One of the biggest for photographers is the fear of a lack of inspiration and boredom with what they are doing. Many put this down to being in the same place for too long and not being stimulated by the challenge of somewhere new - preferably exotic. In the late 90s I attempted to hold on to my youth and decided to go around Australia till my money ran out ( I know, it was a cliche even then). Sitting in a pub in the middle of the outback, I shared life stories with a leather faced, alcohol fuelled local. As a rural Aussie born and bred, he thought my living in London was the height of adventure. I ,on the other hand, revelling in the outdoor life of hiking, campfires and dawn till dusk sunshine would have happily swapped my rain filled, cramped commuting life at the drop of a hat. The reality, of course, is the grass always looks greener - or in this case, outback orange.
There is an inherent danger in the desire for the new, as it can stop you looking at what is around you in your everyday life. Think of that car journey you do over and over again.The monotonous routine can regularly leave you unable to remember any significant details of it. This state of mind is the photographers' enemy and to combat it last year I started a project that focuses my attention on the mundane elements of life, in particular the building where I work . There's nothing particularly special about it, in fact the building is a poor example of 1960s architecture - all brutal and without the drama and retrospective cool of the period. And yet, like people it has good and bad days, can be full of light and shade and even a touch mysterious. So, here’s to Baker Building; my portrait of a place and to continually looking.
Till next time...
Matt Peers