In Memoriam
Standing on the beach the other morning I noticed this small bouquet of flowers being battered by the onshore wind. When I see things like this it always makes me think about the people involved. To be honest I am never sure why I photograph these memorials to people I don’t know but often I am overwhelmed by sadness when I make the images. Is it a good picture? Not really but it does evoke some of the feelings I experienced that morning.
Hi,
Standing behind my tripod in Glen Coe, Scotland on a dull rainy November morning twelve years ago. I can still hear the rain on the hood of my waterproof, the light was depressing, flat, grey, everything looked like I felt, a bit miserable!
I had made the drive to Scotland from my home in the south east of England, a twelve-hour drive, costly overnight stay and no breakfast before leaving the hotel. Everything was wrong, the weather, the light, the water seeping through my boots, not a day for photography more a day for curling up with a good book and a glass of whisky in front of a roaring fire.
Let’s be honest now, it wasn’t the weather or light failing me, it was me failing to see different opportunities. I wanted, expected the light to do all the work for me.
All through my career as a photographer I have had to make the best out of bad situations, had to learn to adapt, overcome and make an image that counted, and yet when I was out in the landscape I blamed everything but myself.
If I had a pound for every time I have heard a photographer blame the light I would be a very rich man, it is the most often reached for excuse of all of us.
So let us reframe this light issue. There is no such thing as bad light! Light is just light, sunlight, harsh light, soft light, moonlight, starlight, candlelight, incandescent light, reflected light, transmitted light, every form of light gives a quality of its own that we as photographers can and could learn to work with.
Light is never to blame, we are for our lack of flexibility and openness.
Photography is about light yes, but it is more about connection, relationship, gesture, line, texture, expression.
All of these are available regardless of the light, often it just means that you have to be a little less blinkered in your approach to the subject.
What if none of these exist at the moment you arrive, no gesture, line, relationship, expression and no light? Then be patient, wait, breathe and give everything some space to breathe. The American photographer Minor White says “Be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence.”
Good light makes photography so much easier, dull, grey, flat light actually makes you a better photographer because it makes you do the work, forces you to see and connect in a different way, it stops you leaning on the light, and helps you learn to see, to explore and think differently about the way you photograph and what you photograph.
Next time the weather looks uninviting and the light looks like it’s coming through Tupperware go out anyway and look for the subjects that sing in that type of light, there is no need to force it, they are plentiful.
If you want inspiration have a look at the work of Ragnar Axelsson, a photographer who largely works with flat light, Michael Kenna too, these photographers allow the subject to do the talking not just the light.
Remember that photography is an experience, don’t spoil it for yourself by complaining about things that you can’t control.Thank you for your time today
Best wishes
Paul
Trebah Garden One Day Workshops
An Invitation to Pause: Autumn, Stillness and the Art of Making.
Be guided through a day of mindful photography & the meditative process of Japanese Stab Binding, taking the handcrafted keepsake away.
September 30th 2026 0930 - 1700
Still: A Mindful Practice for Photographers
My first book “Still - a mindful practice for photographers” has been on sale for a couple of months now and is listed as a bestseller on Amazon and Waterstones in the UK - which I still can’t believe. The feedback has been incredible, I am so grateful to everyone who has ordered a copy. If you don’t have a copy yet it is on sale in most good bookshops and via numerous online book retailers too.
There is a German version too and in the US it is available from all good bookstores and The Getty Museum
“More than a photography book, Still is a must-have guide for anyone seeking calm and clarity in their creative life.”
In the UK, if we only ever ventured out in "good light" (assuming that most people would define that as being dry and sunny) we'd come home empty-handed almost every time. Having a bit of imagination and being adaptable are characteristics photographers need in their armoury.
Always wise words! Thank you