November newsletter: more Dartmoor and new styles

Workshops this month

Georgian Bath and craft beer photo walk, November 16th – all types of camera welcome! I’ll show you the best of traditional Bath and then we will have a tutored craft beer tasting (wine or soft drinks also available) and there is feedback on images for those who want it. See here for more information and booking.

NEW Create your own handmade notebooks November 30th - In this half-day class, you learn how to make a simple thread sewn notebook and also learn the art of Japanese stab binding. You end our session with an A6 notebook and an A5 stab bound booklet to take home: something for you to enjoy using yourself or a perfect gift! All tools and materials are provided. Full details and booking here.

Smartphone photography walk and workshop Bradford-on-Avon on 23rd November – My last photo walk of the year: learn how to take impressive pictures with your smartphone. This full day workshop concentrates on getting the most out of your smartphone, visiting some interesting locations and receiving personal feedback. We cover editing and lunch and great cake is included! You also receive two art prints of your work. See here for more information and booking.

I seem to be on a creative roll at the moment

My new project is progressing well. I am exploring new styles of image making. And I will be returning to handmade book.

One’s creativity always happens in ebbs and flows. I am lucky to be in a rich creative phase at the moment. It may well pass, so I must make the most of it whilst I can. I hope you are in a rich creative phase as well – please let me know.

What I’ve been up to this month

I managed a second trip to Dartmoor. This has really helped shape my new project, which has been re-named Legends from the Wild-ness. Of course, I have a lot of inspiration and plenty of ideas which mean that I will have to plan another trip before too long!

I have also created my first mixed media pieces. I am not ready to share the results yet! But I shall be continuing to see if I can make something that says more through more than one media.

Finally, I have been embracing local and enjoyed making some more images by my local river. These images are more painterly than my previous work here. You can see one at the top of this piece.

What I learned this month

I am not normally someone who is fussed about photographic equipment. However, this month I invested in some neural density filters for my ICM work. I have found that they have encouraged me to experiment more with different camera movements and think more about what I am trying to achieve with each movement. My camera movements have changed significantly and have become more intentional.

I also enjoyed trying out some new compositing techniques in Photoshop. I will never be an expert in the software because there is too much to learn! But I have found that a few simple techniques can make a big difference to my work.

Finally, returning to my local river made me realise how much inspiration and how much variety there can be in a small area.

What are my plans for next month?

It is time to return to making handmade books. I have been practicing ready to deliver my upcoming workshops on handmade books (see elsewhere in this newsletter). One of the books I prototyped has inspired me to return to my MindGhosts project and create a book that is worth of the images. I have a format in mind and I am looking forward to seeing if it will work.

I also have a significant backlog of images to edit. If the weather is bad I won’t complain as I will have time to catch up on my editing!

What I’ve been writing about this month

My latest blog is titled Why I am creating more handmade books (and how you can too) I hope it will inspire you to try making some handmade books – it can be very easy. (And, of course, I would love you to join me so that I can show you exactly how to do it!)

What have I read this month

I have enjoyed Strangers by Taichi Yamada. The film All Of Us Strangers was based on the novel, but the two are very different. The novel is an interesting insight into Japan, the state of one’s mind and a compelling ghost story.

I was also recommended Worth’s Dartmoor by Lois Wakeman from my newsletter list. This is a treasure trove of information about the area.

What have I visited this month

This month I visited the Bath Society of Artists 119th Open Exhibition. There was a huge variety of work and some interesting ways of interpreting the landscape. I thoroughly recommend it.

I also enjoyed the Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award at the National Portrait Gallery. I am not a portrait artist but I do think that it is important to look outside one’s own genres. There were some very moving and compelling pieces of work here.

Upcoming workshops and events

If you want to find out more about any of my workshops to decide if they are right for you or have any questions, please hit reply to this email.

Exhibitions and events: I will be exhibiting at the Bath Contemporary Arts Fair on 10th November and 8thDecember. Do come and say hello. I will have a range of prints, both framed and unframed, as well as a couple of zines and a range of greetings cards.

Photography walks and workshops

Individual creative mentoring online – I help you develop your creative vision. I have trained in brain friendly training and these sessions are designed to help you develop a practical path forward and an action plan. Each session is completely unique and tailored to your needs. See here for details.

NEW Create great still lives with your smartphone - Create beautiful images of treasured possessions, make stand-out product images and be inspired to enjoy creative photography inside. There will be plenty to learn here, even if you normally use a different type of camera. We cover composition, (very) simple lighting and easy editing. Full details and booking here.

Editing and advanced editing with your smartphone online – we meet on Zoom for a half day of learning how to edit with your smartphone. I sometimes take images from my traditional camera and choose to edit them on my smartphone. Find out why. What makes these sessions different is that I cover editing vision as well as how to edit. You also receive two art prints of your edits. See here for introductory editing and here for advanced editing.

The Vision: A five-week online workshop – I am running this with Rob Knight and it is aimed at those who wish to expand their creative vision and be inspired to try new ideas. I am really excited at how this is shaping up. Starts 16th February. See here for more information and booking.

Make sure you keep in touch

You can follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Mastodon as well as Bluesky. Please also e-mail directly: I really appreciate receiving personal e-mails from you. Please share images and projects send me recommendations for reading, listening, exhibitions, blog articles and more!

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