Waiting for Solstice

A Printed Gift.

Hello Lovely Lot,

Just wanted to say a big thanks for joining me over the past few months as I’ve embarked on Studio Life, on City Life, on Distinctly-Getting-Away-From-City Life, and other ramblings to that ilk.

As one who tends to witter on in my monologue manner, having you chucking ideas back at me is really rather nice.

So! I’d like to gift you a little something… If you’re a paid subscriber, I will send you a print¹. If you’d like a print and you’re not yet a paid subscriber, you can either buy a print or you can upgrade your subscription here, to include the free print:

Waiting for Solstice. December 2023.

This is a photograph I shot last week. It was the day after I met Jo Metson-Scott, a bit of a legend photographer for me.

Having had a bit of a slump in my work lately, which has manifested in me hesitating to press the shutter, or getting caught up in the mightily confusing elements of business, I’d wound up with a bit of a [block?] to my flow. Jo injected a nice bit of encouragement, both artistically & practically speaking in terms of how to progress my photographic career. She very kindly gave me a couple of back issues of Pleasure Garden. She is the director of photography for this brilliant A3 size print publication, which shares the work of a vast range of photographers and writers.

The next morning on my way to work, I hopped off the tube a couple of stops early. Blessed with the low December light as the sun lifted itself above the city, I lost myself in the art of looking. A favourite pastime of mine, discovered when I was about 18 and used to walk lots with Graham Cornthwaite, following his lead as he papped away with his Leica. In those early days, there was an innocence of looking for pictures, a hunger to observe, a drive without over-thinking. Shoot first, think later. Graham has somehow never lost that childlike wonder of taking in the world.

Shout-out to Bobby too, for encouraging me to just take the darn picture, don’t overthink! I should recommend you all to look at Bobby’s work; his book Rabbit is one of the most energising publications I've ever experienced.

Right! Enough Rambling! Go be festive be merry be whatever you want to be! More from me in the New Year.

Love n Peace,

1. Please let me know your address!