LIGHT OF DAY
Joseph Freeman is better known as one of England’s most imaginative young horror writers, with critically-acclaimed books such as ‘Love Stories of the Undead’ and ‘Ghosts Far From Subtle’ to his name, but more recently he has put down his pen and taken up his camera, and the result is a surprising departure, and his latest book – ‘The Last Light of Day’.
A large format book filled cover to cover with exquisite landscape photography that covers various parts of the country, but largely features the Suffolk coast – an area that Freeman loves so much that he celebrated the book’s publication day by moving here full-time. ‘I’d lived here many years ago, but moved to the Peak District at the very end of 2001, and I didn’t realise how much I would miss it until I’d gone. In all the years since, I’d been haunted by the area – I think a large part of my heart was still there, wandering the lonely stretches of coastline, gazing up at the moon and stars from the shore, driving around the beautiful towns and villages. Whenever I got chance I was back in Suffolk for extended holidays, long weekends, and it seemed to be only then that I truly felt whole, that I felt I was really myself again.’
Though he has been crafting his tales of terror for as long as he cold hold a pen – or crayon! – Freeman only really turned to photography in more recent years. ‘It was certainly my time in Suffolk that developed that interest. I was taking so many beautiful pictures because I was surrounded by so much beauty. The skies are incredible, and at sunset and sunrise they change from minute to minute, in such dramatic ways. I would race out of bed first thing in the morning to capture the sun bursting out of the sea, it’s light turning the previously dark sky golden, and making itself a path across the waves to the shore. And in the evening, as it was going down and each cloud formation it touched would produce a whole new sky, a whole new picture. These were moments that I wanted to preserve, and when I saw how wonderful the results were, I thought they were well worth showing, and sharing.’
As well as a wide range of moods and themes – from brilliantly lit sunbursts and golden beaches to dark, shadowy forests and stormy skies - Freeman’s artwork encompasses the length and breadth of the country – from the beaches of Lowestoft and Kessingland in the north to Aldeburgh’s Martello Tower and Rendlesham Forest in the south. ‘What makes these already stunning places all the more potent is that they are steeped in so many legends and stories that appeal to somebody like me,’ he laughs, pointing out the Kessingland sea monster, the famous UFO incident at Rendlesham, or the fact that one of his favourite authors, M. R. James, used Aldeburgh as the setting for one of his most famous ghost stories. ‘The area is hugely inspirational to me in that manner. Not only is its beauty and its peace and quiet so inspiring, but everywhere you look there are wonderful local legends or ghost stories, there are forgotten corners and magical locations. Suffolk has been appearing in my stories since I first saw it, and continues to do so to this day, and I can’t imagine ever exhausting what it has to offer me, artistically.’
‘The Last Light of Day’ is available to order through the website www.josephfreeman.co.uk. A limited edition hardback, strikingly printed on high quality art paper, copies cost £40 and come signed and with an exclusive numbered 8x10 art print.
