Photography

Some things come quite easy while other things seem a little well, harder. Harder to the point of despair, frustration, anger and tears. I have experienced them all especially the anger and tears of late especially when I feel I am making the same mistakes. It takes a lot to change and you know what they say? When you repeat yourself knowing the outcome to be the same, its the first sign of madness. In that case, I am completely mad but I think there is a need to go to that place in order not only to grow but to exhaust all your own reasoning for attempting such things.

During my Endeavour series, I realised that I was spending way too much time around photographers all chasing the same thing. It’s been years since I have found my own style and also a few years since I have started to love what I do. Now I won’t change for anything or nobody because it dawned on me that I am not surrounding myself with the right people because they are all photographers. Usually, other photographers want knowledge and inspiration or to be shown what to do by other photographers which more often or not results in a parting of cash.

I was at The Societies convention giving a lighting demo in January and to be honest I was there to network and try and look for other avenues to put my work out there. The demos were a necessary evil for me but a way in of which I am grateful for because of the result. I say “Chasing lost causes” like a centre forward would chase the ball knowing that the outcome would be a lost cause for a chance to score 99% of the time. However, that striker also knows that there is a 1% chance of the defender making a mistake and that he will pounce to score the winner.

For me chasing lost causes started in earnest this year and it started to happen when Keith Robertson and his wife came to watch the demo at the show. Unfortunately, they didn’t get to see my demo due to travel arrangements but he felt compelled to email me to tell me how much he liked my images. Keith has admiration for the arts and we got talking about art and galleries etc. This was covering things like “do’s and don’ts” of approaching galleries and where to try and display, along with some people that may be worth networking with. This really appealed to me because I have kept my work and its unique and personal to me but I want it to be out there.

It will not get any attention while in the presence of other photographers because like I said they don’t want to buy art they want to know how to replicate what you do. Anyway I digress, Keith mentioned a friend who is a gallery owner and runs art fares and exhibitions. These are mostly in London where there is a lot more of a catchment area and I was quite excited to get in touch. Within minutes I was in touch over social media and we discussed things about art etc and the fact that Lisa was, in fact, the organiser of Flux Exhibition. Lisa was amazing and helpful from the get-go and she told me that she liked my work. We chatted about things where she kindly invited me to a private viewing of the exhibition. I am over the moon and this coming March I will be attending the “Flux” exhibition and NOT The Photography Show at the NEC Birmingham. That clashes on the same days but I need to chase these “lost causes” to grow. I want to surround myself with the right people for me and I want to be the right fit for the art buyer or gallery owner.

This is not by any means advice but more a gentle reminder to chase everything you want and dream of. For I really want to exhibit my work and that requires a lot of chasing.

Good luck!

I have always loved a print especially a large version. When my work colleague George was due to retire last week I wanted to do something different so decided on a print. It’s personal and also you can show a bit of yourself within the image which will stay with that person forever. The hard part was deciding on what to give especially since a lot of colleagues had paid towards the gift which stood 26 x 24 inches without frame and mount. The Skint Creative lads Gerwyn, Anthony and Deaks came together to arrange the print side and the framing part of the job, so all I had to do was make sure the print was spot on!

Even though I am a portrait and set photographer it was best decided to make it a landscape and no better one than my favourite place in the UK. The mood at Elgol on the Isle of Skye is something that needs to be felt and I have been there many times and on each a different feeling. I feel at ease and calm there and the quiet surroundings and the mountains opposite make this place put you under a spell and in a trance.

Time was of the essence so it was a case of the quicker the better since we needed a complete turnaround of 3 days start to finish. I transferred the image to Anthony who in turn sent it to print after assuring me it was good to go. Then Deaks who always surprises me with his contacts told me that he once worked at a frame shop in Penarth near Cardiff UK. I asked if he could pull a few strings to get this framed very quickly and indeed he took the print there and it did not disappoint.

We all gathered at “Penarth Framing Services” to see the final piece a day before Georges retirement and that’s where I met up with two great people in Vilis and Bev. They are based in Penarth and have been framing for years with some celebrities getting work done there so I felt in capable hands. After seeing the image finished it was quite emotional to see it big and proud in its proper state.

This is simply a few words of thanks to Vilis and Bev and also the lads who have become a part of me and what I do. It also prompted me to write this blog urging you all to stop cropping and saving for social media and to just store on your hard drive. Do it, make it and yes it costs money but hey you obviously spent money on your gear so why not take it to its end product? Something to see, feel and hold is worth more than likes or clicks on social media. It reminded me of how I started when I looked at my friend Gary Howells work back in 2008 as I started my journey into photography. I remember asking all these questions about how do you? and When did you? I was so curious how this image appeared in all its glory with such detail on wonderful paper. It was then that I really wanted to print and the larger the better. I also really wanted to exhibit and ten years later I finally did but it’s a drug and I want more. I believe unless you are printing you will forever be in second gear and will be deprived the joy that it gives especially if you gift an image to someone special.

