Birthday...

...again! You would think that after 37 of them I would be getting used to it by now. But the ringing in of another anniversary of my birth brings with it the inevitable questions. What stage am I at in my life, where have I been, where am I going etc...

Well this year is quite different. I have some really exciting things going on right now - some big changes coming in my life and I can't wait. One will be an event worthy of a post in it's own right and with some very special photos - watch this space...

As for birthdays I had one of the best gifts ever from my lovely partner Sarah. Not a thing as such but an extension of my learning. She has paid for me to complete the next photography course! The gift of knowledge and the opportunity to extend your education into something which has become a passion has to be one of the most amazing things anyone can give (although even this does not come close to the beautiful son she has already given me!). I am now really looking forward to starting my course in mid-September. I should have the opportunity to catch up with some of the friends I made last year and of course I get the opportunity to work with the brilliant Rob Luckins again (see my earlier post about him). I really can't wait.

As for the boys - well they have outdone themselves with a gift again. They got me one of Lowepro's excellent Slingshot bags so I can just get out and go. I already use one of their brilliant Vertex bags for carrying everything in and I needed something small and transportable. This is just the ticket and I am sure it will serve me well in the years to come. Thanks Thomas and Jack! Lowepro consistently deliver when it come to bags and carrying items and I never hesitate when it comes to recommending them.

Well - back to college - hopefully another A, although I suspect it will be a somewhat harder this time!

Holiday season...

I have just realised that I have not blogged for over a month. A silly injury (knee ligaments) has kept me largely away from the camera. I had the opportunity to visit the Eden project recently. I have been before but it never ceases to please. It was a little busy but I managed to find one or two quiet little nooks for some fun shots.

I am slowly getting to grips with my new camera. It is step-change in terms of functionality and flexibility. I am also finding myself back at the silly mistake stage. I managed to reel off a load of shots at 1600 ISO in bright sunlight. Anyway, getting to grips and constantly surprised/pleased with the results.

Off to the Lake District quite soon so I hope to be able to stretch it;s legs properly - particularly around the beautiful Ullswater lake.

Finally it is exam results day!!! I have to admit that it has largely gone out of my head - busy with one thing and another. Will be odd to see how my work has been judged critically and what sort of result I will get. I don't mind too much as I am far more pleased to have learnt a new skill and a hobby which I am sure will live with me forever. But nevertheless...

Anyway, summer is nearly over so I won't be so neglectful with the blogging/tweeting etc.

 

New gear...

... I have to admit that I am a total gadget freak and gearhead. That said I am the first to admit that these things don't make as much difference to our pics as we hope they will. If you can't frame or compose a picture, or have any clue what effect light has on an image then the world's most expensive camera is little more than a lump of moving parts and fancy glass.

However... I have started to find my limitations with my current Canon EOS 1000D. Don't get me wrong it is an awesome machine for a beginner. I have taken some fantastic shots with it and I can't think of a better way to be introduced to the world of DSLR photography. However my skill and needs have progressed and thinking about the next steps I need something a little quicker, certainly a little more robust and with slightly better image quality.

I had two real options based on my budget. The EOS 550d and the EOS 50d. The 550 was my first real choice because of all of the bells and whistles. However being realistic I will take very little footage (and we have a Flip for that...) and what I really want is a better camera.

So it has transpired that after a lot of soul searching and questions, some doubtless frustration of a few salespeople and some gratuitous gadget groping I have plumped for the Canon EOS50d with a 17-85 F4/5.6. I know from my gut feeling that I have made the right decision and first impressions are that it is an awesome piece of kit! As with everything I prefer to be using kit that is slightly better than me rather than trying to squeeze out extra performance from something slightly under par.

This is Canon's base model 'prosumer' model and more than enough for my needs. Sadly, Monday morning brings the inevitable requirements of the office but I am sure we will have plenty of adventures together. Watch this rather exciting space...

