dark and moody walks in margate

Back in the day, when I used to go out for a bit of landscape photography, I used to love a moody, overcast and wet day, particularly at the coast. Then my D7200 died after water got into the electronics (RIP my much missed old friend) and landscape photography became something I did rather than something I do. I went all in on street photography and started to look more for light and shadows, or evening abstracts. After a while, cloudy and wet days just required a bit more effort than they used to.

And yet, there’s something about a dark, overcast day at the coast that draws me in. I think it’s the combination of big open foreboding sky and tiny, insignificant figures on the beach. The scale, the darkness, all seem to come together to make something appealing to my eyes. I think I’m just drawn to the mood. To the reduction of people to minor characters in nature’s drama.

This time of year the overcast moody skies combine with biting cold conditions and make for some interesting scenes on the streets. It takes a lot of effort to pack your camera bag and head out when it feels marginally above zero and the rain is falling down, but you cannot beat the atmosphere (so long as there is no wind, I can’t stomach cold, wet and windy photo shoots…the wind just saps away all the energy I muster in leaving the house, so I tend to give those days a miss).

The thing I always try to remember, especially this time of year with the winter we’ve had, is that it’s no use waiting for “perfect” conditions. Make the most of the conditions that are present. Sure, sometimes it really is worth staying in bed (god knows we all deserve some rest in these times…). But sometimes you can look out the window, see the drizzle and the overcast sky and just think what’s the point. But those can be the best days. The days where you go out with low expectations and just one shot makes it all worthwhile. And yet, you can go out in the height of summer, blue skies, fantastic light, convinced you’ll get 100 bangers, only to come home with nothing. I guess the lesson is, don’t waste time waiting for the perfect, embrace imperfection. It’s a lesson I’m still trying to learn…

Copies of my Margate zine (UK only) are still available (none of the images below feature in the zine as I took them all on Sunday 9th February!).

When the fog descends...

…head to Deal. Or Margate. Or Folkestone. Or…well, anywhere.

Fog is that magical element that we all (I think?) hope for at this time of year. You scour the weather apps, desperate for a sign, anything, that suggests maybe there will be some fog on the way. You build your hopes up when Clear Outside suggests 10 for fog, only to remember all those times before when it was just cloudy. Or you check the Met Office, excited to see a VP for visibility. Could this be the moment? Or will it be another VP that turns out to be E?

Most of the time, you’re hesitant because that forecast for fog hits the morning and, let’s face it, even in the winter, that morning rise can be a bit of a chore when all you have is a hint of hope that maybe you’ll wake to find that you can barely see beyond your doorstep. But every now and then, the forecast is in the evening and when that happens…bingo! No early rising, no dragging yourself out of bed on a cold morning, it’s just a late afternoon drive somewhere, and a leisurely stroll around before getting home in time for tea. Fog in the afternoon/evening is the dream, so often much more elusive than in the morning.

It just so happens that this last weekend, fog was forecast in the evening. So I decided to grab my stuff and head to Deal and hope for the best. Imagine my disappointment as I got ever closer, only to find there was not even the slightest hint of fog. Was I in for disappointment? Perhaps. Oh well, I got out of the house at least…

Found a suitable parking space, parked up, grabbed my coat, my camera bag, my beanie…wait, what’s that? That street lamp seems to be picking up some mist rolling in. Don’t tell me it’s actually going to happen? The very moment I park up, now the fog is going to roll in? This never happens. I’m nearly always in for disappointment. Well, we’re in. Let’s go!

And so into town, down the sidestreets, onto the promenade…the pier is…well, it’s there because I can see the lights. But that’s all I can see. Other than two figures sitting on the wall looking out to sea. Maybe a walk on the pier would be good with the lights…I feel an urge to channel my inner blade runner fandom. Just need the right subject, a person or couple that I can make the subject, with enough distance to other people to make it appear like they are on their own. A couple going for an eery walk down the pier in the evening, with the pier lights shining bright. That will do the job.

Back into town. Fog, cold, condensation…there have got to be some shots to be had here. The ice cream parlour. That usually works. Almost empty, but for a couple sitting at a table, reading a paper. Great. Sometimes you just get lucky. Sometimes the opportunities just scream out at you. Sure, sometimes the shot can be obvious, perhaps there’s more unique shots to be had if you just spend a bit of time thinking about it, but what if the moment goes? What if you lose any shot at all? All the thoughts that buzz around your head before you press down on the shutter. There will be plenty of times to mess around and experiment. Sometimes it’s just about getting the shot, no matter how obvious it feels in hindsight.

A potter back through town, hands in pockets, longing for the warmth of the car. And then it’s done. Got lucky. Got shots. Got cold. Got home. Until next time, evening fog. Whenever that may be…

Fringe and Ginge, Canterbury

Fringe+Ginge is one of my favourite cafes in the city. Well, in truth, it’s pretty much the only cafe I go to in the city…because I don’t really drink coffee so I’m really not down with the whole coffee culture thing. A good cup of tea is all the caffeine hit I need. But it’s not just the tea and chilled vibe (famously, no laptops and stressed people trying to work!) that draws me in, the windows also do it for me…especially at this time of year when it’s cold outside and nice and cosy inside.

In truth, I started taking pictures of the cafe long before I started going in and spending my money. After a while, I felt a bit guilty just using it as a photo location and figured I should actually go in and spend some money there too. And I’m glad I did, Alfie and Olivia (the owners) have made this an essential place to stop off and grab a tea, a pastry or a toasted sandwich. And both have been really cool about me taking photos in and around the cafe, which is also a big plus.

And for a small spot, there’s plenty of photo opportunities, again, especially at this time of year with the condensation on the large windows at the front and side of the building. I was even thinking recently that you could even make a really niche zine out of the interior and exterior of the cafe, but that’s probably a challenge too far for me at the moment. Something to consider in the future though maybe.

Anyway, I thought I’d pull together a number of recent photos taken inside and outside the cafe. It’s amazing what you can get in one, small location if the conditions are right and you are patient (which isn’t always the case with me).