20 Days - Delivery of my first 'real' book, about my wife Suzanna's diagnosis and eventual death from cancer in 2018. The book is part of my final project for my degree @sunderlanduni a particularly difficult project to work through.
Thank you to everyone who has given input on this project particularly @dalehardymultimedia @gilespenfound Sarah Coverdale and Peter Fryer.
@nepn
@sunderlandcreative
@northerncentreofphotography
@sunderlanduni
#documentaryphotography
#photographybooks
#photography
#cancer
#northeastengland
An early morning wander into the woods. The golden rays of morning sun filtered through tree tops from a beautiful blue sky. Crystal dew drops glistened on whispers of grass and delicate flower petals. I stumbled upon a beech wood that I had never been to before. The ground, as though covered in a sudden summer snow fall, was carpeted in heavenly scented wild garlic and bluebells.
#northumberland
#countydurham
#photography
#woods
#trees
#tree_brilliance
#bluebells
#tree_shotz
#tree_pictures
#tree_magic
#treephotography
#landscapephotography📷
#greatbritain
#capturingbritain
#visitbritain
A series of images taken at various beaches in West Cornwall.
There is something about photographs of water taken with slow shutter speeds.
The resulting images are not documentary, they don’t show something as we see it in the real world. Instead they capture and reveal a period of time, reveal details deep in the shadows, saturate colours, creating something closer to an emotional and ethereal representation of the world. The longer the exposure the greater those sensations become.
#seascape
#landscapephotography📷
#sea
#water
#slowshutter
#longexposure
#landscape_captures
#cornwall
#cornwallcoast
#cornishcoast
#lovecornwall
#explorecornwall
#godrevey
#visitcornwall
#scenicbritain
#uklandscape
#visionsofbritain
#uklandscape
One of my favourite places. The forest where I escape to; to run, to walk, to photograph, to absorb the sounds of nature, to find peace of mind. I am missing it deeply. The closest I can get at the moment is to look through the thousands of images I have captured of the place and remember the time I have spent there.
#forest
#slaleyforest
#trees
#woodlandsandwater
#splendid_earth
#treesofinstagram
#splendid_woodlands
#naturephotography
#northeastengland
#northumberland
#landscapephotography
#justlandscapes
#gloriousbritain
#genuinebritain
#landscapelover
#travelphotography
#wanderlust
#visitnorthumberland
#stayhomesavelives
Another selection of images from China, this time Yangshuo with its iconic mountains and paddy fields. Extremely hot and humid, but stunningly beautiful in its greenery.
I walked over twenty miles on the silent back lanes, wandered by the river. I sheltered from the rain under a huge tree alive with the chirps of Cicadas my soaked shirt drying in minutes in the scorching heat, I watched a woman herding ducks up an irrigation trench in a paddy field. Yangshuo is like a land from a fantasy novel, the hills protruding into air like a child’s drawing, the animals, insects and plants unrealistically huge, the rural landscape overwhelmed by growth.
#china
#yangshou
#wanderlust
#travel
#travelgram
#adventure
#travelphotography
#traveltheworld
#beautifuldestinations
#outdoors
#goexplore
#nikonuk
#nikonphotography
#travelphotographer
#TLPicks
#nakedplanet
Australia 2017, the last time I travelled abroad with my wife Suzanna. It was my second trip there in two years and it had a huge effect on us both, so much that we were considering emigrating. We were still talking about it when she was in hospital in the weeks before she died. Once her health improved, once she beat the cancer, we were going to take the leap.
We travelled thousands of miles, but explored only a tiny part of such a vast place. Our intention was to return and explore the rest of it.
This trip marked so many milestones for me, an improvement in every part of my life and I saw Suzanna inspired and growing in so many ways.
#Australia
#SeeAustralia
#visitaustralia
#lovensw
#visitvictoria
#ilovesydney
#sydney
#iloveaustralia
#beautifuldestinations
#wonderfulplaces
#travellife
#wanderlust
#aroundtheworld
#aussie_images
#thegreatoceanroad
#focusaustralia
#landscapephotography
Two years ago, I was invited over to China by a good friend who lives in Shenzhen.
