After leaving school, my journey into photography led me back to my roots—specifically to Ware, Hertfordshire, the town where my father was born.

Enrolling at the local Art College, I had the privilege of studying under the masterful tutelage of Paul Bennett and Malcolm Kemp. They were instrumental in molding our skills, though they sat at opposite ends of the creative spectrum: Paul possessed a sharp eye for graphic design and composition, while Malcolm was a master of the scientific and technical intricacies of the craft.

Under their guidance, we developed a highly structured, routine-based approach. While this technical foundation was invaluable, I later discovered its limitations when applying for higher-level courses. I found that the academic landscape had shifted; the industry was no longer just looking for technical perfection, but was seeking a more conceptual and artistic narrative. In that environment, the very rigidity that had served me so well started to feel like a cage for my creative intuition—a hurdle I eventually had to learn to clear.

Being immersed in the atmosphere of that historic market town gave me the perfect opportunity to capture a series of shots that have, until now, remained tucked away. I’m finally ready to share them, and as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

capture date | 19.04.1986
camera | Nikon FA
lens | 50mm
focal length | 50mm
aperture | f/8
shutter speed | 1/60
shooting mode | manual
exposure bias  | +0.0
metering mode | pattern
ISO | 125
flash | no
image quality | filmscan
RAW converter | Photoshop CS2
cropped? | no