Brixham Trawler Race 2015

When I began networking my project via a series of skippers at Sutton Harbour, I never imagined that weeks later I would be taking part in a quite bizarre and utterly fantastic trawler race in Brixham.  On Saturday the 20th of June, what could have easily been just a usual weekend day here in the south west, quickly became something very special indeed.

Although I had been living in Plymouth for almost a decade now, I had no idea anything like this ever took place.  Yet trawler racing in Brixham was an annual event that bought about a huge public turn out and not just from those in the surrounding area.  Records dated back well before the 1950's, with many websites still keeping track and showcasing various records of trawlers and their crew that had taken part or won over the years.  

It was the first time in a long time that I was up at 5am on a Saturday morning, but in order to get from Plymouth to Brixham in time to board the Emily Jane, it was an unfortunate necessity.  A few buses and a train journey later and I arrived excitedly at the harbour.  I had been invited by Arthur, the skipper of the Emily Jane to come aboard and photograph the event after meeting him and his crew during one of my networking sessions at Sutton Harbour in Plymouth.  After discussing my initial plans of my project with him, I felt as if the Emily Jane would become a major part of my documentary.   

Arthur, skipper of the Emily Jane

Being in Brixham that morning, I quickly decided that I would expand further on what I had begun to document at Sutton Harbour and include this scenic and striking location, as well as Dartmouth in the near future.  It really didn't seem to matter where the trawler started out from, as many of these harbours seemed very much connected; the fact that I met Arthur and the crew of the Emily Jane, a Brixham trawler in Plymouth really said it all.  If this had not been the case, I don't believe I would have known about the trawler race in Brixham on Saturday.

As I stood upon the deck, I felt something immediately special about the Emily Jane and her crew, and in time I hoped to find out more about their lives and livelihoods, as well as the history of this trawler.  During July, I would be going out to sea with them for what could potentially be the first of many outings over the course of this year, perhaps even beyond depending on the project.  There were many stories to be told, I knew this, along with many journeys to be soon shared.  What did happen to a person after many days out to sea, and in particular, what would have to someone like me, who was not used to this way of life?  What did this crew really have to go through, their handwork and graft, just to put a fish supper in front of a family week in and week out?

The Jeremy Kyle Show.  Arthur won't leave the harbour until its finished.

One of the most surprising things of the day was just how packed the boats were. Families, friends, sixteen of the trawlers on show were a playground full of people, all out celebrating in such high spirits.  Colourful flags draped high across the decks as music belted out from many speakers upon many boats. Trawlers began setting off out to sea and just as we were leaving the docks, the dark overcast skies began to empty with rain.  I was gutted, though thankfully it was only a quick shower and I was back out on deck snapping away. 

The radar showing the trawlers leaving the harbour 

It was an incredible sight it is to see a dozen or so trawlers all grouped up together, horns bellowing in tandem with one another, all ready to kick off the yearly proceedings once again.  When these ships built up a bit of speed, they really did move.  I loved being on board and it was an unforgettable day; I know this time next year I'll be back again, and hopefully again on the Emily Jane.      

I found the whole event to be a perfect introduction to my project.  I learned so much, particularly in what it means to shoot amongst unfamiliar surroundings, being aware and understanding space, whether limited on deck or vast in terms of all that is around.  That day onboard the Emily Jane also revealed a great deal about myself as a photographer and how I will go about this project over these coming months.  I still have a lot of things to organise (a new camera bag being top of the list) and only a few weeks to get all this sorted before my first venture out to sea.  With my Devonport exhibition soon coming to a close and a whole new chapter on the high seas about to open, it does feel like the winds are beginning to change and I'm finally heading in the right direction after all.

My favourite shot of the day

Untitled Underway

After months of planning, my first photography project since graduation was finally underway.  You could be forgiven in thinking that Tsavo came first; technically it did in some regard, though the photos were taken during the beginning of my third year at Plymouth College of Art and it wasn't until the early 2015 that the majority of the series was edited.

I'll be the first to admit that beginning this project felt a little strange.  No assignment brief to peruse through in the photography hub, no grades to aim towards, no criteria to be met and no deadline to panic over; this was entirely on me, by me.  If I wanted, I could stop tomorrow, simply abandon the project, stick the TV on and watch some Jeremy Kyle.  Nothing was stopping me, though what would have been the point in all those years spent studying towards a degree? This was what I had been striving for in the end, to be taken seriously as a documentary photographer post degree; to produce something not only striking in terms of visual quality, but showcase a story and a series of lives and livelihoods that before this week, I knew very little about.

The first few days spent down at Sutton harbour garnered some rather interesting results.  During my second year of my degree, my major study was a look at Plymouth's fishing industry and immediately the images taken this week were far and away superior to anything over the course of that assignment.  Granted I had since switched from a Nikon D60 to a Nikon D700; the move from entry level to full frame was always going to be noticeable, yet my perception and composition had also come on in leaps and bounds over these last few years.  While it seemed obvious to simply take photos of the docked trawlers, I quickly found more interest in the fine details.  Intricate lines and shapes, the mesh of chains and rope, bright colours against worn textures, all nestled on a plethora of ripples and reflections.  

I knew this project would lead to a lot of eye catching imagery, yet I didn't think believe for a moment that this would be the case until I boarded a series of  trawlers and spent many days and weeks out at sea; documenting the brave souls who provided so much for their local community without really any acknowledgement or understanding as to what they actually do out there. This was one of the primary reasons as to why I wanted to take this project on.  My only association with the workers and goings on in and out of Sutton harbour was a visit to the local chip shop or fish market every so often. I didn't know or even pretended to know what went on out at sea; talking to others, this seemed to be the case also.  Some of the larger trawlers stayed out for the better part of a week and even beyond, it wasn't 9 to 5 by any means.  If you didn't get your catch or meet a quota, you didn't get paid.  It was as simple as that.

