Isle of Wight photographer, Neil Williams, has launched a Crowdfunder campaign to help his achieve his dream of photographing and producing a beautiful book of the 31 Sea Areas of the Shipping Forecast.
He explains his thinking behind the idea,
“I grew up listening to The Shipping Forecast on Radio 4. It’s poetic destinations have been a backing track to much of my life.
“The project is the making of a beautiful book of black and white photographs, taken by myself, and featuring images from each of the 31 Sea Areas of the Shipping Forecast – from South East Iceland, through German Bight, Rockall and Dogger to Trafalgar. The pictures will also feature the days weather forecast which I’ve always found evocative.”
Extensive travelling already completed
Neil has already done some extensive travelling to capture photographs for the book. In the last few years he’s photographed South East Iceland, all the coasts of Ireland (Fastnet, Rockall, Shannon, Irish Sea) and the European Coast from Portugal to Denmark (Trafalgar, through Fitzroy and Biscay to German Bight and Fisher). This winter he also travelled out to the Scilly Isles (Sea Area Sole).
He goes on to explain,
“Whilst I’ve managed a fair few trips to sea on ferries and fishing boats, a lot of the work has been done from the land looking out to sea.
“The dream, which I so hope you will support, is to buy a budget little yacht and spend much of this summer sailing around the British Isle photographing the last of the Sea Areas.”
How the money will be used
Neil is thinking of using around £10,000 of the money raised to buy a Contessa 26 and the rest of the budget would be used to get the book printed and the artwork made.
He’s already achieved more than £3,000 of pledges, but still has 40 days to go to reach his £22,000 target.
A celebration of the seas around us
Neil finished by saying,
“This, I believe, will make the book something special. A celebration of the seas around us and the power of black and white photography.
“A great Christmas gift for someone who loves the sea? Or just enjoys hearing the Shipping Forecast on the radio.
“And of course, a it will be a fabulous experience for me to share with you.”
Show your support
If you would like to find out more or help Neil achieve his ambition you can make your pledge on his Crowdfunder page.
Image: © Neil Williams
