What a frightful site

Whilst working on my dissertation a memory arose. There was this fascinating place I visited in Rome (I think in 2006) called the Capuchin Crypt. It was one of the most morbidly fascinating places I have ever been to. The walls were elegantly decorated with bones belonging to friars (and other people who were moved from a mass grave) as well as friars who were not yet quite just bone. These friars were standing (with aid) or laying upon a mass neat pile of bones whilst their skin remained in a state of decay. I predominately remember one friar who lay upon a pile of bones, whose hood of his robe covered his eyes, but his jaw had slid open and to the side as if in an awkward scream. It was horrifying, but not enough to put me off to see the rest of the Crypt. At the end however was a sign that read “As you are, we once were. As we are, you will someday be." Enough to send shivers down anyones spine. I shortly left, particularly when I found out the place was rumored to be haunted. 


A place that is defiantly worth a visit, and one I would re-visit. 




Photograph taken from Google.

Sneak Preview

Just a little glimpse into my set. Am going to try do a re shoot on 5x4 instead with the aid of a fellow student, as I seem to have an inability to work with one!

What Will Be Will Be

Currently I'm in between two states of emotion, excitement and anxiety, I believe the two will go well together in the production of my work, (I hear the two don't mix so well biologically). Dissertation seems to be making progress, a slow one at that, but nevertheless still progress. Plus I feel like I'm learning furthermore, which makes me feel like I have accomplished something, like when man landed on the moon. OK perhaps slightly exaggerated but still.
My practical will be shortly going into production, a little nervous as I have never constructed a set in my life, but currently it feels like it might just require basic DIY... that of which I do not have. This time I'm sure I will blame my tools.

Matthieu Lavanchy

Just someone I came across doing my research for university work. Quite liked it so thought I'd share. Simply he created his own character named Mr. Schuhlmann and its his reaction to living in terror of terror. 

MR. SCHUHLMANN or THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE

One memory lost

Well, I had been hoping to be putting some photographs up, but I mucked up. I won't be a bad worker and blame my tools.
I spent a couple of days in hospital documenting my fathers stay after having his knee replaced. Initially I wasn't going to come and visit as he preferred I focused on my university studies. However, surprise! I turned up armed with liquorish and a camera. Luckily my Pa was pleasantly surprised.
I couldn't wait for these photographs to come out and as an added bonus the hospital was amazingly lit.
So you can probably imagine how annoyed I felt when the film became exposed. I had been mainly relying on my film camera, taking limited shots on my mobile phone. I guess technology has always had its advantages.

There will be so much that will be forgotten, the little details such as the pattern on the curtain and the bed sheets, the Mr Juicy orange cartons, the strange physio machinery, the dinning room, the smiles on each family member and the sliding doors that provided each individual their private space whom all watched Strictly Come Dancing from the comforts of their own bed.

I guess not all is lost.

Next Little Project...

As I think of my time here at Uni and life, I begin to think how I haven't documented the mundane side to my life here. I take photographs of birthdays/nights out/friends etc, and even in my practice I enjoy documentary photography and the mundaneness of images that are so simple and quiet, yet speak volumes. So I have decided I'm going to pick up one of my film cameras that I have yet to use and go about documenting my life at home. Then I'l have something to reflect on when I'm older, show friends and family or even kids what my life was like in the simple ways, after all uni isn't just partying.

'Man With a Movie Camera'

I actually thought this film was crazily good. For me it is the embodiment of what photography basically means, depicting voyeurism and the camera being an automaton (man and machine), whilst also depicting the fact that (photography) and film confronts issues on life and death. For example dolls at the start of the film are shown to be stationary, not alive, but as the film pursues in operation the dolls come to life, they start to use a sewing machine or ride a bike, all rather uncanny (another aspect of photography).

I could ramble on for a long time about this film, and perhaps write a dissertation on it alone, but I won't because I'm not sure when I would stop and how long it would take for me to get to a stopping point. Also I do not know how many people actually read blogs that go on for ever and a day (even if it may be an interesting read).

'Man With a Movie Camera' (as well as Peeping Tom, of course) is a definite worth while watch, but be prepared for an hour of images, black and white, still and moving, flashing up on the screen with music that is actually rather fitting. To think this film was made in 1929 it holds some pure brilliance, technology wise as well as depicting visually a theoretical and political aspect.

Waiting

In the midst of writing this blog and the university work load, I had previously forgotten to include some other work that occurred before my visit to the crematorium. And as I say "better than never" I will now share some of this with you...

Initially the project had begun by looking at Funeral Directors. I visited the one down the road from where I'm currently living. Surprisingly they were very welcome to me photographing such a personal sensitive space. I only visited once or twice as the project took a different turn... But here is a couple of photographs from the visit.

            

Call Me Simple

I quite often like to have a random funny picture as my desktop background as each time I open up my laptop I have a small chuckle to myself then get on with work (or at least attempt... facebook is a great distraction and would be great for another rant, but not now), which currently involves a dissertation. 8,000 - 10,000 words, still feels impossible yet so achievable.
Writing is a love of mine but I hadn't been completely aware of this till a couple of years ago (and perhaps this blog does not convey this gratification!). This love started around year 7 when I wrote an essay telling my own story of theseus and the minotaur. I remember spending so much time on this piece of homework making sure I made no error on the page and starting a fresh page if I messed up. I was so proud of my work and the 'grade A' I achieved. This love has remained with me and will hopefully continue to do so allowing me to produce a great piece of work that I'm again proud of.

