The Shot I Never Forgot
‘The Shot I Never Forgot’ is an Arts Council funded project in which participating artists were invited to share a photograph that has remained in their mind since they shot it along with the story behind its creation. Most of the artists instinctively knew which image they should share, sometimes because it was poignant, sometimes because of its personal significance or simply because it is a great photograph.
As photographers, we shoot many more images than ever see the light of day, often including fabulous stand alone pictures – shot on instinct – whilst making work for another project. Because these single images do not fit the brief, they sit gathering dust in an ever-growing archive. The Shot I Never Forgot is a chance for some of these images to be presented in their own right, for others to enjoy; a platform to enable some of these memorable photographs to be seen for the first time.
This project began in February 2013 and culminated in an exhibition and publication, held during the Brighton photo Fringe 2014. Since then, it has been lying dormant, ocassionally being dusted off to receive some new submissions!
John House, February 2018
Ellie Davies
‘Dwellings 13’ "The image was taken in Puddleton Forest just outside Dorchester in Dorset, UK. This particular image was made in an area of the forest which is predominantly very dark pine plantation. There are a few people walking dogs on the paths but as you go into the denser forest it feels very isolated. Earlier in the day I had found a treehouse in the woods and it had obviously been recently occupied. It is unusual to find actual habitation in those woods and it changed the atmosphere. It looked as if the people using it had been forcible removed from the area because there was rubbish all around it and a lot of signs of destruction. I prefer to work in forests where I am unlikely to be disturbed or observed or perhaps feel any threat, but this discovery had unnerved me and I felt a heightened awareness of the forest and sounds around me. This image strongly evokes those uncomfortable feelings for me. The darkened pathway leading into the background suggests my state of mind and sense of discomfort. The suggested presence of other people in the woods is an important theme throughout my work and for this reason I am glad to have revisited this image and bring it back into the series where it belongs."
