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

  • Walkabout in Nantes with the lads from Instagram – Part I

    Walkabout in Nantes with the lads from Instagram – Part I

    Now and again I do some colour photography, especially with the colours you get from the X100F. Everyone goes on about it, but they really are good. A guy on Instagram wanted to get some people together of various photographic levels, some who know little, some who know a lot, some who have loads of… Read more

  • Off to see Mum and Dad in Alnmouth

    Off to see Mum and Dad in Alnmouth

    A trip to the picturesque village of Alnmouth was a much-needed escape from everyday worries. Despite Brexit and family concerns, the beauty of the village worked its magic, bringing peace and joy. The visit allowed cherished time with family and moments of bliss, capturing them through the lens of a camera. Read more

  • Greyfriar’s Kirkyard, Edinburgh

    Greyfriar’s Kirkyard, Edinburgh

    The Churchyard in Edinburgh is not only a resting place for famous and infamous residents but also an inspiration for JK Rowling’s Harry Potter characters. Despite its haunting reputation, the cemetery offers moments of calm and beauty, especially during sunrise. A fearless little creature adds a touch of charm to the scene. Read more

  • The first morning in Edinburgh

    The first morning in Edinburgh

    A heartfelt journey from Autumn to Winter leads to a decision to visit distant parents. In Scotland, a decadent Scottish breakfast rejuvenates with a mix of comfort and indulgence. The trip also reveals a fondness for a compact camera, despite its battery quirks, making it a cherished companion. Read more

  • Île de Saint Cado

    Île de Saint Cado

    The post discusses a visit to the Island of Saint Cado in Brittany, France, featuring landscape and wildlife photography. The writer shares the experience of spotting a rare Spoonbill bird and testing new camera equipment. Despite the windy winter weather, the trip was rewarding, rekindling a sense of childlike wonder. Read more

  • Alignements de Kerzhero

    Alignements de Kerzhero

    The writer visited Brittany, France, known for clichés like salted butter, crêpes, and the sea. They enjoyed a photography session with their sister-in-law using a Canon 6D Mark II and 16-35 F4 lens. Initially disappointed with the results, they salvaged the photos using Lightroom and were pleased with the outcome. 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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