Thanks Craig, I am an artist/illustrator from Australia and have been working on a picture book for five years nearly and hearing your journey on discovering your ‘voice’ for this project really resonated with me. It is really nice to hear other artists working out their projects in real time, the incomplete, messy times. I appreciate how open you have been, thank you.
Omg fellow illustrator here, I was about to comment the exact same thing ahaha! I don’t know much about photography, and it always seems too technical but this felt so fresh! It felt like the kinds of thoughts I have about my own work. And it really is all about the eye you must have to even be interested to capture a specific scene. And I relate to your excitement about having found the Orwell excerpt!! That does fit like a glove :) Looking forward to more episodes of this series!
I love that this is in sort of a podcast format - you have a really soothing voice and the photos shine on their own. I feel very inspired after listening about your project and I’ll definitely tune in for the next episodes!!
This was a really interesting video. I’m not an artist in any way (I am a researcher) but I often find it inspiring how similar arts and science can be. We both seem to have these very long projects, that go over many years, and the patience required is quite high! Also, the grit to just keep going and chipping away and the feeling that things become clearer over time. It was inspiring to see you keep going on this project, shooting beautiful photos and then coming up with a wonderful concept that ties it all together. Reminds me to keep toiling away at my research projects and that there will be many highs and lows - that is the nature of the game. Looking forward to the next episode.
love this format! It feels good to have the time to really see every photo and stare at it for a minute Looking forward to hearing more of your journey! Love the project
I really enjoyed this! The empty, misty streets during the pandemic photos felt like some kind of weird "purgatory" especially with the white cat wandering like a lost ghost almost 😅 The pictures of people rushing around London then cutting to the landscapes got me thinking about mental health. It almost shifted my mood state literally from "oh god stress busy London going to work what am I doing in life" and then immediately slowing down when you cut to the more peaceful countryside scenes. I know you hadn't necessarily purposely put those photos next to each other but it impacted me! Kind of like a reminder that the chaos and the peace can go alongside each other and having to make space for the calm in your brain somewhere ✨️ I look forward to watching more!
8:14 I felt the same way when I saw this picture. It sort of let me breathe, all this nature. But I find it really impactful how the fog hide the horizon and the track seems to be going nowhere. It resonates with the Sex Pistol lyric you were talking about later on. There's no future and England's dreaming...
But at the end you talked about it relating to how we're not interested in what goes on in the world and just mind our own business, and it's partly true, but also "england's dreaming" and an uncertain future also make me feel a little hopeful. Maybe hope might be an interesting thing to capture in this project too.
great video, i like the format of photos on screen while you're talking, gives us time to reflect on your photos in the context of of your thoughts, i'd keep it this way! the story of the title is great and i see it reflected in your photos for sure. love the light & shadow in your work, keep it up!
Really enjoyed listening to this and looking forward to the next instalment! I am a scientist and quite illiterate when it comes to art and photography in particular so I got so much out of having the intentions explained very clearly like this. Super interesting idea for a project and feels very timely despite how much time it’s going to take to complete.
This was great. Something that I needed in a way. 5 years in photography two sets of eyes, two completely different photo series but never managed to merge them to something and eventually gave up. Took a huge break from photography. Slowly coming back to it. Being patient is really hard but creates amazing things. Love the photos and the episode, looking forward to the next one! 🎉
Thank you! Perhaps the break will help you to see the photos with a fresh set of eyes? If you do return to it (and if you haven't done this already) print the photos off so you can lay them out in front of you and see them all at once. I find that really helpful!
Absolutely loved this! I feel so much burnout around my creative hobbies because of the pressure to monetize everything we make, so the chilled but passionate, almost anti-hustle, vibe of this video has absolutely inspired me to make things again! Really looking forward to seeing more. PS as someone who partially grew up in Castle Acre, Norfolk, I think it'd be a great place to explore a rural/country village vibe - especially around the river and ford which are right next to some Norman priory ruins! Wells-next-the-Sea is also my Norfolk seaside of choice, highly recommend.