Don’t you all know that you have a talent, a gift? Then share it and make a print. Once you’ve done that then mount and frame it and give it to a loved one or friend…… it beats the ass off chocolates or flowers.

Today was the day I was reminded to print more so, I am reminding all of you to do the same.

Update:

A delighted George receiving his print.

The back of the Print was signed by all of Georges work colleagues and friends.

The Picture in its Final Home.

Penarth Framing Services

Penarth Framing Services
4 Victoria Bridge
Railway Terrace
Penarth
CF64 2AN

www.penarthframing.com

Last week saw me head to the Societies for the three-day event to give demos on stage. This was in short a little glimpse into what I do in terms of lighting but, also a bit of an example of storytelling and unlocking your own imagination with portraits. It was very exciting and above all very useful in terms of being around the right people within the industry.

Ian and Ant Peelers at SWP 2019

I had in mind what I was going to do and I had planned it thoroughly with the lads at the studio. We decided to tell the story of an old school police officer but with a twist of humour. It was a chance for me to deliver something that I love to do so I was really up for it until I discovered that I was sometimes following or just before the mighty Glyn Dewis! This threw me a little even though we are good mates it was hard to accept I was there doing this. I was over the moon to get a massive pat on the back not only from Gez, Anthony and Deaks but Glyn and Dave Clayton gave me their nod of approval. It’s funny how confidence plays a huge part in how you approach things in life. After this, I was unbeatable in my mind yet still screamed like a baby when I saw a mouse in the hotel lobby!

The Peelers SWPP 2019

During the demo’s we shot tethered using Tether Tools cables and gear which was viewed instantly by the people in the audience. However, the issue was that the images did not save to my CF card so afterwards, I didn’t get the images I took. I wasn’t concerned because after chatting with the lads we decide that we would shoot this story at the studio when we get back, it’s that good!

Ian and deaks on stage SWPP 2019

On the back of this, I met wonderful people but two people will remain in my mind. Mark Baber from Sony treated us really well and couldn’t do enough and it’s this kind of service that gets photographers on board. Also, a gentleman named Keith Robertson who wanted to see my demo but other circumstances dictated otherwise but we chatted briefly.
He is not a photographer but avid art admirer and has since become a friend and has guided me at last into the sector where I want to be and that’s the art world. Since this, I have been invited to London for the private viewing of “The Flux Exhibition” in March.

Overall a very worthwhile time and it has taught me that chasing lost causes sometimes works out fruitful.

The Lost City of Pripyat

Some time ago I and a group of friends organised a small private tour of the Chernobyl disaster area. I really thought it would be quite an opportunity for The Journeyman to be placed in a really surreal environment, so I was super excited for the trip. After arriving in Kiev we immediately made a schoolboy error by hitting the bars. In fairness though we did plan our next few days and the kind of must-see areas of Pripyat. There were 5 of us and we had planned to go that bit extra with the tour guide and have a people carrier that could move stealthily and quicker than any coaches of tourists. Add to the mix the fact that our guide had superior knowledge of areas not quite as popular as the go-to places.

I had to find a way of breaking the news to the Ukrainian guide that I was about to get dressed into a full business suit and briefcase with bowler hat! At first, her look was one of utter confusion since my four mates were in standard combats and boots with a rucksack. By now we are on our way to the zones which have safe checkpoints 30km out 10km out and 5km or something like that. These points are guarded by soldiers albeit a little casual stood there with AK47s and rolled up cigarettes.

We were armed with a Geiger counter that would sound at high levels of radiation and we were briefed about how long we could stay etc. There were signs of life in the way of wild dogs that had made their way there because tourists and explorers would feed them but also just outside the zone there were signs of people living there. My first impression of the actual purpose-built city was how much it had decayed. We visited the sights of the old fairground, swimming pool, kindergarten, school classrooms but also explored rooftops with amazing views of Chernobyl with the Duga Radar in the distance. We later visited that and the sheer scale was really something to see.

Always in the back of my mind as a photographer, I wanted to get images of myself as The Journeyman in a few great locations. I achieved this by way of tripod and self-timer yet some conditions were difficult in terms of focusing. I began to think as time went on that the place is past its best in terms of decay and it’s now very run down. I also feel that tour companies are maximising the tourist trade even though we were very lucky to have a city to ourselves. I mean that by the fact that the tour guide visited the site up to twenty-five times per month and her radiation levels were normal. This didn’t seem like sense to me since we only had 6 to 8 hours a day for 3 days.

If you are thinking about visiting I would suggest it soon because like anything it will end up losing its mystery and interest. Overall I was pleased with the images I got but could always be improved.