I wonder if you can...

 

"...I need some portraits taking of our two boys for their mother's birthday"

This was the message on our answering machine when we returned from holiday at the end of last week.

The first constraint was that these boys, or rather, young men, were due to return to their respective Universities within three days of me picking up the message. The second was that I was scheduled for shoots on two of those days, so that left... well, just that day.

An hour in the woods with two young men, (of whom I had been informed, "usually pull silly faces in photos") rendered a clutch of images which proved that they could indeed be subjects to make their mum (and dad) proud.

And the birthday?

Today, actually, so "happy birthday to you", their mum!

Snowy Farr Memorial

Yesterday evening was the first time I have visited Cambridge since the Snowy Farr memorial sculpture was unveiled on 7th August, so I was keen to take a look at the artwork which has been in the pipeline for so many years.

For those who don't know about Snowy Farr here is some background about him. For all those visitors to Cambridge pre mid-nineties, we will all have our own memories of this eccentric character who, for charitable purposes, had a regular spot down Petty Cury.

The monocle-wearing, white bearded man, dressed in a distinctive red military-style suit and wearing a top hat, would arrive with his little handcart containing his animals, which were also white to match his beard. Once set up for the day, the cat would then be perched on the top of the hat, whilst the mice fearlessly ran around the brim. Occasionally, one of the mice would make a foray up the long white beard and half disappear into Snowys mouth.

It was exactly this eccentric spectacle that helped him raise thousands of pounds for charity, so when in 2007, Snowy Farr passed away, it was only natural that there was a call for a memorial. Over the following years, I observed in the local press, the progress from suggested designs through to selecting the piece to be commissioned. I remember at the time of selection feeling that there was only one that should be chosen from the shortlist, and indeed this is the one now standing at the Market Hill end of Petty Cury.

It raised eyebrows at the time and it is still raising countless eyebrows in the letter columns of the local press, now that it is in place. Why should this be?
It seems many wanted a facsimile of this amazing character - a statue in its most obvious form. Clearly here, the hat and the animals are the most recognisable part, with the 'jelly bean' forms being representative of his handcart, the red uniform and the white beard.

To help settle this in my mind, I went back to the proposal document submitted by the artist Gary Webb.

"For this project I didn’t want to make a formal, serious, figurative sculpture like Nelson on a column or Churchill on a pillar. Snowy Farr wasn’t that kind of guy: I wanted to bring the fun back and make something much more engaging and memorable for all ages, but especially children as he seems to figure in the imaginations of all that saw him when they were young.

This sculpture needed to be abstract because he was an abstract, eccentric English character. I also wanted to emphasise Snowy Farr’s instantly recognisable features and colours so that they can continue to bring that extra bit of spark to Cambridge like they have done in the past. The sculpture has a plaque and also an active collection box which will celebrate Snowy Farr’s achievements and make his contribution to charities for the blind not only acknowledged, but also ongoing. The size of the sculpture is human sized but in a slightly larger-than-life scale, like the man himself."

I think Gary Webb summed him up perfectly and having read his proposal, I am now (almost) perfectly at ease with the finished, remarkable and distinctive work. Despite the criticism, it appears that the public are already relating to it and the charitable collections that Snowy Farr is remembered for, as donations are being left on the plinth. Why on the plinth? Because the collection box was omitted, as apparently it was deemed too difficult to manage the emptying by the City Council. Instead they are asking people to make the extra effort to go into the nearby Guildhall (if open) where the charity collections are taken. As if people will? Most just want to pass by, and on a whim, anonymously drop a coin or two into the welcoming slot at Snowys feet - just like they always used to. In my opinion it is a huge oversight on the part of the Council and fully expect to see the retrospective addition of the charity box very soon.

Maquette image by Gary Webb

Taking a look back at the maquette, I could see why I wasn't quite at ease with the finished work. Apart from the omission of half a mouse from the beard area, I can't quite understand the use of orange instead of the proposed red for the uniformed body. Both changes from the proposal probably haven't helped with the acceptance by those members of the public who struggle to find artistic vision and understanding.

