THE SHIPPING FORECAST BOOK

I've always loved listening to The Shipping Forecast on BBC Radio 4. It's been the sound track to much of my life. The idea is to travel to each of the 31 different Sea Areas, from South East Iceland through Dogger and Rockall all the way down to Trafalgar, and take photographs to produce a beautiful atmospheric book that celebrates the seas around us. 

 

I've done a lot of the travel and work already - and it is a lot of travel! In the last few years I've photographed South East Iceland, the coasts of Ireland ( Fastnet, Rockall, Malin,Shannon, Irish Sea) and the European Coast from Portugal to Denmark (Trafalgar, Fitzroy, Biscay, German Bight and Fisher). And I took a trip out to the Scilly Isles this winter. (Sea Area Sole).

 

But... whilst I've managed a fair few trips to sea on ferries and fishing boats, a lot of the work has been done from land looking out to sea. The dream is to buy a budget yacht and spend a few months this summer sailing around Britain - from the Isle of Wight to The Shetlands and back- taking pictures as I go.

 

 

Photography is so much about being in the right place at the right time and for this project that means a lot of time afloat. The more time at sea, the better the pictures will be. And a small sailboat is the most affordable way of achieving this. And the most romantic - misty sunrise of the Hebrides anyone? Next stop Fair Isle..

 

 

This I believe will make the book something special. A great gift too. I'll be able to share the adventure as it happens and you can watch the art and book come together.

 ARTWORK IS NOW AVAILABLE TO VIEW AND BUY HERE: THE SHIPPING FORECAST – neil williams