Essex

The walled island

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Canvey Island lies in the Thames estuary in my native county of Essex. Its history was scarred by a devastating flood in 1953 which claimed 58 lives and led to the construction of miles of protective high sea walls.

I returned recently having visited relatives there as a child, but this was my first taste of Canvey’s walls and waterfront on a warm, humid summer’s day. It was full of daytripping families, some local voices peppered with Eastern European migrants. The painted walls tell the story of 1953 against the backdrop of amusements and cafes selling ice-cream and burgers.

The estuary landscape is stark but beautiful, with the crowds of people adding colour and life to photographs. It’s a place of both symmetry and the unpredictability of life.

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Canvey Island sign

The Photo Shop

Human interest

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Ilias

This photograph made me pause for thought. It is my Greek friend Ilias, taken on a city walk around Hoxton. I’d imagined taking a picture of him, and this was it. I happily gave a little direction to make it happen, and it was part of the process of photography.

It made me think of my self-confessed fear of people and portraits. But looking back over my archive, it becomes clear that this problem doesn’t really exist. I’ve captured a fair few people, some in plain sight and others while I simply observed them from afar. Perhaps I feel safer with the solid majesty of buildings or objects in the control of my studio space. But humans are interesting – and sometimes need not be feared.

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The Photo Shop

Salvaged shots

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Some photographs slip between the cracks. Some of them are overlooked, seemingly superfluous to requirements, or simply don’t fit neatly into any post. Some of them deserve to be scooped up and given an airing.

This collection is a rescued rag-tag. It brings together moments of architectural discovery, traipsing around London and elsewhere, while my visit to the Cape Verde islands comes up again, including a visit to the gnarled hulk of the wrecked Santa Maria.

These are disparate moments from my photographic journey which I hope you’ll enjoy.

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2014 moments #4

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I would like to share my 10 most memorable photographs of the year over the coming days with you. These are shots that I am particularly proud of, while each evokes a sense of place and meaning from 2014.

Content without water

CONTENT WITHOUT WATER

A cluster of boats appear to lie stranded on the mud on the Thames waterfront at Leigh-on-Sea in Essex. It’s a blazing, high key shot taken on an autumn day when the sun veered between hiding behind clouds and blasting through them. This scene is a souvenir of an enjoyable trip outside London and the joys of my home county.

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2014 moments #2

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I would like to share my 10 most memorable photographs of the year over the coming days with you. These are shots that I am particularly proud of, while each evokes a sense of place and meaning from 2014.

Daisy on black

DAISY ON BLACK

This photograph ticks many boxes. I finally invested in a macro lens in 2014, and discovered the joys of getting close small subjects, with nature and flora at the top of the list. I placed this simple flower on a black background which made its purity and vibrant colour stand out, and a Pop Art-style spin-off took shape. And it was taken in my mother’s peaceful, insular Essex garden during the summer warmth.

Gallery entrance