Wolverhampton Literature Festival.
A few days ago I had the amazing and slightly surreal experience of being on stage at the Wolverhampton Literature Festival. This came about following a chance conversation with Paul Darke. He came to see my “We are Wolverhampton” exhibition and then asked if I’d like to be part of his talk at the festival about Wolverhampton art. Of course I said yes, and then wondered exactly what I’d signed up for!
It was a privilege to be able to talk about my work to an audience of local people, I had really positive feedback and some interesting questions. I find that talking about a piece of work is a good way of crystallising in my own mind where it’s at, and thinking about what comes next.
“We are Wolverhampton” is definitely a long term project. Over the next year I want to make more portraits of individuals, and now I’m also really keen to photograph organisations and businesses doing interesting things that people might not normally see. I’m currently talking to a couple of interesting organisations and hope to be able to show some more photographs very soon.
Photograph courtesy of Julia Farrell
12th February 2025
We are Wolverhampton - an exhibition.
I've not long taken down an exhibition that I had in the 01902 Urban Rooms in the centre of Wolverhampton. It was a pleasure to be able to show the work to all the people who came in, and it led to some fascinating conversations about people's experiences of the city. It also led to me being invited to speak at the upcoming Wolverhampton Literature Festival about the project!
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This is a long term project, I am now talking to more potential participants and thinking about how I take it forward.
28th January 2025
We are Wolverhampton.
Since early 2024 I’ve been working on a project making portraits of people who live in Wolverhampton, and talking to them about their stories and what the city means to them. I’ve photographed about 20 individuals and also a couple of churches and a local mosque.
It has been fascinating to explore what the city means to different people. I’ve seen what we have in common and where the differences are. People have overwhelmingly said that it’s the people that make the place, and the diversity and down to earth nature of Wolverhampton is what makes it special.
There is also generally agreement that the city, and particularly the centre, has seen a decline in over recent years. Some are uncertain about the future, with cynicism about plans that are announced but never materialise. However there is also a significant degree of optimism that things are slowly starting to improve, with new businesses opening, and investment coming into the city.
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​This project has also been a learning experience for me. In the past much of my photography has been urban landscapes and architecture, but less about the people. I’ve always been slightly anxious asking people if I can photograph them, but the response from those I’ve approached has been overwhelmingly positive. I’m immensely grateful for that.
This is an ongoing project and I’m planning how to take it forward. I want to take more portraits of individuals, and then document some of the innovative businesses that are thriving and helping drive Wolverhampton forward. I am also thinking about using some video as well as still photographs and written words. I’m excited to see where it takes me.
5th January 2025
Jaivant Patel Company.
I was commissioned to photograph this wonderfully bold and vibrant event curated by the Jaivant Patel Company in Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
7th June 2024
Portrait lighting workshop.
At the beginning of June I did a portrait lighting workshop in Birmingham, which I really enjoyed. It was a totally new experience as I've always used natural light in my work, but it opened my eyes to the potential of having more control over the lighting. We had some time in a studio space experimenting with different lighting setups, then went outside and combined natural light with flash. Thank you to @Victoria.Lucie who was a great model.
My favourite photographs from the day were these high contrast shots converted to black & white.
(3rd June 2024)
I've had another photograph published.
I was happy to see that Black + White Photography magazine has selected one of my images to print in issue No. 289.
The image was from a visit to the RAF Museum at Cosford. Some of the hangers are spectacular when contrasted against the sun and a cloudy sky. I also love the way the external staircase works it's way up the side of the building.
(29th April 2024)
Walking from Birmingham to Wolverhampton.
On the 29th December last year I walked along the canal from Birmingham to Wolverhampton. It seemed like a good way to end the year.
As I set out in Birmingham I was a little apprehensive, partly about sore feet and partly about the weather which looked pretty dull. The first few miles felt a little uninspiring, but I took a few photographs. The damp grey weather left me wondering what I was doing. Then as I got out of the centre and started seeing more interesting older buildings I got into my groove.
I love the remnants of our industrial history that still remain along the canal. The worn brickwork and memories of the horse drawn boats that used to ply these waters. These days there is modern construction butting up against the historical. The canal is also much quieter in places and it is a haven for wildlife. Sometimes it feels a little like a refuge in the middle of a very built up and industrial area.
At lunch time I sat under a bridge where the motorway crosses the canal. I ate my sandwich as the rain started in earnest, then as it eased I pushed on. Several miles further on I came out of the tunnel at Coseley to a clearing sky and the start of a sunset that lit up the sky with some beautiful colours. I walked into Wolverhampton as it finally got dark, with slightly sore feet but also with a set of photographs that I felt happy with.
At first I worked some of the photographs into monochrome images, and then started experimenting with re-photographing the prints to slightly distort them. I think this is producing an interesting set of images that I will work on and develop over time.
(21st January 2024)