Weekend Passions: the secret lives of everyday folk

We humans are a passionate, but complex bunch. For the most part, only our loved ones and close work colleagues gain any sort of insight into what makes us tick. Some of us go through our entire lives intentionally or unintentionally keeping our dreams, aspirations or wishes close to our chest. Maybe it’s just something about being British. It’s often only through our actions, perhaps in the form of a pastime, hobby or even a part-time job that these “passions” come to the surface.

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  The ‘Weekend Passions’ project hopes to give voice to the silent majority who may be hiding their true selves behind the public face that is presented to the world at large. It’s a long term project to photograph friends, family, colleagues and the good folks of, mainly, Hampshire (UK) and the surrounding area involved in a sport, event, pastime, hobby or even a part-time occupation that they are ‘passionate’ about. There has been no imposed limit on age, ethnicity, ability or any other arbitrary restrictions other than that the area of interest should not be a full time occupation. Wishful thinking doesn’t count!

  As the owner of Retina Photography, my “passion” is photographing people. In general, most folk who request a portrait are thinking in terms of a posed or semi-posed set-up in a photographer’s studio or some form of modern ‘lifestyle’ format. As a working portrait photographer, I have very little time to actually get to know the people in front of my camera. During a photographic session, I concentrate on capturing, in the split second that it takes for the camera shutter to open and close, a smile, a wistful look or some other expression that is aesthetically pleasing to the sitter or other viewers. These pictures have their place and are a perfectly valid form of expression, but by their very nature, they cannot explore the personality of the person in front of the photographer’s lens.

  This is an opportunity to indulge my interest in people, whilst giving the subject a ‘voice’ by being photographed in an environment or situation that reflects their personality or interest. With the luxury of the extra time, not usually available during a normal portrait session, I have tried to get to know and, in some small way, understand the person a little more.

  All the people who have volunteered to take part in these photographic essays have a story to tell. I am extremely grateful for their time and co-operation and hope that, between us, we have captured a small part of who they are in the portraits that you can see on this site and elsewhere.

  The photographs presented on this blog are what I refer to as the ‘hero’ shots, along with a short piece of background text. Further pictures from the session will be available via additional internet links.

  Enjoy …