I did this picture a few years ago and I thought it reflected the madness which possesses the mindset we are hellbent on pursuing. Well. ….this is a photo I took of a re-enactment group who were parading on Yarmouth South Quay, celebrating the town’s history in its fishing industry. The drummer was in a different photo, as was the officer with his back to the camera. It’s an annual event that encompasses all aspects of its heritage. The guns I have replaced for heads came from a collection of militaria at an air show in Suffolk (I think it was at Old Buckenham). In the background is a view looking south from the beach in Yarmouth, with the monument to Nelson. The sulphurous sky has been accentuated, but the clouds were real. It pissed down.
Raining Questions
The landscape is of North Norfolk, on the road between Binham and Warham ( I think!). I liked the view, presenting a vista for miles to the horizon, and the threatening clouds. For me, this was an exercise in creating the question marks to look as if they were made of glass. Each one was made individually, which took a very long time! The text was created first. I don’t know why I came up with the idea – there’s a question!
WTF Part 2
Looking down into Anglia Square from the HMSO building, one sees the shadows cast by the glass and steel canopy covering, in the middle of the shopping centre. I thought it created a visual dynamic that looked very arresting. I have accentuated the colour of the paving slabs. The disposable shaving razors in my bathroom caught my eye,…so click went the camera! I will photograph anything that catches my attention, and usually not use, this time I did. The pipes and access ladder are part of a vacant industrial unit around the back of Barker St. I liked the way these elements seem to connect. As for the title,…. the image came out of the blue and I was stumped as what to make of it. I have created a previous picture, which I titled ‘WTF’ for the same reason, hence ‘Part2’ for this picture. So…..WTF?
Statute
At the entrance to the Norwich Union building on Surrey Street, there are two statues flanking the grand edifice. They are; William Talbot (on the left) and Sir Samuel Bignold (centre). They were both sculpted by Mons. L. Chavalliaud, at the beginning of the 20th century. I have photographed a detailed section of the statues, as you can see; I liked the folds and books, and the shadows cast by their relief. The right hand segment is an egg box I had photographed previously. It was a cardboard composite pressed tray for six eggs. I flattened it (when it was empty) by standing on it. As usual, it was introduced into the collage, after looking through my library. I thought the image complimented the statues by colour, texture, shape and lighting. I titled the picture because of the portfolio business files you can see, signifying the gentleman’s office and stature.
Social Media
In my lifetime, I have gone from putting coins in a public telephone box (button A and button B, remember?…..no) to talking and seeing someone in the middle of nowhere on a piece of metal and plastic in my hand. This is my take on such progress. The text/poem reads: Filling Those Empty Spaces, Filing People, Friends And Faces. Coming To Terms, With No Returns. Desperately Keeping Ahead Of The Curve. All the letters have been filled with photos of family and friends, past and present.
Recycling
This picture which looks like the remnants of a dystopian Wasteland, started with an upturned bike with its wheels removed. I came across it on a back street in Pottergate, Norwich. The mountain of scrap metal (including the car!) was in a big yard in Yarmouth. The premises belong to EMR Group Scrap Metal, on the Southgate Rd. opposite the junction with Queens Rd. It was a photo opportunity I couldn’t miss. Marrying the two aspects came by experimentation, as I was looking for what scenario to use the bicycle. The disparity between sizes added to the surreal effect. Lastly came the skyline which I’ve filled with the Ferris Wheel from Yarmouth beach. I have distorted it to fill the picture and give the image some ‘movement ‘. I applied a different filter to each component to distinguish their place in the montage. The title came at the very end and the irony wasn’t lost on me……..
Going Nowhere
I have always wanted to photograph a farm building that is set on its own, in a large field. It can be found on Long Lane, a short cut from the A148 Fakenham by-pass, to the Wells road. The extraordinary buildings address is 95-99 Fakenham Rd. E.Barsham. I just think it is a remarkable structure. Anyway…. I was looking for a background to accompany the photo I took of the boat. This is a balsa wood model my father brought back from the Maldives when he was posted to RAF Gan in the late 60’s. He had the protective ‘house’ made especially, measuring 70cm at the base, and 60cm to the top, to be shipped home. Of course the model is worse for wear and is missing the cloth sails it had. I was looking to mirror the apex’s of the box and building, which has been duplicated and layered to fill the frame, and applied a filter.
Two Stars; One Dead
Repeating myself (ad nauseum), I maintain that I didn’t start this picture with any idea of a considered objective. The image started (in the sky) with the flagstones and the semi-circular metal (copper?) runner for a set of gates (no longer there) at St. John’s RC Cathedral in Norwich. In the foreground is a water feature, with steps running down, which is part of the Ceremonial Pool, on the Great Verandah at the entrance to the Australian Parliment building. The fire in the top of an oil barrel came next, probably from a firework party. The remains of a bonfire was from a camping trip in North Norfolk (I had to photograph it – as you do). I added the people (from another source) and the ‘stars’ to complete and realise a narrative – unwittingly…..well..after introducing the bonfire remains, as an experiment, the picture developed a theme. I was more interested in the curves and the composition.
What Is It Good For?
I created this picture back in 2009 for ‘something to do ‘. One could call it displacement activity, as I didn’t take it seriously. And so it languished in the portfolio library until recently. I discovered it whilst scrolling through the computer archive and thought of reviving it. After a couple of minor edits and not altering the image, I was satisfied enough to to add it to the website. I was ‘doodling’ when I constructed this and thought of it as a ‘fun’ piece.
The World Keeps On Turning
This scene is set on the seafront walkway in Yarmouth. The particular spot is under the Britannia Pier, with the metal staircase going up to the pier. I liked the shadow created and the lines of the concrete steps and metal shutters. Without rhyme or reason I introduced the fairground Orbiter (see also ‘G-Force’) which I had photographed in Hunstanton. I enlarged, dragged and cropped the contraption so it fitted convincingly. In between the steps going up was a background of people and the beach beyond. I cut them away and looked for something to fill the spaces. I needed a shot of the sun shining towards the camera to complete the composition and light direction. I eventually came across the photo of the Ferris Wheel on Yarmouth beach. Then the narrative defined the title.