The Forge
Josh Hall is the blacksmith of Maple Forge near Partridge Green, West Sussex. I have admired Josh’s rise to master his craft in the years since we studied art A-level together (when he was already learning his way around the forge and shoeing horses). Photographing his process in the forge was an opportunity to explore my own craft and satisfy my constant curiosity over how craftspeople’s processes work.
Shooting on 35mm film with only two LED work lamps for extra illumination, I pushed the 400 ISO film to 1600 ISO to allow myself the mobility of shooting without a tripod. That kept me out of Josh’s way as he moved around with red hot iron ribbons and I stuck close to each step in his crafting of the curls for the top of an iron gate.
A day of modest work by Josh’s standards but one crackling with energy for my hungry camera.
