July newsletter: rushing time and greater rigour

Images from The Intimate Landscapes of Ardnamurchan

It feels that time is rushing by

Someone reminded me recently that there are only two months until October! Sometimes it feels that time is slipping through my fingers and that another year is quickly vanishing. But it is also a useful reminder to make the most of time and to stay focussed on my creativity and on the right projects.

What I’ve been up to this month

“The Intimate Landscapes of Ardnamurchan” is now complete! Remember that, as a subscriber to my newsletter, you have free access to the books. The links can be found here. Please do not share the links but do encourage anyone who you think might like the books to sign up to get their own access. It does feel good to be drawing a line underneath a long-term project and giving myself the mental space to start thinking about a new one.

I have also been busy prototyping handmade versions. The colour one will be ready very soon. The mono one will take a little longer as I am awaiting some Japanese paper for it.

I have also been working on my series of abstract images of the ArnolfiniArts floor. A first sequence has been made and printed. I am now working on a revised set of spreads. I have enjoyed working on this project in a different, more rigorous way: as well as printing out my spreads I have also been making notes on them.

Finally, I had a good afternoon in Bath making images of pavements. Almost as enjoyable as making the images is seeing peoples’ faces as they try to work out what I am doing and what they are missing!

What are my plans for next month?

I have two main things to concentrate upon this month. The first is to re-sequence my Arnolfini images. I want to make a book of these in September: this will probably take the form of a zine and also a handmade book.

Next it is time to start a new project! I have had one in mind for a while and will write more about it soon. It will be based on my local stream. It will probably be more of a psychogeography project and will include sound, video and writing. However, the first step is to take the camera out and start making some first images to explore where I might go with things.

What I’ve been writing about this month

This month’s piece was called “What’s The Point Of Your Photography?”. It is all about what you are saying when you make images. I would love to hear your thoughts on this and for you to share what you are saying with me.

What have I been watching this month

I watched two biopics this month. One was “The Man Who Knew Infinity”, about the Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. The other was “Oppenheimer”, which probably needs no introduction. They were a very interesting contrast in how to review someone’s life. Oppenheimer was a far more grandiose production that was very plot-biased. The Man Who Knew Infinity was much gentler and there was a single timeline rather than the jumping back and forth in Oppenheimer.

I have also been watching the BBC series “Best Interests”. It is very compelling, although not necessarily comfortable viewing.

What have I been listening to this month

If you like bombastic Indie rock with great tunes, then I can thoroughly recommend The Mysterines! But I have to warn you that the tunes get inside your head very quickly!

Make sure you keep in touch

You can follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Mastodon. And please also e-mail directly: I really enjoy the conversations I have with those of you who have contacted me. And I love to see image and projects that you are proud of. And do send me recommendations for reading, listening, exhibitions, blog articles and more!