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.

The Garden – The Garden In Winter

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Viewers will be aware that I have photographed my fathers garden a few times. And why not its a lovely place …. but never in Winter.

Rather than have beauty and vibrant colours to show, it is more about shape and texture/ Of light and shade dropping on the garden in decay. And there is beauty in decay. Thank you to my Dad for letting Amy and I shoot in his garden again and I hope you all enjoy it.

January Flower Updates

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Back on track again with the start of a new year of flower photography with thanks

to everyone at the Bramblesrist and Flowers to yours To Chris and the ladies in the shop.

We had a clematis in flower this month, which always looks good. Such and interesting shape and flowers. This month we have done some extra quirky images through the use of a prism to refract light. It was a heavy thing and awkward for Amy to hold in front of the lens, but it was worth the hassle. I am going to practice again with it sometime in February on another subject and see how it turns out … or .

That's it for this January. Please come back in February to see us again.

Thanks

x

December Blog Updates and a years round off.

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Well its been and gone, the Mariah Carey season again and with minimum fuss thankfully. Amy and I both had a quiet Christmas with one of Amy's Traditional, Untraditional Christmas dinners. No Turkey (its just a tough as old boots, fat bastard chicken!!!) for us. Pigs in blankets and Chinese spring rolls all around.

At the time of writing this blog we are now between Christmas and New Year with a time to reflect on what is coming up in 2025. I have already booked in with the studio for a series of dates in the new year up until May and hope to have some exciting shoots to do.

We are looking forward to travelling down to see my parents at this time of the year to see 2025 in. I hope also, weather permitting to be able to do a bit of landscape photography. We shall see …. fingers crossed.

The FIELD WORK vanity project book has been published and met with good approval thankfully. So on that basis I plan to do a few more in the new year. How about a Tyler Dyce retrospective special since I have done the bulk of my work (56 shoots) with her many moons ago?

So I shall be brief and wish you all seasons greetings I hope you enjoy this years ends round up and see you all soon in 2025.

Seasons gratings everyone.

X

Lujon Rael Portfolio 2024, A Year In Review Slideshow

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As its the end of the year its a chance to have a quick look back at what we have achieved this past year in shoots. Slightly less shoots than we did the year prior, but quantity never trumps quality so I hope I have hit the mark this year. Just as little foot note the music I have used for this slideshow for a track by The Patti Smith Group called 'Because The Night' and it was the first record I purchased as a young teen in Kettering many decades ago. It still sounds good even now. Enjoy.

Models: Various

Music: 'Because The Night' - The Patti Smith Group