Mayor of Taunton opening Photographic Exhibition

Its been a busy few weeks and we are nearly there…

Films have all be developed now and printing is underway in the darkroom, the launch night is being finalised on Friday 19th September at 19:00 and is to be opened by the Mayor of Taunton with a short speech by Paul Conibeare, the West Somerset Railways general manager. Alan, the Steam Driver and Actor will also give a short speech.

Local press, photographers and local artists have been invited to event, we will also have the mobile darkroom up and running which will also be available for viewing on Saturday 20th. If you are interested in coming on Friday the 19th please get in touch and we will try to squeeze you in!

A reminder that the photographic darkroom box will be in operation on 19th September at the Launch and on September 20th from 10am-4pm

sam post 7-8-14

We look forward to seeing you all at the event which runs from September 20th – October 5th, open 10am-4pm daily.More information can be found by clicking here.

Exhibition Print first

Above is the first handprinted print awaiting to be framed.

Below are the final films hanging up to dry.

Developed Film2

Developed Film

Creative Photography Open Exhibition

Ilminster Arts Centre will be hosting Creative Photography Exhibition 2014 as showcase of photographic work with examples of diverse and experimental processes.

The exhibition will run from August 25th to September 13th open daily. Sam Burton of ‘zummerzet photography’ has three hand printed black and white framed prints featuring some Indian portraits of ‘Downtown Hyderabad’. All work displayed will be for sale and its a great chance to pick up an absolute bargain with much of the work being hand printed onto black and white paper.

For more of Sam’s black and white work click here

We look forward to seeing you all at our exhibition and workshop in September for more information visit here

Venue address is – The Arts Centre at the Meeting House, East Street, Ilminster, TA19 0AN – 01460 55783

Black & White Photographic Exhibition – September

Sam Steams Back To The Future
As part of Somerset Art Weeks (SAW) 2014, Sam Burton of ‘zummerzet photography‘ and a member of Exposure47 will be using Black and White film this exhibition will be exhibiting ten darkroom handprints which show a glimpse into the life of England’s Longest Steam Railway. The images show a typical day enjoyed by a steam locomotive driver. Burton, who is passionate about traditional techniques, used a medium format camera and black and white film to be in period with the subject. Alan ‘the driver’ has already achieved fame in advertising campaigns for companies such as Aldi and is the ‘face’ of ‘REAL’ crisps and was very excited at being in Burtons project.Links to Aldi advert and ‘REAL’ crisps.

In keeping with the period theme of his project Sam Burton will explore Victorian photographic working methods and then evolve the images with the latest technology during the launch of his SAW exhibition that begins September 20th 2014 at the Bishops Lydeard Station Museum.

Background

During the infancy of photography in the mid 1800s it was common practice to use mobile darkrooms; usually a horse drawn carriage blacked out and fitted with a safe light panel for illumination. The photographer would load his camera plate; make the exposure and process on location. Sam will be using 1950s version of the Victorian view camera with the public invited to take part by having a portrait made, Sam will develop negatives in wet chemistry and participants and spectators will be able to watch the process take place. This practical event will open take place on 20th September.

Venue address

Gauge Museum, Platform 1

Bishops Lydeard Railway Station

Bishops Lydeard

Somerset

TA4 3RU

Dates & Times

10am to 4pm

The exhibition will be open for view every day from September 20th to October 5th. I will be at the venue on 20, 21, 24, 25, 27 and 28 September and 2, 3, 4, and 5 of October.

 

 Directions: 

Follow signs for A358 and once you get to Bishops Lydeard follow the brown signs for West Somerset Railway at Bishops Lydeard, the station is not in the village itself but is off the main road. The exhibition is in the Gauge Museum on platform 1.

For more information look at our blog

For updates and information follow and like us on Facebook and Twitter

Event Kindly Sponsored by ‘The Golsoncott Foundation’

The Golsoncott Foundation

Winter in Somerset

Some may think that Somerset is closed or goes into hibernation in winter. This year, more than ever, due to the flooding, many will think of only the peaks of Exmoor rising above the floods, but it’s far from closed.

Ancient traditions and culture continues, the controversial hunting groups populate the hillsides and valleys with their coats and the faint sound of the horn is heard as the hounds leap around.

Work continues on the fields with the daily activities of supplying fodder for the farm animals, and particularly affected are the below sea-level areas where livestock has had to be rescued. Lights illuminate the sky for miles around and the 24/7 pumping continues to try and alleviate the continuing doom which has been an unwelcomed Christmas present for many.

Since the New Year, communities have been cut off and stranded as the waters continue to rise. This area of Somerset has not been its usual peaceful self, instead it has been turned into the UK’s largest pumping area with the Dutch pumps now installed. Wildlife has been woken early this year; rather than by the warmth it’s to the sound of generators and the rushing of water.

Winter in Somerset is all about preparing for the Summer;  it’s regenerating the soil, planting life which will only be seen later in the year. But also for many it’s a time of cleaning, renovation, building and organising for the tourists – but some will find it hard to make a go of it this year. For some, they won’t be home for a year once the waters recede. But for the most, the smoke still rises from the chimneys of ancient stone wall cottages, the work continues, the muddy boots are in the house, a glass of cider in the weather-beaten hand, apple crumbles for dinner.

