55/365...

Day 55 of the project one.

53 and 54/365...

Feedback...

I have only just really noticed the stats part of my blog. It looks as if people are starting to stop by and take a look  - even from across the world. I would love to see some of your comments, hear your feedback and find out where you are from?

52/365...

Personal pic this one... Had the realisation that my mashed up knee means I will probably never windsurf again. Decided that I will probably try and sell my gear and maybe use the proceeds to get myself some more photography gear if I can. Not an easy pic to take as it signifies giving up on something. I am having a bit of that going on at the moment - changes and accepting that things don't always work out. Not a bad thing though. Nothing is forever - one door closes and another one opens... C'est la vie.

51/365...

Total departure for day 51. I have a number mini-projects planned within the overall 365. One is a series of 10 black and white portraits loosely based around local characters that I know or have come across.

This first is a shot of a busker who frequents the Fareham shopping centre. I love buskers generally - I love the whole street entertainment thing - that confidence that comes with getting out there and performing.  Not only that they hold a special place in the bond between me and my son. One of our earliest and favourite storybooks is a book called Tabby McTat by the outstanding Julia Donaldson, ably assisted by the genius artwork of Axel Scheffler. It is the story of buskers cat who becomes separated from his master, only to settle down, and have a son who eventually becomes the buskers new cat. One of the key themes is the buskers old checked hat. This guy also uses a checked hat to collect his rewards. Every time I see it makes me smile and think of storytime with my son. Ironically Thomas is unbelievably wary of him and will always hide behind me when we pass.

This is a very early attempt at street photography and it was really rewarding. I was unsure whether or not to ask, but in the end just went for it. He was cool about the whole thing - letting me take a couple of shots. I will return with printed copy and a small token for his patience. It taught me something quite valuable though. If you don't do or don't ask you will never know. Sometimes you have to just get out there, ask, be cheeky - just go for it. Pretty much the worst that can happen is a refusal. The best is a shot that you never though you could get.

Technically - not the best pic - the composition is quite straightforward within the constraints of his location. I took a couple of shots and then slowed the shutter speed a bit. I wanted to capture the motion of his hand on the guitar. I don't use much motion in my shots but when used it can bring a picture to life. Convey a sense of speed, or action. In this case I wanted to just add a little life to the shot.

50/365...

Wow - day 50. I can't believe I have made it this far. I felt that it needed to be something special to celebrate this milestone and boy do we have it!

Today just happened to be the day we got to catch up with some good friends and their beautiful new daughter. Emily is simply adorable - I am a sucker for babies - and I wanted to grab a quick snap for the 365. I was dying for a cuddle and was privileged enough to get one but I will be honest - tiny babies scare me to death! I was lucky with my own son as he was a whopper and always so easy to just grab hold of and lug about. I think it is also the precious nature of children. Nothing is more important to a parent than their children and that overwhelming responsibility weighs heavily when passed to you.

They are now six weeks in and learning fast - new parents coming to terms with what is one of the most life-changing experiences anyone can have.

We wish them all the luck and love in the world on the start of their journey as a family.

As for the pic - just a grabbed snap! The depth of field is so poor that poor Stu is mostly out of focus. - the light isn't great and I have the feeling I have slightly over-sharpened it. But like being a new parent - you grab what opportunities you can.

46, 47, 48 and 49/365...

Nearing day 50 of project 1. This 365 has been a real eye-opener. I have had some times when I have wobbled and almost packed it in. But it keeps dragging me back in. I am genuinely falling in love with the process and the challenge. As well as this I am having to use my eyes in a completely different way. I am having to actively seek out creative opportunities - find beauty in the mundane - the everyday. I hope in some small way I am managing to achieve that. If I brighten or stimulate someones day even a little bit then frankly that is job done.

I am now longing for the lighter nights and the opportunity to get out there amongst the 'golden hours' - that magical time around dawn and dusk when the light is so pretty.

Also looking forward to knocking out some B&W street photography too. I hope to do a series of 10 in this 365 - a mini-project within a project if you will. A few character shots - mostly quite random day to day stuff.

 Day 49, above, is my favourite pic so far. As someone fortunate enough to live near the ocean, and who loves the surf, the sea and the tides - I feel a special affinity with the moon. This beautiful object sometimes treats us with a perfect full moon on a clear still night. Tonight was one of those nights and I was lucky enough to be there to witness it. Even 37 years in it's majesty and power still humbles me.

Well day 50 is looming ever closer... I feel like it should be something a bit special but I don't know quite what yet. As ever - hit me with your feedback...

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Limitations...

I found mine last night in so much as I found something I couldn't do to one of my images.

Do you know what I am going to do? Learn HOW to do it. Whether I have to approach someone, take a class, send a message out into the twitterverse, beg - however - I will learn it. And I will do it.

Limitation, like can't, is a word I am quickly learning (as I so often tell my young son) should not exist. We can do whatever we like. It may not always work out how we hope it might but if we don't try how on earth do we ever get anywhere and how will we ever know what we can ( and not cannot) do?

*no pic with this one - I "can't" work out how to do it... yet ;-)

45/365...

Special post this one. Dedicated to my Dad who turned 60 on Monday (how did that happen!?!?! How our lives flash by...)

We shared a fabulous weekend with my Mum and Dad and some close family. It was nice to be able to be there to celebrate this momentous birthday with the generations of our family. I was happy and proud that our boys were there. In their own ways they both adore their Grandad and I am sure he is very proud of them. My youngest Thomas holds him in that special place that only Grandad's can hold for toddlers. He is part giant, part superhero, part teacher, part care and love-giver and part plaything. I see the look in Thomas' eyes when he is with him and I desperately hope that one day I have grandchildren of my own so that I can get some idea of what that feels like.

I hope he had a great day. We learnt a large chunk of our photographic craft together and he doesn't take as many pictures as I would like. Maybe he will start again...  

Many happy returns Dad and thanks, for everything.