In the previous posting I mentioned my ideas for a couple of summer projects of whilst I'm away from uni. Unfortunately though, both of those ideas have hit snags. I contacted the Urban Pastors but have not heard back from them and when it came to photographing the members of the Cricket Club I was just more interested in watching the game.

So, with this in mind, I am changing direction.

One thing which has been an influence so far this year is the need to find solitude and space. With this in mind, and through talking to a tutor, I think these elements could be worth exploring. So I have borrowed a 5x4 film camera from uni for a month (possibly longer) and plan to start photographing the local countryside whilst embarking on some very long walks.

I hope to be able to connect with the landscape in a way which I haven't for a while, of where the stresses and strains of life can be left behind and can then explore the rhythm and appeal of nature.

I also hope that the methodical and slow nature of using large format will also help me to be more thoughtful which will hopefully provide more insight. Another part of this project is to leave the dreaded mobile phone at home when I go out on a walk as the need to be connected with the rest of humanity cane be over rated and is at odds with the project.

It has also been suggested that I read the following books which are about solitude and silence. They are Alexandra Harris' Romantic Moderns and Pico Lyer's The Art of Stillness: the adventures of going nowhere. Both of these seem like a good place to start and I also need to start researching about being solitary and silence.

But I thought I would also include a picture of the new bit of kit! It might look old fashioned but it is still a thing of beauty!