Bus Stop
- by Bev Thomas
- •
- 10 Apr, 2017
- •
The Stationary Journey
Ever sat on a bus, not able to move anywhere? I expect the majority of you have! a seven hour journey to London could have been the most boring journey, saying that, it wasn't. It was early morning when I climbed aboard the megabus that departed from the local ferry terminal. Outside was pitch black, all I could see where the empty seats around me and two boys chatting away. They were chatting about their weekend and student life in general, clearly one mutual friend they were discussing was the joker of the pack and seemed to entertain them on various occasions. I was not being nosey, I just couldn't help but hear and it did pass the time away, now and again I would smile to myself, listening to their stories. Eventually they both fell asleep for a bit, the bus was still fairly empty so I closed my eyes too. I woke up as we approached our first pick up stop.
Then it dawned on me, I have internet and instagram therefore hoping that the outside world would follow my journey. Every bus stop we pulled up to, I felt the urge to take a photograph therefore documenting my ride. In a documentary style approach, I captured each pick up from my stationary position using only an iPhone looking out of the window.
I uploaded to instagram, one image per stop. My existing followers and new followers interacted to my surprise, and the hits kept coming. As a visual artist/photographer, It certainly gave me support to carry on capturing what I could see right there in front of me.
So why did I choose the megabus? well it was simple, I felt although the journey was longer there was a driver onboard someone who kept an eye on the passengers, so as a female travelling alone this made me feel safer than perhaps the train plus it was also a cheaper option which is definitely a bonus in this day and age.
I arrived in London and was once able to move about again, and get on with my business.
I uploaded to instagram, one image per stop. My existing followers and new followers interacted to my surprise, and the hits kept coming. As a visual artist/photographer, It certainly gave me support to carry on capturing what I could see right there in front of me.
So why did I choose the megabus? well it was simple, I felt although the journey was longer there was a driver onboard someone who kept an eye on the passengers, so as a female travelling alone this made me feel safer than perhaps the train plus it was also a cheaper option which is definitely a bonus in this day and age.
I arrived in London and was once able to move about again, and get on with my business.
After attending to business in the city, it was time for me to do the stationary journey again and head back home. This return was quite different to the previous trip. I knew boarding would be considerably busier from London Victoria station, so I stood in a queue and waited to board. I found my seat and made myself ready for the long journey ahead. There was an empty seat next to me and I had no doubts it would get filled. This is when I met Antonio, he was an Italian business man with a fairly good English dialogue, perhaps at times not understanding every word, to which he would show me his translation on his phone, I then understood. He was visiting the UK to open a chain of Italian restaurants, with one in London and one opening soon in Cardiff, the name 'Ciliegino'. I spent the whole journey talking about his company and his dreams to open more in the UK, guess the other passengers heard too. He asked what took me to London and I explained I was a photographer. We exchanged details and in future, I maybe able to help with advertising by creating some food photography, and fingers crossed I can eat the pizza afterwards.
So why have I wrote this blog, although at times we might be alone and travelling in a stationary position, a photograph, a smile, a conversation may just help you get through those boring hours and that doesn't cost anything. You never know who you might meet along the way. Who knows one journey can lead to another in future!
Bev
https://www.instagram.com/bevvypix
So why have I wrote this blog, although at times we might be alone and travelling in a stationary position, a photograph, a smile, a conversation may just help you get through those boring hours and that doesn't cost anything. You never know who you might meet along the way. Who knows one journey can lead to another in future!
Bev
https://www.instagram.com/bevvypix
Firstly, I must apologise the lack of updates on this blog but then again who actually reads? Times have been up and down to say the least, and that has played with my mental well being, especially when it has come to my photographic practice. For many years, I have concentrated on giving 100% to my passion and this is my source of income as a professional photographer. However, the pandemic has made me stop and think about sustainability within the photographic industry and just what is it all about and for what?
Photographs are not just images; they are physical artifacts. The physical form of the photographic image, prescribed by prevailing technology, determines what can be photographed, how it can be displayed or published, how it can be encountered by others, how it can circulate through public culture.
I wanted to introduce the toy photography work that I am involved with. This is a collaboration with the wonderful team over at Stuck in Plastic (SiP Link).
Having grown up in the 70’s, I thought I could find some old photographs from this time in my life but sadly, I have been unable to locate any and that makes me recall little moments that stand out in my vivid memory which helps me write this post.
In the search for the ideal image it became evident that I had seen everything before and I wanted to produce something different. My intent was to take image manipulation further away from the real but I was also aware this could come with some critic good or bad.
