(P. ramorum) V: Ground Work

Phytophthora ramorum (P.ramorum)

Location: Glenariffe Forest Park

This was an odd one for me. I was photographing the affected area to discover how to photograph the content for this project.

Although the subject matter is pressing, engaging and urgent, the method of repeating a photographic composition is not. Making portraits of dead and dying tree stumps is boring (when considered en masse). The sloping terrain of the Glenariffe forest park combined with the heavily distressed woodland floor makes for 'beautiful' compositions, genuinely lovely images of destruction and deforestation. However, this does not intrigue me.

Instead I am drawn to the details scatted about the scene: painted indicators; chainsaw marks, split trunks, fungi patterns across tree rings, and so on. The beautiful minutia. The wide photographs work well to establish the scene and to record the scale of the soil erosion and deforestation, but the most engrossing points are found by moving much closer.

"The devil is in the detail". This was a favourite mantra of one of my photography teachers, and I suppose this has stuck with me.

P.ramorum, or "Sudden Oak Death", has already had a devestating impact on America in the past decade, specifically Northern California. Here is a video from QUEST's archive series on P.ramorum:

(sorry about the forced crop on the video)

-PM

2012 so far...

Forget the Year of the Dragon, this has been the year of short films! So far I have worked on four. I shot Lady Grey (and founded FalseAlarm Media as a result); I worked as standby props in Ryan and Andy Toehill's most recent film, Eyeline; and, as you may have noticed from the barrage of recent posts, I have been taking stills on Boys From County Hell and Pennyinch.

[Crew photo from Eyeline, photo credit: Alasdair McBroom]

That's the film side of things. Back to photography. I have submitted '100Portraits in 100Days' to a few local galleries in an attempt to exhibit the work. Fingers crossed. I am also working on creating a project that focuses on Phytophthora ramorum, the 'rapid tree fungus' that is dramatically changing the landscapes of the U.K.

Naturally, I have been photographing throughout the first two months of the year. The final total of digital photographs taken last year was just over 10,000, which is not bad. I do blame working on Game of Thrones for almost six months for this, but working in the Props department in film is something I wish to continue with. And I was still taking photos, I just can't show most of them anywhere. However, I can show my handmade flail made from a Monkey Fist with splice handle (the life of props provides an unusual skill set):

However, this year has been fun so far and I aim to make the most of it. I turned 24 last month. I made a promise to make one self portrait every month throughout the year so I could track any changes that 'making the most of it' would have, the results are included below.

[Occupy Belfast Camp, Writer's Square Belfast, Jan 2012]

[Brussels, Belgium, Jan 2012]

[Road Sign, Ghent, Brussels, Jan 2012]

[Self portrait with black-eye, Jan 2012]

[P.ramorum affected area in Glenariffe Forest Park, Jan 2012]

[Hannah & I reflected, Soho, London, Feb 2012]

[Glare, London, Feb 2012]

[Self portrait against an elephant wall hanging, Feb 2012]

[Photo tabletop created using old analogue prints and contact sheets, Feb 2012]

-PM

(P. ramorum) IV: Topographics

With the research side of the P.ramorum project trundling along I need to find a photographic format that will suit the subject matter. When I was photographing the affected area in Glenariffe, in early January, I found it difficult to relay the impact of what I was seeing, and that is why I needed to do additional research.

Although it is hard to think about how the series will come together at this stage it is important to consider where this work would fit into the wider field of contemporary photography. My initial aim is to create a series of photographs in the affected areas, whilst also focusing on the surrounding conservational processes and subsequent implications.

One idea then would be to pick a particular mode of framing and create a catalogue of calculated images, showcasing the fungal infection in this repetitive fashion would highlight the subtle differences between the trees or scenarios. This style of framing and producing images harks back to the photographers involved in the famous the New Topographics exhibtion (1975), curated by William Jenkins. The photographers involved were Bernd and Hilla Becher, Joe Deal, Frank Gohlke, Robert Adams, Nicholas Nixon, John Schott, Lewis Baltz, Shephen Shore, and Henry Wessel Jr.

For a modern review and general insight into New Topographics I would suggest this article by The Guardian.

The photographers involved went on to greatly influence landscape photography throughout the USA and Europe with their particular style.

[more later!]

-PM

(P. ramorum) III

Here we are again, back on the trail of Phytophora ramorum. I have been burying my head in websites and sifting through the available information to formulate a proposal for my next project. Thus far I have discussed this project with other photographers and visual artists and their excitement and feedback has encouraged me to follow this through (thanks Sylvia!).

The most concise information guide can be viewed here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8352779/p-ramorum-disease.pdf

(Photo from www.forestry.gov.uk, demonstrating Phytophthora ramorum affecting Japanese larch trees)

So, an update: I have contacted the Forestry Commission and instigated the dialogue to learn more. I have made a list of the areas affected in Northern Ireland, I mean to start locally with my photography and document these woodlands first. There are in the excess of ten sites recorded at the end of last year, including Ballyboley, Bohill, Capanagh, Glenarm, Glenariffe, Tardree, and Woodburn. There are also many cases on private estates around the Antrim Plateau.

More soon!

-PM