Honestly same! The pressure to churn out content and monetize had me rushing this project for a little while. Posting to Instagram also felt so demoralising after a while so making slower, more contemplative videos is a reaction to that. Love the description of it as 'anti-hustle' - thanks! Best of luck with your creative hobbies. I actually filmed this one a little while ago so have already done my Norfolk trip - I didn't do Castle Acre (maybe next time) but I did do Wells-next-the-Sea! Holkham was my fave spot of the trip.
Thank you, Craig for making this and sharing your thoughts! I have a very beginner level knowledge of photography and have only taken photos from my phone. I love hearing your knowledge and thought process behind creating a photography collection. Very excited for future videos!
Such a good thing to photograph things before having the concept all wrapped up, in my sense. It's okay to not know yet what is interesting to you, maybe you have an obsession with a particular thing right now, but you don't know why. It's only later with a step backwards that we can make sense of ourselves no? You can always shoot more once you have your concept, like you are doing now. I shoot documentaries and it's years of work for one final film. My process is also to reimagine the concept along the way, after each new bits of filming. if you stick to your original idea, it doesn't work, you can't make people say what you imagined was their story. I really loved this video, can't wait for the others!
I've been scared of my camera and have been taking steps to be less scared of it. Nothing beats the rush of realizing I've got a good shot among a sea of meh ones. I like your approach and your sharing the process - art in process has always been inspiring to me when I see all my heroes started out with messy ideas. I know it in theory but actually seeing it happen is so so affirming. So thanks for sharing! I'm liking this format. I love the metaphor wrapped up in "England is dreaming" and feel like a bunch of questions rise up from that phrase - all which could be facets to explore (or not!) or more inspiration. If England is dreaming, what is it dreaming of? What happens if/when England wakes up? Has England ever woken up, and when/why? Sleep - is it a deep sleep, shallow sleep, fitful sleep, med-induced sleep? What subjects represent these different kinds of sleep/dreams? What kinds of dreams do different subjects dream? Who put England to sleep, what dream do they wish England would dream? Why is England still asleep? And thinking about "dream" in the other sense - the idea of imagining elsewhere, or future, or different possibilities, dreaming of the future, dreaming of escape, dreaming of growing up... it's interesting that almost opposite meanings are tucked inside the same phrase. Who dreams to stay asleep, and who dreams wanting to wake up? what happens if England's dream comes true? and a followup to literally every question above: how to explore/evoke that idea in a photograph. I kinda got carried away with this comment but these are just some open-ended questions to noodle over as the concept develops - I work in a setting that puts a lot of weight on the power/psychology of metaphors, so when I see the metaphor of "dreaming," that is a goldmine for unpacking layered meanings. Good luck with the project, and I hope it's fulfilling!
This has been wonderful. This calm podcast/ photo show format you chose to do is ideal imo. No music or video, just a voice and the art. Keep it up! :)
i'm from Moscow, always have been thinking of England as of a very dreamy place (never visited though!). it's funny how ideas and cultural phenomena interact with each other sometimes: I have been following you for many years, also have been a fan of Frankie Boyle's comedy literally since I was a teenager (less a fan of his earlier "edgy" stuff now, but nevertheless), and I think I learned a lot of English culture through some very sleepy blurry stuff like solo Peter Doherty music, earlier The Cure albums and Noel Fielding's abstract art and Luxury comedy. and here I look at your photos (@00:37 is the one for me) and feel all the feelings I had while listening to Grace/Wasteland when I was 14 sorry for the long mumble! love your work and hope one day to be able to order your photo book with this project to Moscow :)
@@CraigSimmonds i guess there is no universal "russian" (in this case) perception of England, but i hear you! for me it's always very interesting to find out what bits and pieces of one's culture transcended boarders and became important and dear to folks in other countries! that's why i was so surprised to realise that your description of England was in a way similar to mine, that of a total foreigner 🌚
I was really moved as I looked at your photos and listened to your passionate, considered approach to capturing them. I recently somewhat embarked on a large creative project myself, and this has really reminded me that my own passion for the project is the most important thing, regardless of how long it will take or the audience it may never have. Thank you for sharing.
