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The Catch

24/9/2012

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Picture
Folkestone, Kent, England
Fishing towns often provide some great photographic fodder. Visiting a friend in Folkestone last year was a photographic treat. There were so many picturesque moments to choose from. 

What really caught my eye was a display in a local shop. It was of a fishing net with wooden fish insight it. I couldn’t resist taking a photo of it. 

The image really caught the atmosphere of Folkestone. Like so many seaside towns in Britain, the fishing industry has influenced it and is part of its history. However, it isn’t immune to the decline in the fishing industry either. 

While I saw a number of boats in the harbour, I did wonder what impact the fishing industry has on Folkestone now. There are decaying physical memories of a town that had a more prosperous past – like the disused railway station at the harbour. 

Picture
Folkestone, Kent, England
What these memories, however decaying, feeds my imagination and my creative eye. Part of my wishes these memories are held onto and cherish. However, knowing human nature, some of these physical remnants decay to dust and fall away. 

While my photography hangs onto these remnants, they also give some wonder at an age past. What was it like to pass through Folkestone a century ago? Who lived and worked there? There are so many stories – some forgotten, some not, and some yet to come. 

That is the nature of time and space, and my photography manages to capture part of this. The wooden fish in the fish net harks back to a bygone era of a thriving fishing town, but has now become an art piece for someone’s home. My photo of this, and the town, tries to capture a town full of human stories. 
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Hidden Memories

15/4/2012

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Picture
Folkestone, Kent, England
Visiting Folkestone, Kent, late last year, my friend took me to the Folkestone Harbour station, a disused train station at Folkestone Harbour. The harbour station provided a rail connection for boat trains from London which connected with the ferry services to Calais and Boulogne.

The station closed to regular passenger train services in 2001. However, the line and station continued to be used by the Venice-Simplon Orient Express (VSOE) and railtours.

It is part of Folkestone history that is slowly being eroded away by the elements, and is hidden away from city view. My friend had only recently found it through a recommendation through a friend, and I was very happy for her to show me. We spent a bit of time photographing it, on a moody day where the rain threatened and the sea waves were high. 

The surroundings, and the weather, asked to be photographed in black and white. I couldn’t resist the haunting moodiness of the place.

Picture
Folkestone, Kent, England
In the middle of the tracks was a random statue of people. Neither of us really knew what it was for, but I was able to incorporate it into my photos of the train station. They add something to an otherwise derelict and lonely station – a gentle reminder of those who passed through in days gone by. 
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Heavens

29/11/2011

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Picture
Folkestone, Kent, UK
Living in London, I take it for granted when cheeky art crops up. A friend’s Facebook photo inspired me to take this photo.

The street sign isn’t far from where she lives in Folkestone, and she took me to it when I was visiting her recently. Regardless of what happens in Heaven, if anything, the artist certainly catches your attention.

The sign, by Glaswegian artist Nathan Coley, was part of the Triennial art fair in 2008. We walked by it at night, and it’s lights demanded to be seen.

On one level, it can challenge what we think of Heaven. The sign does make me question what Heaven is, if there is one, and what is expected of it?

The sign could be taken to reflect the city, but I think that it would be shallow to see it that way. Folkestone has seen better days, and is to some degree overshadowed by Margate, Clacton on Sea, or even Brighton. Although it’s a bit rough around the edges, Folkestone and the surrounding towns have charm, and I enjoyed photographing them.

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    Author

    Heather Martin is a London based photographer who specialises in architectural, event and B&W film photography.

    For more info, please to the About page.

    **Heather Martin owns the copyright to all the photographs and text within this blog, unless otherwise stated.

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