Another fantastic adventure. Definitely not the tourist option, but brilliant to see how people live, in a different part of the world and to experience a culture very different to ours.
The city has only really existed since the 1980s, becoming a centre of capitalism for China. People go to Shenzhen from all over China to work. China really is not what the Western media would make it out to be.
I was privileged to meet some incredible people who treated me with the deepest respect, shared their food with me and gave me the most amazing opportunities. I am looking forward to heading back there at some point in the future.
#china
#chinatravel
#documentaryphotography
#travelphotography
#wanderlust
#chinadestinations
#travelling
#travel_captures
#instapssport
#photosoftheworld
#nikonuk
#peoplephotography
Saint Michael’s Mount, Marazion, Cornwall. 2002-2012
For ten years I lived with this beach at the end of the street. It was a daily routine to get out of bed just before dawn and make my way to end of the road to take photographs.
Sometimes the sunrise would be stunning and colourful and awe inspiring and would burn into the blue of daytime. At other times it would show its colours between sheets of rain and cloud and then be gone. These were the ones I loved. A personal display just for me, that those still in bed wouldn’t even be aware had happened.
For a while, returning to Cornwall revived only bad memories for me. Penzance was the place I married my wife Suzanna, brought up our children, where I ran a successful business and had so many great experiences and big chunks of that are now gone, most significantly my wife.
In February I returned to Cornwall for a short time and it felt like I had turned a corner in my grief. Around every corner was another memory of great times, of successes, of walks along that beach, of wonderful moments shared and St Michael’s Mount in the background of so many of those memories.
#stmichaelsmount
#landscapephotography
#cornwall
#cornwallcoast
#cornishcoast
#lovecornwall
#walkingcornwall
#cornishcoast
#penzance
#explorecornwall
#visionsofbritain
#visitengland
#scenicbritain
#marazion
#uklandscape
Croatia is a photographers paradise. An incredibly diverse country with European, Italian, Roman and Soviet influences visible in the landscape and the architecture.
The first time I was there was as a soldier in 1995, landing at Split airport at the end of the Yugoslavian war. I’ve returned a couple or times since. The first time back was an odd experience, a million miles from what I remember, Croatia is regaining quickly the tourist status it had before the war.
The country is beautiful, wonderful landscapes, characterful cities and towns, the people are incredibly friendly, but there are relics of war everywhere. Bullet mark ridden buildings in derelict villages that have been deserted for decades and roads lined with mine field signs. For me, it is a stark reminder of how awful people can be to one another.
Despite that it is still an amazing place to travel to especially away from the cities where a traditional style of life prevails.
#croatia
#balkans
#crostagram
#croatia_photography
#croatiatravel
#travelphotography
#landscapephotgraphy
#landscapelovers
#photography
#photographytour
#photographytraining
#wanderlust
#kroatia
I’ve spent a lot of time photographing Scotland over the years. This trip, taking a group of people to the Isle of Harris was spectacular. Stunning sunrises and sunsets, incredibly changeable weather which gave us stunning skies over the rolling hills and rugged coastline.
The woman in the first photograph, lived in a house across the road from where this photo was taken. The derelict cottage behind her, is where her and her husband first lived when they were married over fifty years earlier. Harris is one of those places that really grips you. It is inhospitable while being stunningly beautiful and you could almost imagine in a fairy tale version of life, buying a croft and moving there to live.
@walt3592
@craig7544
#scotland
#isleofharris
#outerhebrides
#scotalndtravel
#scotlandshots
#scotlandlover
#photographytour
#photographytraining
#landscapephotography
#photography
#scottishscenery
#scenicbritain
#lovebritain
I have been teaching since I started my career as a photographer, initially in the Army and then countless workshops and courses in the UK and abroad. These images are from a photography trip to Morocco, ran with my good mate and fellow photographer Kim Walton.
Morocco is a photographer’s paradise. The colours alone are worth capturing, but the mix of historic buildings and slightly dishevelled residents are sensational. The country survives on tourism and most of what you will find in the old city centres, is for the benefit of tourists. Once you head away from the cities though, that is replaced by a diverse landscape. From the Saharan desert sands to the snow capped Atlas Mountains, it is stunningly inspiring.
