Return.
It’s been a while. In relation to my normal shooting schedule, it has been a positive lifetime. Many photographers will plan shoots and maybe go once a fortnight to do a specific shoot. I’m not that guy. My normal is 3 times a week in different locations. As I’m lucky enough to live in a spectacular part of the world, there is plenty of opportunities on my doorstep.
This was the case up and till the 2nd August this year. My accident and subsequent recovery has taken its natural course for a broken ankle. I’m now two weeks into using a boot and can now drive. This has opened up a whole heap of possibilities for me as a working photographer. I’m still a few weeks off returning to regular shoots and a couple of months walks and shoots.
The photo above was taken at my favourite lay by above Hebden Bridge. I’ve captured this view of Stoodley Pike so many times but this one felt special. I was able to drive myself up to the spot and take a photo standing unaided.
I’ve posted a couple of times about my recent experience, the frustrations I have had and ways of working around those. To be able to go out and take photos of the valley, moorland and towns is immensely satisfying. You know a complex fracture isn’t the easiest thing to deal with and part of that is working out how. The health professionals give you loads of support but you don’t always know if you’re on track with a full recovery. There isn’t really a timeline as every fracture is different and we all respond differently. I have never broken a bone before so have no frame of reference.
What is great is that I can start to think as a photographer again rather than a patient. I am still a way off a full recovery but I’m getting there. I can stand and hold my cameras again and use them in a way I am comfortable with. I can look at a landscape or building and see how light or cloud interacts with it. I was interviewed this morning for a magazine feature and it felt really good to talk about my photography rather than my ankle. I am loving using the Nikon d810. It’s such an intuitive machine and does exactly what I want it to. My images will improve as my mobility returns but I’m capable of doing this wonderful camera more justice than I have in the last couple of months. I want to take my d700 out and play with that as it is truly a one off in the world of digital cameras. All these monochrome images are taken with the d810 as I prefer to shoot the d700 in colour ; mainly because the sensor renders colours so beautifully, it would be a shame to deny it the chance to shine.
It feels like a return but not a full blown one. That is good enough for me right now and to not have to talk ankles or using crutches will be a relief. I can’t recall how many times I have had to explain how it happened and to have to relive a moment I really don’t want to. For the first few weeks, I experienced a sort of ptsd every time I thought about my accident. I am better now and don’t have the same reaction but you meet so many people who don’t know how it happened so you have to recount the story. I’m much happier to talk about photography and cameras with people.
