Every photography project I embark on feels like an exploration, but Echoes of Calleva – Landscapes Beyond the Stones was something truly special. This coffee table photo book represents over a year of walking, wandering, and losing myself in the landscapes surrounding the ancient Roman town of Calleva Atrebatum, which lies near Silchester. There’s something about this place that captivates me every time I visit. It’s not just the visible ruins or the ancient Roman walls that still stand despite centuries of wear—it’s the land itself, the rolling hills, and the quiet stillness that feels heavy with the weight of history.
Table of Contents
The Accidental Beginnings
The project began almost unintentionally. I was out on one of my regular walks in the area, and I brought my camera along, as I often do. One photograph led to another, and soon I found myself returning over and over, capturing the essence of a place that I couldn’t quite let go of. It felt like each shot peeled back a layer of time, revealing a glimpse of what Calleva must have been like centuries ago.
Whether it was the way the light filtered through the trees or the quiet shadows cast by the remnants of the Roman walls, every photograph I took felt like a discovery. I knew I had to collect these images into a cohesive story, one that would give others a chance to experience the magic of this ancient place as I did.
A Blend of Colour and Black and White Photography
This coffee table photo book is a collection of more than 50 photographs, but it’s also a deeply personal journey. I’ve included a mix of both colour and black-and-white images, shot on film and digital. There’s a reason for that.
Why Black-and-White?
To me, black-and-white photography strips away the distractions, allowing the texture of the landscape, the ancient stone, and the subtle interplay of light and shadow to come forward. It lends a sense of timelessness to the images, perfectly suited to capture a place as old as Calleva.
Why Colour?
On the other hand, colour brings a vibrancy that connects the past with the present. It shows that, despite the centuries that have passed, life continues to bloom in this historic place. Both approaches felt necessary to tell the story of Calleva in its entirety.
The Charm of St. Mary’s Church
One of my favorite locations to shoot was St. Mary’s Church, a beautiful 12th-century building that stands quietly amidst these ancient surroundings. There’s something grounding about photographing a place of worship that has seen the rise and fall of empires yet remains steadfast.
The church was a natural inclusion in the coffee table photo book because it adds another layer to the already rich history of this area, standing as a reminder that time moves on, yet echoes of the past remain.
Connecting With History Through Photography
Creating this coffee table photo book was not just about capturing landscapes; it was about connecting with history, with the earth itself. I often think about the people who once walked these same paths, who built the structures and lived in this town. What did they see? How did they experience this place?
In a way, this project allowed me to walk in their footsteps and, through my camera, offer a glimpse of the same vistas they might have gazed upon centuries ago.
A Personal Format and Price
I decided on a smaller format for Echoes of Calleva—an 8.25″x6″ paperback—because I wanted the coffee table photo book to feel intimate. This isn’t a grand, sweeping coffee table book meant to be admired from a distance. It’s something personal, something you can pick up and hold in your hands, a companion on your own journeys.
At £14.99, I wanted it to be accessible to anyone who shares a love for history, photography, or the quiet beauty of English landscapes. If you’re like me, you’ll find that there’s something incredibly peaceful and reflective about these pages—a way to escape into the past while still being grounded in the present.
Available Now on Amazon
Echoes of Calleva – Landscapes Beyond the Stones is available now on Amazon, and I hope it brings as much inspiration to you as creating it has brought to me.