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A gnarled, wind-swept tree leans sharply across a brown, marshy field. In the background, a dense forest of pine trees is shrouded in a thick white mist.

Wander through Christopher Gray's wild places. It's Nothing Specific, just beautiful

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Date
23 January 2013

When we came across Nothing Specific, a strange thing happened. The site, made up of the photography of Christopher Gray, is restrained to the point of enigmatic, but disappear into one of his portholes and one needs no explanation.

Whether of mossy stumps in Epping Forest, broken marble slabs stacked like tombstones in a backyard, rocky green pools, camp fires, church stairs or a Swedish wood work plant, these series are beautiful. His wanderings through the Lake District in winter, capturing silvery light and witch-like roots, are a particular favourite. Gray’s title describes the site as a whole well, but it also captures the sense that even in the more specific pictures, an atmosphere seems to creep up and override individual subjects. Get lost in the wild places of Nothing Specific for a while, and be transported.

Tall, thin trees stand in a dense, grey fog. In the foreground, the dark silhouette of a broken branch reaches across the frame.
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Christopher Gray: Nothing Specific – Winter Lake 5

Two dark, spindly trees stand on a grassy bank beside a still lake. A thick white fog obscures the distant shoreline and the surrounding forest.
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Christopher Gray: Nothing Specific – Winter Lake 6

A moss-covered tree stump stands upright in a foggy woodland. Bare trees fade into a thick grey mist in the background.
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Christopher Gray: Nothing Specific – Winter Lake 1

Tall pine trees line the banks of a still lake, their forms reflected in the dark water. A thick white fog blankets the background, obscuring the horizon.
Above

Christopher Gray: Nothing Specific – Winter Lake 3

A landscape of rolling, mossy hills covered in brown and green vegetation. In the distance, a line of pine trees is partially obscured by a thick, white fog.
Above

Christopher Gray: Nothing Specific – Tarn Hows 1

Snow-covered pine trees frame a wide view of a frozen valley and a winding river. Rolling mountains sit under a pale, hazy sky at dawn or dusk.
Above

Christopher Gray: Nothing Specific – Up High

Large, jagged grey rocks sit in a calm sea under a pale sky. A bright, blurred wash of white and cyan light obscures the left side of the frame.
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Christopher Gray: Nothing Specific – Walk 3

A woodland clearing with a structure of fallen logs and branches piled in the centre. Bright light flares across the left side of the frame, casting a glow over the frost-covered ground.
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Christopher Gray: Nothing Specific – Epping Forest 1

Three silhouetted figures stand in a dimly lit room beside a large window with sheer white curtains. Ornate paintings and gold detailing cover the surrounding walls.
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Christopher Gray: Nothing Specific – Church 1

A view from inside a dark wooden shed looking out towards a bright green landscape. A long metal conveyor belt runs through the centre, carrying heavy stone blocks.
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Christopher Gray: Nothing Specific – Wood Work Plant

A collection of clear glass vessels and laboratory flasks are arranged on a dark surface. A person’s arm reaches across the frame to adjust one of the objects.
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Christopher Gray: Nothing Specific – The Herb Room

A person draped in a heavy black cloak stands beside a roaring bonfire in a wooded field. Thick white smoke swirls around them against a backdrop of thin, leafless trees.
Above

Christopher Gray: Nothing Specific – Girl Fire

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About the Author

Anna Trench

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