I have to admit I am won over and feel it is a fitting tribute to the man. This tactile, hugable colourful sculpture will prompt many a child to ask "Who? What?" and beg "Lift me up to see the mice on the hat!" It will stop adults in their tracks, make them think and remember. Best of all, I'm positive it will grow in everyones affections.

Snowy Farr 1919 - 2007

Thank You

After three years of use for Open Studios, five spot bulbs blew at once this morning as I began the tidy-up. After two weekends, the lillies have blown over too. I think this means it is time for a rest from Open Studios!

However, my grateful thanks goes to all those who visited this year (and previous years) and all those who were kind enough to purchase the mountains of greeting cards. I even had to do a second print run of my running hare image it proved so popular.

I appreciate all your support during times that are tough economically.

It was lovely meeting everyone, both the regulars and the new faces. Also, the art, design and photography students who came as part of their studies, and unlike some, I'm always happy to share the joy and enthusiasm of creativity and photography with them. Afterall, they are the future. Let's embrace them rather than alienate them - we all had to begin somewhere.




You may already be aware that I will not be taking part in Open Studios next year as I will have a very important and happy draw on my attention. However, this doesn't mean that I am giving up the photography - far from it.
Open Studios has been an excellent route back into the creative world that I had left behind before embarking on the joyous career of being a full-time mum, and which sadly, now too has come to an end. Photography and bookarts will continue to progress from here onwards, and if the recent increase in calls for commissions is anything to go by, then the three years at plugging away to re-establish myself has paid off. It hasn't always been easy and there were times when I thought I would give up but it is down to those who have believed in me that I am still here now. Thank you all.

I can't finish without saying a huge, huge thank you for all the support and patience from my better half and also our lovely off-spring. Love to you all- oh and not forgetting my lovely patient photographers assistant currently sleeping beside my desk.

And now, the house can transform back to normality...

Yoga. Client Brief

Brief:
New images required for use on the website of a yoga teacher.
To show the class as it is without it being set-up.

Constraints. Avoid recognisable faces. Also avoid 'bums'

So here is a selection. Although not shown here, the traditional yoga poses were also included in the final album.

View the Website here


If you would like images to update your own website, do contact me with your requirements.

Portrait Photoshoot

Click on images to enlarge

I was recently delighted to be asked by an aspiring young film director, Kenya Brading, if I would take some publicity portraits of her to accompany her latest project -
Fleeting Lights.
This is to be "an experimental film exploring the body, the soul, and the breath" and will be for her graduation project at the Met Film School, Ealing Studios in London.

Kenya is truly inspirational with her work, has wonderful creative flair and a positive sense of direction, thus it came as no surprise that she knew exactly the location she wanted for this photoshoot.

As we had a very small window of time for this session, we seized the moment on a very chilly January morning when the sun provided us with a wonderful low winter light, ideal to reflect the fleeting lights theme. Given her reluctance to be 'the other side of the camera' she was a perfect model, who despite the cold, was happy and relaxed about her role, and which ultimately reflected in the final images.

Kenya initially chose these images to use alongside her project, which you can find out more about by clicking here

Masters at the Minories

Work by Miranda Hart

Work by Miranda Hart

I have finally managed to get to see an exhibition just before it is due to close at the end of this week. I had been keen to see it as in part, it focused on Book Art - one of the other hats I wear along with photography.

Having completed graduate studies in Book Art at LCC, I too have explored the possibilities and stretched the boundaries within the art. So naturally I wanted to take a look at the exhibition of work produced by the graduating Masters students at The Minories in Colchester.

I was particularly drawn to a body of work by Miranda Hart, (illustrated above) influenced by the stories of her fathers' journey through Africa. Using materials sympathetic and appropriate to the subject matter, her work had a thought provoking quality, renewing my desire to once more, stretch the boundaries of 'the book'.

The recently completed album featured here on my blog, is just one direction in which I take my book art. However, I am equally happy to discuss any ideas for book commissions of a more unusual nature too.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Bespoke Handmade Albums

Or 

Enlightenment on the postings of
9th June and 20th August

Album showing specially commissioned images and reproduced images.

Some time ago I received a commission to produce a bespoke book/album for a 40th birthday and over the past months I had been supplied with a steady stream of family photographs, background material from both friends and family and the all important memories.

