This is the flip side to my mother’s flower-filled garden in Essex, eastern England. It’s an architectural garden, built on neat lines and angles, from the solid railway sleepers to the little shed. Even some of the smaller objects reflect this order.
As a lover of symmetrical photography and the purity of its lines, this was a pleasing theme to develop over a couple of hot, sunny summer days there.
It was time to take a break from London and see my mother who lives in Essex, a two-hour jaunt east from my part of the city.
This turned into two glorious days spent in her garden, newly landscaped with gravel, paving stones and raised beds of flowers fashioned from reclaimed railway sleepers. It’s bursting with roses, dahlias, marigolds, lavender and a host of garden favourites.
My trusty camera came with me, and working in the garden was restful and a pleasure, punctuated with numerous breaks from the strong summer sunshine. I found abstract, floral and architectural shots in this well-structured space – rich, rewarding and relaxing in equal measure.
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And to finish off, a candid photograph of this garden’s proud owner, my Mum, resting in her swing seat, probably enjoying a crossword puzzle or reading her Kindle. The fruits you deserve to savour at a mature stage in life…
This is a story of lazing in a neat, suburban garden. It’s bounded on all sides by fences and is carefully sculpted. The sun beats down and you screw up your eyes to combat the glare.
You see a series of abstract moments, unusual visions from the corners of your eyes. Little corners that invade your being from the inactivity of the day. And the sunlight plays on the conventional parameters of this garden to conjure up dreams of a languid summer day in this garden…
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This photograph marks a break from the bold colours and staggering light of Fuerteventura. The scene is back in the softer light of Essex in the UK, where summer is struggling to take hold.
But it’s late evening and the last vestiges of sunlight reach into this verdant corner, catching some insects in its rays. This small graveyard belongs to the Quaker church in Maldon and is at the back of my mother’s home.
I noticed this looking out of the window and was struck by its tranquility and stillness – apart from the fluttering insects playfully absorbing the warmth.
The composition hinges on the right of the frame, while the dark, lush vegetation of this rarely touched corner creates a good contrast with the sunshine. I think it sums up the mood I felt with this scene.
On Easter Monday I took a walk in the biting, wintry wind. At least the sun occasionally revealed itself.
I was in Maldon, Essex and went down to the riverside where I’ve been with my camera numerous times. My task was to seek out miniscule, ordinary details and capture them with depth and precise focusing.
The deserted pub garden. A small chain and some rope next to the assembled boats. A simple road sign and the texture of some walls. There was also a lively market taking place which provided further fodder for my lens. The smaller things matter and can provide unexpected sources of aesthetic pleasure.
