I took the Pentax k1000 back out again and this time got hold of some expired slide film, which was something I hadn't used before but I had done a little digging online and thought it sounded like it could result in some interesting photographs so I was keen to give it a try.
I wanted this time to concentrate more on the strangeness of these places, the atmosphere and the remnants. The way their new presentation twists and changed their perception, the details and textures of the dereliction of the things we take for granted and overlook in our everyday.
The idea was to take a look closer in at the things which make this place unique and at the same time quite absurd looking, the things effected by the time and conditions, the things you notice and step over, the objects that show a real knowing of the place and its characteristics.
To create a set of photographs with that sense of unease which comes from the idea that these places were once so full of life and such a big part of the area that no one could imagine how they are now, that peoples dreams and hopes, even futures have decayed and crumbled along with the building. I wanted to capture some of those everyday items which on their own appear innocent but they show the corruption of time and memory and allow that change in perspective to be closer to home.
I also chose to "Cross process" this film which again adds to that idea of uncertainty and chance taking with which my practice and also my exploration and themes are concerned and the reason behind using expired film as well I like the idea that it links to both the idea of stepping out of your comfort zone and taking a chance at discovering something you previously overlooked to find this wealth of history and culture, opportunities and experience.
Also that fragility of the everyday I speak about, the idea that we put our time and our lives into something which under the surface is not the steady rock we are lead to believe, that we spend so much time putting our dreams on hold for this "security" which is in fact a fraud.
I feel that the cross processing has worked particularly well with this set of photographs and I am very please with the results. The colours and contrast has really given them that gritty edge I was after and the colours stand out from the moody shadows and vignettes.
I look forward to developing these into part of my MA exhibition coming up in the next few months!!
