Alan Frost | alan frost photography

Posts tagged ‘Alan Frost’

Photographic workflow – Part 1 ….. Seeking inspiration

*Out and about on the Throop Loop walk close to my home.*
*More images from this walk feature in this post.*

This is the first post in a short series in which I aim to describe my photographic workflow from the very beginnings to the final print. In this post I will write about how to find inspiration. Future posts will cover image capture, my editing process and lastly making the print.

At the start of this year I made a pledge that I would put more effort into making new work and to immerse myself into this great creative hobby which I and so many people enjoy. However if you lack inspiration or enthusiasm this has to change.

I guess we all go through periods when our desire to be creative wanes, and when this happens we need to find fresh inspiration that encourages us to pick up a camera and seek out new subjects or different ways to make photographs. If you have been making images for many years this can prove problematic. It’s all too easy to fall into a rut and think; ‘I have photographed that scene before’ or ‘I simply can’t be bothered to make the effort to go out – the weather is against me and the light isn’t right.’ All valid reasons but I believe they can be overcome by a fresh dose of inspiration.

I can only speak for myself but I find I am inspired in a number of ways.

I will often begin by going to my collection of photo books, selecting a few from the shelf and from there I start thumbing through the pages with a decent cup of coffee for company. I read about the photographer, their approach, thought process, technique and perhaps most importantly studying their photographs. And when I say study I don’t mean flicking quickly from one page to the next, as we do when scrolling through images on Instagram, but actually taking time to really look into the image. I look at the choice of subject depicted; its composition; how line, texture, form and contrast have been used to enhance the image and how these elements assist the narrative or feel of the picture. In other words ‘what can I learn’ from images made by photographers whose work I admire and which gives me pleasure.

*The Recent Past by James Ravilious and A Life a biography by his wife*
*Robin Ravilious*

In the past few weeks I have been revisiting the books I have by James Ravilious, Chris Chapman, Chris Tancock, Fay Godwin and Don McCullin (his landscapes). These five photographers all work in monochrome and the first three could be all be described as rural documentary photographers. Their images typically capture a way of life in the countryside and this appeals to me greatly. Their work often includes people which are nearly always absent in my photographs but I like to think I am recording or documenting the countryside around where I live.

*Wild Goose and Riddon by Chris Chapman*

*Land and Our Forbidden Land both by Fay Godwin*

Alongside books I find inspiration from watching YouTube videos about these and other like minded photographers. There are of course very many excellent photographers who are making a good living being full time YouTubers, but all too often in my view their formulaic approach to their craft is more about gaining likes and subscribers to boost their channel. I can’t blame them but endless gear reviews, visits to honeypot locations and well worn ‘how to do this, and how to do that’, is fine upto a point but this type of video isn’t for me. I am more interested in films, talks or interviews with and about the photographers that inspire me. They are fewer in number but I find them very interesting and inspiring even when I have watched them before.

A selection of videos which you might find interesting.

A documentary presented by Chris Chapman regarding his friendship with James Ravilious made in 2022 – duration 24 minutes.

A documentary about Fay Godwin – duration 49 minutes

A film about Chris Tancock – duration 12 minutes

Don McCullin – The Stillness of Life – duration 8 minutes

I haven’t bought a photo magazine for years but I used to subscribe to Black and White Photography Magazine and still have a pile of them which I will occasionally pick up and read. Much of the imagery isn’t to my liking but some of the articles have a value and are worth re-visiting.

*A pile of Black and White Photography magazines*

I have yet to discover many podcasts which make me want to listen on a regular basis. I would however highly recommend Lenswork an online photography magazine by Brooks Jenson. Almost without exception every day he broadcasts ‘Here’s a thought’ – This example called ‘Take a Risk’ was published just a few days ago on the 22nd February. It lasts about 6 minutes and is well worth a listen.

Inspiration can also be found by being in the company of other photographers or artists. I haven’t been a member of a camera club for many years, and I rarely participate in workshops. Almost without exception the period following a workshop has kick started my desire to pick up a camera and start shooting. This was certainly the case when I attended a retreat towards the end of last year run by Paul Sanders, my first workshop for many years. Paul gave me new ideas, guidance and encouragement. A confidence booster which we all need from time to time. You can read more about my experience here.

I don’t like to mention it but it’s true to say that the purchase of new equipment will virtually guarantee and inspire us to take photographs. A new camera, lens, tripod, camera bag or simply a new accessory will get the shutter release button working again. New gear often isn’t necessary of course but if it inspires new work then what’s wrong with that? I have been guilty of treating myself to new equipment on more than one occasion, and I shall revisit the topic of equipment in Part 2 of this series – Image Capture.

