“PHOTOGRAPH A DOOR WITH A TWIST”

This month, photography producer, writer/blogger and videographer Helen Jones-Florio sets an assignment which we hope may pique and embrace your curiosity, a challenge to make a photograph involving a door, with a twist. This assignment was set initially in episode #406.

THE ASSIGNMENT BRIEF

From Helen: “Doors are a fascinating two-way street; you enter and you exit. For this assignment, I’d like you to find a door that you find interesting. The door you choose can be a front door, one to a business, a garage, or a door belonging to a place you’re familiar with already, including your home; it’s very much open to interpretation. This is a diptych challenge; two photographs.

I often think of what I’m asking you to do when I’m photographing doors of The Gambia and Malta, a long-term photographic project I share on Instagram. Whenever I photograph a door, I’m always interested in what’s behind it, and so I’d like you to photograph a door two ways.

Once from the exterior, looking towards the door or perhaps through some kind of frame at the door using your creativity and the environment. You can be close up or far away.

And then for the second picture, from the interior looking out through the same door. Again, you could be looking just through the doorframe close up or be down a corridor, further away.

This is a great discipline for exposure, particularly if you’re photographing out of a door into the bright sunshine. This idea came initially from my time spent in Malta. I’d often pass open front doors where in particular the older generation seemed to be sitting just inside their homes, watching the world go by. Now I’m asking you to observe the world passing by, only with your camera.

One important consideration is to be safe with this feature, don’t go asking to enter homes or places where you may not feel comfortable.”

HOW TO ENTER. IMPORTANT NOTES ON FILE SIZE AND ENTRIES

Send your entries to stories@photowalk.show. Pictures should be 2,500 pixels wide if possible for optimisation. Feel free to provide text as well, if you think it will help explain the location, context etc.

Entries are shown below and good luck!

Neale

HELEN JONES-FLORIO

From the outside and from the inside. A photograph from The Gambia, including an example of tackling the exposure from both sides of the door.

MYLES BARFIELD #1 - FLASK WINNER FOR NOVEMBER

This is an old abandoned farmhouse, the inner door was interesting in how the glass was still intact. The outer door was intriguing too, though the overgrown tree made a full “in focus” image impossible. I did like how this reflected the “out of focus” dynamic of things that have been lost and or forgotten.

See more of Myles’ work on his website.

CASEY SISTERSON

Photographs above and below.
When I first listened to Helen Jones-Florio discuss her photographic challenge, my interest was piqued immediately — doors have always captivated me, too. It was a gradual revelation that my photo collection had inadvertently become a tribute to doors. So, you can imagine my disappointment when I realized the challenge required me to photograph from within these buildings. My extensive outdoor door collection was rendered unusable. The thought of missing out on showcasing these entrances was disheartening. However, I found solace in anticipating the enjoyment of the entries and witnessing the creativity of others.
Then, earlier today, something remarkable happened. I was meandering along Manitoba Canadaland’s rural roads, immersed in the quintessential photographer’s quest for the elusive snowy owl in its seasonal return. Despite my efforts, not a single owl appeared. But then, amidst a farmer's field, I stumbled upon an astonishing sight—an antique car, evidently untouched for years. Well, untouched by people. Time has had its way with the car. As I passed by, inspiration suddenly hit me: cars have doors, too, and not just one but several! This realization reignited my excitement — I promptly turned around, eager to capture what could be the perfect submission for my assignment. In that moment, I felt a sense of redemption. I hope you enjoy my twist on the Photograph a door with a twist assignment.
See more of Casey’s work on his website.

JOSHUA SHAEVITZ

Here is my submission for the November “Doors” assignment. I hadn’t gotten around to actually completing one of these on time before so am glad I finally managed to send one in on time. This small storage shed sits at the side of a pond in our local park. I don’t know what it is used for but for the first time ever the door was unlocked. I naturally took advantage to shoot my assignment shots. The interior is quite small and cramped so the inside-out shot was a dusty affair.

MARTIN HENDRY

After the storm, I visited a friend at a rented Airbnb farmhouse outside Bridport. While escaping the rain, we took a trip to Bridport and Lyme Regis. As we strolled around, my mind wandered to the assignment. While passing by the Quaker's Meeting House, I noticed an inviting doorway leading into a charming courtyard. I suspect the door is closed at night, but it was wide open during the daytime, and I made these photos.

See more of Martin’s work on his Instagram.

PAUL FRIDAY

The church where this picture was made is in Scotland and the colours are not boosted at all - it was a sparkly wreck of a place. The door was boarded up, making it difficult to see inside (at least during daylight and without tools). So I added an interior to match what I imagine might lie behind the plywood. The photograph on the right then, is a tunnel in Utrecht. If all the world's libraries are connected in library space (see Discworld), then perhaps we can have wormholes between ruins?

DAN LANGER

I gave some thought to this month’s assignment of doors. I didn’t want submit a duplication of something that your other listener might submit so no house, shop or church doors for me.

I normally listen to your podcast while walking Fergus, my golden retriever, on a section of Trans Canada Trail that runs a few minutes from our house. Now, I’ve been using this trail for about 11 years for dog walking, running and cycling since we moved to the small farming town of Lindsay, Ontario. Sadly though urban sprawl is creeping into our small town, which for our purposes cuts into the trail but also provided the inspiration for my submission.

I would like to think that you, or your other listener, would agree with me that during hour’s long walks in rural areas, there is a definite need for more Porta Potties along the way.

I should add that I have been enjoying listening to the podcast for about a year now, since my sister Patricia Langer introduced me to it. Fergus perks up when he hears Barney interrupt you or you shake his treat tin. I’m going to have to get one for him.

TIM CLARK

At Tate Britain, I had gone in to an exhibition but the doors were more interesting! During the time I noticed the handles looked like a video pause button so they book end this sequence. It’s a slight bend on seeing what is on both sides of the door.

MIKE MILLER

This is the Waldie's Blacksmith Shop and home to the Milton Historical Society in Milton, Ontario. It is a designated historical building by the Town and is a functioning blacksmith shop that offers weekend courses on blacksmithing. Both images were made in November 2023.
This building was built in 1865 and a descendant of James Waldie presently lives next door in the original family homestead. It's an interesting place to explore!

MYLES BARFIELD #2

I set out with the intention of creating an image for this month's doorway assignment, and I am aware that the final result may not align exactly with what Helen Jones-Florio had in mind. However, this location has always captivated me; it's an old diner, situated off a gravel road, literally in a field fifteen miles from the nearest town.

The origins of this place, its reasons for abandonment, and its history are unclear; it seems no one alive today knows. Yet, its haunting and melancholic nature draws me in. At one time, this place was special to someone, possibly a legacy now left behind and forgotten. I've included two images: one depicting the site in its final resting place, and a close-up of the old, broken doorway.

As I mentioned, I understand that this doesn't strictly adhere to the assignment's guidelines, but I thought it was worth sharing. The images were captured using my DJI Mini 4 Pro drone.