The Big Swim

Every year on August 31st swimmers cross the estuary from Ferryside to Llansteffan and back again. The currents here are pretty strong so respect to all those who took part.

  One of the swimmers at the finish line

The crowd watching and waiting to applaud the swimmers as they finish their Big Swim

The Film that Lived Twice

I accidentally put a 35mm film through my camera twice. I kinda like the results. Since finishing my BA (Hons) at university this year, I felt that I wanted to take a break from photography. But since I found Owen Martin's work on Linkedin yesterday, I've been inspired to be creative again. I also haven't been feeling too good lately and being creative always helps. The images I've uploaded are my way of beginning to delve into the recesses of my mind to form an idea for a new project. These images may eventually have no bearing on the final concept, but I have to start somewhere and this is as good a place as any.  

I'm wondering if these relate in some way to my life as it has evolved over this past year. They are a little confusing to look at, they have lots of detail, having put the film through the camera twice the pictures are right way up and upside down. Relating this to my life, I have moved after living in Plymouth for 26 years, this has been more stressful than I thought it would be. I did my final year of the BA in Swansea and missed the college and my friends in Plymouth. The dissertation was very difficult to write though I achieved my highest grade of the year for it. My daughter moved to Wales with me but she decided to move back to Plymouth and I miss her. Taking everything into account, I think that yes maybe, these pictures have unintentionally played out the story of my subconscious.

I like the mixture of colours ... the top one is a view of Tenby and some flowers from a garden that has formed a picture of my home surroundings. I am fortunate to live near the sea and be surrounded by countryside.

A Welsh Sweet shop in Tenby relate to my love of sweet things(!) and the choices and decisions I have to make. In this image I like that the sky is at the bottom and looks like the people are walking on it.

There's an organic feel to the third picture. A table and an apple tree. My love of food especially freshly grown organic food.

Inspired

One of my contacts on Linkedin is Owen Martin a Photographer and Director of Creu Media. On his profile he has some 35mm images that he says

"for this project I have been going through my 35mm and scanning any images that had gone wrong in some way, either in the camera or during processing. I digitised the images using a dedicated film scanner."


Here is a link to Owen's Photography website
 http://www.owenmartinphotography.com/index.html#.UiBbRTY3uSo

Owen inspired me to look at some images I'd shot on 35mm and 120mm that had "gone wrong" or had in some way been "happy accidents." Its one of the reasons I find using film so much more interesting than using a Digital camera. With film you never quite know what your going to get. Its a wait and see process and hoping that some shots will be effective, and in my case, show the intuitive and emotional response to the landscape, or in whatever genre I'm photographing. My favourite images are those that are a bit quirky or abstract.

Here are some images that "went wrong" at some stage ... shot on 120mm film

This is a view of the coastline in my home village in West Wales. I like the fact that it is out of focus and that in the developing stage it has resulted in an uneven texture. It was shot in the early evening so the colours have a brownish red hue.

This is a shot of branches reflected in water, underexposure resulted in a deep blue colour and the line of "bubbles" on the right of the image was repeated on the whole film so was either light getting into the camera or an error when developing, I'm not sure. 

An image of the sunset that I've underexposed and unintentially shot out of focus. The rainbow effect of the light enters the camera at an unusual angle. 

I haven't used any of these images to show before, and I have many that "didn't work" for the projects they were intended for. But Owen inspired me to look again at the many images that for one reason or another didn't work or weren't good enough to use. But I do like them, its the beauty of film. Sometimes images that don't work are the most interesting ... at least to me!

Head V Heart

With pressure from the job centre to apply for work, my head and heart are in conflict. I want to work, like everyone I need to pay my bills, but I'm struggling to hold on to my vision and my goal to persevere until I get what I want .... a teaching post.

Having just completed four years of study as a mature student and achieving a BA(Hons), I don't want to waste all that hard work and perseverance, by accepting any job that I may be offered. I was employed in various companies doing clerical and admin work for many years, many of those were filled with boredom and despair. Although I have 5 years experience teaching in the Post 16 sector, my teaching certificates are now out of date. Before I can embark on a new teaching career I have to study for Level 3 - 5 certificates. I've sent a few CV's and filled in application forms for the Adult Tutor vacancies that I've found so far, but I've had no response.  I feel pressurised into applying for any job and it is quite stressful.

Today I had an interview with a firm of Solicitors. The interview went well but I don't want the job if I am offered it. My heart slumps when I think of the work I would have to do. The solicitor, the firm and the people there were friendly and welcoming, my feelings are not a reflection on them. Its just that I know if I accepted a job like this, it would lead to depression. Depression because I would not be following my heart to work in Education, to follow my dreams, to work in a role that I know would bring great rewards on a personal level. Teaching is a vocation for me; I'm a good teacher and it is where I should be. There is a deep feeling within me that feels like destiny. I may not spend the rest of my life teaching, it may lead my to other opportunities. But at this moment in time, it is what I know is right for me.

Of course being in the middle of the Summer Holiday for Schools and Colleges, my hands are tied. I have to wait until September before I can start learning for the Teaching Certificates that I need. But I am determined that I will follow my heart. I am committed to my vision. It is important to enjoy and be fulfilled in life. In the past I've learned the hard way and ignored my intuition, but I wont do it again. I have to stay positive and believe that I will achieve my goals.

Writing a Blog can be very useful! I have convinced myself to follow my dreams ... that can only be a good thing!

A couple of small 35mm cameras

My friend let me borrow a 35mm Camera (Fujicam 605) that belonged to her father.... here are a few of the results ...

Ferryside, West Wales

... and here are a few of Tenby that I shot on my 35mm Olympus Zoom

Five Arches, Tenby

 North Beach, Tenby

View of Caldy Island from South Beach, Tenby

South Beach, Tenby