(section in progress)

Back in 2006 another one of my photographic heroes passed. Bob Carlos Clarke. I was lucky enough to meet him one time and purely by accident in the 80s. I told him that I was a big fan and how he had inspired me. He actually took the time to listen then asked if I had anything he could look at. I had a bout a dozen 10x8s printed from infrared film in a box that I had only printed that morning. I was reluctant to show him what was in the box as I had kept all my boring test strips to remember how I got certain exposures. Strangely enough, he was more interested in them than some of the images. We chatted for about 15-20 minutes about photography, printing and Ireland. Although our styles are very different in subject matter, the whole time he gave the impression that he was genuinely interested. He shook my hand, wished me the best and was on his way.

For the last couple of months I've been trying to replicate the style of certain images I did back in the 1980s. It is basically an experiment of trying to bring certain 'old school' darkroom techniques into digital and these are some examples. Additions to this series will be made through to September.  

So as a little tribute to his encouraging words and spending time with a complete stranger all those years ago, I'm dedicating my current experimental series to Bob Carlos Clarke, chosing the name, Dark Summer, after one of his books.