I had to remove one of my Nightworkers from my website and this blog as they have decided not to participate for personal reasons.

So far, so good …?

I am satisfied with the images for this project.  Some work better than others and I may drop some for the book if the flow isn't right.  I like the fact that there are clues to the work these people do in the photographs, without being too obvious (apart from policeman, fireman, etc), which makes you wonder what sort of jobs they do without being told outright.  I am awaiting a couple of interview responses and one model release form from a nurse (although we have a verbal agreement that the image could be used).

More Night Images

My attempt at startrails was unsuccessful and I will  have to wait for another clear, dry night and the chances of that may be very small, so I have taken a few abstract images for the chapter headings of the book.  I have decided to use the first two as they are suitably intriguing. They don’t much show  a sense  of time, but rather a sense of timelessness.  I like them within the book, but are they suitable?

The Hospital Site Manager

Decided on a change of scene for the Hospital Site Manager.  He was able to pose a bit longer for me.  I photographed him in the reception area to begin with, as his construction staff were fitting a new floor, but it wasn’t successful.  I took him outside the hospital main entrance and used the construction workers’ barriers as a backdrop.  It doesn’t exactly say ‘hospital’, but this is the area where he was working.

The Hospital Porter

Photographed a hospital porter too, another person who plays an important role in hospital life.    I like the wheelchair in the background which also provides a splash of colour.

I was also delighted to discover that he is the lead singer in Wigan’s Ovation:

The Hospital Domestic Supervisor

Visited Royal Bolton Hospital on Thursday night and photographed four people.  A doctor and nurse practitioner said they would participate, but work became very busy for them, but I am more than happy about getting four.  I was given a room to photograph in which had low ceilings, which wasn’t ideal, but I understand the difficulties with photographing in hospitals – confidentiality and contamination, so it was fine.

I am satisfied with this picture, but as I already have a cleaner, I am not sure that I will be able to use it.  However, a cleaner is a vital component of the hospital machine – making sure everything is germ-free and ready for patients and staff to use.

The Gamekeeper

Visited Ashbourne in Derbyshire last night to photograph a gamekeeper.  It was just going dark, so I had a different kind of atmosphere which makes good use of the flash.  I think the top picture is the best out of the three I’ve chosen, in posture, expression and there’s no harsh shadowing on the nose like in the second picture.  Unfortunately, the water in the background is not visible (too dark), but I knew this was going to happen.  I love the way the flash has picked out the trees. I will definitely carry on using this system for future photographs.  It’s so versatile and portable.

The Prison Officer

Visited a prison this evening to photograph a prison officer. The shoot had to be quick because the prison officer had to get back to work and also there was a short break in the heavy rain.

This image was chosen because he looked more authoritative than in the others.  I wasn’t entirely happy about the shadowing across his face initially, but I think it gives him a rather sinister air, which goes well with the Nosferatu shadow to the right of the picture (let me make it clear that I don’t think that prison officers are sinister in any way(!), but most people are afraid of going to prison and the shadowing generates the feeling of uneasiness).  His shirt is slightly bleached out on one side, but not too much that I’m worried about it.