As many of the photographs were old prints, these had to be scanned, in some cases, restored and also suitably adjusted for reproduction in the finished album. Later digital images were not a problem, of course.

Slip case and book spine.

Whilst discussing the project, various stories came to light and in particular, the life story of a favourite teddybear. I suggested that it might be nice to photograph said bear and incorporate the new images into the album.

Teddy Edward was secretly delivered to me back in June and he became a model for the day, hence the posting 'VIB Photoshoot' (Very Important Bear of course)

The scenarios that he was placed in were acting out the stories that had been recounted. Illustrated here, having being thrown in a bin by big sister (She is remorseful now!).

















Several other photographs were taken, some having special significance, such as were used to create the end papers. Scans were taken of, amongst other things, greeting cards, letters and, (something we have all done) the inscriptions inside the special books from her childhood. It seemed only natural for this to become the title of the book, the spine showing one such inscription.

The layout was formulated- this one being fairly free-form (I had been reliably informed that that the recipient was not someone who fell into a 'formal layout' category) Although free-form, it actually takes a lot more planning and thought to produce a successful progression than a repetitative one-image-per-page layout. Once proofed, the A4 format album was printed onto high quality art paper, using archival inks, thus ensuring a long life. As this had the format of an album rather than a formal book, a brass screw post binding method was used, with bi-folded leaf covers. (Future books might lend themselves to a hand stitched, case bound format, again all produced in-house).

So the big day arrived on Saturday and Teddy Edward was finally able to reveal his experience as a VIB model to the world.


If you are interested in commissioning a similar bespoke book, please do not hesitate to contact me and I will be happy to discuss your requirements with you.

VIB Photo Shoot

Wow!

What a few hours. I am so delighted to have been able to participate in this very special photoshoot. Sadly, I am not at liberty to reveal the nature of or the identity of my subject. All I can say is that it was a delight and pleasure to work with such an easy-going, amenable and loveable subject. I don't expect all work of this nature would be as enjoyable by simple fact that the subject didn't complain once throughout the whole session.

I would jump at the chance to take on more work like this, if it should come my way.

Back to mundane tomorrow.

Documenting Work in Progress

I have, on occasions, been commissioned by a building company, to photograph completed contracts for their own publicity or as a record. (As seen in my previous posting from January; Unexciting to Interesting) Sadly, when it comes to refurbishment work, they have usually forgotten to capture a series of before and during images as well as the after images.

This week, I was brought in by them to record an old farm building that will very shortly begin having a transformation, and capture those so far unseen, before shots. I will be returning on a regular basis throughout the contract to record the progress so that this information can also be used for their publicity.

Whilst this subject-matter may not produce prize-winning gallery images, this bread-and-butter documenting is as important to this type of business as photographs of the Spring collection for a fashion house. It is therefore my brief and aim, to produce images that will ultimately help attract the eye of, and inform future customers.

The overcast sky puts over a feeling of impending change and I hope to be able to capture the finished building in an altogether different light. The image of the underside of the rusting courrugated tin roof on old timber purlins provides an interesting artisitic view as well as documenting the current small span that is to be replaced with a single span lean-to.

Over the coming weeks, I hope to bring you, the work in progress images.

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Unexciting to Interesting

Today I was working on a commission to photograph a recently completed industrial building. How exciting is that?
Well, it is all part of the job description and the brief is to deliver. So, on a bright crisp       1 deg c. day (yep, changed like the weather again) I stood outside to photograph (I have to admit) a very smart looking new building. First, my fingers were close to freezing onto the tripod and camera body and then the cold drained the last bit of juice from my remote shutter release. Did I have a spare battery? What do you think? (Note to self, anticipate batteries failing when least expecting it)
After a circumnavigation of the building a number of usable outside shots were in the bag. My attention then moved to inside. I'm not sure why but I couldn't resist the strong compulsion to remove my heavy weight boots to walk on the most amazing floor I had seen in ages. Numbed to the cold creeping up through my socks I spent the next half hour marvelling at the light and trying to capture this atmosphere in what was 'just an industrial unit'. In a few days time, it would take on a completely different persona when the new inhabitants move in. It probably wouldn't appear this interesting again.
Oh, I think I did manage to bag the interior shots the client needed as well.