Artist Statement
Michael Jackson
Artist Statement
Since 2006 my work has involved the use of traditional film based materials. In 2007 I began visiting a single beach in Pembrokeshire and photographed there exclusively for 3 years. I used medium format film to record the constantly changing landscape that a beach offers – producing black and white images that would often pass from being documentary to a form of personal expression.
‘Poppit Sands’ – a series of abstract black and white images started in 2007 based around a single beach – Poppit Sands. The aim was to record the detailed beauty of the ever changing beach itself – using a single camera – a single lens and always under similar conditions – at dusk and low tide. Slowly the project began to incorporate footprints and marks left by walkers – until these became a vital part of the whole ‘scenery’ that I was trying to record.
‘Sudden Light’ – whilst working on Poppit Sands with my camera constantly pointing downwards I noticed the beauty of abstract light that would occur late in the day all around me. I used a smaller film format and a more intense developing technique to produce grainy abstract images that for me were a welcome relief from the intense study of ‘On The Beach’.
‘Windows into Winter’ – with over 3 years of solitude working on an almost deserted beach I found myself drawn towards people. My daily drive to Poppit Sands often allowed me to view shoppers and passers by from my car as the wind blew outside and they bent into the rain and cold. After months of experimentation I discovered how to best record what I was seeing using different filters held in front of the camera - and I can honestly say that this small project has pushed me off into a new and exciting adventure.
'Three Capitals' - my journey continues as I take a solid foothold in a project idea. After constant experimentation I have discovered a technique that has been adapted around my equipment and available subjects. This technique is still changing and is the spark that is pushing me towards new ideas and feelings. Three Capital cities - Cardiff, London and Edinburgh are in my sights. The buildings, the movement and the overall feeling that I get from these places are changing the way I take photos.
Artist Statement
Since 2006 my work has involved the use of traditional film based materials. In 2007 I began visiting a single beach in Pembrokeshire and photographed there exclusively for 3 years. I used medium format film to record the constantly changing landscape that a beach offers – producing black and white images that would often pass from being documentary to a form of personal expression.
‘Poppit Sands’ – a series of abstract black and white images started in 2007 based around a single beach – Poppit Sands. The aim was to record the detailed beauty of the ever changing beach itself – using a single camera – a single lens and always under similar conditions – at dusk and low tide. Slowly the project began to incorporate footprints and marks left by walkers – until these became a vital part of the whole ‘scenery’ that I was trying to record.
‘Sudden Light’ – whilst working on Poppit Sands with my camera constantly pointing downwards I noticed the beauty of abstract light that would occur late in the day all around me. I used a smaller film format and a more intense developing technique to produce grainy abstract images that for me were a welcome relief from the intense study of ‘On The Beach’.
‘Windows into Winter’ – with over 3 years of solitude working on an almost deserted beach I found myself drawn towards people. My daily drive to Poppit Sands often allowed me to view shoppers and passers by from my car as the wind blew outside and they bent into the rain and cold. After months of experimentation I discovered how to best record what I was seeing using different filters held in front of the camera - and I can honestly say that this small project has pushed me off into a new and exciting adventure.
'Three Capitals' - my journey continues as I take a solid foothold in a project idea. After constant experimentation I have discovered a technique that has been adapted around my equipment and available subjects. This technique is still changing and is the spark that is pushing me towards new ideas and feelings. Three Capital cities - Cardiff, London and Edinburgh are in my sights. The buildings, the movement and the overall feeling that I get from these places are changing the way I take photos.