LAKE SKATE AT BURNIES
$579
Three friends take a quiet moment to say goodbye to a skate park they built in a burnt out warehouse (Burnies) in Winnellie, Darwin. An excavator stands out of frame, having destroyed half their park and ready to knock down the rest after the weekend. I had been documenting the subtle changes at Burnies through film photography for six months and always wondered who hung out there and why.
When I saw the excavator from Tiger Brennan Drive I rushed to take some last photos. While saying my own goodbyes, one of the three friends turned up. He gave me a little history of the place, then his two mates arrived and they let me photograph some of their last skating session there. They had all been skating since the 90’s and had been brought together in Darwin through their love of skating. They had been using Burnies as their skate park for three years prior to it being knocked down.
This photo was taken on a Nikon FE with Fomapan 100 ISO film. The image is printed on Ilford Cotton Rag paper. Fomapan 100 is produced in the Czech Republic, which I bought in bulk and hand rolled in a dark bag into re-usable 35mm canisters.
Framed photography print on Ilford Cotton Rag
85 x 60.5cm
Artist Statement: After spending years as a helicopter pilot working in some of the most remote parts of the world, my photographic work is naturally drawn to themes of loneliness, isolation, abandonment and the fringes of society. I became hooked on making images through film photography after buying a camera in the Canadian city of Yellowknife to have a creative pursuit and document some flying activities. My influences have come to include the colourful work of Saul Leiter and the instinctual moments captured by Joel Meyerowitz. Long exposures at twilight or night are one of my favourite techniques, as well as double exposures.
Film photography over digital is important to me as a limited number of shots forces my intent in photo making. I believes it also focuses instinct and using intuition to capture moments in dynamic situations, such as making photos of people.
I shoot mainly on a Nikon FE, a simple yet tough analogue camera from the 1970’s. The Nikon F model has captured many famous images such as the Afghan Girl and Tank Man. I prefer this camera for its simplicity, allowing me to focus on crafting a beautiful image without the camera getting in the way.
Contact Tactile Arts on 08 8981 6616 or admin@tactilearts.org.au to purchase.
