Stories

I found one of my favourite sets of photographs last week.

I’d been looking for them for a while, but couldn’t quite face the prospect of sifting through my external hard drives as they contain thousands of images and the folders aren’t named with any logic whatsoever… Must remedy that.

Most of my photos form little series of images from which a story unfolds. No need for words; just a combination of panoramic views and little details, landscapes and - sometimes - people. These details act as punctuation, adding context, interest and creating a narrative. They hold the more specific memories of that moment in time and help define and preserve them.

You remember that friendly cat you met on the shore, the quirky sign on a gate. The Christmas tree made from lobster crates and roughly strung with coloured lights.

Documenting these human touches elevate a seemingly random collection of scenery shots into an actual story. It can be recalled, discussed. We can reminisce and remember even more little happenings, and relive our experiences. Like crossing the shore when the tide was out, ankle-deep in briny, slippery seaweed which popped and oozed as we went. The smell of the sea and the call of the gulls, the sheep bleating, the knife-sharp wind reddening our cheeks and numbing our fingers.

I’m something of a writer too, but photography weaves stories which speak to us without the need for words.