Images and Writing: Beyond the Camera
I don't know how this part of the website – with my writing – will develop over time. I'm an old hand at written communication and new to visual expression; for now the two remain closely linked and I'm excited by writing about the photographs I've taken, the images I'm developing, the reasons why.
Perhaps, in time, I'll let the images speak for themselves and this journal won't be needed; or perhaps the words will remain, but as poetry (like Doug Chinnery) or as photo-journalism (like Dorothea Lange) or somewhere between a diary and a memory (as Isabel Curdes).
Only time will tell.
Paddy
LATEST
Making a Breakthrough (I and II)
Learning how to make ‘mirror tiles’ – and, unexpectedly, getting one step closer to my goal of embracing wheelchair photography.
In Praise of Partnership
Exploring the sense of partnership between my inner 5-year-old and my outer 71-year old.
Being Curious
I'm wondering whether I've changed very much from the curious little 5-year-old who eagerly skipped off to school on her first day, certain that she’d learn to read by lunchtime.
It All Begins …
… with my thoughts about cyanotype printing.
And then evolves into an exciting idea for a new project.
James's World
How an unexpected encounter with a tiny snail, a poem from my childhood and Ian's teaching techniques show me that my photography can still be rewarding, absorbing, enriching …
… and fun.
New Challenges
I imagined that I’d soon be spending time and energy on redesigning and upgrading this website. But instead, like a curious child, I've put that idea down, and I’m running towards new challenges in art and photography.
Hearing the Music (I and II)
Mixed Feelings
It's a striking architectural image but it doesn't trigger all the 'right' kind of feelings. In truth, it's more 'wall-worthy' than 'heart-worthy'!
Spring Beyond the Ring Road
Venturing out around Yorkshire again, and celebrating the (eventual) arrival of spring and double vaccinations.
Mindful Photography in Four Thoughts
I enjoy taking ‘relaxing walks with the camera in a leafy environment’ but is that really mindful photography?
Looking Back
If I ever get the opportunity to look back over the Covid-time, I'm sure that my images will reflect the most significant things I’ll remember.
Learning from Trees and Woodlands
I've stood at these crossroads once before – in photographic terms, that is – stood on this exact spot, knowing that I'd taken a lot of photographs but wondering why they didn't feel 'right'.
So what did I learn last time that will help me this time?
More Than Therapeutic
Remembering that my photography is 'more than therapeutic.' It’s about enrichment and enlargement; losing myself in the experience and being ‘in the zone’; seeing beauty in the world, not just stress; child-like pleasure, joyousness, laughter and fun.
Matins
Warming up for my new project on churches and cathedrals, I've started with an image of a secular location which made me feel as if I was standing in church.
Do I want to be an artist instead?
Asking myself ‘what has my fine art photography ever done for me?’ has started me thinking. Do I want to be a proper artist – a painter-artist I mean? Because the more I encounter art, the more I envy artists. And I’m not surprised that photographers take to painting – Isabel Curdes, Valerie Dalling and Doug Chinnery among them. Is it time for me to join them?
Small Pleasures
Singing along with Alma Cogan in the 1950s, because little things mean a lot.
Read about this image [ HERE … ]
Our Industrial Landscape: St Aidan's
Introducing St. Aidan's Nature Reserve – a magical place like Narnia (without the White Witch) – and its 1000 ton resident, named Oddball.
Art For Recovery
Yesterday, I went for a walk in the park – let fresh air, nature and the camera work their magic, I thought. And they did.
I breathed better; my mind became quiet; that sense of dis-ease was dissipated – like fog burning off under the sun.
About Smiling
I won’t pretend that this image recreates my ‘smile of the decade’ moment but it definitely represents a multitude of ‘good smile to think back on’ moments.
Read about this image [ HERE … ]
My Rosetta Stone
Explaining how this image provided a bridge of understanding for me, between my engineering and art worlds.
Read about this image [ HERE … ]
Leeds Minster from the South Bank
Our Christmas card in 2019 – looking across the River Aire to St. Peter-at-Leeds, the Minster Church.
Dam Square, Amsterdam
A living, lively, breathing space – and another milestone on my learning journey.
St. Wilfrid's Window, Ripon Cathedral
Introducing St. Wilfrid, looking like an old friend in the distance – quiet and assured.
The Great North Art Show (2019)
We’ve visited the annual Great North Art Show regularly over the last few years; it’s held in Ripon Cathedral in September – it's in one of our favourite venues, and at my favourite time of year. (September still holds the excitement and promise for me of a new term, a new hockey season, even though it’s decades since I was last involved with either).
I like the ambience of the exhibition, the quality and variety of the artwork and the way it’s presented. And so, I had that vague notion that maybe, possibly, perhaps I’d consider it – consider entering my own work.
In Launching this Website ...
I imagined that I’d be launching this website sometime in the near future – fully formed, elegant, responsive and ready to meet the world. But, like many before me, I’ve realised that ideas don’t arrive like that, neatly packaged.
So, this is a ‘developing website’ – it’s ‘work in progress’.