Illuminate York 2016

It’s that time of year (2 months late) where I take out the camera gear and take advantage of some brilliant lighting installations that York put’s on as part of illuminate York.

If you read this blog you’ll know this comes around each year and I’m a kid in a sweet shop, using all sorts of camera tricks to really capture the experience of the installations.

I have to say I struggled a bit this year, the first part is my fault on the night I said I’d go take photos. I was delayed by about an hour so didn’t have loads of time to devote to the night. This meant I didn’t take my normal glut of photos, but hey I’m a dad of 2 and getting free time is a challenge.

The second issue is…it just didn’t seem as much as an event this year, admittedly I didn’t go to the paid Minster light show but in previous years avoiding the paid for part wasn’t so much of a pain, this year it was. Some installations were nothing short of lights against buildings…we’ve come along way from that and we deserve better.

The third issue was the toy/mech re-sellers. Me and Pete met outsider the Minster, at which point 9 (NINE!) hawkers were congregating selling flashy light wears. The problem with selling these at a light festival where people attempt to take stunning images is that that amount of rapid flashing green and pink light actually impacts the image. As it was this was only an issue in this location and and installation wasn’t good enough to be captured but my goodness it was just too much.

The fourth little thing was the tidiness of it all, take a look at the roman walls with the cross on. Try as I might, without significant editing I can’t hide those light sources, all it needs is a black cover but it didn’t get that and so I left it untouched to show you what I meant…anyway enjoy the trains and look forward to next year!

The railway museum provided a great platform yet again (no pun).

Illuminate York 2016 - Duchess of HamiltonIlluminate York 2016 - NRM Warehouse warp driveIlluminate York 2016 - Cross on wallIlluminate York 2016 - Steam under bridgeIlluminate York 2016 - The DuchessIlluminate York 2016 - EurostarIlluminate York 2016 - Mallard

YSP – October – Not Vital, Ai Weiwei and more

I’m not sure if it’s coming from Castleford (home of Henry Moore) or just an innate love or decent art but my goodness I love a trip to Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP), it always has something good installed and this visit was no exception.

Not Vital had a great series of artworks across 3 rooms in a new extension to the indoor exhibition space. We then went over to Ai Weiwei to see his tree sculpture “Iron Tree” which is a truly complex and labour intensive piece of art and therefore dam good art.

We saw other things but that was the highlights…Photos below, enjoy!

Me, Bobbie and bubblesNot VitalNot Vital - The headsNot Vital - The head is in his handBobbie - there she is!Not Vital - AntlerNot Vital - Bobbie's lookingSculpture at YSP 2Sculpture at YSP 1Ai Weiwei - Iron TreeWall of sound

Bobbie’s Birthday Day Out

The pride, the absolute pure pride that when given the choice of what to do on a day out for her Birthday my daughter chose going to a heritage railway and riding on a heritage bus. She’s 5…what an absolute star.

We went to the railway where her name comes from “Roberta” from the Railway Children which is based on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway .

Here are some lovely pictures of the day and Len and Lynda (the inlwas) came too and we had a picnic at the park. Why is there no photos of that I hear you gasp…try having a picnic in a park with a 5 year old and 1 1/2 year old and you’ll understand why.

The ball is a ball of 2ps made to look like the Death Star…random. It had a bike inside it…art.

Number 85 lampA little tank2ps joined2ps joined 2The Death Star of coinsBobbie at KWVR 4Bobbie at KWVR 3Bobbie at KWVR 2Bobbie at KWVRGrandma and Amelie 2Grandma and AmelieSteam in reverse

Bobbie’s 5th Birthday

I own a 5 year old

I actually have responsibility over the care and life of a 5 year old … She was 5 on the 1st of August on the 5th she had a party at Wacky Warehouse and had a great time with all her friends.

I took photos, Bobbie has such a funny face and great expressions I do adore taking pictures of her.

