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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The holidays
Hello. I have a friend called Julie Dodge and she is a photographer in Brooklyn NY. I have asked her to mentor me and maybe put me in a different direction with my photography and help me develop as a photographer. She’s full of talent and is somebody that I admire greatly. She suggested that… Read more
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Merry Fu**ing Christmas
I’m presenting another entry for the « Understatement of the Year 2020” competition. It’s been a strange kind of year. I’m wondering how I am coming out of it. Trigger warning, I may talk about mental health in this article so get over it pussies! Normally at this time of year, I’m never really good and… Read more
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Lockdown 2.0
The government has imposed another lockdown due to rising COVID-19 cases. The author expresses frustration at the government’s policies and the impact on social interactions. They also comment on the U.S. election and express skepticism about the new leadership’s ability to bring about significant change. Plans for photography outings have been dashed by lockdown. Read more
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Bourrée ou Macé?
Initially, the author planned to visit a Loire Valley castle but opted to rest instead. After waking without brain fog, they attempted to visit Chateau de Plessis Bourée, only to find it closed. They explored the more accessible Chateau de Plessis Macé, learning its historical significance while capturing exterior photos before making future visit plans. Read more
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Homesick, but not just.
The writer’s encounter with their boss led to an unexpected meeting with higher-ups to discuss their mental health struggles. This revelation altered their workplace dynamics. They reflect on wishing to rewrite their past, but appreciate small joys. They emphasize the importance of addressing mental health in the workplace and hope for reduced stigma. Read more
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Kodak Portra 160 in action
The author shares photos taken with Kodak Portra film in Nantes and expresses admiration for the film’s quality. They describe the film’s attributes and its use in photography, particularly in capturing portraits and street scenes. The post also includes links to further resources about Kodak Portra. 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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