Saturday, 30 April 2011
Badger Badger Ice Cream Drugs....
Badger Badger Badger Badger
ICE CREAM ICE CREAM
Badger Badger Badger Badger
ICE CREAM ICE CREAM
Drugs Drugs, oh no he as drugs!!!
Badger Badger Badger Badger
ICE CREAM ICE CREAM
Badger Badger Badger Badger
ICE CREAM ICE CREAM
Drugs Drugs, oh no he as drugs!!!
The sky cows are coming.
I keep this photo with me at all times.
It reminds me of the days before the Sky Cows came down.
You could see the most amazing landscapes across the U.K and the most amazing colours. Blues, greens and yellows in Summer, reds and oranges in Autumn.
That was before the Sky Cows came down.
We used to spend our days outdoors in the weak but ever present sunshine. Friends would visit and we would sit outside till the late evening making fires and talking nonsense.
That was before the Sky Cows came down.
When they came it happened so fast, but it always does.
They creep in quickly and quietly, consuming the rich blue sky. The more they eat the more they grow and before you know it you can't see the sun through thesky.
They swallow everything. Greedy, beastly sky cows.
I remember when we could dress casually, shorts and t-shirts all day. No need for a fleece or hoody, rain coat or umbrellas. It was warm and we had hours of glorious daylight left.
That was before the Sky Cows came down.
Once they had finished with the sky they came down to the ground. I wish this had happened faster but instead we had to watch them descend upon us.
Fat, bloated bastards. Slowly sucking up everything in their path, absorbing all the landscape and the light that went with it.
I remember when we glowed, in a radiant and glorious way. Bright eyed and bushy tailed.
I remember when the streets and bars and clubs were full of energy and excitement. The future seemed so bright.
That was before the Sky Cows came down.
They left us till last.
After we watched our warm world disappear into a cold dark hell they came for us. The last drops of sunshine in our blood were drawn out, so slowly but ever surely till there was nothing left of us. They grazed upon our warmth, tasting it and taking it for themselves.
This is what the Sky Cows have done.
This is what we have become.
Empty shadows, waiting underneath bent and broken branches.
This is before the Sun strikes back.
Our Gods will return in time.
Retro Cam
HTC Desire HD - Photography Apps
I recently entered the wonderful world of a brand new smart phone and all the billions of apps that teach you how to breathe and wipe your own arse all at the same time.
There is one however that i have becoming addicted too, ok two including Angry Birds, and that is Retro Cam.
This is amazing and gives you a selection of old school cameras to use all producing different effects. And no i don't have the time or money to buy the real thing so keep that opinion to yourself.
Anyway here are a few of the shots I've taken so far, you can check any of them out on my Flickr Page too.
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Edgbaston Cricket Ground
This was probably the first day i miss having my proper camera.
As the weather improves and we all start to venture out and about the more great photo opportunities we see. Especially in the late afternoon, as the sun goes down we get these glorious skies with dramatic lighting and shifting clouds.
As we walked through Canon Hill Park we walked straight into this great picture opportunity of the Edgbaston Cricket Ground. I had to make do with my mobile phone camera to capture the moment, but it seems to have worked.
The organic curve of the new stands almost fits in seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, the spotlights almost acting like the branches of trees themselves.
The sun must have being doing us a favor for once as it just catches the edge of the metallic surface giving away just enough detail for us to recognize the building which, once finished will be an icon of Edgbaston.
Saturday, 2 April 2011
The Peak Pixies
"Lets keep this short and sweet" she said.
"Won't be too difficult for you then!" he said.
A snort escaped the pixies mouth as she retaliated,
"Coming from you!!!! You're barely 3 inches yourself you fool."
This was common dialogue up on the hills in the Peak District, if you took the care to listen in fact, it's about all that gets said.
Constant arguing among the Peak Pixies, as if they didn't have anything better to do.
We found these two tear-aways trying to operate a camera that they found in the valley. It was dirty but all the buttons seemed to work so they nabbed it and headed for the hills...so to speak.
Pixies aren't allowed to use human objects, it's forbidden in their society but it seems the younger ones have total disregard for the old ways these days. And Ramon and Tipsy had been leafing through discarded magazines, looking in awe at the beautiful pictures of the bigger people.
Ramon burst out laughing
"It's upside down you fairy"
"And you would know would you? King Ramon, Mr I Have The Answer To Everything! It's not likely... If you're so bloody smart you make it work."
"It's easy, just turn that knobbly bit, jump on the flatty clicker, pop the sparker and get over here!"
Tipsy tried. They had been spending all morning trying to figure out how to use the wretched gadget and Tipsy wanted more than anything to have her picture taken like the girls in the magazines. Ramon was not so interested, content with being away from the bickering of his own family and feeling rebellious knowing that he was breaking Pixie traditions.
We watched them for a good half hour before the constant arguing between the two of the became unbearable.
I thought we would be doing them a favor when we piped up and offered to take the photo for them and once they were over the initial surprise they were both keen as kernels.
