I had my first trip out last week to resume my project to document the Isle of Man fishing fleet; the king scallop season started on the first day of November. Unfortunately, the weather in the Irish Sea has been less than favourable, and most of the trawlers have been tied-up in harbours for the majority of the month.
Last week I did manage to get out on the Sarah Lena for a five-hour trip from Ramsey, in the north of the Island, down to its home berth of Port St Mary in the south. The scallop dredger had been in Ramsey having its winch repaired, so there was no actual fishing, but I did manage to make a few photos in the first couple of hours before being overwhelmed by the inevitable seasickness.
I’ve become quite the expert on seasickness, of late, both in theory and practice – there isn’t a cure or remedy that I haven’t heard. Over the next few weeks, I’m going to be experimenting with a few possibilities. I’ll try anything if it works. It does irritate me a bit when people say “Oh, it’s all in the mind!”, because yes, it is all in the mind!
All images were made using a Nikon F100, 28mm 1.8G lens and Kodak Ultramax 400 print film. Despite my brain telling me this project is a bad idea, fate tells me other because I found a very nice Canon waterproof 35mm film camera in my local charity shop, over the weekend, for £5 – perfect for the job in hand. Waterproof also means ‘Vomit Proof’.
This is a very important project you are undertaking which is made even more impressive by the fact that you’re willing to undergo considerable suffering and hardship. Maximum respect.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done, Phil.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great looking shots Phil.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Be brave my little soldier……. the resulting pictures are stunning
LikeLiked by 1 person
De belles photos de cette sortie en mer !
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your photojournalism work, Phil, can’t wait to see how this progresses.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Phil I really like your work. I think colour film really suits the subject. Could you tell me why you chose to use film and not digital?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so cool. Love them all.
LikeLike
Man, that sucks. The only thing I know of that really helps is Dramamine, which is Gravol (I think) in your part of the world. Do test it first, because two side effects can be blurry vision and sleepiness. Not good if you are making pictures. Good luck. This a worthy project.
LikeLike
Here’s hoping you’ll never need a vomit proof camera.
LikeLike
A very worthy and important project. Continuing with it, despite the illness, shows great dedication and courage. You should be proud.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous images. I can just about feel I’m there on the boat.
Alison
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m hoping to see this project in book form, Mr Kneen… you make me proud to be the daughter of a fisherman 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I adore this brand of photojournalism (and this kind of man 😉 ) – you’re prepared to go out and suffer for your craft, experience discomfort, and even pain to document something you believe in. Bravo!
LikeLike
Hello, Phil – This is some really impressive photojournalism. I wonder, would you be interested in having this series featured in The Norwegian Journal of Photography? How long do you envisage the project taking? This has a human interest angle on so many levels.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You going out in the next couple of days, Phil? Interesting weather (I just nearly barfed landing in the plane, let alone being out on the sea!)
LikeLike
No, it’s like a foaming, white, conveyer belt of death out there…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know, I’m staying in a B&B on Peel prom! First time I’ve been back on the island at this time of year since I was about 20 and the weather does this…
LikeLike