The Seaman’s Mission Project – Salt of the Earth
I was very honoured to be invited, along with my camera, to the launch of a new book that has been created by David and Jan Penprase to raise money for the Mission to Seafarers in in Newlyn, Cornwall. The book contains photographs and biographies of the fishermen and people associated with the fishing industry in this tight-knit fishing community. All proceeds from the book will go to the Fishermen’s Mission which does invaluable work. No matter what problem a seafarer might be facing, be it injury, abandonment, non-payment of wages or personal difficulties, they know they can turn to the local Mission for help, advice and support.
David Penprase works exclusively in black and white film and the book is a superb collection of his work with the fishermen of Newlyn and their families, some of whom I had the pleasure of meeting last friday night. More information about the book can be found here
I have a copy of the book and I’m not at all surprised that within hours of the book’s launch, it had made over £7000. It’s a fascinating insight into the lives of the people of Newlyn and will be a resource for generations to come. I would recommend this book to anyone especially given the good work the proceeds of the book will do. The photographs are a lesson in how to take and print portraits from one of the best in the world. It can be purchased through eBay here
This gallery is a small collection of the photographs I took at the book launch. Click on any image to start the slide show.
I’m going to be away for the next couple of weeks, visiting a country I have always wanted to go to and which is, coincidentally enough, ;-), a bit of a landscape photographers dream location.. I’m very excited to be going and looking forward to immersing myself in the landscape and focusing 100% on photography and creativity for creativity’s sake, no agenda, just pictures. With my business, Royal Photographic Society distinctions and all sorts of other projects in the last year, it feels like it’s been a while – just me, my camera and the landscape I’m in. Can’t wait.. :-)
Talking of the Royal Photographic Society, I’m rather chuffed, tootling my own trumpet here, that my Licentiate Distinction Panel is featured in a new information pamphlet produced by the Royal Photographic Society about the distinctions process, distinctions that are recognised the world over as marks of excellence in photography. click on the link to download or view the leaflet to learn more about gaining an RPS Distinction. Marketing leaflet 2015
See you all when I’m back in a couple of weeks. I’ll still be dipping into your blogs when I can but WiFi will be limited.
Cornwall Photographic 
Wonderful event photography Adrian. Have a wonderful trip. Looking forward to seeing your images.
November 14, 2014 at 7:38 pm
Thank you Edith! :-)
November 14, 2014 at 7:46 pm
Have a wonderful trip, Adrian. Now I’m wondering where you’re off too. I’m sure there’ll be great photos when you return. The book launch looks like a very happy occasion, and for such a good cause. The price of the book is very reasonable. I will investigate on eBay. :)
November 14, 2014 at 8:29 pm
Sorry, I meant to congratulate you on your Licentiate Distinction Panel being featured by the Royal Photographic Society. Kudos to you. :)
November 14, 2014 at 8:31 pm
Aww thank you Sylvia.. I’m so glad what a happy occasion the book launch was came across in the photos. It was a smashing evening with lots of books sold. I guess I’ll be doing a post when I arrive at my destination on Sunday.. ;-)
November 14, 2014 at 10:56 pm
The last photo of that man is a fantastic.portret.
November 14, 2014 at 10:00 pm
Thank you so much Lou! :) Appreciate that very much!
November 14, 2014 at 10:04 pm
A wonderful cause, and it’s great to see the book selling so well, so quickly. Your photography of the event is warm and wonderful too.
November 14, 2014 at 11:32 pm
Thank you Lignum, it was a really good evening. It’s an excellent book for, as you say, an excellent cause. :)
November 15, 2014 at 12:08 am
Good crisp images Adrian. Be safe and well. Route 66 still awaits us…
November 15, 2014 at 12:30 am
Thank you Mike!! That’s really good to hear! I can’t think of a better way to spend a week or two. Looking forward to it! :)
November 15, 2014 at 1:29 am
Some great images here, Adrian, and congrats on your Licentiate distinction! Have a great trip, and look forward to seeing the images. :)
November 15, 2014 at 8:56 am
Thank you very much Sue. I’m looking forward to this break very much. I don’t get out of Cornwall terribly often and certainly not abroad in a very long time.. Can’t wait! :-D
November 15, 2014 at 12:29 pm
You’ve captured some lovely and relaxed candid shots of this event ChillB ..so glad it was a success ! I do love that one of father and son echoing the picture behind on the wall , the little mop headed lad and the final portrait .
