Chris headed west with three old film cameras - Mamiya 7, Contax T2 and Nikon FE with the intention of having a break from the digital world and his Film practice, taking a step back and exploring cities that he had wanted to visit for years.

It's something that I don't wish to dwell on but the real reason why I decided to go was due to a break up at the end of last year. Feeling uninspired and being generally quite shy in nature I decided I needed to push myself out of my natural routine and environment.

I've always been interested by American culture, cars and lifestyles. So the states seemed an easy choice. Having only visiting the eastern parts before I decided the west coast would be my destination.

Spending the last few years heavily immersing myself within video and film I wanted to focus purely on photography for this trip and meet some interesting people along the way. Cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles seemed like the best places to do so.

Working with digital media always leaves me craving analogue techniques and so I made the decision to only take with me a selection of old film cameras. Not one digital camera besides the phone in my pocket. I shoot a lot of film in my spare time, it's very therapeutic. Every shot is expensive when shooting on film so you have to teach yourself to take time with each image and make sure its right. Only selecting the correct moment. I also hoped this would reflect back in my documentary film work.

There wasn't much of a plan during my stay, San Fran is a truly amazing city and the people are super relaxed. I spent most days picking a district and aimlessly wandering. I like those moments you capture when you had no idea of them when you got out of bed in the morning.

My last night in San Fran I decided to visit the Twin Peaks and watch the sunset, this is something I do in any city I visit as I find it helps wrap up a trip quite nicely.

While standing there watching the sun go down I noticed a girl step out in front of me with an American flag. She held it up and it almost seemed like I was meant to take this photo. With only one shot left in my camera I'm so stoked it came out. Another reason why I love the unpredictability of simply wandering. I would have never drawn that moment up in my head. A couple of moments later a chap came and stood with her kissing from behind the flag, I missed this due to changing film but I'm happy with the non soppy nature of my image.

A couple of friends of mine had done the trip the year or so before and always spoke so highly of the drive down Route 1 so after a week in San Fran and feeling like I'd covered all areas I hired a car and started the drive.

Upon passing through Big Sur I saw a hitch hiker on the side of the road, I don't know whether it was the isolation of the drive or the hope of a new experience, but I found myself pulling over before I'd even realised. Raven jumped in and luckily was heading in the same direction. She had never been outside the states but her mind was so much more travelled than mine. With a couple of mangos and a bag of oatmeal in her satchel she was happy with the way her life was going. Although I was the one helping her, I feel like she helped the most. She really gave me perspective on what was important in life. Just living and experiencing, forget about the things you have no control over and just enjoy what you got.

Visiting places like this on your own and having no one else around really forces you to reach out and interact with those that you come across.

LA is a world away from San Fran. I found the people to be a little more self indulgent but still friendly. People seemed perfectly happy for their photo to be taken, maybe this is a part of my non-intimidating character that helps play to my advantage.

I spent my last week in LA doing pretty much what I'd done in San Fran, picking areas and spending the day there. On my last couple of days I decided to visit a friend down in San Diego. She had recently moved and married a local guy who regularly surfs. After a fairly heavy night out he invited me to come down to the beach the next morning. I was reluctant but upon arrival was so glad I'd accepted. The usual parking spots were over crowded so we had to park further down the road and take a hike down the mountains. Complete photo porn opportunities and ridiculously stunning views from the beach. Another one of those moments where you have to let go of control and enjoy the way things unravel.

Would I do this trip again? Yes. I always had a weird feeling that I would be back in that part of the states again someday. The trip set a precedent for the rest of my year so far. I've moved to London, guided my film career down a road I know will bring me a lot of joy and fulfilment. Whether I have done this due to the trip I'll never know but I recommend a little breathing space and a push out of the ordinary for anyone.

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