May newsletter: consolidation and evolution

It doesn’t feel that I achieved a lot in May

There were no workshops, no exciting trips to make images and I didn’t even visit any exhibitions. But, behind the scenes, I feel that I have made a lot of progress, bit in my vision and my projects.

What I’ve been up to this month

I am in the midst of creating a small book of some of the images I made on my Ardnamurchan Spirit workshop from Rob Knight that I went to in March. My intention is to create a small e-book and make it available for free to all visitors to my site. Keep an eye out for an update about this in the coming weeks. I also plan to make a small number of handmade copies available.

I have also been working on the images I made of the floor at the Arnolfini Arts centre in Bristol. I now have a bit more direction for this project. I am thinking about making some video output for this as well as a handmade book.

Finally, I am starting to think about another project based on the landscape around me. All the images will be made within walking distance of my house, although I do like to walk for quite a few miles sometimes!

What I learned this month

I discovered the pleasure from taking time to work on images. It can be very tempting to rush out and make more images for new projects. But I have gained pleasure for going for walks and runs without my camera. And I have spent my editing time creating something wider ranging from what I have already.

What are my plans for next month?

June will be about sequencing, writing and book layouts for my Ardnamurchan images. And I will continue to explore different edits for my Arnolfini floor images. I want to stay focussed on these projects to make sure that can draw a line under certain projects before moving on to new things.

What I’ve been writing about this month

This month I published a very personal blog called The Evolution of Matt Parker. This is all about the development of my photographic and artistic vision. I would really appreciate your thoughts and comments on how it resonates with you.

What have I read this month

I have been enjoying four excellent photobooks this month. First up is Epistle Two from Guy Dickinson, which includes some powerful music. Next is Borderline by Julius Smit, an interesting exercise in psychogeography. This zine is no longer available. Dale Sutherland-Roberts new zine Imperfect Connections is also very impactful. And, lastly, I enjoyed From The Margins by David Tanner.

Finally, it would be rude not to mention my book!

I still have some copies of 1Point4 Miles – Heat and Intensity. It is just £11.50 including P&P to the UK (although I will deliver to anywhere in the world!). Purchase your copy here.

Make sure you keep in touch!

You can follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Vero. But 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!