FIVE by FOUR - Landscape Photography

My photographic practice is all about time. Taking time, spending time, using time to connect with and really understand what’s in front of me. Properly taking the time to engage with the subject, negative and print in order to create something of value and meaning to me, something more than just a meaningless snap shot.

Embracing large format 5x4inch analog film photography and traditional darkroom practices has given me the means and opportunity to make the photographic work that allows me to think and be creative in ways I’ve never before properly considered.

The process is deliberately slow and so is the production of every photographic print I make. The intention of this simple website is to give me and my new work a very small, quiet and gentle window on the world, one photograph at a time. Each photograph presented here is an incremental and progressive step along a path of greater personal engagement, fulfillment and creative expression. For me, sustained engagement and greater understanding of the process and its possibilities is the real goal, acceptance, recognition or perfection is neither sought for nor desired.

The painter Mark Rothko said, “a painting is not a picture of an experience, but is the experience.”
for the first time in my thirty five year career as a professional photographer I have come to see differently, thanks to a chance encounter with the work and words of this true genius. Though I’m sure I’ll fail, my ambition is to make my physical photographs, the experience.

The images you see here are digital facsimiles, copies of actual photographic prints made by me in the landscape and in my darkroom. I believe the true magic happens when one holds a silver gelatin print in you hand, it’s a physical connection to the subject and intent of the photographer through light and time, all else is just fantasy.

Wishing you fair light and full frames.

Giles