The One Ring

J.R.R. Tolkien is a name that needs no introduction. His works of myth and legend have transported millions from their everyday lives into a world shaped by his mind—an epic realm filled with travel, folklore, wizards, dragons, and, of course, the One Ring that rules them all. His stories have inspired generations, myself included. But for me, the inspiration comes not only from the fantastical worlds he created but from his own personal journey, which sowed the seeds for tales as legendary as The Lord of the Rings.

Yet, before I truly came to appreciate what Tolkien had achieved, I was living in New Zealand—completely unaware of the significance that the landscape around me would soon play in my life. It was here, while searching for work, that I was offered a role as an extra in a film production. I received a brief about it but, strangely, paid little attention. Instead, I chose to take a more stable job working for Chelsea Sugar in Auckland. I could never have predicted how much that choice would come to feel like one of my biggest regrets.

Years later, I can’t help but wonder—what if? With my British accent, could I have been cast as Aragorn himself? Of course, the more likely reality is that I’d have been cast as an Orc. But in hindsight, I don’t really care what role I might have been offered. What stings is the realization that I missed an opportunity to be a small part of something larger than life, something that has since touched millions around the globe.

Fast forward twenty-five years, and I find myself on another Tolkien-inspired journey—this one deeper and more personal. I’ve had the incredible fortune of living in a landscape that could well have been plucked from the pages of The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings. The rolling hills and peaceful pastures of my surroundings are reminiscent of Tolkien’s beloved Shire. I’ve spent countless mornings and evenings gazing across this landscape, camera in hand, imagining Frodo, Sam, and the other hobbits walking these very paths, perhaps even accompanied by Gandalf himself. I have also embarked on a journey through the European Alps, in search for the Jagged peaks of Morder, and the fairytale which is Riverndell.

This journey through the Alps has brought Tolkien’s world to life in a way I had never expected. The towering peaks and valleys, the play of light and shadow across the landscape, all felt as though they were reflections of the duality in his stories—the battle between darkness and light, hope and despair, war and peace. Standing among these mighty mountains, I couldn’t help but feel that Tolkien’s world was not so far removed from our own. His landscapes were rooted in the real world, yet imbued with a sense of myth and magic.

I’ve come to understand that Tolkien’s stories are not just about grand adventures and epic battles; they are about the intimate connection between people and the landscapes they inhabit. The Shire, with its green pastures and winding roads, is as much a character in his works as Frodo or Gandalf. It represents home, peace, and simplicity—a refuge from the complexities of the world. And standing here in these landscapes, I feel a deep connection to those themes, as if I’m walking alongside Tolkien himself.

Though I may have missed my chance to be part of the cinematic retelling of his work, I now realize that my journey with Tolkien didn’t end with that missed opportunity in New Zealand. It has continued in unexpected ways, as I explore the landscapes that shaped his imagination and find my own creative inspiration in them. The regret I once felt has faded, replaced by a deeper understanding of Tolkien’s journey, and my own.

Through photography, I hope to capture the essence of these places—both real and imagined—and offer others a glimpse into the worlds that inspired one of the greatest storytellers of all time. After all, as Tolkien himself wrote, “Not all those who wander are lost.”