IJM Photography — Blog & Projects

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 – Kate July 2016

    The Opening of the Film Archives – Kate July 2016

    The content describes a father’s experience raising his son and daughter, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in parenting. He shares a heartwarming moment when he turned a bedtime struggle with his daughter into an impromptu photoshoot, using his trusted Praktica MTL3 camera. The narrative highlights the value of capturing precious family moments and memories through… Read more

  • The UK Chronicles – Preface

    The UK Chronicles – Preface

    The author expresses excitement about their upcoming trip to the UK after 30 years abroad. They anticipate driving through familiar routes, stopping at service stations, and photographing various locations in Northumberland. Despite being “continental,” the UK remains their nostalgic home. The trip will be a blend of comfort, nostalgia, and photographic exploration. Read more

  • The Opening of the Film Archives – Le Hangar à Bananes July 2016

    The Opening of the Film Archives – Le Hangar à Bananes July 2016

    In Nantes, the Île de Nantes is a vibrant hub with repurposed infrastructure including the iconic Hangar à Bananes. Capturing the summer vibe with architecture, communal barbecues, a mesmerizing dancer, and monumental landmarks like Grue Jaune and Anneaux de Buren creates an enduring impression. The area remains a popular spot for socializing and leisure activities. Read more

  • Optimizing Images On-the-Go: Mobile Photography Editing Guide

    Optimizing Images On-the-Go: Mobile Photography Editing Guide

    This article outlines a personal and efficient method for editing photos while on the move. The process involves transferring photos to a phone, sorting through them, and using the Snapseed app for editing. The author emphasizes simplicity and functionality while acknowledging alternative editing options. This method might effectively streamline photo editing for others as well. Read more

  • The Opening of the Film Archives – Clisson May 2016

    The Opening of the Film Archives – Clisson May 2016

    The article showcases the author’s experience with the Canon AE1 camera and shares colorful photos of the scenic town, Clisson. It highlights the camera’s features and compares the Canon AE-1 and Canon AE-1 Program models. The photos capture the beauty of Clisson’s Italian-style architecture and tranquil river, portraying a peaceful spring scene. Read more

  • Photo Editing On The Go With Snapseed

    Photo Editing On The Go With Snapseed

    After being fired from a job, I embraced the internet and learned new skills. Now, with a Samsung S20 FE, I edit and share photos on the go. Snapseed is my go-to app for editing as it’s free, user-friendly, and has all the necessary tools. It’s perfect for quick, quality editing. Stay tuned for more… Read more

Featured Projects

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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

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