I returned to Ballyhalbert starting off at the control tower area. To get to this area I have to walk through original parts of the airfield which is home to a caravan site. I took a few photos around this area as I hadn’t explored this before. Looking at my edited photos I think this is an important part of my project to capture this area as it shows the original runway and what the area is being utilized presently. Once at the control tower I spent more time looking at the building from different angles and the texture/layers forming on the buildings. Bearing in mind that my edited crop would be a square I framed my images to work with this, changing my viewpoint to bring in a closer perspective. I then headed to the bomb store, unfortunately that evening it was being occupied by teenagers, so I decided not to engage. Feeling slightly disappointed that I hadn’t shot enough material, I investigated the back of the bomb store. This led to the flight lines/landing lights that would have been used and some houses that would have been on the end of the airfield.
I will probably include these types of landscape images in my WIP as I think it gives context to the area and its positioning for the airfield. Overall, I am pleased with this shoot and viewing both latest shoots side by side it’s starting to resemble a body of work that I am happy to present. I think my approach for my project is not just about capturing and bringing commemoration to airfield sites but also capturing my physical and personal journey through these areas and their landscapes. Meaning as a military person I am going through a journey of history, learning and experiencing areas that I would not have perhaps even seen if it was not for this project, is project a pilgrimage of my own? (I will return to bomb store as I think it is an important part of this area)
Critical Research Journal 