Posts from the ‘Photography’ category

Loch Na Keal on the Isle of Mull

Loch Na Keal is the principal sea loch on the west coast of the Isle of Mull, which is part of the Inner Hebrides in Scotland. The views in this entry are all taken from the northern shoreline looking south towards the largest mountain range on the island which includes Ben More. The scenery in this part of the island is simply stunning; it is perhaps the most beautiful but also the most dramatic location on Mull. The weather and light are constantly changing, as the clouds move in the wind and are intercepted by the mountains, bringing precipitation to the high peaks and wonderful light for photography.

I took these images back in April but only recently processed them to my satisfaction. They take me back to a place I love and I long to return.

 

Heron in Flight, Loch Na Keal

Afternoon Light, Loch Na Keal

Towards Ben More, across Loch Na Keal

Mountains of Mull, across Loch Na Keal

There are small but important details in couple of the images (‘Heron in Flight’ and the cottage in ‘Towards Ben More’) which can really only be appreciated if viewed large, so do click on the photo which will open in a new window.

 

Photographic projects – and how I have come to appreciate their importance

In recent weeks I have been considering how and why my photography has developed over the past couple of years. In doing so I have come to appreciate the importance of projects. In this post I will write about a few examples and illustrate how they have impacted on my photography and how they might help you in the future.

The age old expression that ‘every picture tells a story’ may still hold true, but with millions of photos being uploaded to the web on a daily basis, via Instagram, Flicker, Facebook, Twitter (I could go on) ….. the world is now saturated with images. Whilst I still enjoy making and sharing ‘single’ shots’, my own feeling is that there is much greater value in a body of work which includes some form of narrative; hopefully a story contained within a set of images which makes viewing the work more meaningful and dare I say it, more pleasurable for the viewer. A story behind the image is far more difficult to achieve from just a single back lit picture viewed on a screen in the space of a few milliseconds, whereas a printed body of work is likely to hold the attention of the viewer for a longer period of time. These bodies of work may take the form of a panel, a photographer’s portfolio, part of an exhibition or published in a book.

New Art of The South Downs

Yours truly at the recent ‘New Art of The South Downs’ Exhibition

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Summer crops – fields of beauty

 

The countryside close to where I live is transformed at this time of year into what I can only describe as ‘fields of beauty’. A wonderful variety of crops which seem to be maturing earlier this year than I can ever remember. The beauty is visual, from both near and far as these photographs depict, but also beauty in the fact that in such a relatively short period of time a bare field can become a harvest full of goodness. Wheat, barley, oats and oil seed rape are all on show; the paths are overgrown and the pollen levels rise; it’s summer and who wouldn’t want to be outside to appreciate the crops on our farmland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My first exhibition as part of The Festival of Chichester

I was invited a few weeks ago to be one of five artists to exhibit their work at the Courtyard Studios near Chilgrove, just to the north west of Chichester. The title of the exhibition is ‘New Art of the South Downs’ and has been curated by Terry and Nicola Hancock. I am delighted to have been asked and to have the opportunity to display some of my work. I will be showing several A2 signed and framed prints of my ecclesiastical images, all of which will be for sale.

Sanctuary by Alan Frost

The Exhibition runs from Saturday 1st July until Saturday 8th July; 11am – 5pm each day, but closed on Monday and Tuesday.

The South Downs has long inspired art and creativity and the exhibition is located in the heart of the National Park near Kingley Vale. Each of the five artists offer a fresh interpretation  of what it is to live and create in this beautiful area. Original paintings, prints, sculptures and of course my photographs will be on show and available for sale.

Nicola Hancock

Shelagh Wilson

Alan Williams

Geraldine Barton

This opportunity came about as a result of a meeting with Terry Hancock who runs Reframe, a picture framing business, which all forms part of the gallery and studio space at Courtyard Studios. I had asked him to frame my work for what I had thought would be my first exhibition in The Oxmarket in November, which has now been overtaken by this event.

The exhibition is part of The Festival of Chichester which started on the 16th June and ends on the 17th July. During this period the City is staging over 200 varied events, including all forms of music, exhibitions, talks, theatre, book events, in fact anything connected to the arts is being celebrated.

If you plan to visit the exhibition, the address is Courtyard Studios, The Courtyard, Crows Hall Farm, Chilgrove, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 9HP.