The idea of england dreaming to an immigrant hits the nail on the head! I could never pin point the cultural difference of England compared to my home country, but you described it wonderfully. Often my home feels involved, nosey, talkative and opionated and loud (which I love and am myself) where as this sleepy england with its 'potting around' is a really fulfilling idea and I think your photos capture it greatly! This has inspired me to pick up a camera although im more of a paint-y person myself. Thanks!
This is so exciting, I can't wait to hear more! I lived in England for about 3 years and there's something that I really love about the landscape and it makes me feel at home, so seeing these photos makes me a bit emotional in a way. I noticed Sheffield on your map and I'd be curious to see what you got there because it's actually got a long history of social actions! At the same time, I feel like the Dutch are known for a very similar attitude of sticking their head in the sand as you described so that also really resonated with me.
It was actually the Peak District on the map right next to Sheffield that I've spent some time photographing - perhaps I'll check out Sheffield as well though. Super interesting hearing your thoughts as somebody not from England but who lived here - helps me feel like I'm on the right track. Thank you!
Super fun to watch/listen to, I always find your photographs really inspiring, they often make me want to get up and do/make something creative, keep it up!
Really enjoyed this. The format was good listening like a podcast, as you said, but some beautiful, interesting images. I look forward to the rest of the series and learning of this view of England.
To answer the question in the live chat (which I did but it disappeared). I just finished my second book (translation) and it took me two years from srart to finish. It's still not finished in the sense that it will take 6 more months to publish and there will be back & forth with the editors but from my end it's done at least. This has to be the longest I have worked on any project, apart from my degrees and I don't think they count. Also I want to say that I love your photography, I have seen your work in bits n pieces on insta for the last 4-5 years and I have always loved it. I am so glad you're uploading again.
I really like this visual podcast idea. Honestly refreshing to not be looking at the speaker the whole video. My brain has the bandwidth to focus on your work. I think there's this misconception that to be a creative means total originality. Listening to your process and how you let this research shape the idea into something that's still totally unique to your perspective is cool, mate. Maybe the next project asks the question, "What happens when sleeping England is staring down bombs that can't be diffused?" i.e. when the English can no longer ignore the situation outside of their insularity because the result of parliament's austerity measures is at the doorstep. Okay, just blabbing at this point. Looking forward to the next episode. Keep up the good work 👍
So cool to see you pop up in my subscription feed again! I'm really here for it and usually I need video to focus but I actually really like having the shots just up on the screen and being able to look at them while you talk! I do wish they were the full size of the screen, tho, or closer to it (idk what the aspect ratio is) rather than having so much white space. Really looking forward to more and hearing you talk about specific shots!!
Thanks for the feedback! The size of the photos is intentional so they can't be screen-grabbed at high quality but I'll see if i can think of a workaround for future eps.
I really like the podcast format! I'd be really interested in a 'day in the life' style podcast if that's possible. Maybe on a photography trip to could update us throughout the day with the pictures you get and how you feel about them?
I dont know why but all this Englands Dreaming topic reminds me of the book The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro. Though it does not describe such a Biedermeier time in which people staying home and are apolitical and so on. I dont know... just associations running wild.
This is a really cool project!! Norfolk is a pretty varied place- you have very built up areas like Sheringham, big longggg beaches, Happisburgh is the only place I can think (also lots of erosion there), and then the Norfolk broads are so unique and cool (we stayed in between the river yare and river Waveney across the river from burgh castle once and it was so quiet there. Also there are lots of farms (we have family who are farmers there hence having been lots), but I guess there are farms in lots of the uk.
@@CraigSimmonds ahh I hope you enjoyed it! Holkham looks familiar and lovely, I have been to Norfolk so many times but don’t really know my way around because it’s always been with my family 😅 my grandparents live in Sheringham so we’ve spent the most time there, I know the beaches aren’t as lovely and wild but the sea crashing against the sea wall on a wet/windy day is so cool to watch (and a little scary)!
