Graeme Blake Photo Essay

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Vacation

With limited previous experience with photography and the concept of a photo essay, I headed home to Worthing with a camera and numerous ideas for topics.

One by one, the ideas failed to deliver, but I uncharacteristically lucked into several unforeseen circumstances that more than made up for those disappointments.

While heading to a popular hang-gliding spot, I stumbled upon a field of caravans; apparently abandoned by their occupants.

Were they gypsies? Travellers? Some kind of anti-establishment commune? Few clues were left, but the site made for some atmospheric photos; helped along by some timely flocking starlings.

Additional editing tutelage by Jess Hallett

Rehab

At a later date, I had an opportunity to return to the neurological rehabilitation centre I was admitted to two year ago. I decided to take a camera with me and document a day in the lives of two patients. Presented here is a secondary photo essay, this time with human interaction. In the course of the day, I was reminded of the usually slow pace of life at the centre, which wouldn't have made for an interesting presentation. Fortunately, on the day I visited, there was a relatively high amount of action, and I was able to get varied shots of different situations.

As a medical institution with sensitive information, I was somewhat restricted in what I could photograph, but I was more interested in photographic the patients anyway, and faced no problems.

It also provided a valuable experience in obtaining release forms, as I'd never had to use them before.