This is the Blog for Amanda Eatwell, freelance Photographer and part-time BoxingYoga™ coach.
Mostly full of anecdotes and adventures from project 4 x 4 x 4 with a sprinkling of life beyond the camera.
One person I did meet however was a lady selling coffee from a small van. It was a quiet time for her, as it was a chilly morning, just after rush hour, and the tourists weren’t out and about yet. She didn’t want to have her picture made, but she was glad of the company, and we struck up a conversation. We managed to talk about liquorice, love and relationships. She gave me a free coffee and she stood for a picture.
As well as spending time reading & researching this summer, I have also been entering a host of competitions, and have had work selected for various online exhibitions and hard-copy publications. I am especially happy to announce that I had two images shortlisted for Portrait of Britain 2020, now in it’s fourth year. The 200 short-listed images will be compiled into a book that will be published by Hoxton Mini Press, and released on 1st October. You can see all of the winning and short-listed images here.
With that in mind I am going to present you with an opportunity to immerse yourself in a variety of sounds that I have collected along the way. I have attempted to maintain an awareness of the sensory nature of my travels by keeping my phone on silent and absorbing what I can through my senses. There is a sound-recording device on my kit-list which accompanies me on every shoot.
In February and March as the news from China was filtering through to the public via a seemingly unworried Prime Minister, the population knew things were about to change. It was in that state of mild fear and uncertainty that I last went out with the camera prior to the lockdown (Friday 13th March). I wanted to capture something of the anticipation of what lay ahead, and I had a hunch I wouldn’t be able to go out for a while.
I was fortunate enough to grow up in a time and place where roaming wasn’t so weird for a child, and I always had the urge to explore. I learned to ride a bike early and once I hit double figures I would make the journey by bicycle to visit my Gran who lived a few miles in one direction, and my Aunty Shirley who lived a few miles in another. That would generally take me along an old railway path, and some back roads that may have been classed as countryside. A sense of going somewhere has always excited me.
A selection of images from my project 4 x 4 x 4 are available to purchase as limited edition prints. They have been shot on traditional photographic film in a square format. Each print has an additional handling border, and is signed and numbered on the reverse.
All prints are available in three sizes, and for a limited time the smallest images are available as part of the Artist Support Pledge which is a movement set in place to help generate funds through a community sales scheme to help artists and makers who have suffered a loss of income through the Coronavirus epidemic.
I am writing this post as the whole world wrangles with what to do under the most unexpected of circumstances: that of dealing with COVID-19.
Things are changing on a daily basis, and London is edging ever closer to a full lockdown. The last two days have brought better weather and the urge to be outside, moving, and in the (distanced) company of others is magnetic.
I entered Buddie’s Diner, a bright and sparkly little cafe which contained around six square tables. Inside there was just one customer, sat with a cup of tea, and two ladies working, who were behind the counter. I was greeted with smiles, and good mornings, and I had barely sat down when the sole customer bellowed “So what are you photographing today then?” “Oh!” I said in surprised response, “well, I can photograph you if you like?” For me this interaction felt like my true introduction to Great Wakering, and in many ways to village-life itself.
The lavatories on the platform were closed, so I headed to Fenchurch Street, where I would be catching the mainline train to Thorpe Bay, and made a beeline for the loo. As I awkwardly bashed my way through the connecting doors, due the size of my baggage, I was confronted by a line of four women, who were waiting to use the only functioning toilet. There were smiles and tuts, and then a conversation started about the lack of public conveniences in general.
I feel very engaged with the physicality of my journey, whether that is using my body to walk or cycle, or by fully engaging in my surroundings through sight and sound. Even these blogposts are a way of working through the project, in an exploratory fashion; a place to get my thoughts out, and to open a dialogue with anyone who feels like sharing.
Through observing things more closely on my wanderings, it has become very apparent that there are traces of humans everywhere, and I find that fascinating. Whether it’s a fallen post that someone will undoubtedly have to retrieve, or a sign telling us that ducks are nearby; somebody, somewhere has made or needs to make a decision to bring these things into action or existence.
“I like this exploration and this is the very beginning - It’s making me think of (um) John Steinbeck and Joseph Mitchell (without sounding like I’m trying to be them) I like what they did: walking, travelling, observing, watching, talking, learning, listening…this is it. Exploration of the human/humans. Cool”
It’s hard not be influenced by the people you spend most time with or the places you frequent. As I was with my baby more than anyone, and he had to go wherever I went, I started to wonder what things looked like from his perspective. The idea of a series of pictures called Life from a Pram was born.
On the wall at Shutter Hub Open 2018
This year has been a roller-coaster for me, and by that I mean exhilarating.
I have visited four countries, fought and won my first boxing match, and moved home. I have not however written many blog posts, and I had the hunch that I haven’t taken many pictures in 2018, but I seem to be wrong.
When you are a photographer who participates in many other pursuits, both work-wise, and in their private lives, as well as having a young adult to keep track of, it can seem that there is no time for your first love and passion. I wonder if photography is such an integral part of my life, that I often don’t realise that somehow, it is always there?
I have produced a few small series of work this year, and got some cracking shots in Morocco that I plan to make available for purchase - an online store may be in sight!
The most recent show I had work selected for is the Shutter Hub Open. If you’re reading this as it’s published, you could see it for yourself as it ends tomorrow at 6pm.
It seems the organisers have even surprised themselves with the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the show - it really is their best yet!
Teaming up with Newspaper Club all of the images were printed onto newsprint paper. I was a little concerned with how the pictures might reproduce, but they looked fantastic!
The private view was held last Thursday, the same night Photo Month began across the east of the city, and formed part of Photomonth’s time-tabled events schedule.
Shutter Hub is a photography organisation offering opportunities, support, and net-working for their members. At their helm is a woman who does all she can to promote the work of the Shutter Hub community. I was really touched, as I was about to leave the Private View, when Karen Harvey thanked me for always getting involved, being encouraging and spreading the word. I told her it cuts both ways.
Pictures pop off the walls.
Having worked in photography for over two decades, I have seen it change from an industry of individuals, keeping their ideas and clients close to their chests, to an open forum for discussion and ideas sharing. Obviously that has a lot to do with the digital explosion, and a need to change, but it has opened up the floor to people like Karen who work tirelessly to keep us photographers on show.
Funny enough, I spoke to a photographer that I assisted for years in the editorial sector yesterday: he was always driven by money, and we used to have heated debates about politics. He asked me if I make any money from all these exhibitions I do, in the same way my Dad, or my ex-partner would. Ironically they are all Capricorns, but I digress! Do I make money? I don’t know, probably not, but you never know, in a round-about way.
I thought we were living in the times of ‘do what you love’? Well, I worked that out for myself at a young age, and despite the peaks and troughs over the years I know I made the right choice.
Long live Photography!
Two images from my Face Pack project were chosen for display: Super Fruits, and Flowers in her hair.
Simplicity in Execution: Paper and Tape.
The show is being held at:
11 Dray Walk, Old Truman Brewery, London E1
Just off of Brick Lane
Open 11 - 6pm today and tomorrow, Tuesday 9th October
