j.bushellphotography

12/09/2026

Same same, but different. Y'know?
When I lived in Whitby many moons ago, I came across a photographer called Frank Meadow Sutcliffe(FMS), who was photographing Whitby in the late 19th century, into the 20th. Now, as many of you know, I really don't like a lot of photographers' work, because frankly, I don't like photography... Anyway, FMS work stood out to me, I think, because I love the old world and the sea, and that's what his images depicted.

I was talking to a gentleman whilst waiting for the bus from Scarborough to Whitby last week, and he was telling me that, during the time FMS was photographing around Whitby, it was a very poor fishing village. I think that really comes through in the images FMS took, and it’s probably one of the reasons they resonate with me so much.

Most photographers of the time were photographing the wealthy, whereas Frank’s images were the opposite. They showed the daily lives of ordinary people in his poor fishing village. And the technical expertise involved in taking these still images using wet plate photography, often whilst working on the move, absolutely blows my mind.

With this in mind, when I planned to go up and visit a friend, I thought I would take my Frank Meadow Sutcliffe: Whitby Photographer book with me, and try and get some similar images, and I would like to say a massive "Thank You" to Jack and Company for indulging me for the first image in this selection. And finding out you lived just down the road when I lived in Ironbridge tickled me. Small world, eh?

Anyway, lots of waffle, and not much chocolate sauce, so here are some of the images I have taken around Whitby over the years as a resident and tourist, made to look like Frank's work!

09/09/2026

More photos from my Ironbridge project. I have honestly about 30 portraits of varying people in their respective businesses, and honestly 100's of the town itself, as well as lots of shop interiors. Work stations. Etc. Some of the images are absolutely dire, and though I've got better with working with these environmental portraits, I'm not sure I can save all of them!
The project also forced me out of my comfort zone, not just as a photographer but as a human, too. I'm the sort of person to actively avoid people where possible (I'm sure my mrs and my friends would beg to differ, but...) so reaching out and spending time with strangers made me real uncomfortable. That said, however, I met some really amazing people, and it has definitely helped me in other aspects of life.

Also yes, I made Sarah's look like a painting, because it fit the vibe! (I spent about 2 hours on photo shop this morning trying to make it as accurate to the vision I had as possible!!)

1. Lisa - Nettie of the Gorge (Moved, Now Ironbridge Flower School)
2. ??? - ???
3. Lisa - Love you more bears, Maws Craft Centre
4. Sarah Gunning - Ironbridge Fine Arts
5. Derek - Moonshine and Fuggles.
6. Amanda Hillier - Artist Studio, Maws Craft Centre
7. ??? - Bicycles by Design (moved)

06/09/2026

06/09/2026

So back when I lived in Ironbridge, I started taking photos of business owners. I had never really taken portraits before. I honestly had no idea what I was doing, I just thought "hey, do you know what would make a cool little project?" And I rolled with it.
At the time, I also had only ever colour graded for landscapes or inanimate objects, so some of my skin tones were a little off. I also shot a lot of people back-lit from windows, which I realise now was a huge mistake, and I wasn't really thinking about composition either. I was just 'doing'.
It was during this time that I actually realised that I enjoy this type of photography A LOT more than what I had been doing previously because, as much as I despise people as a whole. Individually, a lot of them are actually fantastic. I'm also a lover of stories and sitting down with people from all walks of life and hearing about them and their experiences. This, without question, is what led me to start taking "historical" styled photos. Lots of stories in history, right?
Anyway, there was a knock at the door, and I've lost my train of thought. Whoops.
Basically, here is a collection of re tweaked images, with more natural skin tones.

1. Jeremy - Ironbridge sweet shop
2. ??? - Bears on the Square
3. Lisa - Tails of the Gorge
4. Steve & Angie - Tontine Hotel (moved)
5. Caris Jackson - The Bolthole (moved)
6. Angelica - Ironbridge Fish and Chips
7. Steve - The Corace Micro Pub (originally I disliked this image because of how small Steve looked... but its a micro pub. It kind of works!)
8. Jenny Gunning - Ironbridge Fine Arts
9. Chris - Copper Fox (moved)
10. Debra - The Bolthole (moved)

13/08/2026

Last weeks walk from Horton-in-Ribbledale to Ribblehead viaduct. (tried to put in order).
Obviously, dramatic landscapes deserve animals. I wish I wasn't rushing for a train. Otherwise, I'd have had a train going across the viaduct, but alas, in traditional Jake style, I got a bird instead.
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24/06/2026

The Intrepid Explorer.

Except I'm not going out in this heat. It should be illegal to be this warm.
That goes for anything above about 10°C, mind.
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14/06/2026

Just lil' old me.
I tried to write some whole spiel about myself, but ultimately it got a little depressing, so here's me over the last 33 (and a bit) years.
Enjoy!
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08/06/2026

Some Street photography from York. If you know me, you will know this is more the photography that I used to do. There is so many beautiful spots in York that I want to create some amazing Victorian style portraits too (But I need friends to do it!)
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05/06/2026

The portraits. I need to practice my street portraits, and granted whilst people were marching wasnt the best time to do so, but here they are!
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04/06/2026

The last of the images from Saturday (other than the portraits)
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