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
-
The Opening of the Film Archives—the Hangar à Bananes August 2016
This is the second part of a special day with the author’s daughter. They visited Jardin des Plantes, then went to Altercafé at the Hangar à Bananes. The daughter’s strong-willed nature is highlighted, and the author reflects on her as a model. The day concludes with the recognition that even a top model needs rest. Read more
-
In Defense of Film
The author reflects on the value of film photography in a digital age, citing its mindfulness and predictable results. They compare costs of digital and film photography equipment and development, advocating for the joy and enduring appeal of film as a medium. They believe film photography still has relevance and shares examples of younger generations… Read more
-
The Opening of the Film Archives—Jardin des Plantes August 2016
The writer reminisces about a time when his daughter was younger and more eager to spend time with him. He describes a visit to the Jardin des Plantes in Nantes, recalling how his daughter subtly led the photography outing. The images captured hold nostalgic value, representing a specific moment in time from 2016. Read more
-
I want it, but do I really need it?
The camera gear industry is a powerful beast and it tries to convince us that this piece of kit, that is conveniently in stock, will help you become that photographer that you are destined to be. Be that in magazines, be that in youtube influencer videos that “try out the camera” that the manufacturer has… Read more
-
The Opening of the Film Archives – On the way to work
In this captivating series, the photographer reveals the hidden beauty of everyday surroundings. From city streets to countryside tranquility, the timeless quality of black and white film captures the essence of each scene. With a plea to cherish and document our own journeys, the artistry of mundane moments is celebrated. Read more
-
Why the Olympus Pen EE-S Is the Best Budget Film Camera for Beginners
Small, affordable, and full of charm—the Pen EE-S is the perfect first film camera for curious shooters. 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.
→ Think about subscribing – it’s a good read!
IJM Photography 
j’adore
LikeLiked by 1 person
il y a des jours avec, et les jours sans….
LikeLike