As we approach the end of yet another year, it’s always good to look back through your library of images from the last twelve months (with a mince pie, or three) and see how you have progressed.
Towards the end of 2021 and the start of 2022, I began exploring local woodland and forestry. I have always gravitated to the coast, but it was exciting and challenging to venture into a different territory. When there is frost on the ground or mist and fog, these spots can often come alive with atmosphere and mood. For me, photography is about being able to capture that feeling and atmosphere, often to create an image that is both evocative and moving. Capturing local woodland is something that I’m finding my feet in, but I had some fun creating the images shared in this blog.
I started 2022 with a major two-week exhibition at The George Farnham Gallery in Saxmundham, exhibiting several limited edition pieces from the last couple of years. This was a great success, selling 19 pieces of work, and following an open event on the first Saturday, allowed me to talk openly about the work and the process of photography. It was wonderful having so many people connecting and commenting positively on the work, along with wanting to have it on their walls.
As I move into Summer, this is often a quiet time for me in terms of photography. Truthfully, this is mostly due to my inability to haul myself out of bed for a ridiculously early sunrise, but also, it’s a good time to reconnect with yourself and the work. For example, I put my web design skills to use by moving away from Squarespace and over to WordPress, building this site afresh.
On the approach to Autumn and Winter, the early mornings feel much more human and manageable, and at any given opportunity, I happily hop in the car and venture to a nearby spot. Luckily, Autumn and Winter are also my favourite seasons. With fewer visitors in the area, there is a feeling of peace and tranquillity on the coast. On some mornings it feels like the place is all yours to embrace and explore.
Below is a good selection of images from the last 12 months, featuring local heathland, forestry, and coastal spots:
Later in the year, I decided to take my photography to the skies with aerial photography after purchasing a DJI Mini. The Mini is a great beginner drone that offers some serious fun along with great image and video quality, and it’s great to see things from a different perspective. Read more about this in my previous blog and check out a handful of images below:
In 2022 I continued to work with analogue too. Though I didn’t shoot as much film as I’d have liked to, it’s gained traction again recently, with 5 rolls shot in the last week that are ready to be sent to FilmDev. I decided to further explore working with film by visting Illuminate to learn about printing in the darkroom, and explore the world of Large Format Photography.
Suffolk features heavily throughout my work. It’s a place that I have a deep-rooted connection with, and each time I venture out into the landscape, it speaks to me in so many different ways. I sometimes wonder if I’ve reached the maximum of what I can capture, but each time, my eye draws itself to a different composition and draws out a different feeling. It’s easy to see why a lot of artists and poets were inspired by this unique area.
If you’ve got this far, then thanks so much for reading and checking out my work over the last year. It’s truly appreciated. I look forward to sharing more with you in 2023.
Have a wonderful New Year!
