A Sense of Place

Wherever we live we all have a ‘sense’ of what our home area (or one that we frequently visit) is like. We know what it feels like to live where we do whether it is in a city, town, village or even on an isolated farm. We have a ‘Sense of Place' about it. But can we express that ‘Sense of Place’ and pass it to others through our photography? Can we produce a small body of work that will allow others to feel that ‘Sense of Place’ in the way we do? What is it that contributes to that ‘Sense of Place’? Is it the buildings? Is it the plant life, or the wider landscape? Is it the local industry and commercial activities? Is it about the details of what is common to us? Perhaps it is the people? Or perhaps it is something again entirely, or a combination of some or all of these that makes your ‘Place’ what it is. 

This Project will give all participants a chance to explore their local area (or somewhere else that they know well) in whatever photographic style they feel is most appropriate. The choices, as we all know, are endless. Does your chosen area have its ‘Sense’ best expressed in mono, or colour? Using ICM, or perhaps long exposures? Using multiple exposures, or more creative approaches? Using a ‘street’ style, or perhaps more formal environmental portraiture or documentary approaches. The choice is yours. 

The project kicked off with a presentation of ideas by Joe Houghton on 28 April, and it will involve regular ‘check-ins’ to discuss and share progress with your peers on the project. We intend to pull the work together into a book and celebrate the outcomes at the Regional AGM in early 2027. Of course, you may also wish to do something (book? local exhibition? etc.) with your own work in addition to this. 

We hope you find this idea inspiring as a way of bringing together diverse photographers who are very geographically spread across a large Region with a single objective. 

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