I've been playing with layers and textures, and masks, and new bits of software on the MAC and trying to come up with a good file ordering system for a TB of images on the Drobo, and well this image has nothing to do with any of that....., but instead is pretty much a straight shot, tweaked with a pseudo hdr effect in Photomatix Pro.

Its not an epic image its just something I saw whilst up at Daves, and I thought for mid winter it summed it up for me. Not a lot else to say tonight, I am bushed..... thanks Paul!!!..... csj

So the last image caused some mild controversy over the discussion about 'pure' photography and what I enjoy doing which is playing with pictures and post production in photoshop. To those people who commented I thank you, and I always love a good debate about imagery and image making, no matter what the outcome.

But to be honest nothing will ever change my view that all photography from a simple snap to 'the best' Reuters commision, will ever detract from the plain fact that a good picture is in the eye of the beholder and will always remain completely 'subjective'.

So I support 'moonheads' view, and yes I'm not a perfect image maker (is there one?) and I make mistakes, nay I admit I rush things, but what's most important here on ID7 is that I'm having a go, and will never stop having a go at making pictures that people want to talk about or remember....its what makes me tick.

Anyway to tonights' entry and title. I was dragged to B&Q today of all places, and to be honest there was some cracking light at around 11.00am today and I wanted to be out with my camera, but duty calls. On the way back over Towngate Bridge in Poole I saw this guy just starting to setup, so I got home, dumped the pots, and other purchases in the garden (mental note: they are still in the garden) and headed back over town to see if I could catch him whilst he was in the middle of things. I got there and went over for a chat, both this chap (I didnt get first name terms) and his colleague thought I was an inspector, I spent 10mins convincing them otherwise, before he allowed me to photograph but in those 10mins I learnt a lot about the Postermans' underworld...and competition, and rediculous EU health and safety rules, and sackable offences.... it was an insight into their world at least. Also not a bad job, he retires next year, and reckons on paper he is a millionaire for his retirement.... I'm in the wrong job .... ho hum csj

An old one from before Christmas, again one that I've looked at and looked at, and I feel maybe I've 'touched' too much. Its was one of those maybe frames, that had a little moment in it, and I wanted to use, but fell short for one reason or another. Anyway after a tweak and a shove, I am happy (ish) with the result.

I dont think this would win any awards or anything, as it doesnt really say much about the guy, but it was the hat, the motion, and the drink that held me on this image. Sometimes I rant here trying to justify the image, sometimes I should just leave it upto you guys as the viewers to decide. csj

Just before New Year, I noticed that a place I walk past on a regular basis had had all of its 20 pane glass windows smashed overnight. Thats an expensive mess to get into, and to be honest I felt sorry for them, I just hope they caught whoever it was that did this. I really dont like mindless vandalism anywhere near where I live. Guess its just something we have to get used to.

Oh and I couldn't resist shooting her slightly mad hairdo!..... and boots.. ;-)

Just one more thing, I will be updating the core of ID7 over the next 24-48 hours, so apologies for any wierdness in CSS / Scripts etc....as I move from 3.33 to 4.01 Movabletype, so dependant on whther the code works or not will depend on whether I post tommorow or not.

It didn't work out to well, whilst the upgrade succeeded to some extend, having looked at the outcome of the templates that make up ID7, I would have had to recode all of them, and whilst I'm not giving up on the idea of upgrading, I have restored the database and instead upgraded to version 3.35, which has resolved one of my issues, and left me with one bug. But we are almost back up and running. Apologies again for any wierdness experienced today. csj

16:34 : Update all working 100% again.... csj

Ok so today, the day before my birthday may I add, has been a good one, altho your probably reading this on the 19th, anyway enough of that. I spoke to Alun tonight, he's kindly offered to put me up whilst I'm away soon, and I am very much looking forward to spending some time chatting to him and his lovely wife Ann.

Dave from Chromasia dropped me a comment on the site which to be honest is a huge compliment, and a boost, as its a challenge finding the time, and he knows this better than most with kids and work pressures, so it was much appreciated.

I love my photography, I just wish there was more time to toss around with it, and more cash to throw at it.

Anyway I am happy with what I have done this week. 37 the morrow

Went out with our "NorthShore caps on today, (not literally that would look stupid!!) but went in search of some good surf / windsurfing shots.

However the tide was too far out, the sun was too low, and there werent enough people out to warrant any decent shots.

Not to be disheartened tho, last nights storm caused some lovely tidal events that meant we could get some other shots, of which this is one.

Shot about an hour ago at Hamworthy, the same place where I started that Bertie Huff Series. Let me know what you think.

This one is added to the Passersby Series.

The 'passersby' series was always about pondering, catching a moment, and looking at people. Some shots are discreet some are intentionally obtrusive, some have impact, others are just observations of a moment in time.

This shot, although not meant to offend in anyway was more a shot of the onlooker than the ultimate subject, but I guess it makes you feel that I was trying to say something about the guys size.

Wrong...

Although I may have achieved this unintentionally this shot is purely a moment in time, I'll leave you to ponder and create any deeper meaning.

For me its just a guy thinking about what he's looking at and a man running to the sweetshop. He was, honestly I watched him go there......

Another shot from my "passers by" series.

This shot was in Madrid Airport, and other than the strange juxtoposition of Nuns on Holiday and being in their surroundings I dont have much else to say about this frame. It was really a chance shot.

I'm off out now to see what I can see.. the suns out and theres blue sky...makes a change.

Fins feeling better today, temperature down and he's at least smiling, so alls good.

Well this shot of Suki Dhanda - Photographer was taken whilst we were putting on an exhibition in London. We somehow managed to convice Smith's Galleries in Covent Garden, that we were able to put on an exhibition and meet the deadlines and delivery expectations that they put upon exhibitors.

Anyway that said we employed the talents of our new found exhibition organisor Annie, and she managed to string together the communications in London whilst we pulled together the exhibits from Plymouth and the others involved in the show. Aptly named "Under-exposed" it was a name we all felt resembled our position in the photographic business at the time (no-where).

Anyway from small seeds, oak trees grow, and many of us have become photographers in one form or another.

Still forever optimistic about the future, and I still love my image making and photography.

I miss the darkroom.

Just spoke to Alun, he's on a mission to get his website up and running, said I'd give him a hand.

What are friends for eh!!! - blimey

Under-Exposed, Smiths Galleries 1991 - Apparently now a mens clothes store.

Tudor Morgan Owen - Press Photographer
Alun Bull - Photographer RHCME
Suki Dhanda - Photographer
Simon Green
Craig Judd - This site

In the frantic moments before the doors opened, Suki was running around organising plants, and finger food for the opening night guests..... they were the days!