It's clear you have a trained eye for composure. Great photos! Small technical feed back is that the volume seems to be a bit quiet (I had to turn it to 100% to have it on normal level). Another is with the white background. I understand that photos and art are often put on white to make them pop and to not to interfere with the art. It just that in screen the white is light, which makes it a bit harsh for eyes. A neutral light gray could work? Or maybe I just happen to have sensitive eyes, I dunno.
Thank you for sharing your art and your process. I think that you should read that book if you are taking an excerpt from it. There might be more inspiration within its pages. Or it might have problematic themes that you might not want to associate with your art.
I am fascinated by the idea of "Englishness" and how it is used and what it means. Planning to read Green Unpleasant Land by Corinne Fowler and Another England by Caroline Lucas 😊
as lovely as your face is, it is great to see your work! the format worked really well. Looking forward to hearing about your shit trip and your good trip next time
Really interesting glimpse into your art and thought process, thank you! I have a question: how do you position yourself, as the artist, against the subject you're photographing? In what way are you part of the sleeping England, and in what way are you an outsider, an observer? When I write, I sometimes feel like there's something cynical about describing people, like I'm somehow above them because I "understand" them. Do you ever feel that way?
This is a great question - I haven't really thought about it before so I don't have an answer for this at the mo, but I'm definitely going to go away and have a think! Perhaps I'll make a video with my thoughts on it?
As soon as you said England's Dreaming, I started humming Sex Pistols. Great connections! This was very soothing lying here sick, listening and admiring your gorgeous photos. I look forward to hearing more.
That would be a dream come true! If they still accept submissions I'll definitely give it a go (when I finish the project). Their recent publications seem to be super simple concepts so I imagine England's Dreaming might not fit the bill!
I did consider visiting there but after looking at some stuff on Google Maps / some tour videos on UA-cam I didn't see any massive potential for this project in particular. Happy to be talked round though if you think it'd work?
Nothing outstanding in this work - most of it is below average. I see highlights blown out and other problems in some of the photos.
Pin of shame!
I don't think you understand that not all photography is about following those conventional rules.
a competent amateur is infinitely more interesting than a stale professional
"all three of you!", has 1.2k views in 12 hours, no no no Craig, we are here for it!
I like how gentle and earnest this format feels. It feels a bit like walking through a gallery with an audio guide. I'm so happy I got to watch it!
Thanks Craig, I am an artist/illustrator from Australia and have been working on a picture book for five years nearly and hearing your journey on discovering your ‘voice’ for this project really resonated with me. It is really nice to hear other artists working out their projects in real time, the incomplete, messy times. I appreciate how open you have been, thank you.
Thanks for the lovely feedback! Wishing you all the best for your picture book!
Omg fellow illustrator here, I was about to comment the exact same thing ahaha!
I don’t know much about photography, and it always seems too technical but this felt so fresh! It felt like the kinds of thoughts I have about my own work.
And it really is all about the eye you must have to even be interested to capture a specific scene.
And I relate to your excitement about having found the Orwell excerpt!! That does fit like a glove :)
Looking forward to more episodes of this series!
How cool!
I love that this is in sort of a podcast format - you have a really soothing voice and the photos shine on their own. I feel very inspired after listening about your project and I’ll definitely tune in for the next episodes!!
I honestly find my voice quite jarring and monotone but wasn't sure if I was just heavily judging myself - so this is great to hear! Thank you :)
@@CraigSimmondsi feel it is very calming!!
😍
This was a really interesting video. I’m not an artist in any way (I am a researcher) but I often find it inspiring how similar arts and science can be. We both seem to have these very long projects, that go over many years, and the patience required is quite high! Also, the grit to just keep going and chipping away and the feeling that things become clearer over time. It was inspiring to see you keep going on this project, shooting beautiful photos and then coming up with a wonderful concept that ties it all together. Reminds me to keep toiling away at my research projects and that there will be many highs and lows - that is the nature of the game. Looking forward to the next episode.