There are other situations which help inspire the desire to make photographs. Being on holiday or travelling and exploring a location which you haven’t visited before is an obvious one. There are though limits on how far and how often. Time and finances are both limiting factors. As an outdoor photographer a favourable weather forecast for the next day might be all you the encouragement you need to pack the camera bag and head out. Mist or fog, the promise of snowfall, a stormy day down at the coast or simply the chance of good light and interesting cloud formations can all inspire.

There may be other situations which will inspire us to pick up a camera knowing it could help improve one’s mood. Certain ‘life or work events’ which cause stress and anxiety can prove to be all the inspiration necessary. Being outdoors and taking photographs is an excellent antidote for stress. It is well recognised that exercise whilst experiencing nature is beneficial to our health and general state of mind.

Lastly I believe that when we make new images which we like and enjoy, this very act will inspire us to try and repeat the exercise and make more pictures which we are happy with. Success breeds success you might say. These images don’t have to be liked or critically acclaimed by others; although positve feedback does help of course. It can be quite sufficient to make images which please the creator and the creator alone.

I liken this to when I used to be a regular golfer many years ago. I could have a dreadful round, spraying the ball all over the place, but if I struck one decent shot or holed a long putt then I would look forward to the next time I played. This analogy is no different to the small number of pleasing images on a memory card which is full of pictures just waiting in anticipation for the delete key to be pressed.

*The river Piddle looking towards the farm at Turners Puddle*

These are all forms of inspiration which I find helpful. Some are more tangible than others but they have all been of benefit to me recently or in the past.

It perhaps goes without saying that the photographers I have chosen to feature are my particular favourites and you will have own preferences but the principle remains the same. I also have no doubt that you will have your own ideas on where and how you find inspiration and any thoughts you may have would be welcomed in the comments section.

In the meantime I am inspired to make new work and I have been doing so recently.

I have included a small collection of recent images made on a walk which I call the Throop Loop. A regular circular walk which is quite close to my home. There are familiar sights aplenty but the eye soon learns to see and discover new compositions when inspired to do so.

*Seek and you will find – a finger post on the Throop Loop*

Not being hamstrung at Hamworthy ….. having fun for the sake of it

Sometimes I get hamstrung by the type of images I think I should be making. I am very aware that it can be limiting just to photograph my preferred subjects or feel I should only be working on the various photo projects I have underway. As a consequence the pure fun of just being out and about and capturing what I see, irrespective of genre or purpose, is rather liberating. Without the constraints of needing to fulfill a particular brief or objective, I am instantly reminded of why this is such a wonderful and enjoyable creative hobby.

This selection of six images were all shot last week at Hamworthy in Poole on the Dorset coast. The sun and blue skies made a rare winter appearance and I simply took the opportunity of making a few images of scenes that appealed to me.

The strong light and subject matter were arguably outside my usual comfort zone. The pictures don’t form part of an ongoing project. They are purely black and white images captured and made for the pleasure of doing so.

I was having fun and isn’t that what really matters?

A countryside wander around Winterborne Kingston

Grey, cold, and damp….. a typical Winter’s day in the south of England. Despite these conditions I very much enjoy wandering around the countryside, and in particular photographing the various farm buildings I encounter. They hold a certain fascination and are often in a state of disrepair. It’s a subject I keep returning to, and I don’t imagine this ever changing. The combination of a walk in the Dorset landscape with a camera for company is always a pleasure irrespective of the weather; although warm, waterproof clothing and a good pair of walking boots are a requirement.

The walk began and ended at the church of St Nicholas in Winterborne Kingston. A fine display of snowdrops reminded me that Spring isn’t so very far away.

Telephone boxes ….. project planning and research gets underway

*Outside the Post Office, Cheap Street in Sherborne*

It’s a little over a week since I posted my first entry on the topic of photographing telephone boxes. Documenting them, their uses and their place in the environment. I was quite excited then and I am even more excited and motivated today.

I have already spent quite a lot of time giving consideration to how this project might evolve, and whilst I have some parameters in mind, I don’t want to restrict myself too much too soon. I want to maintain flexibility in my approach and just see where this initial concept takes me.

What I have decided is that I would like to share not only the images but also the process with you. Explaining my ideas, and providing answers to some of the questions which are raised. It helps me to write down my thoughts and it may help you if you are also considering embarking on a photographic project. I don’t consider myself to be an expert but I hope you will find it interesting and maybe useful.

Initial Planning and Research

One of the many appealing aspects of this project is the number of boxes in existence in my home county of Dorset in the UK. Not as many as there once where of course, but that’s why I want to tell their story before they all but disappear. In order to find phone boxes to photograph I could jump in my car and aimlessly drive around hoping to stumble across them, but that would be very wasteful of fuel, time and almost certainly lead to considerable frustration.

