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
Jim Stephenson / clickclickjim
‘Untitled’ 2011 "In November 2011, 2 days after my 30th birthday, I visited Japan with a friend of mine. As an architectural photographer, I’d hoped to photograph some of the architecture in a country that has a vernacular so different to our own. When I got there I quickly realised it was going to be far more difficult than I thought as I wound my way through legions of Japanese tourists to get the angle I wanted on the building. Sitting in in a cafe at Kyoto Train Station I realised the much more interesting project would to be stand back and photograph tourists photographing each other. This was one of the first I took, and I love it! There’s only about 3 photos I’ve ever taken that I’d say that about as well! Her stance, her dress and the muted colours came together perfectly, just at the moment she turned and noticed me. That trip, and this mini-project, changed the way I work and for that reason this is most definitely a Shot I Never Forgot."