I've never thought about the parallels with science before. Interesting! Thanks for sharing and for the kind words :)
Love this comment! Wish the two worlds would collaborate more!
love this format! It feels good to have the time to really see every photo and stare at it for a minute
Looking forward to hearing more of your journey! Love the project
I really enjoyed this! The empty, misty streets during the pandemic photos felt like some kind of weird "purgatory" especially with the white cat wandering like a lost ghost almost 😅
The pictures of people rushing around London then cutting to the landscapes got me thinking about mental health. It almost shifted my mood state literally from "oh god stress busy London going to work what am I doing in life" and then immediately slowing down when you cut to the more peaceful countryside scenes. I know you hadn't necessarily purposely put those photos next to each other but it impacted me! Kind of like a reminder that the chaos and the peace can go alongside each other and having to make space for the calm in your brain somewhere ✨️
I look forward to watching more!
Oo that's some interesting feedback, thank you! And thanks for watching :)
8:14 I felt the same way when I saw this picture. It sort of let me breathe, all this nature. But I find it really impactful how the fog hide the horizon and the track seems to be going nowhere. It resonates with the Sex Pistol lyric you were talking about later on. There's no future and England's dreaming...
But at the end you talked about it relating to how we're not interested in what goes on in the world and just mind our own business, and it's partly true, but also "england's dreaming" and an uncertain future also make me feel a little hopeful. Maybe hope might be an interesting thing to capture in this project too.
great video, i like the format of photos on screen while you're talking, gives us time to reflect on your photos in the context of of your thoughts, i'd keep it this way! the story of the title is great and i see it reflected in your photos for sure. love the light & shadow in your work, keep it up!
Woo! Thanks for the feedback!
Blimey! He's back like a phoenix from the ashes! 🐦🔥
😎😎😎
Really enjoyed listening to this and looking forward to the next instalment! I am a scientist and quite illiterate when it comes to art and photography in particular so I got so much out of having the intentions explained very clearly like this. Super interesting idea for a project and feels very timely despite how much time it’s going to take to complete.
That's great to hear! Thanks for the lovely feedback :)
This was great. Something that I needed in a way. 5 years in photography two sets of eyes, two completely different photo series but never managed to merge them to something and eventually gave up. Took a huge break from photography. Slowly coming back to it. Being patient is really hard but creates amazing things. Love the photos and the episode, looking forward to the next one! 🎉
Thank you! Perhaps the break will help you to see the photos with a fresh set of eyes? If you do return to it (and if you haven't done this already) print the photos off so you can lay them out in front of you and see them all at once. I find that really helpful!
Absolutely loved this! I feel so much burnout around my creative hobbies because of the pressure to monetize everything we make, so the chilled but passionate, almost anti-hustle, vibe of this video has absolutely inspired me to make things again! Really looking forward to seeing more.
PS as someone who partially grew up in Castle Acre, Norfolk, I think it'd be a great place to explore a rural/country village vibe - especially around the river and ford which are right next to some Norman priory ruins! Wells-next-the-Sea is also my Norfolk seaside of choice, highly recommend.
Honestly same! The pressure to churn out content and monetize had me rushing this project for a little while. Posting to Instagram also felt so demoralising after a while so making slower, more contemplative videos is a reaction to that. Love the description of it as 'anti-hustle' - thanks! Best of luck with your creative hobbies.
I actually filmed this one a little while ago so have already done my Norfolk trip - I didn't do Castle Acre (maybe next time) but I did do Wells-next-the-Sea! Holkham was my fave spot of the trip.
Absolutely here for the podcast style and looking at the beautiful images. Thanks!
Thanks for watching!
I really like the Jury Street photo! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Craig for making this and sharing your thoughts! I have a very beginner level knowledge of photography and have only taken photos from my phone. I love hearing your knowledge and thought process behind creating a photography collection. Very excited for future videos!
Thanks for watching!
Such a good thing to photograph things before having the concept all wrapped up, in my sense. It's okay to not know yet what is interesting to you, maybe you have an obsession with a particular thing right now, but you don't know why. It's only later with a step backwards that we can make sense of ourselves no? You can always shoot more once you have your concept, like you are doing now.
I shoot documentaries and it's years of work for one final film. My process is also to reimagine the concept along the way, after each new bits of filming. if you stick to your original idea, it doesn't work, you can't make people say what you imagined was their story.