@walt3592
#morocco
#northafrica
#sahara
#saharadesert
#wanderlust
#moroccotravels
#documentaryphotography
#landscapephotography
#topmoroccophotography
#travel
#travelphotography
#tourism
#nikon
One of my very favourite images from my past work. It graced the front cover of Wed Magazine @wedmagazine about twelve years ago.
Dancers make fantastic models and I’ve worked with lots of them over the years. Creating the shot was a calculated process, spending an entire day with model and dancer Charlotte Lodey practicing poses, lighting and execution, to ensure that when we finally received the dresses for the shoot, everything would be perfect.
The final shot used five Bowens flash heads; two lighting the white background, one to the far left lighting the piece of pink material, a second main light with beauty dish just to the left of camera and a final light on the right to fill shadows. I worked on photoshoots with Charlotte countless times and we produced some very successful images.
It is quite a while since I have shot anything fashion related and my practice has changed significantly, however it is something that I got a great deal of enjoyment out of and would be very interested in taking it up again. If there is anyone in the North East of England (or anywhere for that matter) who would be interested in collaborating at some point in the future please get in touch.
@wedmagazine
@charlotte_eve_explorer
@bowensflash
#dancephotography
#fashionphotography
#dancersofinstagram
#studiophotography
#northeastartist
#northeastengland
#photographersofinstagram
In 2016 I was commissioned by arts organisation Stanley Fringe to do some work in the former mining town of Stanley, County Durham. I spent six months documenting the town, photographing and interviewing over a hundred people. The project culminated in the screening of an hour long documentary and an exhibition of over two hundred printed images. It was a life changing experience for me.
Looking at the photographs now reminds me of how many friends I made during the project and how many of them I am still in contact with. While we are in lockdown, although I have always been fiercely independent, I have realised just how important people, conversation and friendship are in my life. There’s nothing better than chatting over a cuppa, discussing something in depth and putting the world to rights. Doing it online just isn’t quite the same.
@stanleycountydurham
@stanleytowncouncil
@whiteroomgallerystanley
@jaenelousie
@tracingaffleck
@emanuelletomato
@branalvere
@jpjgilbert1956
#stanleycountydurham
#thisisstanley
#northeastengland
#countydurham
#documentary
#documentaryphotography
In 2018 I had the privilege to work with the NHS Blood and Transplant service, documenting the work that they do. They are a little appreciated but significant cog in the machine that is the NHS. NHSBT collect blood from the public and deliver it 24 hours a day to hospitals throughout the country. They also deliver machinery and equipment not only during the current crisis but at all other times as well. NHSBT are delivering equipment, PPE and still carrying blood to where it is needed every hour of every day. When the time comes to distribute test kits and vaccines NHSBT will be distributing them.
While everyone is supporting the ‘frontline’ NHS staff, I would also like to thank all of those unseen people who contribute to the organisation; The Blood Service, the laboratory staff, the cleaners, the cooks, the people who work in the supply chain, who sterilise the equipment, who maintain the equipment, the drivers and staff who keep the supply chain working, the receptionists and secretarial staff who administrate every department, the ambulance drivers and everyone else who is putting themselves and their families at risk to fight this virus.
Out of a workforce of over a million people less than half of those working in the NHS are doctors and nursing staff. Thank you to everyone doing their part, no matter how insignificant it may seem, you all do a vital job.
@givebloodnhs
#nhs
#nhsbloodandtransplant
#coronavirus
#photogaphy
#documentaryphotography
#documentary
#covid_19
#stayathome
#clapfornhs
#nhsworkers
#protectheNHS
#nhsbt
#giveblood
I thought I would take the opportunity, during this period of isolation, to dig through some of my past photography. My practice has changed significantly in the past decade, so it is a chance to reflect on how far my work has progressed and perhaps an opportunity to reconnect with genres of work that I had previously abandoned and people I haven’t seen in a long time.
Shooting exclusively colour work now, it has been really nice to rediscover and re-edit some black and white work. Photography of food and the catering industry used to be a huge part of my work. These photographs (heavily influenced by Bob Carlos Clarke’s work in White Heat) are of Sarah Wright and Lucy Turner of The Round Kitchen, preparing for a wedding at Polhawn Fort in Torpoint.
