Exercise 2.6: 'Edgelands'

I wasn't sure what to expect from reading these chapters but I was quite surprised.

Wire This chapter was a good read. I like how the author uses the different types of wire fencing to create a scene and then actually highlighting the scene as well. The informative writing draws the reader into the story, visualising the scenes being created. This particular writing reminds me of being a kid, exactly as explained. We lived behind unused army bunkers and lookout shelters, where we would scale wire fences and squeeze between iron railings to spend hours each day fascinated about these abandoned places.
I think that is key to a great author. The ability to connect with the reader in that way. I like the use of symbolism using the wire as the symbol for a specific person, time or place. But the factor is there. The writing is made more powerful by the fact that so many readers can relate to what is being read.

Power I found this chapter more about using metaphors as opposed to being blunt and direct. Letting you think about it as opposed to it being handed directly to you. The cooling towers is another flashback to my childhood. I live near a steel works, not a power station, and I would always be in awe watching them as we would drive past these huge structures at a distance. They were demolished years ago but I've never thought of them in the way they are described here.

It's interesting to see the point made that in photography you need to think outside the box and not settle into the landscape genre that has been discussed continuously throughout this chapter. I think it's saying that you need to take risks and be more creative and unique in your photographic approach and stay away from the overdone landscape comfort zone that was set back in the nineteenth century.

Source:
Farley, P. and Roberts, M.S. (2011) Edgelends, Journey into England's True Wilderness. London: Vintage Books.