I really loved this video, can't wait for the others!
i'm not a photographer but I think your work is moving and unique. Enjoyed the format a lot. Thanks so much for sharing Craig!
Thank you!!
I really enjoyed the format of the photos and audio! My favourite I think is the one at 6:40 with the man in the suit in the shadow!
Thank you! I actually think I might eventually cut that one haha but much appreciated :)
I've been scared of my camera and have been taking steps to be less scared of it. Nothing beats the rush of realizing I've got a good shot among a sea of meh ones. I like your approach and your sharing the process - art in process has always been inspiring to me when I see all my heroes started out with messy ideas. I know it in theory but actually seeing it happen is so so affirming. So thanks for sharing! I'm liking this format. I love the metaphor wrapped up in "England is dreaming" and feel like a bunch of questions rise up from that phrase - all which could be facets to explore (or not!) or more inspiration. If England is dreaming, what is it dreaming of? What happens if/when England wakes up? Has England ever woken up, and when/why? Sleep - is it a deep sleep, shallow sleep, fitful sleep, med-induced sleep? What subjects represent these different kinds of sleep/dreams? What kinds of dreams do different subjects dream? Who put England to sleep, what dream do they wish England would dream? Why is England still asleep? And thinking about "dream" in the other sense - the idea of imagining elsewhere, or future, or different possibilities, dreaming of the future, dreaming of escape, dreaming of growing up... it's interesting that almost opposite meanings are tucked inside the same phrase. Who dreams to stay asleep, and who dreams wanting to wake up? what happens if England's dream comes true? and a followup to literally every question above: how to explore/evoke that idea in a photograph. I kinda got carried away with this comment but these are just some open-ended questions to noodle over as the concept develops - I work in a setting that puts a lot of weight on the power/psychology of metaphors, so when I see the metaphor of "dreaming," that is a goldmine for unpacking layered meanings. Good luck with the project, and I hope it's fulfilling!
This is a lovely thoughtful comment. Thank you!
This has been wonderful. This calm podcast/ photo show format you chose to do is ideal imo. No music or video, just a voice and the art. Keep it up! :)
Thanks!
I love it! The studied myopia of England's dreaming. Such an interesting subject!
Oo that's an interesting way of putting it! Thanks!
i'm from Moscow, always have been thinking of England as of a very dreamy place (never visited though!). it's funny how ideas and cultural phenomena interact with each other sometimes: I have been following you for many years, also have been a fan of Frankie Boyle's comedy literally since I was a teenager (less a fan of his earlier "edgy" stuff now, but nevertheless), and I think I learned a lot of English culture through some very sleepy blurry stuff like solo Peter Doherty music, earlier The Cure albums and Noel Fielding's abstract art and Luxury comedy. and here I look at your photos (@00:37 is the one for me) and feel all the feelings I had while listening to Grace/Wasteland when I was 14
sorry for the long mumble! love your work and hope one day to be able to order your photo book with this project to Moscow :)
Thanks for your comment and the kind feedback! I always find it super interesting to hear about other countries' perception of England.
@@CraigSimmonds i guess there is no universal "russian" (in this case) perception of England, but i hear you! for me it's always very interesting to find out what bits and pieces of one's culture transcended boarders and became important and dear to folks in other countries! that's why i was so surprised to realise that your description of England was in a way similar to mine, that of a total foreigner 🌚
I Like. I like the format, the pictures and the idea. Keep them coming
Thank you!
Loved it and looking forward to more videos like this!
Really like this format with your voice and the photos. I really like it, wonderful company
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed!
I was really moved as I looked at your photos and listened to your passionate, considered approach to capturing them. I recently somewhat embarked on a large creative project myself, and this has really reminded me that my own passion for the project is the most important thing, regardless of how long it will take or the audience it may never have. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you! Hope your project goes well!
What a beautiful concept - can't wait for future episodes that break down place and photograph(s)
Thank you!
The idea of england dreaming to an immigrant hits the nail on the head! I could never pin point the cultural difference of England compared to my home country, but you described it wonderfully. Often my home feels involved, nosey, talkative and opionated and loud (which I love and am myself) where as this sleepy england with its 'potting around' is a really fulfilling idea and I think your photos capture it greatly! This has inspired me to pick up a camera although im more of a paint-y person myself. Thanks!
