Hot cross buns in the time of lockdown

Posted on April 10, 2020April 10, 2020 by carlotta

Hot cross buns in the time of lockdown

Having endless and unstructured time during our coronavirus lockdown is a challenge for me. One of the things that helps me get through the day is taking on the demands and rhythms of making sourdough bread. With lots of time, no yeast, and four people to feed, it seemed an obvious step, although success with sourdough had always eluded me in the past. Checking on my rising dough is now what gets me out of bed in the morning, as I tweak and change my methods daily in the quest for the perfect loaf.

With Easter weekend approaching, the obvious next step was to rise to the challenge of sourdough hot cross buns (no pun intended). Patience is needed for this, as the slow proving time means they take about 24 hours to make. But hey, time is the one thing that we currently have in abundance. So here are our hot cross buns, still warm from the oven, in the soft April evening light, accompanied by a jar of forget-me-nots from the garden. Wishing you all a safe and healthy Easter bank holiday weekend. (In case you were wondering, and I know I am probably biased, but they were delicious!)

More of my residential and interiors photos can be found here.

A little lightness and joy

Posted on March 5, 2020 by carlotta

A little lightness and joy

When it feels like the weather can’t get any worse and fields and roads are flooding, I thought we all needed some joy and hope to lift our spirits. I am therefore giving you a photograph of a baby-naming ceremony I photographed in the warmth of a September afternoon – because what could be more joyful and hopeful than that.

Family and close friends gathered around this little baby girl and her parents and welcomed them into their hearts with rituals, songs and laughter. You can see more photographs of this wonderful ceremony here, as well as many other celebrations of all sorts.

Please get in touch if you have a workplace, an event, a celebration, a portrait or a building project you would like to have photographed.

House with a view

Posted on February 11, 2020February 11, 2020 by carlotta

House with a view

Exactly two years ago I took my first shots of a disused agricultural building in a spectacular setting on the outskirts of Lewes. The interior of the Grain Store was so full of stuff that I had to wait until my second visit to get some inside photos.

I have been documenting this site ever since, watching the ambitious transformation into a beautiful house that makes the most of its surroundings. I always find it satisfying to complete a job like this, knowing intimately the building’s journey and how these new spaces have evolved.

The most extraordinary thing about this house is that it could not be more immersed in the South Downs. Tucked into a hollow, the windows look straight across to a green sloping hill that leads up to the South Downs Way. Seeing the finished and furnished spaces on my final shoot last week, I wanted to move into it, there and then. Actually, I could stay there if I wanted, as it is available as a holiday let. You can find more photos of this project here, and how to rent it here.

Please get in touch if you have a workplace, an event, a celebration, a portrait or a building project you would like to have photographed.

It’s that bonfire time of year again

Posted on November 1, 2019November 7, 2019 by carlotta

It’s that bonfire time of year again

It’s that time of year when the streets of Lewes are wild with flaming torches, exploding fireworks and costumed people marching through town.

This year, I wanted to show you another side to the event that many spectators don’t see, because the 5th of November is as much about family and intergenerational communities as it is about the rowdy spectacle.

I particularly like this shot. It was taken at the end of the evening, the flames of the bonfire lighting this pair of father and daughter smugglers. The striped jumpers, bandanas and blackened faces are a throwback to the days when Bonfire Boys and Girls disguised themselves as smugglers to avoid being recognised. Nowadays it is a sign of belonging, because each bonfire society uses a different colour combination for the stripes of their jumpers. You can find more of my photos of celebrations here, and lots of Lewes Bonfire ones here.

Artwave exhibit opening tomorrow!

Posted on August 16, 2019 by carlotta

Artwave exhibit opening tomorrow!

As I mentioned last week, I have an exhibit of portraits opening tomorrow as part of the Lewes Artwave Festival. I will be showing photographs from a project I am working on for the Lewes District Council, highlighting the interesting people who live and work in the area. The gallery address is 2 Fisher Street, Lewes, BN7 2DG. The gallery will be open Saturdays 10-4 and Sundays 10-2, 18 August to 1 September. More information about the show can be found on the Artwave website here.

This portrait of Chloe Edwards is one of the photographs on show in my exhibit. Chloe runs the catering company Seven Sisters Spices and is a familiar sight around Lewes with her beautifully decorated pram filled with homemade spices, dukkahs, pickles and chutneys. You can find her at the Market Tower on Friday mornings and at the Saturday farmer’s market in Lewes precinct. I know from personal experience that her food is delicious and her cooking classes are inspiring. More of my portraits can be found here, and working portraits here.

The underwater room

Posted on July 12, 2019July 12, 2019 by carlotta

The underwater room

Building materials can play the strangest visual tricks. This skylight was covered in a blue plastic film that filtered watery light down into the room below. The two light fittings were also wrapped in plastic, somehow making them appear like they were floating up the wall, accentuating the underwater feeling inside the room. I would happily have stayed there soaking up that sense of submersion. Perhaps it relates to all the time I have spent lately in and on the sea.

This watery room is in an old barn that I’ve been photographing for the past couple of years as it becomes luxury holiday accommodation. The Grain Store is nestled right in the midst of the South Downs, surrounded on all sides by soft rolling hills. You can find more photos of this project here.

Please get in touch if you have an event, a celebration or a portrait you would like to have photographed or, of course, a building project documented.

Tag: Lewes