With Cornwall being one of the poorest areas of UK, supporting the all important local fishing community when in need by such an initiative as this book publication can only be a very good thing . Such a weather dependent occupation must make life very unpredictable financially at times never mind the inherent risks of this job .The Sea shows no mercy on many an occasion .
Happy Holliwobs ChillB … I’ve no doubt photography for pleasure in the zone somewhere completely new will bring forth some beauties … I know you’ll have a wonderful time ;-) x
November 15, 2014 at 10:53 am
Thank you so much Poppy! The fishing industry, for the small family fishermen particularly, is incredibly precarious with big business muscling in, grabbing the quotas and making it ever harder for the small, local fishermen to compete.
The book launch really was a very happy, buzzy event with families seeing themselves in print, in this wonderful book, for the first time.
I’m very much looking forward to this holiday. I will post when I get there.. ;-) x
November 15, 2014 at 11:10 am
Wow, you are coy! But it’s fun to wonder where you might be going. I would think Iceland, but it seems the wrong time of year – still beautiful I’m sure but so cold. Suspense! And I have to add – yes, fishing is tough, so it’s wonderful thing that the photos are helping that community.
November 15, 2014 at 6:19 pm
Thank you very much Lynn! I’m very much looking forward to the break.. all will be revealed. :-)
November 15, 2014 at 6:40 pm
Looking forward to seeing the photographs from your trip, Adrian. Thanks for sharing about the Mission to Seafarers – very kind of David & Jan to support the work with a book. And you’ve taught me a new word, “chuffed,” that I like very much. As my students are fond of saying, “That’s the bomb!”
November 15, 2014 at 8:47 pm
Thank you Dave. It is an incredible amount of work that goes into producing a book like this so yes, a superb effort from all those involved but especially David and Jan. You’ve taught me a new expression too, ‘That’s a bomb’.. fair exchange! :-D
November 15, 2014 at 10:42 pm
What a fantastic event to photograph, well done, you’ve really captured the mood of the crowd. Well done on your RPS distiction. Enjoy your holiday :)
November 15, 2014 at 11:03 pm
Thank you very much Janice! Much appreciated! :-)
November 17, 2014 at 5:09 pm
Fabulous portraits and people shots. The intrigue is killing me — where are you headed? You know I am a travel fiend with little patience ;) SAFE TRAVELS!
November 15, 2014 at 11:04 pm
Sorry Marina, only just got to this comment.. I didn’t keep you guessing too long did I.. Thank you very much!
November 17, 2014 at 5:09 pm
This is quite different from you usual style of photography, but it only shows that you master photographing people just as well. Very nice, Adrian. Enjoy the trip to Iceland.
November 16, 2014 at 12:06 pm
Thank you very much Otto! Iceland is living up to expectations so far.. :-)
November 17, 2014 at 5:08 pm
Some marvelous portraits here!
November 16, 2014 at 3:12 pm
Thank you so much Elena! :-)
November 17, 2014 at 5:07 pm
It’s fun when someone else does the tooting! :D
Have a great holiday – I’m intrigued as to where you’re going!
November 17, 2014 at 9:50 am
Always good to hear those tootls Noeline, especially from others :-)
November 17, 2014 at 5:11 pm
A superb gallery here, Adrian. And congrats on having your LRPS panel included in the new RPS leaflet. Have a great holiday.
November 17, 2014 at 4:40 pm
Thank you very much Andy. It was a nice surprise, out of the blue. My panel has been doing the rounds at advisory days. When I got the distinction, I was asked if the RPS could hang on to the panel so I guess it just followed from that. Trying to sum up my road to LRPS in under 30 words was a challenge. :-)
November 17, 2014 at 5:16 pm
Great photos, and for such a great cause ~ I enjoy seeing this side of your photographic skills, so impressive.
November 23, 2014 at 9:50 am
Thank you Randall! It was a fun thing to do and a really good evening. The book is doing so well!
November 23, 2014 at 8:12 pm