Fortunately a quick internet search coupled with Google Street View can provide me with a lot of information. Without stepping out of the door I can sit in the warmth and comfort of my home and ‘travel’ around the county, and that’s exactly what I have been doing this past week.

When I find the site of a box I record it on My Google Maps, placing a coloured pin in the exact location. Changing the colour of the pin I can readily identify which locations I have been to and which ones I still need to visit. When I say the exact location, I mean precisely that. From a photographic perspective I need to know which side of the road the box is sited and establish the likely angle of view so that I can time my visit according to where the sun is will be in the sky . To date I have already identified 56 locations but some have much more photographic appeal than others, so I will select those which I believe have the most promise. I have used My Maps in the past and I like the fact that you can click on a pin and add notes as well as images which serve as a useful source of reference.

Street View is an extraordinary tool, but I use it with caution, as it cannot be relied upon 100% of the time. Whilst searching I found a box near the Sandbanks ferry at Studland. It stood adjacent to the sand dunes. A great subject to photograph but unfortunately when I dug a little deeper I established the box had been removed back in 2020. Arrrghh!…..but it did save me a lengthy round trip. It also served as a reminder that these boxes will not always be part of the landscape and will over time be consigned to the history of this country.

*The box near the Studland Ferry prior to its removal in 2020*

Two new images

My wife and I visited the town of Sherborne earlier this week so I took the opportunity to make a couple of images of the two boxes outside the Post Office in Cheap Street. The first is at the top of this page. It also appears in the Google Street View of the same location, but without all the pavement works. Although a rather chaotic scene I enjoy all the various street furniture and the disruption caused by the works taking place.

The second image (shown below) depicts the box which now houses a defibrillator. In this picture I like the inclusion of the person carrying her bag with ‘Love Books, Love Reading’. It adds another level of interest.

*The second box by the Post Office in Sherborne*

These two images are very different to those I included in the first post. Those were rural in nature but they do contrast well with the town locations. I am already quite clear in my mind that I want the project not to be just a collection of photographs of phone boxes – not record shots in other words – but images which incorporate the surrounding environment. If there is to be a story there needs to be context and if this includes a human element to broaden the narrative then all well and good.

I don’t need to put a definitive name to this work at such an early stage but I consider it helps to call it something. The Telephone Box Project is something of a mouthful, so I thought the Phone Box Story had more appeal and I can abbreviate this to PBS which I think has a rather nice ‘ring, ring’ to it! Apologies for this terrible joke but I’ll stick with the ‘Phone Box Story’ and it’s shortened version of ‘PBS’ for the foreseeable future.

There are plenty of thoughts and ideas running through my brain right now so I anticipate posting a further update soon.

Do comment on any aspect of this project, I would welcome your feedback.

Telephone boxes …… I think this has all the makings of a new photo project.

Projects, whether they be small or large, short or long term, never fail to encourage me to go out with my camera. Excuse the pun but they give me a focus, a sense of direction and a purpose to make new work.

I try not to think too hard about what the subject might be for a new project; I simply wait for an idea to inspire me. Sometimes that flash of inspiration will fade very quickly and be dismissed. At other times the initial excitement takes hold and I can see how the project might develop. I start to research the idea and ask myself a variety of questions. How practical is it? Is there sufficient material to work with? Do I have the equipment required? Do I stick to black and white or is colour an option? What is the purpose and does the project have an end objective?

In the past few days I have latched on to the idea of photographing and documenting ‘Telephone Boxes’. We have one near where we live, although it has been repurposed, which is also true of many others. I have no idea how many still have working telephones, and in any case that number must surely be in decline. The historical aspect appeals to me and their current usage only adds to the story. Whilst still a common site, their original purpose and heyday has passed. However their passing and reinvention is I believe worth recording.

Given this thought process has only just began I don’t have all the answers yet, and in a couple of weeks time I might have dropped the concept altogether. Conversely my enthusiasm may grow. I will know soon enough. Right now I think this project has legs and I am excited.

Given this ‘flash of inspiration’ and in my desire to get started, I went out to make a few images of boxes close to our home.

Having done so I was reminded of a photograph I made a couple of years ago of a telephone box on the Ardnamurchan peninsular in Scotland. In fact this particular box is the most westerly box on the British mainland. Perhaps the idea for this project was conceived back in 2022? It’s just taken rather a long time to come to fruition!

I would like to finish by thanking and making reference to a documentary photographer, Kyle McDougall, who has a truly excellent YouTube channel. I have been following his channel for some time and I enjoy his work, very much like his style of presentation and I learn a lot from him in the process. By sheer coincidence his latest video (link below) refers to the topic of photographic projects. His thoughts and suggestions resonated with me and what he had to say reinforced the very ideas which have been going through my own mind these past few days.