SIX SEVENTEEN

Going back to the old 6/17 format and using film has been a real joy. In a photographic world set on giving the photographer limitless possibilities its good to work on a somewhat fickle format and its many limitations; measuring focus, cocking shutters, making sure the lens cap is off, winding on film to the right spot, closing the lens, working out the exposure and filter compensation, and a few more things I always forget. But then I remember, limitation equals more creation.

As a predominantly 'landscape' photographer  you often want a lot in shot from side to side, but not so much in front. This is where the panoramic format comes into play. 

There is still a part of me that thinks that the format is still a bit long and silly but that hasn't stopped me shooting with it over the past ten years or more. In fact I dug out the ones I liked and added a new page to my website. 

Mojave...

 I've been working on a series in the Mojave recently. Its a place I am often drawn to and love the drive through the mountains and the dusty desert towns. The winter months are perfect for this kind of thing and as always I pop in  for a bite at Malcom's Restaurant on Pearblossom Highway and see my good friend Earl.

Earl. 2019

I was sad to hear the passing of Photographer Terry O'Neill today.
I printed some of Terry's work back in the day and he was indeed a very nice and very funny man without the over-bloated ego that some of his rivals had.
He was also incredibly generous and signed several prints for me by way of appreciation one of which is pictured here (my personal favorite.)

He work lives on..

 

Creation through limitation..

Last week I dusted off my 6/17 panoramic and ventured out into the desert. It's probably been 5 or 6 years since I used the mighty Art Camera. It a huge thing, but thankfully can be hand-held thanks to a few modifications and big arms. 
Its easy to forget the joys of shooting film and it took a little while to slip back into that way of thinking, especially with this camera which uses a large format lens and has 5 things to remember before taking a shot.
I had forgotten the sense of achievement you feel when shooting film, and of course the anticipation of getting back those films. But of course then comes the scanning and dust removal which brings you back down to earth...Still well worth the efforts of feeling like a proper photographer though

A Door and A Spoon.

USED CARS.

 Approaching my tenth year of teaching photography, I still get hung up reading and researching all the codswallop people have come up with over the years in regards to The Rules of Photography.
I should begin by stating that personally I believe there are no rules within the artistic realm, and any if are they should only serve to be broken. I also believe that the writers of such nonsense probably never made a photograph, ever...
Take the image below. Made in the middle of the day, in bright sunshine, with the main subject in the middle of the frame.
Photography is what YOU make it. No one else..

Scotland/England Border. 2009 By Coastal series.

 

Its been so long since I visited the homeland now that anytime I see an image of it I get all goose bumpy and nostalgic.
I have always considered my By Coastal project (2009 ish) as a pivotal point in my image making. Despite it being physically and technically the hardest project I have shot (think very very cold, very very wet, windy most of the time, dark,  and using a large format camera and film). It is a project I will always hold dear.
The above image was made along the border of England and Scotland before the barriers and passport controls come into effect (a bad Brexit joke there).