Going back to basics and using film again has been quite a
challenging but rewarding experience. At first the subject matter of Hartlepool
only did, I have to admit seem quite a restrictive area in which we could use
to get best use out of the large format camera.
I like the slower pace that affords a much more thoughtful and
rewarding experience to the photography process. Its easy to see why it has
been labelled in some parts as an old mans way of working (I would not use
those words myself) Quite isolating for long periods of time when out on
location shooting as much more of the time goes into the thinking about the
shot and setting it up compared to say a street photographer. Its quite unsociable
in the darkroom where literally hours upon hours must be spent in order to
glean even the most modest of results.
Picking a building/subject, which was appealing not just by its
aesthetics, is of paramount importance if the images are to convey anything
other than just looking pretty. From the various recce trips out it became
apparent that the surroundings to the subject would play as much of a role in
framing and perspective as any part of the main building. Jackson landings
relationship with the other buildings in the marina both now and from when it
was first built tell a interesting story of both ambition and business failure.
This comes across in the final images I chose.
The water plays a major role in separating the building like an
island as if it has been cat of away from its surroundings, I tried to capture
this and feel I have succeeded.
Jacksons Landing 1
Looking on over the water with a union flag wafting in the wind
set atop a boat in the marina. The mixed message of a photo of something that had been around much
longer than the Shopping center and will by the looks of things be around much
longer.
Jacksons Landing 2
My favourite looking image mostly due to it reminding me of one of
my favourite movies as a child, Jaws. Still saying that it tells another story
of the relationship between the Marina and Jacksons Landing
Jacksons Landing 3
My first true abstract and minimal photograph from a film camera,
Showing a section of the roof and the stays used to keep everything upright
during bad weather. The detail of the overgrowth of grass also adds to the
narrative of being unkempt.
Jacksons Landing 4
Similar to the minimal lines of 3,4 is like a snapshot of each of
the proposed retail units. Now looking a little worse for wear but when this is
seen from a distance its still not %100 confirmed that the units are empty,
after all it could just be on a day it was closed.
Jacksons Landing 5
The final and most damning to the personality of the Shopping
unit. If there were any inclinations that there was any life left in the girl
its gone now. Concrete floors and large steel columns are now all that reside
inside. Well that and dust and cobwebs.
