Trees 15F

Its been 30 years since I was told, 'You won't make a living taking pictures of sunsets..' by some twit at the local newspaper while doing my works experience. Well he was right in that it wasn't sunsets, but it was night photography, at least for a good while anyway. The image above was one of my best sellers, made during a brief trip to France in the days when I threw caution to the wind with my symmetrical images.
I always write something like this as the nights draw in and I start making more night images, and as I had to dig this one out to make a big print, I thought I would blow my trumpet a little..

Aaron Mitchell Adventurer..

On a recent trip in the Santa Monica Mountains I met Aaron Mitchell. A fascinating chap who is currently making his way across the planet on his motorbike. We had a very pleasant evening sat around a camp fire sipping whisky and sharing our travel stories. Of course my tales of adventure did not quite compare to this explorer who had been on the road for six months. 
I was not surprised to hear Aaron carried no camera, but instead used his phone to record parts of his trip along with a journal. I understood when he told me that memories were enough and taking pictures can very often 'spoil' the moment.
Having said that, how often do you here people say; 'I wish I brought a camera..'
Anyway, what a nice fella.

 

A small vehicular..

Still plugging away at the Vehicular Landscape series after all these years. Finding them is not something you can rush, or plan.

Ojai. CA 2016

I am not a writer..

A broken chair and a little ball. 2016

There are parts of Los Angeles that always made me feel like a writer. Of course these are usually the parts of LA where a lot of writers reside and take up all the seating in the local cafes.
I should quickly point out that I would never profess, try, or even think of myself as being able to write well. I just like the idea of it, starting with nothing but a blank sheet, just like photograph. But sitting here at my friends desk looking out into a mystical garden of peace (that's the best I got) I feel like I could write something, hence this dizzy posting.

Of course we all know that a photograph can tell a story, but whether that story is true of what the viewer sees is vastly debatable and too intelligent a subject to discuss here on the B.

I have always left my imagery open to interpretation and try not to 'add ideas later' which is so often the case in photography or any other art form for that matter. I do this because I'm still not sure why I make most of my images, I just do. Sound odd, well just ask any other photographer.

Me and the Pigster..

It's been six months since I landed here in the States. As the memories from the misty mountains of my homeland begin to fade the time has come to contemplate new ideas and travels within this new land. The first time I tried this I attempted to photograph the whole of America in one go travelling from state to state like the littlest hobo with my trusty Bulldog side-kick Piglet. Well that was all a bit fruitless and I learnt a big lesson in photography; 'You cannot photograph everything..'
Things feel very different this time around and I am much more relaxed about venturing out. The desperate need most photographers feel early to go out and shoot (and shoot)  on has gone and the galleries have stop asking for new work (probably because they are all closed). Despite this the deserts and ghost towns are calling. As for my side-kick Piglet, well he's grey and old now and not going anywhere, or is he....

Me and Pigster 2006

Me and Pigster 2016 (still up for it)

Don't you just hate those self portraits photographers do. Well at least it's not a selfie... Or a Belfie!