JACK LOWE @mrjacklowe - Tumblr Blog

Every Cloud...

Silver linings are appearing from my 'mission fatigue'. See what I mean in this new 3 minute read 'Every Cloud...'

It was very difficult for me to post Mission Fatigue towards the end of last month. As I mentioned at the time, like many people who prefer to put a brave face on things, I find it hard to open up and tell people when I’m struggling.

So, to reveal that I have been finding things almost overwhelming, largely because of the acute financial stresses of keeping the Project on the road, was a big step…

View On WordPress

#alternative process #community #crowdfunding #heritage #Lifeboats #Patreon #RNLI #The Lifeboat Station Project #wet plate collodion

Mission Fatigue

New blog post >> 'Mission Fatigue'

I wrote these words earlier today and shared them on Facebook and Instagram. I’ve been overwhelmed by the reaction both on and offline. My heartfelt thanks to everyone for your kind support.

Rather than becoming buried in the ephemeral world of social media, I’d like to share these personal thoughts here too. After all, I guess it’s a landmark on the Project that needs to be remembered just like…

View On WordPress

#alternative process #large format #Lifeboats #photography #RNLI #The Lifeboat Station Project #wet plate collodion

Next Stop? Ireland!

Next Stop? Ireland! This new 3 minute read explains all >>

So far, I’ve been to Scotland, Wales and England with The Lifeboat Station Project documenting the incredible volunteers at 88 RNLI lifeboat stations.

That means I’m 37% of the way through this huge journey, one of the largest photographic projects ever attempted. And now the time has come to announce something I’ve been looking forward to very much:

Next month, I’m taking the Project to Ireland…

View On WordPress

#ambrotype #Bishop Rock Lighthouse #edition print #Ireland #large format #Lifeboats #photography #RNLI #The Lifeboat Station Project #wet plate collodion

Dunkirk and The RNLI

New 6 minute read >> 'Dunkirk and The RNLI' plus some thoughts shared on Nolan's film:

In June, I visited Margate, Ramsgate and Wells-next-the-Sea. I’ve been sharing some of the story on Facebook and Instagram over the last few weeks but, until now, I haven’t fully explained the context…

Earlier this year, the RNLI were making rumblings about Dunkirk. The anniversary of the beach evacuations was approaching.

At 77 years, it wasn’t a biganniversary to be marked with additional…

View On WordPress

An Accidental Encounter

The new 5 minute read: "An Accidental Encounter"

Who’d have thought that one logistical train of thought and a letter would lead to so many stories and experiences. I’d like to share one of those stories with you here…

Making photographic glass plates as they used to in the 1800s requires a lot of forethought and planning at the best of times.

Whenever I make photographs with this old process, I need darkroom facilities close-to-hand. As…

View On WordPress

Welsh RNLI Photographs Preserved in National Collection

A landmark moment for The Lifeboat Station Project: "Welsh RNLI Photographs Preserved in National Collection" >>

January draws to a close with a landmark moment for The Lifeboat Station Project — the National Library of Wales are acquiring twenty Limited Edition Prints for the National Collection of Welsh Photographs.

The collection houses over 800,000 photographs connected to Wales. These range from works by pioneering photographers from the earliest days of photography to portfolios by contemporary…

View On WordPress

#alternative process #ambrotype #Ceredigion #coast #Coxswain #edition print #glass #history #large format #Lifeboats #National Collection of Welsh Photographs #National Library of Wales #Pembrokeshire #photography #RNLI #The Lifeboat Station Project #Wales #wet plate collodion

Apple Photo Shout

Drama at Tower RNLI: The crew launch on service during an #ApplePhotoWalk in "Apple Photo Shout" >>

Devoted followers will be fully aware that extraordinary things happen with striking regularity on The Lifeboat Station Project. There’s little use in trying to understand how or why. They just do. And it’s thrilling.

On Saturday 19th November, I co-hosted a Photo Walk to Tower RNLI Lifeboat Station with the Covent Garden Apple Store. It would prove to be another fine example.

Read on to find out…

View On WordPress

#alternative process #ambrotype #Apple Photo Walk #Apple Store #Covent Garden #E Class #edition print #London #River Thames #RNLB Hurley Burly #RNLI #The Lifeboat Station Project #Tower Lifeboat Station #Tower RNLI #wet plate collodion

Old and New: The Evolution of St Davids RNLI

Flying a new flag for the lifeboats in "Old and New: The Evolution of St Davids RNLI"

Over the summer, I set about planning Mission 11 to the Welsh coast by sending my usual emails to the lifeboat stations a month or so ahead of time.

St Davids would feature on this particular leg of the journey, a favourite location for many RNLI supporters. An iconic lifeboat station in a stunning setting with a maritime rescue heritage to match that dates back to 1869.

LAY OF THE LAND

A…

View On WordPress

#alternative process #ambrotype #Dai John #edition print #glass #large format #Pembrokeshire #photography #RNLI #St Davids #The Lifeboat Station Project #Wales #wet plate collodion

A Reunion with Neena

Tea, tears, squeals and hugs in "A Reunion with Neena"

“Please will you keep her name?”

“Neena? Yes, of course. I promise.” — 29th May 2014

At the start of 2014, I was on the hunt for a vehicle, one that would be perfect as a wet plate collodion darkroom.

The Lifeboat Station Project was formulating in my mind, you see — as it turned out, the first of its kind for the RNLI and one of the largest projects ever undertaken in the history of photography.