Cheesy/Artist...

...? I am giving serious consideration to using one of my pieces as a gift to a close family member and it has got me in a bit of a quandary. Do I take myself that seriously as an 'artist' that people will want to be given a piece of my work. I 'commissioned ' it myself and it is a one off. I will 'retire' the picture after giving it so it will always remain unique. As it happens (I feel) it is one of the best pictures I have taken yet but all the same... Is there a point at which you decide that your work has such presence or commercial value or artistic quality that you deem it suitable for external scrutiny. I guess all artists/creatives go through this period - not just photographers.

I am fortunate (from a pride point of view) that the recipient will probably be grateful and quite touched by the gesture. I am unfortunate in the sense that it will probably not garner the level of critical scrutiny that will deem it a valuable exercise in terms of feedback. I am making arrangements for it to be professionally printed on archive quality paper and then professionally framed.

Will I be happy with the end result? I am sure I will find imperfections, things I could have done differently. Will the recipient enjoy it? I sincerely hope so but it is a big ask to expect them to like something so personal and heaping even more expectation on them to display it with pride on the dining room wall or wherever it will end up.

Or am I thinking too deeply about it and is it just a nice thing to do by creating something personal and unique as a gift. Hmmmn...

Searching...

That is what the early stages of this transition feel like. I am resigned to a gradual change in my calling but whilst this happens I can't help but search... For ways to supplement my work, to improve it. Practising, learning, developing and looking through the noise to try and understand what it is I really want to do.

Searching through the endless options of equipment and styles. Searching for the aesthetic in the most mundane everyday things. Working within my current limitations is so often frustrating yet I also understand that it helps me prepare for when my options aren't so limited.

I have never been the most patient person but for once in my life I know that I am in the long game. It is not going to happen overnight but it is coming. Watch this space...

Next steps...

Well... what comes next?

I have just been given David duChemin's excellent book - Visionmongers. There is a heap of practical advice in there for people considering that leap into the unknown and making a career change. At the moment I am only too aware of my limitations and not only of the areas I need to develop but where I need to plan too. Sometimes it feels like a million miles away but my working life to date has undoubtedly given me some useful insight that I am certain I can apply to my own business. It won't happen tomorrow or next week but the need for change feels palpable now.

I feel a calling now to make so many changes to my life for so many reasons. There is much planning and consideration that needs to be undertaken but this journey continues unabated for now. I just need to work out what the next step is...

Test link...

Quick test post to ensure my new blog links are working!

Keeping it up...

Now that Tuesday nights are no longer filled with photography classes. I am determined to ensure that I don't let this new hobby slide so I am diligently carrying my camera everywhere and snapping all I can. I am even going out specifically to capture images. I have become a big fan of the "golden hours" before and after sunset.

Well that is it....

Exam all done, photo's all printed, coursework all handed in. Now it is just a waiting game until the end of August to see how well (or badly...) I have done.

Personally I am satisfied with my progress so that is the most important thing. I had very little photography experience before I started and had my DSLR for exactly three (3!) days before I started!

I have learned a useful skill which I firmly believe will become a lifelong passion and if I am really lucky then an escape route...!

Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000...

I was stopped by a security guard whilst taking pictures for the first time today. It got me thinking about the current row regarding so-called abuses of section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Don't get me wrong I didn't mind the interjection today. I was merely asked if they were personal photos - to which I obviously replied yes - and proceeded to have a good conversation about the area I was photographing. I had also managed to draw some unwanted attention to myself and this proved a useful escape. (note to self - hanging round unpleasant places with £000's of camera equipment round one's neck is not wise...)

However it is becoming more apparent that the powers afforded to our security services and police are being abused. At what point do we accept invasion into our personal freedoms as a price to pay for greater protection. This is a question I am still grappling with. All three main political parties are aware of this intrusion and the affect that it has on us - none have given a satisfactory response - like on so many other issues.