Autumn is making itself felt now. I was rushing to get to the crag before the light faded so it ended up being a bit gloomy on the face but there was a bit of atmospheric light which looked good from the drone. The drone gives new perspectives for climbing and really shows off the big walls on the coast here.
Life
Family shoot at Solva Harbour
Ben and Rach asked me to get some pictures of little Eira while she is still small so we headed down to the harbour at Solva for an informal shoot to get some relaxed shots of them doing what they love doing most; spending time outside, in nature and preferably around the water. These were a real pleasure to shoot because they were made just how I enjoy creating images; in an easy atmosphere in between chats and wandering somewhere beautiful.
The science bit. These were all shot on my new Canon R6 which arrived earlier in the week. It was fantastic to use and although I have been shooting with good quality DSLRs in recent years, the mirrorless system in the R6 feels like a huge leap in quality and functionality. I’m looking forward to using it some more and especially with people in front of the lens.
Barley Saturday at Cardigan
A few portraits of folk at Barley Saturday, the annual horse show in Cardigan. Unfortunately I had to rush off so wasn’t able to hang around for the horses so I snapped a few shots of the vintage car owners instead. Fun with the Mamiya but the Fomopan film wasn’t perfect. This could be down to the film itself or errors in the development so I’m waiting to see what the next film comes out like. A lesson in patience as it’s obviously not possible to get immediate feedback. I was pleased with these shots and managed to break through a block I’ve always had on shooting strangers. The clunky old Mamiya was a good ice breaker and after explaining I was using film and fiddling around with the light meter for a few seconds I found people had no problem with me taking their picture. Making images with a digital camera has a different feeling for some reason, maybe it feels more exploitative than the gentle process of taking one or two frames accompanied by the reassuring clunk of the Mamiya’s shutter.
George
Portraits of George who turned 100 a few weeks back. As the local doctor in St Davids for many years he is something of a local legend. It was a real privilege to be asked to take some portraits to add to his memoir that his granddaughter wrote some years ago. His age has diminished his hearing and vision somewhat but he still manages to get out on his tricycle and enjoys reading the news. George has given a lifetime of service to the RNLI; the Western Telegraph gave a good summary of his lifes work in their piece on the occasion of his 100th birthday.
He served as honorary medical advisor (HMA) at St Davids RNLI for many years and launched with the boat a number of times for medical rescues.He became the HMA in 1956 and was also a member of the RNLI’s national medical committee for many years, researching medical incidents, finding and testing medical equipment and designing the medical training for lifeboat crews throughout the RNLI.
Dr Middleton was also one of the founders of Porthmawr surf lifesaving club at Whitesands over 60 years ago which is as vibrant now as was all those years ago and has a close affiliation with the RNLI lifeguards.
He also regularly accompanied the RAF rescue helicopters from Brawdy on missions off the coasts of both Wales and Ireland. Dr Middleton has been awarded the RNLI’s Silver and Gold service badges and is a life Governor of the RNLI.
Dr Middleton was also awarded an MBE in recognition of his services with the RNLI and other organisations.
Flicking through his memoir it’s interesting to read about life as the doctor in a small coastal location in the 1950’s. George loved to spend time at the beach but it was a radio blackspot so if he was needed in town, a local household with radio reception would hang a towel out of the window to alert him. When Search and Rescue helicopters were based at the local airbase, he would find himself onboard and taken out to all kinds of emergencies including trips out to the offshore lighthouses when they were still manned by a small crew.
I reflected that over the course of his lifetime, George can say that he has seen it all, and while tensions in Ukraine rumble on to an unknown conclusion, George reads about it in his daily newspaper and maybe it feels like a petty squabble when seen through the wideangle view of 100 years.
Bikepacking
Throwback to Summer 2020 and a product shoot for a prototype frame bag for Ben’s bikepacking adventure to Portugal and a few portraits in the evening light in St Davids. Looking forward to the warmth returning for some summer bicycling.
Tim Williams - Sculptor
I went to see Tim Williams in his workshop before Christmas. Tim is a Pembrokeshire artist with a playful approach to his sculptural work. Using metal in a variety of ways he creates pieces on a scale from tiny figurines to large multi-element installations incorporating old machinery that lend motion to the work. His carpentry skills are also used to make one of his latest evolving pieces; a black chapel which awaits the gathering of a congregation of saplings when the work is complete. Tim is the son of a Pembrokeshire sheep farmer and his work is informed by the people, animals and cultural landscape that have shaped his world since his youth. Noticeable in his approach is the improvised nature of his techniques, like the farmer finds what works for him in the yard when something needs fixing or fashioning, Tim plays with materials and industrial tools to get results that realise his vision. The resulting style is organic and echoes the people, animals and the rural and coastal landscape that surrounds him. Tim exhibits some of his pieces in Oriel y Clawdd which you should keep an eye out for if you find yourself deep in the back roads of North Pembrokeshire.