That's super encouraging to hear your perspective! Thanks for sharing. Hope you get some great shots! 📷
Loved this Craig gave me alot to think about with my own work! Cannot wait to see more from this work and loved hearing you speak about it too!
Will!! Thank you my man!
Me sitting here with my crochet - oh crikey he's making a photo project about England, how interesting!
Great video and amazing photos! Looking forward to more videos.
Thanks!!
Super inspiring and interesting to hear your thought/creative process, thank you!
Thanks for watching!
This is so exciting, I can't wait to hear more! I lived in England for about 3 years and there's something that I really love about the landscape and it makes me feel at home, so seeing these photos makes me a bit emotional in a way. I noticed Sheffield on your map and I'd be curious to see what you got there because it's actually got a long history of social actions! At the same time, I feel like the Dutch are known for a very similar attitude of sticking their head in the sand as you described so that also really resonated with me.
It was actually the Peak District on the map right next to Sheffield that I've spent some time photographing - perhaps I'll check out Sheffield as well though. Super interesting hearing your thoughts as somebody not from England but who lived here - helps me feel like I'm on the right track. Thank you!
Super fun to watch/listen to, I always find your photographs really inspiring, they often make me want to get up and do/make something creative, keep it up!
Thank you!!
17:43 Ariel Bisset is going to lose her mind.
haha
Really enjoyed this. The format was good listening like a podcast, as you said, but some beautiful, interesting images. I look forward to the rest of the series and learning of this view of England.
Thank you!!
thank you for sharing your creative thoughts!
Thanks for watching!
Love it! ;)
I love this format! Great job!
Thank you!
To answer the question in the live chat (which I did but it disappeared). I just finished my second book (translation) and it took me two years from srart to finish. It's still not finished in the sense that it will take 6 more months to publish and there will be back & forth with the editors but from my end it's done at least. This has to be the longest I have worked on any project, apart from my degrees and I don't think they count. Also I want to say that I love your photography, I have seen your work in bits n pieces on insta for the last 4-5 years and I have always loved it. I am so glad you're uploading again.
That's cool! Congratulations on completing it!
@@CraigSimmonds Thanks!
I really like this visual podcast idea. Honestly refreshing to not be looking at the speaker the whole video. My brain has the bandwidth to focus on your work.
I think there's this misconception that to be a creative means total originality. Listening to your process and how you let this research shape the idea into something that's still totally unique to your perspective is cool, mate. Maybe the next project asks the question, "What happens when sleeping England is staring down bombs that can't be diffused?" i.e. when the English can no longer ignore the situation outside of their insularity because the result of parliament's austerity measures is at the doorstep. Okay, just blabbing at this point. Looking forward to the next episode. Keep up the good work 👍
Thank you. Interesting idea, I'd never considered a sequel project!
So cool to see you pop up in my subscription feed again! I'm really here for it and usually I need video to focus but I actually really like having the shots just up on the screen and being able to look at them while you talk! I do wish they were the full size of the screen, tho, or closer to it (idk what the aspect ratio is) rather than having so much white space. Really looking forward to more and hearing you talk about specific shots!!
Thanks for the feedback! The size of the photos is intentional so they can't be screen-grabbed at high quality but I'll see if i can think of a workaround for future eps.
babe wake up new Craig Simmonds video just dropped
😂😂😂
Really interesting video that introduced me (0 photography experience) to something new! Recognised quite a few of the Crawley shots too haha 😂❤
haha Sussex gang!
These photos are fantastic, I will be first in line to buy a book if you publish one!
I really like the podcast format! I'd be really interested in a 'day in the life' style podcast if that's possible. Maybe on a photography trip to could update us throughout the day with the pictures you get and how you feel about them?
Great idea. I'll have a think about how I could do that. Thank you!
ohh the Orwell writing reminds me of a lot of what I see in Japan as well
I dont know why but all this Englands Dreaming topic reminds me of the book The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro. Though it does not describe such a Biedermeier time in which people staying home and are apolitical and so on. I dont know... just associations running wild.
