John Meadows

from InvokeMe Magazine - August Edition 2021

Werner Kaffl

John Meadows Journeys

As the saying goes, ‘A journey starts with

a single step’ . So it has been for me with photography, that first step started at a very young age playing around with my mums Box Brownie and a Kodak Anastigmat folding bellows camera. There was a mysticism about these contraptions that captured ‘Moments in Time’ ( a title I recently coined for presenting images for my portfolio in a short video).

There was no sudden profound revelation that piqued my interest, just this growing fascination, until one Birthday or was it Christmas, my parents gave me the originalKodak Instamatic which had a small pocket ‘Pop-up’ flash holder that you inserted a single bulb that literally melted when fired.

Pyrotechnics! From then on a camera of some sort was always close by. So much so that all I wanted to do after leaving school at 15 yrs was to become a Photographer. However, not being sufficiently qualified inscience and maths (for mixing chemicals and calculations) the position I sought at the then National Film Unit proved beyond my reach. Teenage years through to late 20’s the camera’s captured my many pre ‘Adventure Tourism’ activities, including tramping/mountain climbing, sailing and even strapping a ‘Super 8’ cine camera to my hang glider and then sailing through the Western Pacific for 6 months. All the time capturing ‘Moments in Time’ . Where upon I invested a deal of precious funds to buy a Minolta XG2 with multiple lenses, filters and power winder.

I needed to recoup these outlays and managed to secure a Photographers role at a Studio in the Hutt Valley New Zealand, part time. Still, I was now doing the work in the ‘Dark Room’ and shoots of weddings, conferences, still life and the occasional animal assignments, at last! Alas the studio closed down, so back topersonal stuff. That said, they recorded adventures in Sri Lanka and India and the Pacific Islands.

Roll the clock forward to the digital era and some of the first ‘Point and Shoot’ cameras (Fujifilm S3000, 3 MP) were carried on my person. The ‘Dream’ had never left. Until this digital era most of my images were mainly landscapes, sports adventure activities and the like, little of ‘Real’ aestheticism or of a storytelling nature. Then came the DSLR in the form of another Fujifilm product the S1 andeverything changed at this point.

Having been involved 30 odd years ago, owning a Promotional Advertising company specialising with the mainstream Advertising and Marketing media the creative side of my character remerged and I LOVED it. Now, having retired and treating myself to the amazing Fujifilm XT-3, the cameras are with me when at all possible capturing images of landscapes, Astro, Abstract, Still Life, Wildlife and pressing into Fine Art and commissions.

For the first time I now have pieces displayed at an exhibition with 2 Professional Photographers at a ‘Fine Dining’ establishment and a Creative Arts Centre, plus being a featured artist in an upcoming ‘Arts Trail’ exhibition. I am now really ‘Living the Dream’ from the childhood. The journey continues, steps are still being taken and I am about to launch my ‘End Game’.

Ian’s (Moone) brief was to also speak of ‘What motivates me’, the deep reason of WHY I do this. In today’s world it maybe Politically Incorrect to speak of it but, at the age of 30 I became a ‘Born Again’ Christian and as a consequence I have visited places where there is abject poverty, such as India, Burma, some of the Pacific Islands, witnessing this changes you as I dare say many reading this will also know. I also know the effects of abuse and being the object of bullies, that too changes you too. Loving others by being kind, helping others in distress, just like our Ian does makes a difference to each one we serve. I am currently helping others to heal emotionally at a rehabilitation centre, speaking into there lives. Loving others is motivation for me particularly having served with the Salvation Army on the Streets and providing help at community meals in the Hutt Valley to those in need.Some might already be thinking, ‘what has this to do with photography’. For me it is simple, EVERYTHING in creation is a masterpiece of design and beauty but unfortunately so much has been abused by humanity and humanity is currently paying the price for this.

I seem to have the tendency to reveal in my images, as best as able, vistas with the minimum of manipulation, or, ‘As we see it’. As photographers, each one of us can make a difference by recording both ‘Moments in Time’and the aesthetic, to educated, reveal, heal and motivate others. To this end I will soon be launching what I call my ‘End Game’. Is is called ‘The Vine Connection’ (on Facebook).I will continue be producing images of God’s creation through Capturing Kapiti & Beyond (on Facebook andYouTube), but also adding motivational quotes and Wisdoms to bring Hope, Love, Joy, Peace and even Humour for others surroundings. So, if even one person experiences a response from any of these through my work, then I consider that I have fulfilled part of my purpose for being on this planet at this time.

I would like to thank Ian Moone for the opportunity and incredible privilege to record this, my journey and a sample of my work in this new magazine. If it had not been for his encouragement and initiative I would not be here. Each of us, in our own way can be an influence in others lives in their own journeys, through this powerful medium.

A final thought for me to leave on, my Life motto is this, ‘Life is an Adventure, Embrace it with Vigour’. Here is to many more of these for both me and I hope for you likewise.