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This is the first of our interviews with creative people that we think are making great work. Rachel Poulton is a photographer based on the South Coast whose images perfectly capture the magic of the English landscape.

Please explain a little about Unseen?

Unseen is a written and photographic project centred around a search for the sublime and spirit of place - in both the land and oneself. It began as a sort of therapeutic travelogue of intuitive walks inspired by the dérive of surrealist and situationist philosophers; the Romantic reveries of Rousseau and Blake, folklore, film and literature. I was trying to get to know the area I found myself living and, for me, walking has always been a means of finding my sense of place. Each Unseen walk is a sensory experience taking in historical, topographical, and psycho-spiritual ambiences. I tend not to follow a map or conventional routes, it’s more about wandering and noticing; following a feeling. My interests in myth, lore and the occult also drive the project as I seek out places steeped in stories. When I get home I edit the photographs, jot down my ideas and revelations, do a bit of research on the area and present it all in Unseen - a collectable zine published periodically. I hope the zines inspire people to connect with the landscape and explore ancient sites too, especially as so many of us are looking to nature for solace in an increasingly unnatural, mechanised world. Unseen is very much about the wonders of walking and uncovering the hidden mysteries of the land - the unseen appears as essential as that which is seen. It is about my appreciation and reverence for nature and how incredible it is that for thousands of years people have trodden the same paths. Time seems to stand still and sometimes it feels like our prehistoric ancestors have greater spiritual gravity in these places which is very exciting. My words and pictures also celebrate how, through quiet solitary walking, we can find understanding and comfort within ourselves.

What is your favourite place to walk and photograph along the South Coast?

There are some amazing historical sites in Sussex: Kingley Vale Nature Reserve not far from Chichester, with its ancient yew groves, Bronze Age barrows and Viking lore, is very special. Chanctonbury Ring is also incredible, haunted and haunting, it was a significant Iron Age hillfort and an important stopping off point for traders and travellers along the South Downs Way. There are remains of two Roman Temples within the ring of Beech Trees and for years it’s been a popular place for witchcraft. There are definitely some very uncanny vibes there. But, I think my favourite place is Windover Hill and the Wilmington Giant. It’s the second tallest hill figure in the world and when you walk past it, along the chalky pathways, it’s really awe-inspiring. Windover Hill is a satisfyingly steep climb, at the top there are Long Barrows, Bowl Barrows and the views across the downs and the weald are spectacular. There is a very positive and powerful atmosphere here - I always feel invigorated when I leave.

Can you tell us three books that have inspired you and why?

Books that have inspired this project are numerous, the Romance of William Blake’s writings and Jean Jacques Rousseau’s Reveries of a Solitary Walker for starters, but in particular … The Old, Weird Albion by Justin Hopper is a beautifully written poetic wander across the South Downs. Justin traces memories, myths and forgotten histories as he wanders with relatives and strangers in search of prehistoric pasts and utopian futures. Read alongside Ghost Box Records’ Chanctonbury Rings by Justin Hopper and Sharron Kraus with The Belbury Poly – a magical combination. Justin wrote an introduction to my photobook: Unseen – In Search of the Sublime and Spirit of Place and absolutely nailed what the project is all about. Savage Messiah collected zines by Laura Grace Ford is a big influence. Laura’s psychogeographical drifts through the liminal zones of London inspired the words and pictures format of Unseen. Published between 2003 and 2006, Savage Messiah presents us with the hauntological concept of the past being present in both the environment and our minds. Although psychogeography is often an urban pursuit, it feels very relevant to my rural drifts and my encounters with the deep past as I walk time-trodden paths. Our Forbidden Land by Fay Godwin – Part photobook, part literary homage to the British Countryside and part call to rights of access to the land, Fay Godwin’s book is really inspirational. From the 1950s she was an active member of the Rambler’s Association and Our Forbidden Land documents her walks along Britain’s pathways, highlighting the restrictions dictated by water companies, the Ministry of Defence, farmers and land owners – an issue that’s being taken up by activists in England today with conservation groups and the Right to Roam movement gaining traction.

Who is your favourite photographer?

I really like many turn-of-the-century photographers - Eva Lawrence Watson Schütze, Edward Steichen, Alfred Stieglitz and the Photo-Secessionists. I love Tish Murtha’s documentary photography, Deborah Turbeville’s photographic process and also Dora Marr’s surrealist work. Agnes Varda’s film Vagabond is a big inspiration for Unseen and also, the rich black and white cinematography of Bela Tarr’s films has influenced me.

Where can people find out more about you?

My website www.rachelpoulton.com has lots of info and you can buy zines and prints there too. I share my images and musings on Instagram - @rachelpoultonphoto, and Substack - @rachelpoulton. I exhibit my work and do talks with people like The Stone Club in London and The Catalyst Club in Brighton, I always put upcoming dates on my website and social media if anyone’s interested.

Have any new projects planned?

I’m currently laying out the next Unseen Zine which takes me out of my home county of Sussex to Avebury; a magical place, even with tons of tourists around. I am also working on a new philosophy book and a collaborative project with several artists and the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill is in the pipeline. In the background is a photographic project that has taken initial inspiration from the sea, the moon and the enduring mythology attached to our closest celestial body. This has led to an exploration of motherhood and female lineage, I’m experimenting with alternative processes including printing on glass and playing with archival imagery.