public seats, why they exist and what is their meaning. The idea of the vacant seat, similar to the seat in realty, is an invitation for the observer to contemplate being in that space for a brief moment. Below are a few examples.

Thanks for looking.