Adventures in Motion

Make hay while the sunshines.  That's the adage and I have.

Last night I was out with my local camera club.  We were in one of our local parks and I have my trusty K1000 with me.  Loaded with Kodak 400 colour film I shot nearly a full roll.  Nothing fantastically interesting, just playing to get used to the camera and how it handles.  I have to admit, it does feel very different in my hand than my digital K-x.  That being said, compared to my Pracktica MTL3 and my old Zenits it does feel small, compact and very light. The lenses are nice and compact as well.  The 50mm f2 lens is not much bigger than my 28mm lens; the 135mm lens is similar in length to my digital 18-55mm but not as chunky!  All in all it is becoming a pleasure to shoot again.

I have to admit, I love abstract images and not long ago I came across an article about landscape images taken while in motion.  This sort of appealed to me and I decided to give it a go.  So last night as the sun was setting I strapped the tripod and camera in to the passenger seat, remote to the wheel now to set the camera up.  For this it was a case of aperture priority mode.  I'm not interested in depth of field here I more interested in screwing up the shutter speed.  As a result the aperture was stepped down to f32 with an ISO of 200 (lowest a K-x will go in RAW mode).  Then it was a case of drive!

In post processing I wanted a certain type of look so went for something that was a bit bleach by-pass with a touch more blue added.  These are the first attempts but I have to admit, I'm quite liking the results so far.

Remnants is still on at La Dolce Vita in Colne.  Why not pop there, have a coffee and a panini while walking around and having a look at my prints!  Try the cappuccino cake, it's gorgeous!!!

Coming up - I've been working on something quite beautiful!  Look out for the new edition of Pixel coming out in the next couple of days!

Remnants - The Exhibition

As I keep posting, the last couple of weeks have been extremely busy.  The main reason for this is that I have been getting Remnants together for an exhibition.

Tomorrow night sees the invite only preview night at the new photo gallery that is housed above La Dolce Vita Italian Deli in Colne.

The exhibition consists of 23 prints from the essay that can be found on this website.

Remnants officially opens to visitors on Thursday 4th July.



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What I Have Been Up To - The Ark

 In my last post I said that I had been busy with lots of things.  One of the things that has kept me busy recently was a Pennine Lancashire art project called The Ark.

Developed by artist Beth Derbyshire The Ark is a converted narrow boat that houses a video installation, beautifully designed patterning and a wildflower roof.  So what was my involvement?  Well, I was one of the subjects of the film.

This floating cinema made its way through Pennine Lancashire from Eanam Wharf at Blackburn (see picture above.  Incidentally, this was shot by me using Pentax K1000 on Kodak BCN400 film.) and ending it's journey at Brierfield Mill, Brierfield.

The film entitled The Keepers follow several people who have a unique connection to the Pennine Lancashire  landscape.  Me?  I'm the Keeper of the Stone.  Below is a short film about the Ark and bottom is the film, The Keepers.

A Long Time Posting

I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted and I really can't believe how busy I have been.

So some of the stuff that has been happening will come out in posts over the week or so but the biggest thing that has kept me busy is preparing my last project, Remnants, for exhibition.  Details of which will follow in the next couple of days but I can't wait to see it hung on a wall.

Obviously, I have been out on the river again and I'm quickly working up the concept of The River.  If you have a look at my flickr stream you will see some of the images that I have taken.  These will slowly be dwindled down to the final set of shots over the next few months.

I have to admit, I have found The River extremely difficult and I think I lost my way on it a couple of times.  In fact at one point I was ready to give up on it as I couldn't see a way of seeing the project through that I would be happy with.  That has now gone and I'm back in the flow with some interesting new ideas and a direction to go in.  I'm pretty sure the end product will be something that isn't what is expected.

Talking Prints

Quack!

I have alluded to this post coming for the last few weeks and today is the day that it arrives and part of the reason that I have been so busy.

The other week there was a post on The Online Photographer about making and selling prints and it struck a chord.

One thing I don't do is sell prints too often.  But why don't I?  I make enough images that are good enough to print.

One thing I didn't wanted to do is produce limited edition prints.  Why?  Well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to make a living from my photography;  Don't most of us?  But the main reason is that if someone came to me and said I would love a print of such an image, I don't want to turn around and say "No, that edition is over.  Go and see if you buy a second hand one."

For me, I don't think that only feeds a secondary market.  One that is not good for the photographer, the collector or the ordinary Joe who wants a nice picture for their wall.  So whats the answer?

Well, I've made a decision how I want to do this.  I'm going to make prints in runs that are very similar to the way that book publishers work.  I'm going to print a run of images using one particular method.  This will be individually chosen the images.  It may be Giclee prints or it may be a digital file turned to a neg then developed as traditional photograph or a straight inkjet print.  Whichever, it will mean that there is a first edition, second edition and so on.  One that suits the photograph, the collector and anyone that wants to own one of my prints.

The final details of how I am going to offer prints has yet to be worked out and is part of what has kept me busy.  As soon as I've worked it out I'll will no doubt post.  But keep an eye out for an up coming catalogue.

For now though here is a new shot from The River.

A new toy

I have a new toy.

Well, new isn't exactly the right word.  It' actually around 35 years old but still has its original packaging and manual!

I have to admit I do love my Pentax DSLR and I still love shooting film.  In fact in some ways I prefer shooting film to digital so this camera sits perfectly in with my system.  I've currently got a roll of Kodak 400 black and white film in it but will soon finish that fill and put a roll of colour in to go out an shoot more launderettes.  Just to see how the camera does.  Check back in a few weeks!

The news that I alluded to in recent posts is on its way over the next day or two.  Come back and find out whats going on!

Winning Ways

Monday night saw the results of Blackburn & District Camera Club’s Annual Exhibition (Digital Projected Images).  I had the full compliment of ten images entered.

The standard of images across the board was fantastic as was the spread of awards received.

I am pleased to announce that I gained the following results:

Portrait/Figure Study – Red, 1^st Place

Portrait/Figure Study – Temperence, 3^rd Place

Portrait/Figure Study – Joe the Gardener, Highly Commended

Natural History – Treecreeper, 1^st Place

Monochrome – Turbulent – River Flow, Highly Commended.

Red

Joe the Gardener

Treecreeper

Turbulent - River Flow