Having successfully completed my MA, I began to turn my focus on reflecting over my time at Falmouth University’s Institute of Photography. What became very evident is that my work is now informed and my intent is clearer than it was.
Welcome to the very first post of my new blog. On the contrary, I am familiar with writing blogs and I had initially decided to continue writing regular posts on my Photographic Critical Research Journal
, to which I started writing at the beginning of my Masters degree at Falmouth University’s Institute of Photography.
Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue ... well there was nothing blue about this amazing wedding, it was pink and full of fun and laughter. I met Kayleigh two years ago when she started wedding planning, turned out that I know her mother and father very well but as the years went by our connections had gone in different directions. But I always knew they were a special couple who if ever my family needed them that they would be there for us, so as you can imagine I was absolutely thrilled to be asked to capture their daughters wedding day.
The Bride & Groom chose a beautiful location, the hotel is called Wolfscastle Country Hotel otherwise known as "All yr Afon" https://wolfscastle.com located just 15 minutes from Haverfordwest, in the heart of the Pembrokeshire countryside and 9 miles from our stunning Pembrokeshire coast. I arrived at 11.30am in order to get some prep photographs of Kayleigh's shoes etc and the bride and bridesmaids getting ready. When I arrived everyone was so calm and ready to go, the bridesmaids hair and make-ups were completed and they were in their dresses ready. Wearing sparkly rose gold gowns they looked stunning. The bride was still getting ready with finishing touches being adjusted. She wore a stunning wedding gown with a cathedral train made from tulle. The flowers were made by Flowers by Quita, they incorporated vintage roses and peonies. Everyone was in high spirits. Not only was it Kayleigh and Mark's wedding day but they were both celebrating birthdays.
I completed what I need to do then myself and Gill, my assistant headed downstairs to capture the groom. I had not met Mark at any of the appointment prior to the big day, so once I found him I introduced myself and to be honest, I felt like I already knew him. He had just finished formalities with the Registra and checking that the best men had the all important wedding rings. The video guys were ready, I was ready and Kayleigh was ready ...
12.20pm Kayleigh was descending down the stairs with her father, that was an emotional moment. She had given him a pair of cuff links which read 'of all the walks we have had, this one is my favourite' such a lovely moment to treasure forever.
12.30pm Mark was patiently waiting for his beautiful bride, and there she was standing in the doorway ready to met her husband to be.
The ceremony was perfect and a kiss seals the the forever moment when the Registra pronounces Kayleigh & Mark as Husband & Wife, Mr & Mrs Williams.
The Bride & Groom chose a beautiful location, the hotel is called Wolfscastle Country Hotel otherwise known as "All yr Afon" https://wolfscastle.com located just 15 minutes from Haverfordwest, in the heart of the Pembrokeshire countryside and 9 miles from our stunning Pembrokeshire coast. I arrived at 11.30am in order to get some prep photographs of Kayleigh's shoes etc and the bride and bridesmaids getting ready. When I arrived everyone was so calm and ready to go, the bridesmaids hair and make-ups were completed and they were in their dresses ready. Wearing sparkly rose gold gowns they looked stunning. The bride was still getting ready with finishing touches being adjusted. She wore a stunning wedding gown with a cathedral train made from tulle. The flowers were made by Flowers by Quita, they incorporated vintage roses and peonies. Everyone was in high spirits. Not only was it Kayleigh and Mark's wedding day but they were both celebrating birthdays.
I completed what I need to do then myself and Gill, my assistant headed downstairs to capture the groom. I had not met Mark at any of the appointment prior to the big day, so once I found him I introduced myself and to be honest, I felt like I already knew him. He had just finished formalities with the Registra and checking that the best men had the all important wedding rings. The video guys were ready, I was ready and Kayleigh was ready ...
12.20pm Kayleigh was descending down the stairs with her father, that was an emotional moment. She had given him a pair of cuff links which read 'of all the walks we have had, this one is my favourite' such a lovely moment to treasure forever.
12.30pm Mark was patiently waiting for his beautiful bride, and there she was standing in the doorway ready to met her husband to be.
The ceremony was perfect and a kiss seals the the forever moment when the Registra pronounces Kayleigh & Mark as Husband & Wife, Mr & Mrs Williams.
Since starting my MA program, I am required to keep a critical research journal in the form of a written document, so I have created another blog on Wordpress which I will continue to update on a regular basis. I have completed the first module and I am now looking at the second module.
This blog at https://beverleythomasphotographydotcodotuk.wordpress.com is being made as part of an accredited educational programme.
This blog at https://beverleythomasphotographydotcodotuk.wordpress.com is being made as part of an accredited educational programme.
