Four decades behind the lens. Seven 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, Art, and maybe a little history, or things that make you go, “hmmm….” No algorithms chose what appears here. No agency wrote it. Just forty years of looking, and seven of writing it down.
The panama hat, the walking stick, the hearing aids, the beard, have become characters in this story.
Start anywhere. Stay as long as you like.
Latest from the Field
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Walkabout in Nantes with the lads from Instagram – Part II
So we’re still out taking photos and learning from each other. We all know Nantes and it’s good to see how other people might see the place. Photography is one of those things that actually lets me show you a moment in time through my eyes. It’s especially so when you have a camera and… Read more
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Featured Projects
- The UK Chronicles
A solo journey through Britain with the Fujifilm X100F — Northumberland in late summer, the coast at Alnmouth, light coming low off the water. Traveling light enough to actually notice things. - The Film Archives
Black and white film photographs made before this blog existed — Nantes, Clisson, and the Vendée. The negatives had been sitting in binders for years. This is where they finally got out. - Photography Philosophy
Not technique. Not gear. The question underneath all of it: why does any of this matter, and what are we actually doing when we press the shutter? A series of essays without easy answers. - Inside the Orchestra
Three years photographing the Symphonique des Bords de Loire — rehearsals, concerts, and a tour to China. The quiet moments before the music starts, and the ones after. - If you’ve been reading this site for a while and there’s a frame that stuck — the street, the light, something from China, the Vendée, Nantes, wherever — I can probably make you a print of it. Just send me a message.
About the Photographer
A photographer, ever so slightly stubborn, analogue at heart and digital when needed. I’ve been developing my own film since the 1980s. I built this blog in 2019, not for followers, but for focus.
I shoot what moves me, and I hope, sometimes, it moves you too.
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