April Blog Update, I can see again ,... and Sonia with little Queeny dropped by !

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Welcome back to my little corner of the web and apologies for the late delivery.

Its been a bit of a quiet month this month, with no extra bits of work to show other than the flower shoot and the studio shoot that we did. But there were some highlights for me with the return of Sonia who brought along her most adorable little two year old Queeny with her. We have met up twice so far and are planning a reboot shoot in early May on location and future studio dates. I first met Sonia a decade ago when she was eighteen and shot with her then. She has always been respectful to me and always so very elegant. Seeing her again brought back those halcyon days of Tyler, Monalisa and Sonia … such good memories. You can find many of our shoots in the earlier galleries on this site, which are worth a look. I also think she has improved with age. Maybe its being a Mother that has done it, but anyway I am glad she is back. Her daught Queeny is such a character, always friendly and making as much noise-and disruption as she can, but she is lovely I have added a instax picture of Sonia taken recently when we were in MacDonalds. I did not add the one of Queeny as I don't feel right about putting children's pictures up on the web.

Another bit of good news is that my eye sight in my left eye has returned. Its about 75% better. I still have some floaters bobbing around in there and can hinder when I look closely at things, but fingers crossed they might eventually go as well. So I think I have dodged the surgery I was going to have.. I did not like the sound of that to be honest so I am pleased. And as my Christian Mother would say, believe in the power of prayer.

The next planned studio shoot for May was going to be on the fourteenth, but has been moved to the twenty seventh instead. Maryna Sedin is again coming up from London for this shoot and I am looking forward to seeing her again for our fourth shoot together. I also hope to do some still- life's in May as well. I have not created anything like that for a while, and of cause the regular Flower pictures as always.

So that's it for this month. Be sure to return at the end of May and see you all again.

x

Mercybongo eleventh photo shoot

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Ever lovely Mercybongo was the star of this months shoot at Boardroom Studio in Derby with some location shooting frown in as a bonus. Shadrine did the hair and makeup and we all ventured out into Derby going up the road to the St Marys Cathedral. Phil at the studio recommended the place and we used the two sides of the building. One side was in the dark, so a flash was needed and used. The other side was in the bright sun light. Mercybongo was great as ever and on the ball wearing a little creation Amy had put together. If you look at here jeans they are cut off at the mid leg area and several beaded 'thingies' are hanging down where the jeans once hung. Amy made that all herself and I appreciate the effort she put in as it adds to the vision I had of this shoot. She is going to alter them again by adding the camera shoulder straps at the bottom of the jeans to add a bit more contrast for the eye. Also another thanks to Amy for coming up with the idea for the second part of the shoot that was done in the studio. She made bows to go in Mercybongos hair using only the wrappers from a box of Lindt Lindor Milk Chocolates. And it worked as you can see from the picture. I also like the telephone Mercybongo came along with as that fitted in with the theme. So thanks to all there. To Mercybongo and to Amy and thanks also to Shadrine at Kavour for her brilliant makeup and hair. And of course Phil at the Boardroom Studio in Derby

Mercybongo will return in July for a location shoot in Kettering, so watch out for that.

April Flower Updates

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I managed to get some new stuff this month from the florist including some spotted eaves instead of flowers. They are the bright green ones. As the seasons change, so does the selection of flowers to work with and the Bramblesrist Florist never let me down. So thanks then to Chris and the ladies at the Bramblesrist and Flowers to yours as well as a thank you as always to Amy.

That is it for this month. Apologies for the delay and shortness of the offerings, but see you all next month.

x

March Update, Munira Model shoot and the Turd Reich

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Welcome back to my piece of the web. Nice to see you again.

There is a little bit more to show you this month unlike February. So its be a long but productive month with a model shoot, six flowers and a journey out of the house. It was also my fathers birthday, so happy birthday Dad. It was also Mothers day, so celebrations there as well. I am still unable to see correctly out of my left eye with floaters blocking every time I move. I was put in to see a specialist with regards eye surgery and was put in last November. Yet so far I have heard nothing, not even a letter to say hello and we know your waiting. I will have to do it myself I think and get out the brillo pads to scrub the back eyeball !!! Should not take long.

I am looking forward to the coming shoot in April with Mercybongo in the studio and weather permitting on site in Derby. We have not seen Mercy since last Christmas shoot in December, so nice to catch up with her. Be sure to tune in next month to see the results.

I took the liberty of downloading an interesting piece of art that someone made and stuck up on walls and public places in London. It cleverly shows well known characters from politics in the world today, all dressed up as Nazis. The picture is aptly named 'The Turd Reich' Have a giggle at it. It is in-fact not a laughing matter, but a bit of black humour does help to ease the worry in this increasingly dark world. Another way to sweep aside the blues is to enjoy the images taken this month of Indian Queen, Munira Model with looks and beauty to lift even the heavyset of hearts.

