My blog often starts out as a meandering thought that I transcribe onto the page or screen. I don't always set out to write something specifically but once the ink starts flowing or the keys start clicking the words just seem to spill out.
Tonight I am looking through my negative archive at the photographs that I have taken with my film cameras and reminiscing a little. It is late summer and the weather has been great this week. I have some time off work and the stress has been melting away - it is a wonderful feeling. As usual, I am sitting in my studio with the lights off. The sun set about 30 minutes ago and I have been watching the sky change colour as I sit and contemplate. The windows are open and there is a soft breeze flowing into the room and around me. It is a perfect time to write my blog.
At the moment I seem to be photographing constantly and as ever I am drawn to the sea. Earlier this week I spent time at a place that I have often found difficult to photograph. It is a place that I find the light quite awkward to work with. Having said that I do find it to be quite a beautiful place and time spent there is never wasted. With the great weather there were lots of people around. This place is a beach on the north coast of Jersey and it doesn't always get the most sunlight but people still visit as it is very beautiful. Of course, I was there as the light was starting to fade and within half an hour I was alone with the sea coming in and the darkness creeping. Time will tell whether I got any decent photographs but I did get an amazing sense of peace as I sat alone listening to the waves.
Moments like this can be few - enjoy them.
Although I love the sea I have been reminded this week about how unforgiving it can be. Around the UK a number of people have lost their lives at sea including one very close to home. While the sea is beautiful and wistful so it can be dangerous and dispassionate. Throughout my life I have known various instances of people who have been lost at sea. In Ireland I lived fairly close to some fishing communities. Occasionally there were stories of boats that didn't return and communities in mourning. These stories seemed to carry a deep sadness for me even if I had no connection to those affected. It seemed that the beauty and majesty of the sea added to the emotion I felt for the lives lost. I cannot explain it any more than that.
In slightly more upbeat news, some of my photographs of the sea will shortly be exhibited in a gallery in China. This exhibition has been delayed a few times but when I sit back and think about it I am deeply humbled and immensely proud that my photographs will be hanging in a gallery, even if it is only for a month. I will post more details when I have them.
And the title - well tonight I have been listening to Coldplay.
Close to the edge