View On WordPress

#alternative process #ambrotype #darkroom #eBay #edition print #glass #large format #Lifeboats #mobile darkroom #Neena #photography #RNLI #The Lifeboat Station Project #wet plate collodion

Shoulder-to-Shoulder with the RNLI

Behind the Glass: The first short film about the Project showcased in 'Shoulder-to-Shoulder with the RNLI'

Since visiting the very first station in January 2015, The Lifeboat Station Project has gone from strength-to-strength. There have certainly been plenty of ups and downs on the journey — perhaps inevitable with such an unconventional and ambitious undertaking.

PLAIN OLD SCARY

At times, those ups and downs have been logistical, chemical but, more often than not, financial. My resolve and mental…

View On WordPress

#ambrotype #Behind the Glass #behind the scenes #Coxswain #Devon #Exmouth #film #glass #large format #photography #RNLI #RNLI Shannon Class #The Lifeboat Station Project #Vimeo #wet plate collodion

Yarmouth Drama

A shout interrupts the photography for the first time in "Yarmouth Drama", a new 4 minute read:

As a boy, the Yarmouth lifeboat was one of my absolute favourite in the RNLI fleet.

She was RNLB Joy and John Wade (52-08), an Arun Class all-weather lifeboat, the predecessor to the modern day Severn Class.

I was captivated every Christmas when I saw the crew on the local news transferring a tree and supplies to the Needles lighthouse keepers by breeches buoy.

It was amazing to see a Christmas…

View On WordPress

#alternative process #ambrotype #Coxswain #edition print #glass #Howard Lester #Isle of Wight #large format #Lifeboats #out on a shout #photography #RNLI #RNLI Severn Class #The Lifeboat Station Project #Vicky Tribe #wet plate collodion #Yarmouth

A Day with Ellie off the Telly in Clovelly

New 6 minute read: "A Day with Ellie off the Telly in Clovelly"

‘Twas back in December that I received a phone call from Andrew, a researcher with BBC Countryfile.

My ears were pricked. With around 6-8 million viewers, I was acutely aware that Countryfile is the most watched factual programme on any UK television channel.

The team were putting together a programme on the life of coastal towns during the down-season and Clovelly would be the focus of their…

View On WordPress

#alt process #ambrotype #BBC #Clovelly #Countryfile #Devon #edition print #Ellie Harrison #glass #large format #Lifeboat Station #Lifeboat Station Project #Lifeboats #Matt Baker #photography #RNLI #RNLI Lifeboat #The Lifeboat Station Project #wet plate collodion

Selsey: The Future's Bright

A new era of lifesaving at sea comes to Selsey where "The Future's Bright"

There are changes afoot in the RNLI network. A dynamic programme of modernising boats and boathouses all around our coastline.

It’s exciting to see as I travel from station-to-station, including regular visits to the headquarters in Poole.

The mighty Severn Class now has a 50 year working life thanks to meticulous refits. Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboats are swiftly being replaced by their larger,…

View On WordPress

#alternative process #ambrotype #Coxswain #demolition #edition print #glass #large format #Lifeboats #Martin Rudwick #photography #RNLI #RNLI Shannon Class #Selsey #The Lifeboat Station Project #wet plate collodion

Our Coastal Heroes

After 30 years, the wait was over to see some of 'Our Coastal Heroes' in action:

We all know there are lifeboat stations around our island nation, right?

We’ve become so used to it, that it’s become normal and expected.

The notion of lifeboat stations should indeed be normal to us — after all, the RNLI has been with us for nearly 200 years — yet it is also far from normal.

Thousands of volunteers around the entire coastline of the UK and Republic of Ireland are willing to…

View On WordPress

For Grandad

10 seconds in the life of Danny and Ben recorded on glass 'For Grandad'

In between Lifeboat Station Project missions, I’ve really enjoyed fulfilling a couple of longstanding arrangements — the making of two portraits.

This one is about two brothers, Danny and Ben Hughes…

I’ve known Danny for a few years – ever since he co-created Unit 44 Gallery right here in Newcastle. Therefore, it was a pleasure to meet his brother Ben for the first time.

Danny Hughes, Jack Lowe…

View On WordPress

#alternative process #Alzheimer&039;s Disease #Alzheimer&039;s Society #Ambrotype #Ben Hughes #Danny Hughes #glass #Grandad #jack lowe #large format #MSA #photography #portrait #Unit 44 Gallery #wet plate #wet plate collodion

20% Print Discount Ending Soon!

Neena's first ever pop-up exhibition and >> 20% Print Discount Ending Soon!

If you’ve been hankering after Limited Edition Prints for a friend, a loved one or as a special treat for yourself, now’s the perfect time to buy.

On Thursday, I introduced a limited time offer — save 20% on all print orders placed before midnight GMT tomorrow, Monday 30th November.

That means a saving of £39 on the normal print price. The prints have been selling like hot cakes and I’d love you…

View On WordPress

All Holding On?

A 3 minute read for a 10 second moment. When you get to the end, there's a treat in store too: "All Holding On?"

On Saturday 24th October, I made my way to Cromer for the third time.

On this occasion, there was not a vintage camera in sight, no apron nor whiff of collodion. After two visits earlier in the year — one in January and the other in March — the time had come to fulfil a very special invitation from the station.

The next morning, I’d be heading down the slipway on exercise with the crew in their…

View On WordPress

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

JACK LOWE