My favorite picture is Bobbie blowing candles out with juice and jelly in shot…I mean if that doesn’t say kids party what does?

Bobbie and a card 2Bobbie and a cardBobbie and her ice faceNana and Amelie 2Nana and AmelieBobbie in the middle with youAmelie eatingBobbies mates 4Bobbies mates 3Bobbies mates 2Bobbie's mates 1Bobbie and "Wendy"Bobbie and cakeBobbie dancing

Salisbury and “Aunty Olive”

When ever possible we try and visit “Aunty Olive”. I’m only doing speech marks around Aunty Olive as I’m sure there is a degree of separation from that title and Mairi (so she’s Mairi’s mum’s Aunty) but she’s awesome so we just say she’s Aunty and live with it.

This time during my Nan’s 80th trip we spent one day driving to and enjoying Salisbury. We met up with Olive and Ian. At the time Salisbury Cathedral were exhibiting Sophie Ryder’s Giant Rabbits, and as you well know I love some good sculpture being from Castleford home of Henry Moore.

We also went round the outside of Salisbury Cathedral which architecturally is stunning mixing many different techniques and styles. I hopefully captured some of it’s awe and wonder.

Giant Rabbit 1Aunty Olive, Amelie, Mairi, BobbieA ring a ring of...rabbitsA ring a ring of...rabbits2A ring a ring of...rabbits3A ring a ring of...rabbits4BobbieSalisbury CathedralSalisbury Cathedral 2Salisbury Cathedral 3Salisbury Cathedral 4Salisbury Cathedral 5Giant hand...Salisbury CathedralGiant Rabbit 2

Nan’s 80th

Not much to say about this but the photos speak for themselves, my Nan is awesome and as a surprise the whole extended family on that side surprised her by appearing at her 80th.

It was a great weekend, the log cabin we stayed in was the envy of my parents (resulting in them booking it for a few months later).That Cabin is possibly the most calming place I’ve ever stayed (tie with a retreat place in Huddersfield)

Uncle Nick who normal lives in hotter climates (Thailand and Saudi) came over with his son (my cousin Simon) and his daughter Anabel (obvs my other cousin). I’ve seen Simon a few times through the years but Anabel must have been 7 or 8 last time I saw her.

Bobbie really enjoyed siting next to Nana, Amelie enjoyed having lots of food (common theme there). These images are of us at the cabin, Glastonbury Abbey (it’s huge)  and then the meal – great weekend with a family that doesn’t often come together but when we do it’s like we have never been apart.

The log cabin in SomersetThe log cabin in Somerset 2The log cabin in Somerset 3Glastonbury Abbey 1Glastonbury Abbey 2Glastonbury Abbey 3Bobbie trying to get the cameraGlastonbury Abbey 4Glastonbury Abbey 5Glastonbury Abbey 6Glastonbury Abbey - where to go next?Glastonbury Abbey 7Bobbie at the 80th mealMother at the 80th mealFather at the 80th mealAmelie at the 80th mealMairi at the 80th mealNan at her 80th mealThe family at the 80th mealThe family at the 80th meal 2The family at the 80th meal 3The family at the 80th meal 4Bobbie and Nan

A family visit to Goddard’s house

Some times the greatest treasures can be on your backdoor. Living in or around York you become numb to the history all around you. Bobbie has been around old things (Roman walls, ancient buildings, Victorian landscapes, me etc) for as long as she can remember and although some things fill her with wonder,  history doesn’t quite do it for her and I suspect that’s because she lives in a city surrounded by Roman walls and enough history for a county let alone a city.

Be that as it may, the wife and I attempt to take our kids to historic places all over the UK. That means not forgetting to do so in our own city of York. Goddard’s House is the newly opened home of the famous Terry’s family of chocolate factory fame.

The bellow images are of our visit, they had games available to play on tables which was of great fun to Bobbie, Amelie and National Trust properties don’t get on just yet but she’s mellowing slowly.

