Alan Humphries - Shelly Creek
22nd March 2024
'Photograph The Places Around You’
Without a doubt the majority of photographers have browsed, photographic magazines and books with envious eyes and on seeing magnificent photographs from around the world have thought, if only I had the wherewithal to travel to these exotic places, my photography would improve beyond recognition.
The writer has been fortunate in being able to visit some rather exotic locations in different parts of the world, These trips were either holidays trips or on photographic courses. Granted the subject material is different, but are the images any better?
Experience has shown me that wonderful photographic opportunities abound with in short distances of our own homes, even in our own gardens. On occasions it may take a little research, or even going off the well-worn tracks to find new or different locations. Too often we follow in the footsteps of those whose images appear in magazines when just around the corner there are equally stunning opportunities to be found
To take good photographs we do not need the latest model camera or lens, we need to have the ability to dream, have imagination and to see. Remember the best camera you have is the one you have with you.
By coincidence a day or two after I started this article, the latest edition of Black & White Photography arrived with an article entitled “Keep it Local” by Lee Frost. He poses numerous questions including “When did you last take a photograph in your home town? You could say well it’s all so familiar, maybe, but instead of taking your usual route why not go down that passage way you used as a short cut school, you may well see something ”new”. I recently undertook a project photographing my home town of Exmouth, after years of popping to the shops, suddenly I was seeing things with new eyes.
Over the years I have set myself projects, some lasting a day others much longer resulting in presentations, self-published books, postcards, exhibitions. For those looking for encouragement or guidance, you could do worse than to read the columns of Eddie Ephraums in Black & White Photography, an exponent of the short term project.
The following is a project that has kept me going for many a year, the location is just a mile and a half from my home
SHELLY CREEK.
Shelly Creek is situated at the mouth of the River Exe, sandwiched between Camperdown Terrace and the Imperial recreation grounds, At one time it was a place of employment, there being three traditional boat-builders and a sail-maker, unfortunately the boat-builders fell victim to glass fibre. Generally not known to the casual visitor it is place of great interest to locals, particularly the sailing fraternity, anglers, artist and photographers.
Shelly Creek was one of my favourite haunts as a schoolboy, where I learnt to handle a canoe and row and where friends, sons and daughters of the boat-building families, also learnt to swim.
Today it is a quiet backwater, where boats are moored or laid up for winter and for some boats it has become their last resting place. Each tide brings new opportunities and challenges, Shelly Creek is of great interest to artists and photographers alike. I have been photographing the area over many years, in fact it is has become a project without end!
Undoubtedly there are similar opportunities in your own locality so why not give them a go?
© Alan DW Humphries.2024.
Without a doubt the majority of photographers have browsed, photographic magazines and books with envious eyes and on seeing magnificent photographs from around the world have thought, if only I had the wherewithal to travel to these exotic places, my photography would improve beyond recognition.
The writer has been fortunate in being able to visit some rather exotic locations in different parts of the world, These trips were either holidays trips or on photographic courses. Granted the subject material is different, but are the images any better?
Experience has shown me that wonderful photographic opportunities abound with in short distances of our own homes, even in our own gardens. On occasions it may take a little research, or even going off the well-worn tracks to find new or different locations. Too often we follow in the footsteps of those whose images appear in magazines when just around the corner there are equally stunning opportunities to be found
To take good photographs we do not need the latest model camera or lens, we need to have the ability to dream, have imagination and to see. Remember the best camera you have is the one you have with you.
By coincidence a day or two after I started this article, the latest edition of Black & White Photography arrived with an article entitled “Keep it Local” by Lee Frost. He poses numerous questions including “When did you last take a photograph in your home town? You could say well it’s all so familiar, maybe, but instead of taking your usual route why not go down that passage way you used as a short cut school, you may well see something ”new”. I recently undertook a project photographing my home town of Exmouth, after years of popping to the shops, suddenly I was seeing things with new eyes.
Over the years I have set myself projects, some lasting a day others much longer resulting in presentations, self-published books, postcards, exhibitions. For those looking for encouragement or guidance, you could do worse than to read the columns of Eddie Ephraums in Black & White Photography, an exponent of the short term project.
The following is a project that has kept me going for many a year, the location is just a mile and a half from my home
SHELLY CREEK.
Shelly Creek is situated at the mouth of the River Exe, sandwiched between Camperdown Terrace and the Imperial recreation grounds, At one time it was a place of employment, there being three traditional boat-builders and a sail-maker, unfortunately the boat-builders fell victim to glass fibre. Generally not known to the casual visitor it is place of great interest to locals, particularly the sailing fraternity, anglers, artist and photographers.
Shelly Creek was one of my favourite haunts as a schoolboy, where I learnt to handle a canoe and row and where friends, sons and daughters of the boat-building families, also learnt to swim.
Today it is a quiet backwater, where boats are moored or laid up for winter and for some boats it has become their last resting place. Each tide brings new opportunities and challenges, Shelly Creek is of great interest to artists and photographers alike. I have been photographing the area over many years, in fact it is has become a project without end!
Undoubtedly there are similar opportunities in your own locality so why not give them a go?
© Alan DW Humphries.2024.
Comments
By Cled Lewis: Hello Alan,
What a great choice of images to show the attraction of Shelly Creek, it supports the story where you spent many happy hours by the sound of it.
You are on the money when you said there is so much in your own area to see and enjoy.
It is inspirational and has made me think of what we have locally which would attract visiting photographers.
Thanks,
Cled By David Askham: You are absolutely right, Alan, everyone has stories galore in their accessible locality. I glimpsed a fascinating challenge for you. A mermaid escaping through a roof top. But you had better be quick. Mermaids are elusive creatures! By Alan Humphries: Dear Cled and David,
Thank you for your kind comments, they are much appreciated.