Velvet Nights: The Cold Story of a Lone Caravan
In the quietude of a crisp winter's night, beneath a canopy of stars, there exists a scene of solitude and mystery—a lone caravan, nestled within the compound of an abandoned village church. It is a sight that evokes a sense of solitude everytime that I pass it, and one that has lingered in my mind for some time.
The "right moment" eventually came to life on a clear, chilly night with temperatures dipping to -6 degrees Celsius. I had been photographing images for the local photography clubs "night session" when my flask ran dry and I decided to head home to warm my bones in front of the log fire.
Passing the scene I was tempted to continue my journey home, but conditions for teh photograph that I had in my minds-eye were perfect. Too good to miss despite the cold.
As the shutter clicked and the image was captured, and I couldn't shake the feeling of solitude that permeated the air—a feeling mirrored in the silent vigil of the caravan itself. There's a palpable sense of isolation captured within the frame, a sense of being alone in the world, with only the stars above as witnesses to the quiet moment unfolding below. Who else would be present, wielding a Fuji X-H2 and a tripod in these temperatures!
What lends an air of intrigue to the scene is the uncertainty surrounding the caravan. It sits there, seemingly untouched by time, neither occupied nor abandoned. Its windows are dark, its door closed. It invites viewers into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the mundane takes on a sense of mystique. Positioned behind a telegraph pole, the caravan stands silently hidden throughout the day. Illuminated by the light of the old church it stands proud against the night sky. Reminding us that it still exists, even if few pass to admire it.
In crafting this image, I drew inspiration from the atmosphere of traditional horror movie scenes, employing a low angle and depth of field to suggest the presence of an unseen observer, lurking in the shadows. The night sky, with its expanse of faint stars, serves as the perfect backdrop for this haunting isolation.
In many ways, this approach to capturing the essence of the caravan may have been inspired by the work of acclaimed photographer Todd Hido, for whom I admire. He is known for evocative images that blur the line between reality and imagination, solitude and presence.
It's an image which looks even better when presented on metallic, high gloss paper, allowing the depth of darkness to really shine through.