Highlights picture wise

  • The Terry’s mixed drops with 1930s decor behind looks awesome
  • The fact that, not only did they make chocolate oranges…they made chocolate APPLES!
  • finally the Terry’s ash tray.

Anyway click below and enjoy…Sorry for the lack of activity on this blog.  I’ll work my way through the back log now I’ve taken loads of pictures but had no editing time, I’ll catch up. 

Terry's ash tray (remember them?)Terry's carsSome Terry's chocolateMagical 20s like displayTerry's chocolate boxThe hand I had...Amelie, Mairi and BobbieChocolate orange or chocolate appleGames to play at terry'sPullman carriage no lessToy trainbagatelle gameSales and Marketing Terry's style

Illuminate York 2015

Hello people,

As a demonstration of my lack of time to write this blog here are the photos from illuminate York 2015 (taken October 2015). The main things I looked at where the light boxes at the Guildhall, NRM train lights and disco balls down the Shambles. Not much else to say about them but to click and take a look.

I do truly love Illuminate York it’s my favourite arts event York puts on and does separate it from other cities in the UK and indeed the world. Long may it continue.

Illuminate York 2015 photos:

A brown tankEvening Star light trialGlitter Ball light trials 3The rocket being watchedDuchess illuminated 2Glitter ball light trials 2The Duchess illuminated 1Glitter Ball light trials 1Square light boxes 2Eurostar illuminated 2The ghost of children on cobblesDiesel PowerSquare light boxesChinese Loco in blueGlitter Balls all in a rowEurostar illuminated 1Southern C1 lit upGuild Hall entrance of flowersThe Glitter Ball in YorkMe with mirrors

Edinburgh's Camera Obscura - big clue to next blog

Where have you seen me?

Hello people,

Interesting few months of offers to use photos of mine to market things. I always find this a little odd as I don’t go out to take “stock images” nor do I post to things like Getty Images. My images get found though this blog, google and flickR and then it’s up to the plucky people to find me on the web (they are quite good at doing that).

Opportunity number 1

Charming fella by the name of George Del Barrio approached me to use this image…
Edinburgh Camera Obscura 5

This was for his camera obscura exhibition in his gallery all the way in New York “The House of Ideas” http://vanderbiltrepublic.com/ I agreed, it looked like this:

Now I find my work appearing in any form odd, just knowing my words written at work are read by millions a year is a little freaky so my image appearing in New York is doubly weird. Now I won’t go into prices in this blog as I price things differently depending on project, person and requirements but I was just super proud to have my image used in this way at a proper art gallery, in NYC!

Opportunity number 2

This came from the rather good Lazenby Brown who I know from previous work with Your Move (who i used to work for) but I think they found me indepently from that link.

So we talked and sorted that out which turned out to be some marketing to encourage people back to york after our massive floods earlier this year, something I’m very much behind.

Doesn’t that look good? I’m rather proud of both of these uses to be honest, it’s great to hear someone else think your images are good other than your own ego!

I’m quite busy at the moment, just recently I had to cancel 2 things to fit one thing in, it’s that sort of time. But the family is growing up well so more photos and videos coming soon.

Bobbie’s 4th Birthday

Wow has it been a long time, I’ve been a busy bee. So busy in fact that I’ve not edited and uploaded images for what seems like ages! But here is Bobbie’s 4th Birthday images, she enjoyed her day so much.

I took a great deal more photos than this but they are of her mates and I’m not running round getting permissions to publish them all. Carol provided the entertainment via ShortStoryLady a most excellent time was had by all!

Amelie just waking up//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.jsBobbie's Cake//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.jsAmelie and Mummy//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.jsBobbie Birthday Cake//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.jsBobbie blowing out her candles//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.jsMinion Cape!//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.jsMothers meeting//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.jsBobbie Cake withTiger candles//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.jsBlow out Bobbie//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.jsBobbie cake//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js