March newsletter: rain, writing and workshops

Will this rain ever end?

I try and go for a walk every day. Recently, it feels more like I have been swimming! I do not feel that there have been many good moments to get out with a camera. On the plus side, it has given me more time to edit, write and progress the business side of my creativity.

What I’ve been up to this month

Again, creativity seems to have been pushed down the list a little as I focus on the business side of things.

Firstly, my Smartphone photography workshops in Bradford-on-Avon are confirmed. I am running dates in May, June and July. These will include a session on practical smartphone photography tips, a guided photo walk to some great locations and feedback on your images. The full day session will also include in depth tuition on how to edit images using Snapseed. Find out more and book a place here.

I have also arranged another session for the Commercialise your Book project training that I am running with Adrian Beasley. We currently have spaces for 19th July. More information and booking details here.

I am also getting ready to show more work. This month you can find my work at Made In Bradford and Right Angle Picture Framing in Corsham. I will also have work at the Bath Contemporary Arts Fair. The first date for this is 14th April and I’d love to meet you there.

I have also been exploring some abstract renditions of skyscapes. These are very much play and exploration experiment, but you can see one at the top of this piece.

What I learned this month

This month I discovered that freewriting is a good way to discover ideas for images. This is in reverse of my normal practice. Usually, I make an image and then write about it. But my skyscapes are in response to my writing.

I also learned to persevere with new ideas. Making images in response to writing is something that I found uncomfortable at first. I was out of my comfort zone. But now I can see the benefits from it. I may not make this a regular practice but at least I feel that I have tried this properly.

What are my plans for next month?

I really must get MindGhosts printed! I also plan a photowalk with a friend and some collaborative writing. Working with someone else who brings alternative inspiration can be very powerful.

What I’ve been writing about this month

This month I wanted to explore how we all see subjects and images differently. Sometimes I worry that some photographers want simply to take classic shots. They just want to be shown what the image is. But we all have something to say about a place or a subject and we should celebrate our differences. You can read more of my thoughts in the blog called: We all see things differently: let’s show it!

What have I been watching this month

Recently I have been enjoying some escapism with The Gone – a detective series set in New Zealand. It has some very interesting characters and is full of plot twists. I also watched Aftersun – a very tender rendition of fatherhood which I thoroughly recommend.

What have I listened to this month

I went to see some live classical music for a change this month. The Bristol Ensemble performed some minimalist pieces by Arvo Part, Max Richter and Henryk Gorecki. I enjoyed all of it but especially the Gorecki. And I was struck by how some of the dissonant chords made me think of photographic textures.

Make sure you keep in touch

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