the photowalk retreat: photography, exploring, sound, community.

Words, thoughts and invite from Neale James, presenter/producer of The Friday Photowalk. Pictures from Jeremy Baker, contributor and supporter of the show.

A UNIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY PODCAST.

Some short context. The Photography Daily podcast launched in June 2020 as in the UK we emerged from the first three months lockdown. As a photography programme, it could so easily have become one of many identities and in the first six months the format ebbed and flowed between straight interview, comment, short walks with a camera, review, business editions and frequency. Having been locked down and stripped of my commercial photographic outlet, it felt good to be creatively inventing again.

Necessity being the mother of that invention, early on in the podcast’s run, a late guest cancellation led to a longer walk instead with my camera, microphone and some messages from the show’s inbox; The Photowalk edition was established.

Then something rather unexpected and really very special started happening, of and by itself. You started to share your experiences of what photography creatively, emotionally and mentally brought to your life; how it nurtured, encouraged, healed, excited and provided comfort, particularly at a time when many photographers, professional and amateur, had encountered a period of flux or inertness. Beyond Q&A, it gave listeners a voice, one to share their ideas, highlight their work or the work of others. When I invite you to walk with me at the start of each show and share these experiences, to me it really does feel like you have joined me on my walk. It has become a unique photography podcast and you are part of it.

WHY A RETREAT AND WHAT IS IT?

I think of the Friday Photowalk edition as a safe thought empowering community as much a podcast. From shared photographic ideas and projects, to conversations with those making pictures, to mental wellbeing and mindfulness; this community doesn’t shout; “Look at me!” Rather it celebrates the stories, the large, the small moments and feelings of those who take time to write, to teach, to show and simply be there for each other. Photography is more than a swipe and like, it’s a community of similarly-spirited creative people, for whom holding a camera brings a feeling of connectedness.

I have honestly found every emotion reading your letters on this show and so it’s time in 2022 to meet in person, finally.

In the past I have proudly been part of my own, other photographers’ and organised training workshops and events. These experiences have each been personally enriching through those I have mentored, photographers met, shared a stage with and the stories heard and told, though they’ve by virtue of design been predominantly business focused.

The first Photowalk Retreat celebrates the feeling this show brings to our community; an opportunity to escape the noise, spend time with like minded photographers, embrace new skills or challenges and enjoy a break away as we encourage, talk with, eat with, laugh with and of course, walk with each other.

There are three complete retreat days, though you are invited to holiday a day early and leave breakfasted after the final day.

THREE DAYS OF PHOTOWALK RETREAT.

TUESDAY 8th PHOTOWALKING

Boots on (check) we’ll start by exploring a little of this special island on the south coast. The Isle of Wight is home to stunning clifftop walks, sprawling forestry and seaside towns which in the winter fall silent, perfect for photographic micro stories. Together we’re going to make a winter postcard of the island. In the evening, we’ll debrief over good food, share our stories and return to The Dairy to enjoy a nightcap and prepare for the next day.

WEDNESDAY 9th DOCUMENTARY MAKING

Documentary Day. We’ll all be making pictures with a pre-arranged person or people of interest; a dairy farmer, a sailcloth weaver, a garlic grower (one of the main industries on the island) plus a joint exercise in making some street portraits as a collective, telling a story about our subject. As an intimate group we’ll work to encourage each other creating our documented moments, once again debriefing over supper, conversation and pictures.

THURSDAY 10th SOUND AND SHOW

Helping you understand the potency and wonder of sound fused with your photographs. We’ll also produce an edition of the Photowalk show together in our own extensive private woodland, where together we’ll photograph, guest present, edit and publish the podcast. Over a working supper we’ll put our show ‘to bed’, ready for it to appear to the outside world and debrief as a group from the week looking ahead photographically to 2022.

A BREAK FROM THE NOISE.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story can make all the difference.

 Q&A TO COVER YOUR STAY.

  • At Kemphill Farm in the Old Dairy on the Isle of Wight, just ten minute’s drive from the ferry terminal at Fishbourne on the northern side of the island. Preferential ferry rates are available upon application.

    The farm is surrounded by rolling countryside, close to the sea, fifteen minutes from Ryde, which is where we will make use of the island’s ‘nostalgic’ rail connection to other towns.

    The Isle of Wight is not a large place, but there are no motorways, so travel times are understandably and wonderfully for the views, a little slower.

  • Even though the activity days are across three days, you are invited to come early, from Sunday 6th or Monday 7th February 2022 to enjoy some private time exploring or quiet time in the photo book library, to familiarise and find your retreat. Departure day is Friday 11th Feb.

  • The cost per person is £950. This includes an ensuite room with shower and/or bath. Your evening meals are covered on the activity days; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Continental breakfast is included on all days with of course unlimited supply of hot beverages. Please advise if you have dietary requirements.

    A sharing room may be made available if two attendees wish to share at £700 per person.

    Your stay is between four and five nights depending upon your desire to join us for a relaxation day.

  • Although car sharing will be an option, if you bring your car across to the island, you’ll have better freedom to explore in down time or if you wish to make some pictures outside our ‘together hours’. If you intend to holiday early with us, you will need a car to see the island independently.

  • With the World as it is, we are of course aware that Covid restrictions or illness can cause issues. Attendees must be double vaccinated (and booster ‘jabbed’ as required if you are in an age or risk group that has been highlighted for an appointment prior to the end of January 2022. If I am incapacitated for any reason and unable to hold the retreat, the retreat will be refunded in full, although please ensure you are able to recoup your own travel expenses. If you are unable to attend due to Covid or other illness issues, your place can be refunded in full up to and including fourteen days prior to your attendance. If a standby placement is able to attend with less than fourteen days notice to the retreat, you will be fully refunded. Please ensure you take a lateral flow test three days before and a day prior to attendance.

  • Bring the camera you regularly enjoy using and travel light. A laptop would be handy although not essential.

  • We’ll be spending time outside and in, and our beautifully private woodland can get muddy in winter on the walk to and from. Scarves, thick jacket, sturdy photowalking shoes or boots. Rainproof option too, as we’re not allowing rain to stop play.

  • The farm is wheelchair friendly for one ground floor room (with wet room), though our planned walks are not and the library is on a mezzanine level.

  • Why of course!

  • Wi-Fi is available at the farm, but can be limited due to the island’s service provider. The 4G signal is excellent.

  • Dogs unfortunately are not permitted on the farm or within its accomodation.

RESERVE YOUR PLACE.

Interested parties will be responded to within 48 hours of receiving reservation notice. If you require further information please call 01635 273181.