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

  • Discovering the Musée de Préhistoire of Carnac with Paris 1972 – Versailles 2003

    Discovering the Musée de Préhistoire of Carnac with Paris 1972 – Versailles 2003

    The website Paris 1972 – Versailles 2003 features diverse and intriguing articles on subjects such as Bretagne, Paris, Versailles, and Spain. It complements the film archive article about the standing stones in Carnac. The site is run by a friend with a prolific output of articles. Read more

  • The Opening of the Film Archives – Saint Cado, Belz, Morbihan

    The Opening of the Film Archives – Saint Cado, Belz, Morbihan

    Welcome back to Brittany, France, where my in-laws reside. In 2016, I started collecting vintage cameras. The Kodak Retinette 1B, a 1960s gem, captured the charm of Saint Cado. This quaint island is a photographer’s dream, and using a 60-year-old camera like this is both practical and stylish. Sometimes, the best photos come from unexpected… Read more

  • Biking Monochromia

    Biking Monochromia

    The author has been featured on Monochromia with a photograph taken using the Pentax ME Super, showcasing a bike. They encourage readers interested in black and white photography to explore Monochromia for inspiration in monochrome visuals. Read more

  • Sir Foxy Foxalot

    Sir Foxy Foxalot

    Since 2019, I’ve been sharing my thoughts on photography. I’ve also come to appreciate Fox Reviews Rock, who focuses on rock music and heavy metal. Despite my limited knowledge of this genre, I’m participating in an interview. Let me tell you more about Fox: he’s dedicated, has a strong following, and surrounds himself with excellent… Read more

  • The Opening of the Film Archives – Penthièvres July 2016

    The Opening of the Film Archives – Penthièvres July 2016

    The author shares memories of visiting Penthièvres beach, finding tranquility amidst family chaos. They describe their love for the sea, photography, and the Soviet-era FED 5 camera. The film captures the beach’s serene essence. Penthièvres is not just a backdrop, but a sanctuary where emotions and memories are beautifully preserved. Read more

  • Smartphone Photography – Welcome to the Dark Side

    Smartphone Photography – Welcome to the Dark Side

    Passionate about photography? Ever felt the sting of someone dismissing “real cameras” for their phone? I get it. But, as Chase Jarvis said, “The best camera is the one that’s with you.” While phones can’t replace our beloved cameras, with effort and mindfulness, phone photography can yield great results. Stay tuned for tips on phone… 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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