Four decades behind the lens. Six years of sharing the journey.
Welcome. I’m Ian — photographer, horn player, and writer living in the Vendée, near the Loire-Atlantique border. This blog has been running since 2019 and shows no sign of stopping.
You’ll find black and white film work, travel essays, orchestra photography, philosophical digressions about why any of us bother pressing the shutter, and the occasional camera review written by someone with strong opinions and a perhaps unreasonable attachment to grain. No algorithms chose what appears here. No agency wrote it. Just forty years of looking, and six of writing it down.
Start anywhere. Stay as long as you like.
Latest from the Field
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Opening of the Film Archives, Château de Clisson, February 2017
In this entry from the Film Archives series, I revisit a visit to the Chateau de Clisson in February 2017, documenting the experience with my Canon AE1. Explore memories captured in time, the nostalgic process of film development, and a playful moment with my daughter. A journey through history. Read more
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A photography Philosophy – Part III – The Emotions of Photography
In “A Photography Philosophy – Part III – The Emotions of Photography,” discover the profound connection between emotion and image. Drawing from personal experiences in music, the article explores how to evoke feelings through portraiture, street photography, colour, and the timeless quality of black and white imagery. Read more
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Opening of the Film Archives – Canon AE1 Street Photography in Nantes
Join me on a street photography journey through Nantes with the Canon AE1, capturing raw, candid moments. The article also reflects on choosing the right camera for an upcoming China tour, balancing film versus digital for unforgettable images. Read more
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A Photography Philosophy – Part II – Why Do We Photograph?
In “A Photography Philosophy – Part II,” explore the profound reasons we pick up cameras. Discover how photography transcends mere documentation, allowing us to tell stories, evoke emotions, and find therapy. Delve into the significance of capturing meaningful moments and the beauty of visual storytelling in our modern image-saturated world. Read more
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The Opening of the Film Archives – Chaussée des Moines, Autumn 2016
Explore the Chaussée des Moines through the lens of the Canon AE-1 on a golden autumn day. Discover the tranquil beauty of the Sèvre Nantaise river, the interplay of light and shadow, and the charm of film photography. This reflective piece blends nostalgia, technique, and storytelling for photography enthusiasts. Read more
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A Photography Philosophy Series – Part I – An Introduction
In this first article of the “Photography Philosophy Series,” we explore the question of why in photography, reflecting on the deeper meaning behind taking photos and understanding our connections to images beyond technique or equipment. We begin with a personal journey into photography, setting the stage for a thoughtful exploration of the creative process. Read more
Featured Projects
- The UK Chronicles
Light, minimalism, and preparation.
Shot entirely on the Fujifilm X100F during a recent solo journey through Britain — a deliberate exercise in traveling light, seeing deeply, and preparing for the sensory overload of China. - The Film Archives
Memory in monochrome.
A vault unlocked: black and white film photographs from Nantes, Clisson, and beyond — captured long before this blog existed. Grain, patience, and timeless moments. - Photography Philosophy
Why do we do this?
Not a tutorial. Not a gear guide. A quiet exploration of purpose — the “why” behind the viewfinder. For those who photograph not to post, but to feel. - The Orchestra Visit to China
Culture, chaos, and concert halls.
A visual symphony from the road with the orchestra — temples, trains, backstage glances, and the electric silence before the first note.
About the Photographer
I am not an influencer. I am not a brand.
I am a photographer, ever so slightly stubborn, analogue at heart, digital when needed, and fiercely independent. I’ve been developing my own film since the 1980s. I built this blog in 2019, not for followers, but for focus.
I do not outsource my editing. I do not chase trends. I shoot what moves me, and I hope, sometimes, it moves you too.
“Commercial editing offers and unsolicited partnerships will not be published or replied to. This space is sacred; for art, not advertising.”
A Note from a Reader
“j’adore… il y a des jours avec, et les jours sans….”
— A kind visitor, September 2025
Stay in Touch
New work drops weekly — never spammy, always sincere.
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IJM Photography 
j’adore
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il y a des jours avec, et les jours sans….
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