About the work
ABOUT THE PORFOLIOS
Noël Kingsley prefers to specialise on projects that typically involve him for many years. By this means, the total immersion in the subject brings an ever growing depth and understanding while also informing and fine-tuning his technique to bring out specific aspects and qualities.
Noël Kingsley works with very few materials; only one type of film, one light sensitive paper, two developers - one for film and the other for paper. All of his attention is focused on the practical hands-on methods and technique of producing hand crafted monochrome photographs.
The following includes Noël's personal views and objectives regarding his photographic work in relation to the subjects.
TREES
Trees are an essential part of our landscape as a source of oxygen and home to a myriad of small creatures and birds as well as providing shelter and building materials. Some experts believe that the United Kingdom is host to more ancient trees than any other European country yet many woodlands remain under threat. All trees, young and old are worthy of our attention, care and admiration for their beauty.
Being amongst trees can inspire a wonderful sense of calm and connection with nature. They invite contemplation and bring peace to the soul. Whether they are young or mature, trees exude a gentle, quiet energy and stillness that pervades their surroundings. They have a presence, and in certain lighting conditions, the atmosphere around them can seem to become heightened to the point, where there is a tension in the air. There can be a sense of anticipation, a silence and pause, as when a musical conductor raises his baton to prepare the orchestra, but there is as yet no sound.
Trees do not have to be remarkable to be worthy of our attention. Noël Kingsley is passionate about their conservation and has been photographing them all his life but particularly in the last twenty years. Through his work, Kingsley seeks to evoke a nostalgic sense of romance, and promote a love of the trees that we can find in any park or woodland.
His approach is to show trees as they are in their environment, be it park or country and to print them with the minimum of manipulation.
CHURCHES
When we visit an empty church, and particularly a small country village church or chapel, we can immediately feel that we have entered a quiet haven and sanctuary away from the bustle of modern living. A peacefulness and silence hangs in the air, and while lingering to absorb the quietness, we may be reconnected in some way with our soul and an experience of spirituality.
Traditionally photography of churches has commented on iconography and the architecture of the building, but Noël Kingsley is drawn to the smaller incidental moments, its intimate corners and the parochial.
Through his work, Kingsley seeks to portray the mood of the church, its silence, age and atmosphere. The church transcends time. It smells of musty antiquity, home to a homogenous combination of ancient and more recent elements bearing witness to centuries of parishioners who have worshipped here. The empty historic pews and stone slabs worn and polished by many hands and feet wait silently for future generations, unchanging and trapped in time while more modern items and the occasional personal touch betrays the hand of its present-day but absent assembly.
Light beams from high windows cast a warm glow of life and luminous brilliance across shiny surfaces. While in contrast dusty forgotten corners falling into decay, remain in shadow, deep and rich in texture. The combination and contrast epitomises our world, the gentle and the sombre, the joys and sadness, our life and death.
There is a sense of permanence and the everlasting; it is a safe place that relates our own mortality to the eternal. We can ponder on our existence, our loves, our fears and our life. We can be thankful for what we have, and accepting of what we do not. It is a place to be enriched, humbled and made whole. The church is a part of our world, but is also a world in itself.
Noël Kingsley's extensive portfolio of images is drawn from the interiors of Parish Churches in England, Wales, France and Italy.
GARDENS, The Old Rectory, Netherbury, Dorset
These extend for 5 acres and include many distinct areas. They have been landscaped and planted over a twenty year period by the current owners to include formal rose gardens, topiary, bog garden with large pond, woodland, orchard, meadow and fruit gardens.
Walking through the gardens we progress from one area to another, experiencing changes in mood and atmosphere and while the areas are defined with their own choice plants, trees and shrubs, there are long vistas where we get tantalising glimpses of other areas.
Gardens photography is nearly always in colour and rarely photographed in monochrome, for obvious reasons. Through his work Noël seeks to portray the character and atmosphere of these gardens, and show without the inclusion of colour how much can be said through form, light and shade,... softness and informality contrasted against the more formal lines of paths and garden architecture.
This project is currently on going and expected to culminate with an exhibition of his work in Dorset in April 2015.
PORTRAITS
Noël Kingsley's portraits have a quality of informality and his subtle and spontaneous approach shows in the revealing spirit of his subject. The resulting portraits are relaxed and apparently un-posed and belie his attention to detail and carefully controlled lighting. He rarely works in a studio and prefers to use natural light indoors or outdoors.