Love that book and Ishiguro!
This is a really cool project!! Norfolk is a pretty varied place- you have very built up areas like Sheringham, big longggg beaches, Happisburgh is the only place I can think (also lots of erosion there), and then the Norfolk broads are so unique and cool (we stayed in between the river yare and river Waveney across the river from burgh castle once and it was so quiet there. Also there are lots of farms (we have family who are farmers there hence having been lots), but I guess there are farms in lots of the uk.
I actually filmed this video a few months ago so have done my Norfolk trip already. I stayed in Sheringham. Holkham was my favourite spot I think!
@@CraigSimmonds ahh I hope you enjoyed it! Holkham looks familiar and lovely, I have been to Norfolk so many times but don’t really know my way around because it’s always been with my family 😅 my grandparents live in Sheringham so we’ve spent the most time there, I know the beaches aren’t as lovely and wild but the sea crashing against the sea wall on a wet/windy day is so cool to watch (and a little scary)!
It's clear you have a trained eye for composure. Great photos!
Small technical feed back is that the volume seems to be a bit quiet (I had to turn it to 100% to have it on normal level). Another is with the white background. I understand that photos and art are often put on white to make them pop and to not to interfere with the art. It just that in screen the white is light, which makes it a bit harsh for eyes. A neutral light gray could work? Or maybe I just happen to have sensitive eyes, I dunno.
Oh the volume thing is just my laptop being silly it seems. Just happened to present itself between a previous video and this one
Thanks for the feedback!
Thank you for sharing your art and your process. I think that you should read that book if you are taking an excerpt from it. There might be more inspiration within its pages. Or it might have problematic themes that you might not want to associate with your art.
Yes, I agree. I've read chunks of it but haven't read it the whole way through. It's next on my TBR :)
I am fascinated by the idea of "Englishness" and how it is used and what it means. Planning to read Green Unpleasant Land by Corinne Fowler and Another England by Caroline Lucas 😊
Yes! I've been meaning to read Caroline Lucas' book too!
4:40 aw the cat shot :,)
I love that the cross on the flag at 16:33 looks like a shrugging figure
Oh yeah! Never noticed that before
as lovely as your face is, it is great to see your work! the format worked really well. Looking forward to hearing about your shit trip and your good trip next time
Thank you!
On UA-cam music too, don't use Spotify either. 🙌🏽
One of us! One of us!
Fuck Spotify!
@@leenanorms yeaah!
Really interesting glimpse into your art and thought process, thank you! I have a question: how do you position yourself, as the artist, against the subject you're photographing? In what way are you part of the sleeping England, and in what way are you an outsider, an observer? When I write, I sometimes feel like there's something cynical about describing people, like I'm somehow above them because I "understand" them. Do you ever feel that way?
This is a great question - I haven't really thought about it before so I don't have an answer for this at the mo, but I'm definitely going to go away and have a think! Perhaps I'll make a video with my thoughts on it?
@@CraigSimmonds Yes, I'd like to hear your perspective on this!
As soon as you said England's Dreaming, I started humming Sex Pistols. Great connections! This was very soothing lying here sick, listening and admiring your gorgeous photos. I look forward to hearing more.
Thank you. Hope you feel better soon!
Have you thought about collaborating with Hoxton Mini Press?
That would be a dream come true! If they still accept submissions I'll definitely give it a go (when I finish the project). Their recent publications seem to be super simple concepts so I imagine England's Dreaming might not fit the bill!
As someone who had lived in Derby for 4 years I can indeed confirm that it's awful for street photography 😂
I couldn't work out whether it was just because I was there during the pandemic but I didn't get a good street photo vibe!
You should go to Hull/Humber area
I did consider visiting there but after looking at some stuff on Google Maps / some tour videos on UA-cam I didn't see any massive potential for this project in particular. Happy to be talked round though if you think it'd work?
1) this project is v. exciting
2) punctuating sentences with "baby" produces INSTANT regret
I considered cutting that bit out but I decided to keep it real haha