FOOTPRINT is an arts project of many parts but above all
it concerns a journey to all corners of the Lakeland fells and a
fresh approach to capturing the landscape on film. Professional photographer
Rob Fraser spent the 31 days of October 2004 walking acoss the cumbrian
hills, led by his own curiosity and symbols on the map. He kept a
journal of his thoughts and observations and shot just two monochrome
images a day on a large
format camera. This considered and disciplined approach to picture-taking
has formed a collection of images that have captured the essence
of the region.
FOOTPRINT stemmed from Rob's long-term appreciation of the
landscape and his two decades as a professional photographer. The
project was conceived from his desire to combine these two passions
whilst walking up Coniston Old Man in July of 2002 and has grown beyond his original plan of
just being in the hills without the restrictions of time or a pre-set
route.
As well as the walk itself the project has resulted in an educational
workshop involving seven rural primary schools, a touring exhibition
and a book detailing the project is in the pipeline. Rob also used
a small video camera to record his month on the fells for a diary
shown on BBC's Country File programme.