Noël Kingsley prefers to specialise on projects that typically involve him for many years. By this means, the total immersion in the subject brings an ever growing depth and understanding while also informing and fine-tuning his technique to bring out specific aspects and qualities.
Noël Kingsley works with very few materials; only one type of film, one light sensitive paper, two developers - one for film and the other for paper. All of his attention is focused on the practical hands-on methods and technique of producing hand crafted monochrome photographs.
The following includes Noël's personal views and objectives regarding his photographic work in relation to the subjects.
TREES
Trees are an essential part of our landscape as a source of oxygen and home to a myriad of small creatures and birds as well as providing shelter and building materials. Some experts believe that the United Kingdom is host to more ancient trees than any other European country yet many woodlands remain under threat. All trees, young and old are worthy of our attention, care and admiration for their beauty.
Being amongst trees can inspire a wonderful sense of calm and connection with nature. They invite contemplation and bring peace to the soul. Whether they are young or mature, trees exude a gentle, quiet energy and stillness that pervades their surroundings. They have a presence, and in certain lighting conditions, the atmosphere around them can seem to become heightened to the point, where there is a tension in the air. There can be a sense of anticipation, a silence and pause, as when a musical conductor raises his baton to prepare the orchestra, but there is as yet no sound.
Trees do not have to be remarkable to be worthy of our attention. Noël Kingsley is passionate about their conservation and has been photographing them all his life but particularly in the last twenty years. Through his work, Kingsley seeks to evoke a nostalgic sense of romance, and promote a love of the trees that we can find in any park or woodland.
His approach is to show trees as they are in their environment, be it park or country and to print them with the minimum of manipulation.
CHURCHES
When we visit an empty church, and particularly a small country village church or chapel, we can immediately feel that we have entered a quiet haven and sanctuary away from the bustle of modern living. A peacefulness and silence hangs in the air, and while lingering to absorb the quietness, we may be reconnected in some way with our soul and an experience of spirituality.
Traditionally photography of churches has commented on iconography and the architecture of the building, but Noël Kingsley is drawn to the smaller incidental moments, its intimate corners and the parochial.
Through his work, Kingsley seeks to portray the mood of the church, its silence, age and atmosphere. The church transcends time. It smells of musty antiquity, home to a homogenous combination of ancient and more recent elements bearing witness to centuries of parishioners who have worshipped here. The empty historic pews and stone slabs worn and polished by many hands and feet wait silently for future generations, unchanging and trapped in time while more modern items and the occasional personal touch betrays the hand of its present-day but absent assembly.
Light beams from high windows cast a warm glow of life and luminous brilliance across shiny surfaces. While in contrast dusty forgotten corners falling into decay, remain in shadow, deep and rich in texture. The combination and contrast epitomises our world, the gentle and the sombre, the joys and sadness, our life and death.
There is a sense of permanence and the everlasting; it is a safe place that relates our own mortality to the eternal. We can ponder on our existence, our loves, our fears and our life. We can be thankful for what we have, and accepting of what we do not. It is a place to be enriched, humbled and made whole. The church is a part of our world, but is also a world in itself.
Noël Kingsley's extensive portfolio of images is drawn from the interiors of Parish Churches in England, Wales, France and Italy.
GARDENS, The Old Rectory, Netherbury, Dorset
These extend for 5 acres and include many distinct areas. They have been landscaped and planted over a twenty year period by the current owners to include formal rose gardens, topiary, bog garden with large pond, woodland, orchard, meadow and fruit gardens.
Walking through the gardens we progress from one area to another, experiencing changes in mood and atmosphere and while the areas are defined with their own choice plants, trees and shrubs, there are long vistas where we get tantalising glimpses of other areas.
Gardens photography is nearly always in colour and rarely photographed in monochrome, for obvious reasons. Through his work Noël seeks to portray the character and atmosphere of these gardens, and show without the inclusion of colour how much can be said through form, light and shade,... softness and informality contrasted against the more formal lines of paths and garden architecture.
This project is currently on going and expected to culminate with an exhibition of his work in Dorset in April 2015.
PORTRAITS
Noël Kingsley's portraits have a quality of informality and his subtle and spontaneous approach shows in the revealing spirit of his subject. The resulting portraits are relaxed and apparently un-posed and belie his attention to detail and carefully controlled lighting. He rarely works in a studio and prefers to use natural light indoors or outdoors.