I’ve been planning to make an audio story with friend and painter Gavin Watson for some time.
Gavin’s heading off to Switzerland soon to give a series of talks and exhibit some prints of his paintings. His hosts asked if he could supply a short film about his life as an artist.
It was a request that provided the perfect catalyst for us to do both — record the audio that’s been on my mind for a while and to film Gavin at work in Gaviworld, his home studio in the wilds of Northumberland.
So, I went to stay with Gavin for a couple of days earlier this month. The short film we made can now be viewed at the top of this post.
In time, I’ll compile the rest of the audio recordings into a longer story but, for now, I hope you enjoy this wee film.
Thank you for reading and watching — feel free to leave any thoughts/comments below.
In the depths of Southern France there’s a scene that’s kept me entranced for many a lazy afternoon over the years…
Hérault Mountains, France, 1999
I’ve photographed the view many times, even made a time lapse once, but none of them encapsulate the feelings evoked as neatly as this one.
Now available as a Platinum/Palladium print, Hérault Mountains joins a growing collection of photographs using this very traditional printing method — read more about the process by clicking here.
Print detail…
If you’re thinking of buying any of my prints as Christmas gifts, please allow as much time as possible — now is a good time to order.
I do hold a small amount in stock but Platinum/Palladium prints such as these can take a little while to make.
If you would like to buy Hérault Mountains as a signed, numbered and embossed print, you can find it nestled here in my Platinum Collection.
If you’re a photographer, you might empathise with this — occasionally (or regularly) making a photograph that you know you like but you’re not quite sure how or what will be the right way to finish it off, to properly close the loop…
I must say, it doesn’t normally take as long as fourteen years to come to a decision.
However, back in 1999, I captured the layered platform rooves of Paddington Station, a mainline railway station in West London.
Although I loved the graphic simplicity of the scene, it was an image that went on the back-burner.
Finding the photograph a couple of weeks ago put me straight into the mindset of a vintage Paddington Station.
Some of the buildings are clearly more modern but nevertheless it reminds me of a time gone by.
I’m not sure why, maybe it’s the weightiness or the puff of white rising from one of the platforms; maybe it’s simply the fact that it was shot on nostalgic ol’ black and white film with my Nikon.
Whatever the reasons, I knew instantly that it would make a fine Platinum/Palladium print.
I set to work making the Digital Negative and sent it off to Richard (take a look at the process here).
When Prints No.1 and No.2 arrived back, I was over the moon — just what I’d hoped for:
In hindsight, I think I was a little ahead of myself when I released the shutter on this scene.
Rather than the photographic tastes I had then, it was as if I was seeing ahead to the tastes I would have now with an older head on my shoulders.
Perhaps that’s why it’s taken so long for me to close this particular loop.
Anyway, I managed to find a clip of The Last Journey, a story about Bob Holt’s last journey as a railway engine driver before his retirement.
The clip depicts Paddington in the 1930s, a time when Platinum printing had already become scarce due to the war effort, and a good example of the station back in the day:
If you would like to buy one of these beautiful signed, numbered and embossed prints, you can find it nestled among others here in my Platinum Collection.
Following on from my post last week, you are now among the first to be able to view Duncan Davis’ tribute to his old mate of 35 years, Keith Crombie.
Last Monday, Newcastle came to a standstill as Keith’s friends joined him on his last journey from Pink Lane, through the city centre — a tiny bit of which he transformed into his own corner of Paris, the Jazz Café.
Perched 130ft atop Grey’s Monument in the icy weather, I was honoured to be able to help Duncan film the extraordinary funeral procession.
So, it’s Sunday morning…time to pour your favourite hot beverage, take your seat at the Jazz Café and settle down to enjoy Duncan’s tribute to a Newcastle legend.
Jack Lowe 