Knowing we were spending a week travelling around Wales in our van, Katie and I both ensured we would use the time to stay creative. I brought my camera with one roll of film and she took a sketchpad and oil pastels. I didn’t have exactly the tools I wanted, the film was a lower ISO and I had planned to buy a tripod but failed to get one last minute. This however wouldn’t matter as I realised the light was far too bright to obtain the longer shutter speeds I wanted, without using some form of filter.
I found some good opportunities for shots although I strayed away from my recent abstract/still life brief. I’m unsure if I am doubting the images before even seeing them based on this. I have grand ideas about sticking rigidly to a style or subject for years to come. However, I can only shoot the things that are in front of me and I want to shoot whatever feels right. Some images may even be minimal enough to go alongside my recent work regardless of intention.
During the trip, Katie was undecided on how to present her work and what direction it should go in. As an outsider, I think her work looks cohesive in style, whatever the subject. I also think that the best way she should present her work is to photograph her sketch book once a day, then produce large scale works based on her favourites. She thought this was too much work and so I argued that one drawing a day is an easy task. She replied by saying that a photographer would find that easy as it takes a fraction of a second to take a single picture once every 24 hours.
Using social media as a way to display photographs is not something I have ever got on board with. It seems too flippant and commerical to display things I have put time and energy into. But not involving myself with that community means I have no interaction with like minded people. I have now created an Instagram account with some rules I I mumust that follow. I must post one photo everyday and take at least one photo everyday. I will only begin to add friends after one month of daily posts. Finally, I must ensure I create and post for myself and not for compliments from others.
In Wales I used one roll of Ilford fp4. It was a bit too slow for some of the candid shots but served well for landscapes. I used a red filter for the entire roll and so have some concerns about underexposure. After the trip I ordered ten rolls of fomapan 400 and have already begun shooting daily. I’m shooting it at 250 iso as I have read it overexposes nicely. I have also decided not to use my red filter until I see results but have stuck with my Canon 50e with 40mm, despite occasionally veering off course by camera hunting on eBay. The trip to Wales showed me how capable the camera is and now I am using it more regularly, I can feel myself becoming comfortable and satisfied.
In all I’m glad I have become actively photographing each day. If posting on Instagram is what makes me a better photographer just by ensuring I never run out of photos to post, then I’ll be greatful to have created an account, regardless of likes or followers.
A J Carlton 