Anyway, this is my current desktop background and thought it would be nice to share to allow the possibility of putting a smile upon another persons face :)

Success.

As I was browsing through a few photographs I came across this one. How time flies. I had completely forgotten about this...

As apart of the 2nd year BA photography course we had to produce a collaborative body of work and exhibit within a public space, drawing in not just students and tutors but also the locals. The project developed into one that was to raise awareness of donating furniture to your local charity. Our source of display was therefore at the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Furniture Showroom and Donation Centre which is a charity that cares for those who are terminally ill.
The hospice relies greatly upon donations from the public as the NHS covers less than 16% of their costs. Each day it costs a phenomenal £10,000 to offer their care and support.
So I'm proud to say the project was a success and as a group we managed to raise roughly £200 for the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice.

This was in the local county newspaper (with a clipping of the article which I can not find!) 

Visit the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice site here

Long Time No See

So, I haven't blogged in awhile. Over the next few days I might just update you with some pictures I've taken new and old.

Even though the focus is not right I still like this photograph...

It was a gorgeous October day and the mercury hit the early 20's (Celsius) 

..and The Curtains Are Closing

Death is Nothing at all...

On a lovely sunny afternoon I went to a crematorium on behalf of one of my projects for university. I was rather nervous as I wasn't sure what to expect nor how the experience would effect me (after all I haven't seen this before, even though I had an idea. My grandparents were cremated here and I also wasn't sure whether this would hit me). 

So, I set off in my KA with a ready loaded hasselblad. I pulled up and stepped into the office where I met a lovely lady who I had been contacting. She told me to go to the chapel where I would meet a man called Richard who was the crematorium technician, he wasn't at all what I was expecting, but then again I wasn't sure what I was expecting. After photographing the chapel and the waiting room he led me down to the crematorium at which point he asked me "are you squeamish?" I was pretty sure I wasn't going to see any blood or hideous wounds so I replied "It depends what I see, but I'm sure I'l be fine." He smiled.

From the chapel was a door that led down some stairs, my heart was beating but my nerves were steady. He opened a further door and in front of me was a large mass of metal and an open room, with light flooding through the open door. Richard explained that the large mass of metal were the cremation chambers. This is where they went in. He took me around the corner of them and showed me the other side, the side where they came out. There was a little peep hole for you to see the progress. I saw two bodies. The first I've seen. I was welcome to photograph one of the bodies, which I did (as long as no name plate was included).  The technician ran through all the ins and outs of the process, how it was done and for how long.

The average person takes an hour and a half. 

I never realised that they don't come out as ashes straight away. 

To try and put it nicely, the bones.. they are grounded into ashes.. in what looks like a tumble dryer. 

I went around photographing what I pleased within reason obviously.

Whilst I was there a funeral procession arrived and departed within a short few minutes. This was seen on a little TV that sits in the corner of the room. Then a buzzer sounded. This was their queue. I was allowed to photograph this, I needed to be ruthless, I had the camera at the ready. The coffin was lowered, where the technicians received it and quickly carted it onto a trolley, and within seconds this lovely coffin was in the burning hot furnace. They put the trolley back where the rollers were still spinning. I couldn't help but look at them, pause and feel some sympathy.   

Whilst I was there I saw the records for my grandparents. I saw the chamber she would have gone in. My grandmother went into chamber 2. She was the average person, apparently. 

Anyway, the time came when I had no more film and as I was leaving another service started, I saw the coffin carried in and the song "Its just the two of us, we can make it if we try, just the two of us, you and I" played as they proceeded. This made me smile. 

This day was a peculiar one. I didn't know what to take from it. It is all a fact of life. It happens, and one day it will happen to you and me.   

something lovely

I literally 'stumbledupon' this photographer Scott Stulberg.
His photographs are quite simple yet so stunning.

See more of his photos here

Stress

It's so easy to turn away from work these days when you're unhappy about it. The only problem about this is that you don't confront it and push it to one side. The problem doesn't get solved.
But a bit of stress/panic is always helpful in this situation. As I find out all too often.

Hopefully it will all be ok.


I like this..

(Found via google!)

When the circus came to town

May 09

One quiet day, bored in halls, it was suggested that we went to the circus and I was rather excited. 1) There was something to do. 2) Because I hadn't gone to one since I was little... (however I was a little anxious of seeing clowns.. if there were any I would have pooped my pants.) So armed with my camera I was ready to go and here are just a few of the photographs I took when the circus came to town.

What a start to the end of the day

Evening.

I'm not sure as to why I have chosen to start blogging. I can't say I'm a fan but I can't be too quick to judge! Who knows I may change my mind soon.

It's a good start that I enjoy writing.

Well the plan is to keep this blog up to date with thoughts/opinions/projects/photographs of my own and others... that's the idea anyway.

Hope you stay posted!