West End Project - Flora Court

Camper Obscura



Today was my first time with the Camper Obscura Team, demonstrating the wonders of the Camera Obscura to some very noisy children and some not so noisy ones. It was a great afternoon, the sun was shinning, everyone was happy and it felt like a worthwhile event. I'm really glad that I have volunteered to give some of my time to Fotonow and the West End Project.

The first time I experienced the 360 degree panoramic visual delight of the Camper Obscura was indeed a "wow" moment. Its such a great idea. Jon Blyth and Matt Pontin have put their heart and soul into this artistic/photographic venture and they are giving us a great opportunity to be part of something a little "magical."

I'm looking forward to the next event.

A Walk in the Rain

Central Park in June

I've been working on my sketch book for the West End Project all day. I'm researching portrait photographers and documentary style photography, and searching for inspiration from those who have mastered their art. I've looked at Nadar, Eugene Smith,August Sander, Irving Penn and some others. I've also looked at the Renaissance painters whose symmetry and aesthetic beauty, in my eyes, surpass all others. I was particularly studying the poses of the painters' subjects.

My head was beginning to feel fuzzy. I decided to take a walk in Central Park to clear my head, and, to walk among natures healing gifts.The luscious green landscape was a welcome break from my computer screen and books.

"Burn Before Reading" has some scenes in the park. I took shots of the benches in Central Park for possible ideas for a location for the summer brief.

West End Project

Fotonow called for volunteers to work on the West End Project, initially for a three month period. I felt that this would be a great opportunity and that I would benefit from becoming part of the "dynamic team" that Jon Blyth and Matt Pontin are looking for.

Camper Obscura has done some fantastic work in the community, they're reputation and popularity is growing all the time. I'm sure that being part of the Fotonow future will hold some wonderful challenges and opportunities.

Our next meeting is on June 21st at Flora Court where Camper Obscura will be situated from 3 - 7pm. Jon sent us an email to ask us to start thinking of ideas about what we would like to work on.

I am naturally drawn to the landscape and cityscape but for this project I would like to try portrait work and have been thinking of ideas around this style of photography.

Today I walked into town, first calling at the Museum, then into the college library to search through some books, and then I wandered down to the West End of the City to take some random shots. I didn't get anything spectacular, but I always enjoy the process and experience anyway.

City Activities

A Thoughtful Day

Making mind maps to inspire me to think more creatively this morning, I was trying to decide on a concept .... a theme ... for the Blurb Book Competition.  The deadline is July 13th. I have plenty of ideas swimming around in my head, but the book has to have a concept, and have a natural order. I want to make a Documentary Style  Book; I'm having difficulty finding an idea that I can work on.

I wasn't feeling very energetic today but I needed to get some air, so I walked around Ford Pk Cemetery ...with my camera of course.

Ford Park Cemetery is at the back of our house and I often walk there. This may seem quite odd to some people, but I find it very peaceful and very interesting. Today I walked by the War Graves, so many men from different times in history. So many of them young men, under 35 years old.  It makes me realise how very lucky I  am to live in a time of relative peace. At least peace in our country, not the world over, unfortunately.

War is such a tragic waste of life. I am sometimes idealistic and childish in my wish for peace the world over, why fight to kill when it is so much better to talk and live. Dream on ...............

Competition Entries .... Wolferstans

Here are a few images that I have entered into the Wolferstans Competition

The brief for this competition is "Urban." I'm not sure that my images will fit the brief in the eyes of the judges, but the abstract view of Plymouth seemed to me to be the most appropriate for a company of solicitors.



Searching the City

I headed into the city this afternoon. I knew Attick Dance were performing at the Panier Market Cafe at 2.30pm, I wanted to get some shots of them. I'd seem them perform at Frankfurt Gate yesterday.  I took a couple of shots with my mobile but didn't have my camera with me. I liked the dancers' pink hair and 50's style, it was a fun performance.

I had a second reason for my walk around the city. We had been given a list of competitions to enter at college a couple of weeks ago. We are meant to make the effort to enter at least one on these. The theme for one is Urban Plymouth. Although Plymouth is a City, I don't think of it as "Urban" though of course it is. To me its just a mild form of "urban." Others' may not agree with me. I wandered around for several hours and I hope I have some images I can use.