Work in Progress
To returning readers, welcome back and thank you for your patience. If you were kind enough to read any of my previous newsletters, you likely anticipated that I would disappear at some point. What you may not have anticipated, however, was that I would in fact find an outlet for that creative itch. That is what I want to talk to you about now. I hope you enjoy.
To any new readers, thank you for being here. Please consider subscribing—I promise I am in it for the long haul.
Forever is Day by Day
As I get closer to actually having completed my zine (a project that has been years in the making), I’ve come to the realisation that I need to start talking about it. Of course, it’s a great thing to have actually completed a project—particularly one as personal and meaningful as this.
To truly make the most of this process, however, I feel that I need to get it in front of people. I want to improve as a photographer, always. I can think of no better feeling than one of progress. What better way to improve than to actually put my work in front of people and see what happens? Of course, with that exposure comes fear. What if no one likes it? Well, that would still be worthwhile information, I think.
So, I asked my friend Ben what I should do to generate interest. He suggested reviving this newsletter and writing about some of the photographs that feature in the zine. Apparently, people cannot want something that they’re unaware exists (and a couple of Instagram stories over the course of a year doesn’t cut it).
I was happy with that suggestion. Anything that allows for forward motion. So, for the first instalment of my revamped newsletter, we start with the image that forms the cover.
Originally, my new pal and the designer of this zine, Aidan, thought the below image might make for a great cover. There’s a lot I like about this photograph and I was keen to roll with it. My good friend and mentor1, James, (who has also kindly graced the zine with a beautiful foreword) gently vetoed it. His thinking was that it felt a little busy for a cover.
Ultimately, we landed on something much quieter. The reason being both practical and creative—a simpler photograph would allow the title2 to stand out whilst also reflecting the quiet nature of the photography and the subject, my home, The Isle of Man.
As with many of the photographs in the zine, the photograph that became the cover was taken whilst I was out on a walk. Back in 2020 (when this photograph was taken), with the onset of the pandemic, daily walks became a necessity for maintaining sanity. It was around this time that I started taking photographs in earnest, heading out for long walks with an analogue camera in hand, listening to an audiobook or podcast.
Sitting here now, I am trying to think why it is that I took this particular photograph. I have in fact taken multiple versions over the years—
—so something clearly appeals.
One of the recurring motifs within my zine is the passage of time. There are several photographs of the same place, taken months or even years apart. It’s interesting to see how time changes a place. Perhaps more than that, it is interesting to see how I have changed. Returning to a place and suddenly realising how long it has been, one cannot help but replay moments from the time that has past—friends, relationships, family, significant events. In a way, I feel as though I have anchors planted all around this little island, waiting for my return. You will see them throughout this zine.
Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please consider subscribing. See you next time.
James has never formally declared mentorship but I like to call him one all the same.
Great to have you back!!!