Resonance

What do your subjects say to you?

Hello everyone,

I often speak about photographing subjects that resonate with you, things that catch your eye as you whizz past in the busyness of the day. These sunflowers did just that, I saw them briefly and had to pause to explore them. Sunflowers are usually photographed during the summer when their colour and energy reflects the season.

When I stopped I realized how much they reflected how I feel at the moment, burnt out, exhausted but still trying my best to carry on regardless.

Allowing yourself to resonate with your subjects is important because it allows a period of reflection about why we are making a particular image, also about what we might need in our life to enable to move forward or deal with certain challenges we are having.

When things catch our eye they’re calling to us to notice them, they resonate either us because they are reflecting something within us - often we ignore these fleeting moments as not good enough, or lacking mass appeal but by pausing and spending some time with them and ourselves we can acknowledge the beauty of the moment, the rawness of message and the importance or that message.

Being resonant with your subject requires the artist to tap into their vulnerabilities and frailties, their insecurities but also their strengths. It is an incredible enabler also, giving you the courage to realise what is going in your life while encouraging you to take ownership of the issues.

Personally I try to ignore things going on in my life for as long as possible, running on empty until I literally end up in bed, but when I pay attention to the subjects that catch my eye they are guiding me to the problem and encouraging me to be aware that I need to take action, to admit to myself that I have an issue that needs addressing and by pausing to make the images of these demanding subjects I find the answers - which to be honest were the ones I have been hiding from.

Do you listen to your subjects?

For me I saw and heard the message I needed to receive- I’ll be slowing down and resting, re-energising myself - I believe it is called wintering.


Somethings on the near horizon

My new workshops are on the website if you are interested please explore the links below - if you want to pay a deposit and then stagger the payments please email me

Rainforest Retreat NEW WORKSHOP released 5-9th May 2025 Discover the mystery of Britain's temperate rainforest in Cornwall £1900 per person
Lake Garda FINAL PLACE January 20-25 2025 staying in Verona with me and Italian fine art photographer Mattia Zaldini cost £2300 per person
Uig Sands LAST PLACE Isle of Lewis March 9-14th 2024 Staying at Uig Lodge, on a full board basis at one of the most beautiful beaches in the area £2500
Isle of Iona SOLD OUT March 24th - 30th 2025 Full Board. Join me at the cradle of Christianity for a true escape from the noise and speed of life. From £1900

email me if you are interested in any of the above



Thank you so much for your time.

Best wishes

Paul