The portrait would have been magical. Ramon and Tipsy had a vibrancy about them, glowing skin and eager eyes, wicked smiles and untrained hair.
As the shutter opened and closed and the flash burst with light so did Tipsy and Ramon.
A gentle green dust settled on the landscape around us leaving no trace of the pixies but for a ringing in our ears.
Still, it was good to finally get some peace and quiet.
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Sleeping Lions
The Lion and Rhino Park, South Africa
There are not many moments in my life when i accept the reality of how feeble and breakable we are as human beings. Often lost and absorbed in my own world where facing the wrath of nature is hardly commonplace let alone facing near death at the jaws of natures proudest hunter. In fact the worst i have to deal with is a bad phone signal and the 45 bus on Pershore rd... comes right for you in the early mornings.
Luckily, when i took this photo i was safe and sound on the other side of a wire fence and not facing any jaws of death whatsoever but when the Lion stirred and a deep guttural groan escaped from his lungs i felt like i might have been in the middle of a field, in the middle of Africa with nowhere to run.
In the image, which hangs in my lounge, I find the evident power and beauty of the Lion mesmerizing and calming but there is always the reality check as i look away and take in the view of Birmingham that no danger is posed from the wildlife in Edgbaston and it is these two contrasting feelings that make me so fond of this image.
Saturday, 26 March 2011
Jewellery Making
Resizing a Ring
While working for Wedding Rings Direct one of my projects was to document a few of the processes used in the production process.
In the Brighton workshop i was introduced to the head jewelery maker Dean. Among other examples he showed me the process of resizing a ring. This is done by heating the metal until is malleable enough to force around a cylinder and shape the correct ring size.
While all this may be fascinating to some i was more intrigued with the Bunsen Burner and took shot after shot of the flames engulfing the ring. This one was the best of the lot, with the glowing reflection in Deans glasses and is slightly mad scientist hair do i felt i had found where the One Ring to Rule Them All was actually made....
Labels:
fire,
flames,
Franschoek,
Photography,
Portraits,
Wedding Rings
Friday, 25 March 2011
Chamonix - Franschhoek - South Africa
Chamonix Vineyards
On our visit to Cape Town we were lucky enough to stay in Chamonix - Franschhoek for two nights to attend a wedding of a good friend. As soon as we arrived it was obvious that it was going to be a great stay, with out of the way chalets and local wine tasting on your doorstep.
The landscape here is truly breathtaking and it seemed almost impossible to take a bad photo, i could almost carry the camera round my neck and occasionally hit the shutter release and there wouldn't have been a bad shot among them.
The most fascinating view was seeing the low clouds sweeping over the high peaks that surround Chamonix while sipping on the local Merlot.....
Labels:
Cape Town Photos,
Chamonix,
Franschoek,
Landscape Photography,
Vineyards
Smashed Music Review and Logo Design
Have a look at the New Music Review Website "Smashed Music" for cool music reviews. Read my latest review too...
The pure nature of a late night sessions album suggests the perfect setting to take in their latest compilation, so, after spending over 8 hours in downtown Digbeth (Birmingham) with a mix of intense dub step and drum & bass pounding away at my eardrums I finally staggered home in the early hours and settled down with a cold pizza to see what all the fuss was about.
After a couple of restarts (once the ringing in my ears stopped), I was able to pay considerable attention to the music. I found the hypnotic lyrics of Melody Day by Caribou drew me into the perfect mood to hear out the rest of the album which continued along the expected lines of uber chill while even prompting a couple of tear jerkers like To Build a Home by The Cinematic Orchestra.
To hope to listen to both CD’s in one sitting was wishful thinking and as the morning sun broke through the blinds it reminded me of Elbow’s – On a day like this, unfortunately this did not appear on the track listings, even though t would have fitted right in with the mood, but it did get me to stick on CD2 while I brought myself back to life.
While the Osborne Remix of Take it In by Hot Chip did nothing to ease my aching head I found myself thinking how easily this album played the morning after as well the night before and it was only after the final track Further Away (Maddslinky Feat. Tawlish) played out its final chords that I realised I was well enough to start the late night session all over again…. and perhaps this time I could pay a little bit more attention.
Review written for and taken from http://smashedmusic.com/
Visit Smashed Music for music reviews and latest music updates, kerrang style.
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Cape Town Waterfront
The Clock Tower
The V&A Waterfront in Cape Town offers so many splendid photo opportunities its difficult to choose which to show. Despite all the vibrant colors around, blues, reds and greens, i still opted for this black and white of the clock tower.
There is a cafe just near to where this shot was taken that serves the best breakfast pancakes and it was while we were eating that i noticed a couple of dirty beggar seagulls hovering around the top of the clock tower.
Despite the lack of color when i look at this image i can almost still see the bright blue sky and beautiful patterns of the tower and gull reminds of the fresh breeze that seems to take the edge of the heat.
If you haven't been here yet you need to go to experience the feeling you get when you wake up to the sunshine and find it hard to take a bad photo.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)

