Getting blood out of a stone

Scott Engering, from South Yorkshire, writes about his change in career from geology to freelance photography

“Nobody but a blockhead wrote, except for money”. At least that was the opinion of Samuel Johnson.

I happen to agree with these sentiments, especially since, in my experience, words do not just flow on to the page; an idea is laid down as blocks of rough text, then hacked, chiselled and finally polished into shape.

However, aspiring journalists should not be discouraged, mainly for the fact that my writing experiences reflect my efforts to market a specialist professional service within an incestuous industry which responds remarkably slowly to new ideas. Furthermore, it has never been my ambition to write for a living and I much prefer the notion that a good picture is worth a thousand words.

The story of how a geologist has been transformed into a photographer contains numerous twists and turns within a plot which is still unravelling but, nonetheless, the following edited account of my progress, to date, should demonstrate that by applying enthusiasm and tenacity in equal measure, it is possible to get blood out of a stone.

Just over ten years ago, I thought I had discovered my niche in life as the co-owner of a new company specialising in the cleaning and restoration of historic buildings; an industry which is both very satisfying and potentially very lucrative in the right hands. As I discovered, to my cost, family and business just don’t mix, and having seen carefully laid plans roughly trampled on by someone who really ought to know better, I cut my losses and started again from scratch.

Apart from stubborn pride stopping me from taking a backward step, I found that doors which had once been wide open were now tightly shut. My solution was to embark on a new career as a building stone specialist. After all, my combined qualifications and practical experience were well suited to the apparent requirements of English Heritage, The National Trust, architects etc. for this expertise.

Despite a concerted effort to acquire relevant skills to satisfy this ‘demand’, and a long list of completed projects and prestigious, satisfied clients to support a well-targetted marketing strategy, this venture has not been a financial success. At a time when The British Museum has graced the columns of the national broadsheets for all the wrong reasons (because profit has prevailed over sound advice) this has been galling to say the least. Although I played no part whatsoever in these politics it served to remind me that, with this attitude to overcome, I was not on to a good thing!

Looking on the bright side, I now have a portfolio of at least 80 examples of published work and 7,000 black and white negatives and colour slides to my name. Only very recently, after I had sifted through piles of old journals and thrown out all the rubbish, did I realise that I was sitting on a fully catalogued, valuable resource, waiting to be launched onto a well-designed web site for all the world to see.

Like panning for gold, when you know that one single grain shines far brighter than the rest of the worthless detritus before your eyes, the boost in confidence is exhilarating and it makes you want to dig for more.

Shared in common with all photographers, who are just starting out on their professional careers, I know that my eye for the subject is more than a ‘flash in the pan’. I am also aware that I will never aspire to, or compete, with the work which friends and colleagues at The Sheffield College are producing, at least in terms of quantifiable, pound notes.

Fashion, travel and social issues are all the vogue but, for what it’s worth, here are a few examples of my successes to date. If it hasn’t been paid for, so what the hell. It’s all good marketing practice and the very best that you can do is to shrug your shoulders and go with the flow, with knowledge that capital is made from the opportunity, and where there is a will there is a way. So, plan the next step.

The photographic archives at The National Monuments Record provided me with my first real opportunity. A photograph album left open at a specialist trade exhibition generated an initial lead which eventually turned into a brief to collect as many good examples of post-war architectural sculpture as the budget allowed. Whilst only a temporary project, it certainly sharpened my practical skills and opened up my eyes to a range of other possibilities relating to the visual arts.

Being in the right place at the right time helps. On this occasion, friends in high places definitely paved the way for me to take advantage of the sculpture symposium which the market town of Fanano, set in the Italian Apennines, hosts each year. The script from Planes, Trains and Automobiles could even have been based on my adventure. Fortunately, it ended with a full stomach, a first prize-winning photo and similarly-minded friends, whose experiences I will share for the rest of my life.

A photograph on the front page of any publication must surely puff the most modest person full of pride. Gargoyles are not the most endearing subjects; ugly and more often than not insulting yet, combined with some thoughtful text, this image on ROCKWATCH magazine has encouraged youngsters to get out and appreciate examples of high quality craftsmanship which are rarely seen today.

Whilst the subject matter is certainly not spectacular, the photograph of the granite seat was used for an A4 sized advert on the inside front cover in Natural Stone Specialist, the trade magazine for the industry. The client, Pisani, is the largest wholesaler of marble and granite in the UK.The seat in question is part of the new Peace Gardens Development in Sheffield. I also provided an illustrated article on the development for the same issue. Although both paid, I think the PR value, on this occasion, was much greater.

Whether or not any of this strikes a chord, who can guess. At the very least, you should realise by now that opportunities are not simply placed on your doorstep. Just remember the words of Jimmy Cliff: “You can get it if you really want but you must try… try and try… try and try…………you’ll succeed at last”.

© SCOTT ENGERING

You can e-mail Scott at [email protected]

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