Thanks again for dropping by and enjoy the blog. x

Project – 'Landscapes'

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We went down to Newstead Nature Reserve on our day out, but got there to soon. I had hoped that the grass would be long and uncut, but we were far to early for that. There still was not a lot of leaves on the trees either. Still it did enable us the take some good pictures of some of the many Silver Birch with peeling bark trees. We also carefully avoided the ever present dog shit that litters the path I know they have to go somewhere, but why in a public nature reserve? Still we managed to get some half way decent snaps of the landscape there.

Project – 'Architectural Metaphor'

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Friend and chauffeur with taxi James, took Amy and I out on a run down the road close to junction 27 of the M1 For the chance of taking snaps of the hotels there. The one we went to is called the Mour Hotel. Its a big place set back from the road and looks like its made of solid black granite.

On our journey we also stopped at some flat roofed buildings in near by Kirkby after seeing them when I last visited the health centre there. The sky was clear, but if you look at the pictures it looks like a dark patch floating high above the flats, almost like a storm cloud. I really do like those pictures from our day out. I have also thrown in a few black and whites I took of the old Capital One building (Now the DWP), close to the train station as an extra viewing bonus. Thank you both James and Amy.

Random Stuff – Red Scale Film

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While out photographing the landscapes and architecture in March, I took out with me some film stock I purchased from Harman Labs (the makers behind Ilford Black and white film) .They have just brought out a new colour film with a difference. Its a red-scale film That colours everything red (not surprisingly !!)

This was the first time I used it with some interesting results. It has made the pictures look as though they were taken at night and with a darkish glow to the skies. The film is also very grainy. Of all of the pictures, my favourites are of the Silver Birch trees and the hotel. To purchase or find out a bit more about this interesting film follow the link here to its page on Analogue Wonderland website.

Munira Model 5th Photo shoot

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Perineal lovely Munira Model was back with us in the studio for March, looking radiant and as lovely as ever. We pushed the boat out a bit this month with some yellow baggy trousers that you would not wear to church and a stripy blazer and top hat. The original inspiration was of a picture I thought good of singer Janet Jackson. So we made our own version. Munira also brought along an incredible patterned skirt that looked Persian. It was made for pictures and looked great on her. We even got to do some snaps in the studios back garden. So thanks to all there. Munira Model, Shadrine from Kavour Beauty. Phil Lynam from The Boardroom Studio and of course Amy.

March Flower Updates

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There is a whole lot to look at this moth with a bumper display from our good friends at the Brambles Florist and Flowers To Yours. I cannot remember the last time I snapped away at an orchid. Such a lovely flower and with it a bonus seasonal goody. A hyacinth as well. Its a pity you cant smell the sweet perfume from this delicate plant. So once again thank you to the staff at Brambles Florist and Flowers To Yoursand of course Amy for her assistance.

That's it for another month. Please come back at the close of April for more.

Bye for now x

February Blog Update, the orange dictator and turning the big six zero.

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Welcome back to my little corner of the web and apologies for the late delivery.

It is a short month this month with only the Model and flower pictures to offer you. I had hoped to go outside and do some architecture and landscape stuff, but it has been such poor weather every weekend. I need Amy's help getting around so we can only do it on Saturdays and Sundays.

I turned sixty earlier this month and had a wonderful time. I did not know what to expect, so expected nothing. I had long ago given up expecting too much, when as a young boy turning thirteen I thought everything would be different. When infact I felt down and disappointed because I felt no different than when I went to bed the night before as a twelve year old.

Still my sixtieth was a great day spending a dinnertime out at our local Pizza Hut on the all you can eat buffet with Amy. Thanks Mum and Dad. And as a bonus … a lot of people wished me happy birthday which I was not expecting. All in all it was a great day and one I shall cherish the memory. Thanks to everyone who wished me well.

On a serious note I am troubled by what is happening in America. The 'Make America Great Again' Gang of morons voted in a tyrant . One who is flexing his muscles like the school yard bully that he is. He has surrounded himself with toads like Elon Musk and others and the other oligarchs so that they can get even richer off the backs of the public … ironically on the backs of those who blindly voted for him in the first place. The sad things is that he told them all that he was going to do it and they cheered their support anyway. It is also dangerous not only to the now crumbling American democracy, but for the rest of the world as well. He is ...in my opinion ... the harbinger of death and will lead us all on a charge to the edge. Are you afraid? You should be …. time and history are not on our side …. 1930's Germany.

