Field Notes : Samuel Binstead
A photographer and slow fashion advocate, Sam can often be found head to toe in linen, film camera in hand whilst ambling along the blustery edges of the Peak District, capturing beautiful shots of carefully handcrafted products and their talented makers.
Sam became a full-time creative freelancer post lockdown, after nurturing two successful businesses in Sheffield; a tranquil natural wine bar, and its sister cafe Elm (where you can still buy the most humongous, pillowy cinnamon buns). I highly recommend you have a peek at his Instagram, where you’ll find warm, earthy images singing the praises of natural fibres and materials, and generally living a less consumptive existence.
Q - IF YOU WERE TO COMMISSION A BESPOKE CONTOUR MAP PIECE, WHAT LANDSCAPE WOULD IT FEATURE?
A - The place I’ve chosen is the other side of the road to Ladybower, kind of the route up towards Derwent Edge.
I chose this because it always comes up as one of my favourite places and I really struggle to explain to people where it is, as it doesn’t have a name like the popular edges and hills nearby. It was one of my late dog, Maggie’s, favourite places, because her little legs couldn’t get her very far on walks but she still loved being outdoors. You can walk up from the road and just keep going as far as you want and there’s always an easy place to loop back. We failed to get to Derwent Edge more times than we actually made it due to weather, heat, tired pooch, etc so I’ve become very familiar with this particular area!
My favourite memory from here is the first time we went; we got just about to the coach and horses [rock] formation when the heavens opened and we were completely unprepared for rain, and it was serious rain!! Little Maggie led the charge back to the car at full pelt down hill before we ended up adventuring through vague footpaths and big stiles on our ‘shortcut’. But that cup of tea in the car really hit right!
Q - DO LANDSCAPES PLAY A ROLE IN YOUR OWN WORK?
A - I’d say they feature as an element of the story but never the main focus. As someone who absolutely adores the Peak District and photography, I really dislike taking photos of landscapes!
I admire some incredible landscape photographers, and the work they create is truly beautiful, but I’m not drawn to photographing the outdoors the same way I’m drawn to capturing people and processes. The camera is usually just the catalyst to getting me out of the door and into the hills; being out there is more important than coming home with some portfolio worthy images.
