My very first memories of my developing interest in photography began at an early age when I became a proud owner of a Kodak Brownie Cresta roll film camera, taking just 12 black & white exposures 2″ X 2″ in size. I remember looking in amazement at my first prints, bringing back vivid memories of where I had been just a week or so earlier!
I had no idea then, not only on how seriously my newly developing and fascinating interest in photography was destined to lead me as my life progressed, but also on how photography itself would progress in the coming years.
By the time I reached my late teenage years, I started experimenting with developing and printing my own black & white films and prints. I did not have the luxury of a darkroom, so had to compromise by blacking out the bathroom in my parents’ house for a few years until I purchased my own house some years later and was able to build my own darkroom in a spare bedroom, which I could use on a permanent basis.. This was equipped with a contact printer for negative sized prints, an enlarger, red safe light, processing dishes etc. For many years I was then able to process my own black & white films and prints, before later moving on to colour processing which was a lot more complicated and time consuming.
My most ambitious project at the time was to print from 35mm sized negatives, 2 sepia effect prints of Covent Garden Market, sized 1.3mtr x 0.94mtr, and 1 sepia effect print of Albert Bridge, Chelsea, size 0.88mtr x 0.70mtr. All 3 prints were printed onto large rolls of photographic paper!
Following the arrival of digital photography, my darkroom equipment slowly became redundant, but I still have it stored in my loft…just in case!
I soon found myself appreciating the profound advantages of digital photography, with images instantly available to view and no longer being limited to 36 images on a roll film.
In recent years, as a scenic photographer I have concentrated on canal and river photography. I am a member of the Canal & River Trust, the Huddersfield Canal Society, and have also held many exhibitions to raise funds for charitable organisations, with my next one planned for Southend On Sea in April 2023.
My progression into Twilight Photography began one winter’s evening in 2009, whilst strolling along the London Southbank with my Nikon camera in hand. I spontaneously stopped to take a twilight shot over the Thames towards St Paul’s Cathedral and the City of London beyond. This created a lot of interest, so some years later I decided to progress along the river in both directions, specializing in capturing the beautiful illuminated River Thames at dusk. In early 2020, I decided to extend my coverage further, not knowing that Lockdown due to COVID, would seriously delay my progress, but I was able to use the time in producing my first music backed DVD covering the Thames at twilight between Albert Bridge, Chelsea and Tower Bridge, which has been much admired. I am now extending my coverage further from Windsor in the west to Greenwich and the Thames Barrier in the east.
I am delighted to be able to participate in the London Photo Show 2022.
Frank Carter.
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One Response
Frank, it was great to see your work exhibited at the show! I have always enjoyed the electric atmosphere of walking along the Thames at twilight, and I loved recognising all the places I know from those walks over the years.