Archive for April, 2008

Sunday, April 20th, 2008


Day two on the ferry, Stavanger.

19th April 2008

Saturday, April 19th, 2008


Day one of the 26 hour (!) ferry journey from Newcastle to Bergen.

19th April 2008

Saturday, April 19th, 2008

Today I set of to Norway on a two week snowkiting trip. It’s all pretty daunting, with a 24 hour ferry crossing to look forward to and no experience of snowkiting when I get there. I am taking a camera though, and hope to be able to continue to post photographs to this page while in Norway…

18th April 2008

Friday, April 18th, 2008


Hamish, on squirrel patrol.

This photo uses post-processing software called [DxO filmPack], which emulates the characteristics of specific print and slide film. Digital photographs can sometimes be too literal in their representation of a scene and therefore lack any romance as a result. The real reason I have a posted a doggy picture – I am going away without him for two weeks, and now have a photo of him to look at while I am away.

17th April 2008

Thursday, April 17th, 2008


Carving on fallen tree, [Eastham Country Park], Wirral


The watcher in the woods, [Eastham Country Park], Wirral

It’s lovely to discover nearby places that have been overlooked in the constant quest for wilderness and adventure. Eastham Country Park on the wirral, although not a natural wilderness by any means, used to be a ferry journey away from Liverpool for well-to-do Victorians in search of bird song and a cup of Earl Grey. Signs of this heritage are nicely mixed with modern day interest, such as these chainsaw carvings dotted along the woodland trails.

16th April 2008

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008


Lukas


Lukas’s new tattoo, ‘The Birds’

This is the first completely posed portrait shot I have done on this blog. It’s shot outdoors in bright sunlight, modified (diffused) manually. I had ideas for juxtaposing these images together into a ‘double-page spread’ magazine style type shot, but really, they work better separately. Thanks Lucas.

15th April 2008

Tuesday, April 15th, 2008


Paul Bebe, Les Arc, 2006


Memorial, Paul’s funeral, Blacon crematorium, this morning.

Our mountain biking buddy, Paul, died of cancer this month at only 40 years old. It only feels like a moment ago we spent carefree days on the trails, Paul lugging his super-heavy Orange Patriot downhill bike around the cross-country trails with us. He always beat us to the top.

Paul was one of those friends that makes you feel very fortunate to have had him in your life. He was a great person and we are going to miss him. He was friendly, generous and kind, always willing to lend a helping hand in his typical laid back style. Nothing was ever too much trouble.

He was a man of few words but the ones he used were well chosen. His one liners were sure to have you in stitches. This went with a mischievous streak that you always had to watch out for. You could be sure to end up with a smile on your face when Paul was about.

Although quiet he was not shy and was always involved with things. We met through one of his great loves; mountain biking. He loved the outdoors and was always keen to head into the hills. He gained a lot of respect for dragging his heavy Orange Patriot bike up mountains. I don’t know how he did it. This strength was something that showed in everything he did, no matter how hard the task he just got on with it and never complained. Even when he was diagnosed with cancer he just shrugged, seemed to take it in his stride and bought a new (and lighter) mountain bike to ride, ready for when he got better.

Although not the fastest of the mountain bikers we know he still beat us up to the top of the hill and left us standing on the downhills. When I think of Paul I will only have happy times to remember. In particular I always come back to him letting me think I was at last going to beat him to the top of a climb. Just before the summit he would give me a cheeky grin and effortlessly cruise past me only to disappear in a cloud of dust down the other side.

There was standing room only at his funeral. It takes a remarkable person to be so well liked and so highly thought of. He has left his mark on our lives and for that we will be grateful.

We will miss you Paul, we hope your Orange Patriot is with you now.

Leave your comments…

Monday, April 14th, 2008

Thank you all for your kind comments via email and in person. It always surprises me how many people check back here regularly to see what’s new. When life gets busy though, it’s only the feedback from you that motivates me to continue shooting every day. Please take time to leave comments directly on this blog – you can even do it anonymously. Tell me what you like, where I could improve shots, or even better, ideas for other photo locations/subjects – I need all the ideas I can get with, at this point, 285 images left to make!

14th April 2008

Monday, April 14th, 2008


The first broad bean shoot this year, Jiffy 7 peat pellets.

13th April 2008

Sunday, April 13th, 2008


Eileen and Frank, next door, at home just after the Sunday service. Thanks guys.