I am no Ross Poldark. Ask Mrs O.
I have done a bit of scything in my time though and also a bit of sickling – infinitely more dangerous than wielding a scythe though. One of the things I learned about scything apart from being a back breaking chore was the selective cutting of vegetation. Well, that is what I have been up to for the past week but in terms of scything through my Edgelands edit for the forthcoming exhibition at the Museum of East Anglian Life.
A few weeks ago I made use of the UCS facilities to do a first edit from 75 medium format images down to 48. Since then I have built a 1:20 scale maquette and reproduced all 48 medium format images and the framed large format images. I like to think that being a Blue Peter generation child (Valerie Singleton era), making a model is a natural thing to do. It is invaluable as a planning tool. I have no doubt that there will be some replanting going on when the hang takes place but essentially, 48 images have dwindled to 26, plus 5 massive C-types and four reasonable large format images.
All of this would have been impossible on screen. Admittedly, initial tagging and selection was done there but to get a feel, the hard copy has to be in my hand and also arranged to see how it might work. hence 22 more culled images.
I’m happy with the medium format cull.
I just need to crack the large format now.
This image is one that is wavering.