And after that, please try to enjoy the blog.

x

Ivory Flame Photoshoot

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We kicked of the year with our first shoot featuring Ivory Flame. A very highly sort after model with a very distinctive look. We got a lot done as well. Mainly portrait shots some were even taken using 35mm film and 120 medium format film. It created a different, more dreamy look to the pictures. Some images were shoot using a piece of perspex I purchased from Amazon and are amongst my favourites. They are the first ones in the gallery. Notice also the images with coffee paper over Ivory Flames right eye. That was just A4 sheet paper soaked in coffee and dried then cut to shape. I like the results. Thanks then To Ivory for modelling and we will defiantly be seeing her again. To Shadrine at Kavour for her brilliant makeup and hair. To Phil at the Boardroom Studio in Derby and of course to Amy for her help. See more of Ivory Flame at her website www.ivoryflame.co.uk

February Flower Updates

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Finishing off for this short month we have another great offering of plant and flowers from our friends at the florist. Including two freesias that are always good to photograph. They especially look great on the square black and white. So thanks again to our friends at the Bramblesrist and Flowers to yours To Chris and the ladies in the shop, as well as a thank you as always to Amy.

That is it for this month. Apologies for the delay and see you all next month.

x

January Blog Updates

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Welcome back to my little corner of the web

The new year kicked off with a visit to my parents to catch up and have a break. It was lovely to spend time with them again and wished we lived closer.

While away down there we were able to do an indulgence in landscape photography. So Dad took us driving around and about in the Northamptonshire countryside looking out for stuff to snap. We were lucky and found a few good things, so Amy and I could get out and do our thing. After all the excitement we ended up at a carvery in the Queens Head Pub where my niece works for a meal. It tasted great, especially the scampi and chips. My favourite. Everyone else had the carvery.

While away I also managed to do some portraits pictures of family and friends including Colin, my sisters fiance she is due to marry later this year in July. He takes a good picture. I am happy with the results. View the floating heads in the section below.

Of this month, January it was a quiet one on the shoot front. Remembering this time last year both Amy and I were do with Covid or something and were sick as a parrots. That put life on hold and so I never arranged a shoot at all this January. This coupled with the fact that its bloody cold and everyone is skint, makes shooting a non starter. That said the first shoot of 2025 will be on 5th February at the studio in Derby with a new model called Ivory Flame. It is going to be a portrait session-where she will have a chalky white make up on her skin and rose coloured cheeks and lips. It is to make her look a bit like a porcelain doll. So that's coming up soon.

On a wider picture I hope this year is a good one full of promise and hope, although its hard not to get cynical now our American cousins have elected the Dictator Trump and his side kick …. Little Adolf (Elon Musk) into office. As the old Chinese curse goes … 'May you be blessed to live in interesting times' applies here I think.

Its my birthday on Sunday 2nd February, I shall be …...... I shall tell you all about it next blog update.

Enjoy this months show.

x


Portraits – Floating Heads

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Something I would really like doing more of is portraits of normal people. I am not too fussed who, just as long as they are not family pictures of kids. 'Hey mister, can you take a picture or two of my little Charlie, he has such a sweet face ….' NO, NO, NO ! Been there, done that and hated every minute of it. Adult portraits please, the older the subject the better as the elderly have interesting faces that tell stories of their lives. These portraits were taken and edited in a 'Floating Heads; style where just their heads and not their clothing or surrounds are viewed to focus the eye on the subject matter. I know it might not be everyone's taste, especially in monochrome , but I think it looks good and would hope to do more.

Digital Art Updates … The lost files

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I don't know if you can recall a few months ago when I said I think I might have deleted some images, at least I have misplaced them on the computer? Well they turned up again and here they are. They are essentially re edits of older photographs given a very grainy textured look to them in Photoshop. Please enjoy.

Projects – Landscapes

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As I mentioned before, here are the landscape images we took while away in Northamptonshire. Amy and I took them (hers are in colour) on a good day. It was bright enough to get a good shot and no threats of rain anywhere. The sky was interesting as well. I did not need to enhance it in the edit stage. I really wish I could have done and do more of this. Its my fault as I could have done more when I was fit and young and owned a car. One of life's regrets I suppose.

Random Stuff - Dead Town

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This is some random stuff I took the other day of places long past their prime. Including Lucy's Cafe, a nice cafe but badly situated and closed down some time ago. A shop whose name was not on the signage with an empty room but for a door and a few things inside. And the Portland Arms Pub, all boarded up. While taking pictures of the pub two passers by stopped to tell us about the history of the pub. One man mentioned that he watched Prince Charles wedding to Lady Diana in that pub and how he missed it. Telling us also that someone set fire to it before this Christmas gone. The other traveller recounted how he crashed out inside the building after he was made homeless and it was abandoned.

They both had interesting stories and genuinely missed the place.