I had the privilege to work with these two amazing chefs on a multitude of occasions and was privileged to be asked to photograph their wedding. They now run the Ring O’Bells pub in St Columb in Cornwall. Would be great to see you both again in the near future.
@the_round_kitchen @theringobells
#blackandwhite
#documentaryphotography
#foodphotography
#cornwallfood
#food
#chefs
#chefsofinstagram
#chefsoninstagram
Thankfully the madness seems to have calmed down today. Very little on the shelves now, plenty of bread though and they are staggering putting the milk out.When I entered the store there was no milk, after twenty minutes of wandering, there was milk on the shelves. People were taking a couple of cartons each, there was no rush or mad panic and nobody with overflowing trollies.
There is very little tinned stuff left, but plenty of fruit and veg and everyone seemed to be in fairly good spirits, particularly the staff.
#coronavirus
#endoftheworld
#documentaryphotography
#documentary
#keepcalmandcarryon
#photographer
#northeastengland
#countydurham
#consett
People never fail to disappoint.
It doesn't take much of a crisis for people to show their true colours. I watched this morning as two women overloaded a trolley with everything they could get their hands on. It took me all of my strength to not say something to them about their selfishness / lack of consideration / greed. I could see that I wasn't the only one wanted do it. As I unloaded the shopping into the car, in a three quarters empty car park, an obviously anxious guy got rather irritated that I was stood in his parking bay. On the roads people were driving around like maniacs.
On the other hand the supermarket staff are courteous, calm and carrying on and should be commended for what is a thankless task.
I really believe that in times of crisis we truly reveal who we are.
Images taken at Lidl / Tesco - interesting that there is no shortage of fruit and veg and there are plenty of vegan, organic fake burgers to go around. A bit of a dent in the wine, but plenty of beer left.
#photography
#coronavirus
#outbreak
#supermarket
#documentaryphotography
#documentary
An incredibly difficult project about possibly the worst experience of my life. When my wife Suzanna was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, I put the camera between myself and the disease. It was my way of coping with the situation. The intention was to document her journey through treatment and eventually overcoming the cancer.
Unfortunately twenty days after diagnosis, on 23rd December 2018, she died at Willowburn Hospice in County Durham.
This is my final project for my Degree at @sunderlanduni which will be exhibited at Sunderland University during June 2020.
My intention is to provoke discussion about the subjects of cancer, terminal illness, grief and how we navigate the emotion of dealing with the death of a loved one.
I have already had an incredible amount of support and feedback from so many people with this project. In particularly @gilespenfound my mentor from the very start of my photography journey, who once again, twenty years later, has made me question my approach and the motivations of my work.
And thank you to my fellow students and staff who helped yesterday, deliberating and discussing my first round of test prints @if_i_say_its_art @michaeldaglish @lesatarn @craigames.artist @kezbeautyman98 @micaonfilm @venetiaparkins @zarronbarnes
and Peter Fryer
@sunderlandcreative
@nephotonetwork
@northerncentreofphotography
#cancer
#documentaryphotography
#exhibitiondesign
#northeastengland
#terminalillness
#grief
#photographyexhibition
#cancerawareness
Brilliant performances from all who competed in the Women's British powerlifting Championships.
Videos and still images available from www.fatboystrong.com
#powerlifting
#strengthsports
#athlete
#womenspowerlifting
#womenpowerlifting
@ynepf
@fatboystrongphoto
Missing the simplicity of this place. The days went so slowly. No electricity or running water, a million miles from anywhere, candle lit conversation and phones relegated to redundancy. Since I returned home the days are disappearing at an incredible rate.
Taken very early morning, lit by moonlight ( inspired by the work of @bamford_alex ).The night was absolutely still and was coloured by the ever so slight presence of Aurora. So peaceful you could almost hear the trees breath.
@intrepidexpeditionsuk
@vetrun180
#cabininthewoods
#adventure
#adventuretherapy
#forest
#amazingplaces
#ukpotd
#sweden
#swedishlandscape
#cabinlife
#tripofalifetime