This was one of the many reasons why I wanted to take on and develop this project into a major body of work.  There were so many stories to be told, so many livelihoods to be discovered and admired thereafter.   How had the fishing industry changed in the last ten, twenty, thirty plus years?  The sea, the Gulf Stream, Global Warming; politicians, bureaucrats, those that seem to take the lead on informing the public about the goings on, yet potentially were in the same boat as the rest of us, waiting in a long line at the local chippy.  That was really their understanding and association with the fishing industry, because we all know how easy it is to read of a piece of paper and look like we know what we are talking about.  I wanted to inform others from actual first hand sources, and over the coming weeks and months this is exactly what I will be doing.  The reasons for me doing my Sea Survival certificate likely makes far more sense now.  I just hope I won't need to put the training in practise any time soon.
  

The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm is terrible,

but they have never found these dangers sufficient reason for remaining ashore.

- Vincent Van Gogh 

Tsavo @ Devonport

Following a successful week in Manchester, Tsavo continued its eventful journey with a month long exhibition at Devonport Guildhall in Plymouth.  While I was immensely excited, nerves were out in total force as my fifth exhibition since graduation last year also became my first solo exhibition.  To say I felt completely out of my element, particularly during the week prior to setting up was an understatement entirely.   

  

Devonport Guildhall advert

When I was initially offered this opportunity, I met the chance with an emphatic yes.  I mean, who wouldn’t want to exhibit at such a wonderful venue; a Grade I listed building built back in the 1820's and considered one of the finest examples of Regency architecture, I'd be daft to say no.  Still, I didn’t consider the logistics at the time or what I might have to deal with when it came to setting up an exhibition on my own.  With any opportunity presented, especially at this point in my career, I suppose it is a case of thinking more about the immediate positives, i.e another exhibition to add to my cv, more exposure, and forget about any potential problems or issues that may appear later on.  As a photographer, I am only truly happy when behind the camera and while I do want to continue this road of projects and exhibitions, I am really not a curator by any stretch.  That said, exhibiting here at Devonport went a long way in making me believe that anything I put my mind to, is very possible to accomplish.

I am at the stage were I am still learning the in’s and out’s and various techniques of how to make a space combined with imagery visually appealing and interesting.  Working with others during previous exhibitions has been a great help, so being here at Devonport, setting up on my own was like no other experience in itself.  I was a complete wreck leading up to week and if I was to be honest, I didn't believe for a second that I would come out of this on top. The Guildhall, despite being a stunning looking place, was by far the most complicated of venues to exhibit from.  

Improvisation seemed to be the key as the majority of the space offered would not allow for the successful use of Command Strips as it was in Manchester.  The walls were very fine and chalky, meaning anything adhesive would immediately collect a powdery white and become entirely useless thereafter.  There was a railing however that did feed across the hall and using tackle wire from a local fishing shop and a series of hooks, kindly supplied by Graham at Armada Framing I managed to hang thirty plus images pretty darn professionally if I do say so myself.  

The bain of my first morning

My workstation for the next three days

Over the course of three mornings and one evening, Tsavo at Devonport really began to take shape.  I had gone from being an absolute mess to someone now with their head held very high.  I suppose it is the same with anything though; an obstacle in your path or something completely new or unknown to face and overcome, once you begin to challenge yourself, take the bull by its horns as they say, fear does tend to leave the room in favour of full on confidence.  

While the exhibition has only been open for a few days, the reaction from those who have attended has been quite literally fantastic.  As a photographer trying to make it in this world, there is no better feeling than having a couple praise your work before asking if it would be possible to purchase a large print for their photo-mad daughter.  Plus the postcards I ordered from Vistaprint were a great success too and certainly something I will continue doing when it comes to exhibiting my next project.

Talking of which, the day before I began setting up the exhibition at Devonport, I took part in a training day at Crownhill Fort in Plymouth, undertaking a course and qualification in Personal Survival Techniques (or Sea Survival as it is otherwise known).  With this now on my CV, I am ready and able to begin my new project.  Next week heralds my first shoot of many with this new and untitled (for now) series.  I really can’t wait to share with you the images and journey that will be my life for the next year and beyond.

#clue

Pegasus

Pegasus was taken just six months after I purchased my first DSLR back in March 2009 and shot from a wonderful warm and stormy midnight September shore in Cuba.  Pegasus also represented the moment when I realised not only did I want to become a photographer, that perhaps one day I potentially could. Fast forward one year later and I was beginning my degree at Plymouth College of Art.  My journey had begun.

Pegasus

Through most of my life, storms have often fascinated me (or scared me, though more so during my earlier years).  So much power and raw energy amongst a wide range of tonal dark clouds, that sudden flash of electric light accompanied moments later by a thunderous rubble, as if the sky was crying out in celebratory applause.  It is easy to forget just what this world is capable of producing at times; from my point of view, Pegasus is the perfect illustration of just this, having been noted often as one of those one in a million shots. I'm not going to argue.  Besides, what are the chances of ever capturing a cloud formation, shape or pattern similar to this in the skies again?  Next to nothing? 

Pegasus is certainly an image that tends to sum up me as a photographer.  
I might not be the most gifted or technically minded person behind the camera, yet I do seem to have something.  The very idea of being in the right place at the right time, with lady luck watching over with Cupid-like precision, there is definitely a case to be made for being blessed on a number of occasions. Whatever it is (or isn't), I have been gratefully riding this wave in abundance over the last half a decade.  Hopefully I am not being too greedy and my watchful guardian still has a little more to spare as I begin my new project later this week.