These photos were taken in Winter of 2013/2014. Link to photos of Somerset Flooding see this link

RPS – Exhibition 156 – Somerset

Visit the exhibition at The Museum of Somerset, Taunton between 11 Jan – 8 March 2014.

The Exhibition of 115 framed prints will tour the UK in 2013/2014, showcasing a wide range of genres and styles of photography, with contemporary prints being shown alongside traditional work – from the artistic to documentary, from portraiture to natural history. For more information about the International Print 156 and to view the selected exhibition online, take a look at the competition website www.rps-international.org Entry to the International

Print Exhibition is open to everyone, whether you are a professional, student or amateur photographer and you can enter the new competition now until 18 March 2014! Submit your images at www.rps-international.org

See more at:http://www.rps.org/events/2014/january/visit-the-rps-international-print-exhibition-156—somerset#sthash.3A8UHacg.dpuf

The Somerset Levels… a month and still water.

The BBC announced today using one of our photos that ‘Tourist and business leaders in Somerset have said the county is “open for business’. Meanwhile Prince Charles has been visiting those affected by the floods.

 

 

Below as updated 03.02.2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

Environment Agency has said ‘Up to 40 properties and 65 square kilometres of land have unfortunately flooded. However, flood defences have protected over 200 square kilometres of land and 3,500 properties, including in the towns of Langport, Martock, Ilchester and Ham.’ The Telegraph blog also had some facts.

Langport over the weekend with the River Parrett brown, fast flowing and close to the top of the bank.

The BBC said ‘Villages such as Muchelney have been cut off for almost a month and about 11,500 hectares (28,420 acres) of the Levels are flooded by about 65 million cubic metres of water.’

Above Left: Rainbow offers hope to may still surrounded by Water

Above Right: Water near Langport.

Below from last update on Jan 23rd 2014

With some communities still stranded except by boat and roads still closed causing long diversions, after a month live on the Somerset Levels is still far from normal as the next band of heavy rain is due tomorrow.

 

 

Left: Water runs down a field near East Lyng, Somerset.

Below: The view across to Burrow Mump surrounded by water.

 

 

For some stunning photography documented in black and white click link below for more shots of the still flooded Somerset Levels by Matilda Temperley. One of her images below

Today (24.01.2014) the Somerset Levels hit the news again, below the pontoon is being built in Muchelney for use with the rescue boat. From BBC Somerset

 

 

Somerset Coastal Flooding

Above: Blue Anchor seafront this morning (03.01.2014)

14 Severe flood warning were issued for the South West this morning.

The North Somerset Coast was on alert with Minehead, Blue Achour and Burnham seafronts closed for safety. Watchet Harbour was exceptionally high with the waves pushing up the drainage covers.

This unusually high tide has been caused by the High Spring tide and the wind direction and unusual storm weather throughout the UK over the last few weeks.

Above: Watchet Harbour this morning (03.01.2014)

The Somerset Levels continue to be flooded & A361 to Burrowbridge is still closed.

For the latest weather click here

For Pictures and news see links below.

Also see Somerset County Gazettes website for the latest news

And for West Somerset News – here

Minehead Seafront this morning above (03.01.2014)

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North Petherton Carnival 2013

If you are a Carnival Club and wish to use one of our photos on your website please do contact me and I will supply with a high resolution image.

Above – Vagabonds CC – Skool of Rock

A week after Bridgwater in which we were participated with the West Somerset Railway we documented the same procession with a smaller audience from the 100,000 people that watch Bridgwater’s – which claims to be Europe biggest illuminated event.

Bridgwater Carnival’s website  –  North Petherton Carnival’s website

Dates of the carnivals in Somerset can be view on the Visit Somerset website & Somerset Carnivals UK website

Above – Sidvale CC – Legend of the Crystal Skull

Despite the wet weather the show went full blast ahead, Marketeers CC suffered a power failure at 10,000 lightbulbs on their cut remained unlit and quite possibly the loudest entry remained silent through the procession, they received the biggest cheer of the night.

More photos on Facebook and Twitter page – why not like or follow us.

Above – Harlequin CC, City of Rock,

Carnival Results – Winners at North Petherton Carnival.

Open Tableau Class

LA BARRICADE Gemini Carnival Club


Local Tableau Class 

OZ: THE EMERALD CITY Pentathlon Carnival Club

Open Feature

Winner – SWARM FORCE Ramblers Carnival Club

                                                      

Optional Feature Class

VOODIKA Renegades Carnival Club

Local Feature Class

END OF THE LINE! Westonzoyland Carnival Club

 

Comic Feature Open Class

F*RTBUSTERS Newmarket Carnival Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Juvenile Tableau/Feature Class

JITTERBUG BOOGIE Marina Sydenham Carnival Club

Runner Up:

Gremlins CC, Xtinct, – With their fire, smoke, light, sound float.

     

West Somerset Railway App project

Over the past two weeks zummerzet photography have been working with the West Somerset Railway with their new ‘Heritage Hunter’ App. We have photographing the locations featuring in the new app for Matmi who is undertaking the building of this app.

Here are a few of the photographed locations:

For more information on the App please see West Somerset Railway news story here

If you have an event or just need to update your images library of an area, town or business, get in contact and we will be delighted to work with you.