A long time ago, in what seems like a galaxy far, far away, I spent a day in Glasgow, as I often did, wandering aimlessly with my camera. Okay, so maybe not entirely aimless in my endeavours; I had been set a challenge so use one roll of expired black and white film during the day, and then spend the afternoon developing and processing the images. What follows are not particularly thematic photographs, but they do catch Glasgow in its true state; un-pampered, yet forgiving – she won’t be angry that you photographed her straight out of bed without her make-up on. These photos just ARE Glasgow.

I was looking for some photographs I had taken a few years ago, and came across this folder – dusty and unopened, in the depths of my Macbook. Clicking through, I couldn’t help feel nostalgic about that time when I was truly discovering the possibility of photography. It was also a time when I was experimenting with developmental processes; learning to ‘create’ my own photographs, straight through from clicking the shutter, to holding the final image in my hands. It helped me to understand how the process itself has contributed so much to the medium, and the subtle differences between digital and film; the differences between the old and the new that now seem so obvious.

Hopefully, viewing these photos will give someone an insight into what it is that makes a Glasgow, Glasgow? Maybe everyone says that their home city or town is special, and we are all just guilty of bias, but I truly believe that we are in some way moulded by where we are brought up, and that the experience of home goes on to shape how you deal with your surroundings as you walk the plank of life. Or maybe I’m just feeling sentimental and rabbiting on a load of tripe – who knows?

(Source: jamesdrewturner.com)