Blog/News

The ramblings of a landscape photographer

January 26th
Bloody hell, that Chocolate Orange didn't last long, but it was so soft and melty, it just had to go.
Enough of my problems with chocolate.

Winter still not arrived here, I crave those crispy white mornings, frost, clear air and just a few clouds and I'm happy.Bit grey at the mo but gives me time to put other things in order and that's a lifetimes work in itself.
Winter did happen last week and I spent a great couple of hours walking along the River Ant at Ludham Bridge and then a flying visit to St Benet's 'one day you'll get a decent pic here' Abbey.
I confess (be seated-one for the pythonites out there) that the Broads is not my favourite landscape to shoot in but on mornings when there are beautiful frosts like last week it transforms into something quite magical, I hope there are few more mornings like that to come but time marches on.Last years wonderful frosty day saw me shooting in my local park, making Great Yarmouth look like Narnia, it can be done! Perhaps we just get one good frosty day a year here in Norfolk.Pity.

Couple of news items.
I am pleased to announce that I have two new gallery projects to get my teeth into.I was recently contacted by Alison (Parriss) who is opening a new gallery in the lovely seaside town of Sheringham.Won't give much away as not sure how much Alison wants to say about it at the mo but knowing Alison this will be a great new gallery and they'll be some great work on sale from photography(little old me) to painting to sculpture to furniture.Keep an eye out here for details in the next couple of weeks.
Above all it's nice to be asked and recognised, it does make me proud, I mean i am constantly turning down commission offers and I'm contacted left right and centre to work on new projects, the phone is constantly ringing....erm,well..... no it isn't really, I lied!!!!!

The other project involves my beloved Skye.Reini is a dutch lady who owns a holiday cottage on the Glenelg peninsula at Arnisdale, she lives in her native Holland most of the time where she runs her own business.
Recently she has required a small unit(compact and bijou is the word for it) on the roadside just outside Kyleakin, a couple of hundred metres along the Broadford Road after the Skye Bridge(near to Magpie jewellers).She has very kindly asked me to display my work here alongside her craftwork and I am really pleased to be able to show my work of a place that I adore.It is a small beginning and it's going to be a challenge to get people to call by but hopefully from little acorns etc etc.

Now I'm going to say this and then it's out there in black and white.I am looking at doing craft fairs this year, dum dum dum(incidental dramatic music).There are things to go over and check(note to self, rob barclays bank sat morning) but seeing as that phone never rings I better get off my arse and do something about it so I hope I will be able to put up some dates in the near future.

As I write this it's a clear sky out there (no northern lights), maybe I'll get that frost in the morning.

Ollie D...pink smarties!!!!








January 2nd
Happy New Year
Just to let you know that the site is a little sparse in places at the moment as I have begun my removing of over saturated looking images, this came about when I changed computer recently and some of the images looked quite bizarrely colourful so I'm just in the process of changing them.Some galleries will totally disappear for a while.

Such fun, as much fun as working on a blurb book on my beloved Isle of Skye recently and then starting the computer this morning to find it has disappeared, I was quite restrained, a thump on the table(I just love to hit an inanimate object at these times) and a wifey hug got me through, that was quite restrained for me.Being a huge Father Ted fan means that I can say feck lots and lots at home in times of stress, the feckometer has been in overdrive of late!

Resolutions
Go out much more
Take a lot less images
Remember why I first started taking pics


Fave new locations visited this year
St Abbs (stunning coastal scenery, tonnes of stinky guano)
Ardnamurchan, particularly Sanna Bay(a wee bit of heaven on earth)
Canadian Rockies (just one big WOW)

Location wishlist
Outer Hebrides
Sutherland
Arran (with better weather)
All Scotland - che sorpressa




If you've read my stuff before on here you will know that my fave photography magazine is Professional Photographer and it's nice to see that Adam Scorey is doing a good job on the latest incarnation.I am not a tech head, I find articles regarding how people got where they are career wise and the decisions they make along the way the most interesting.
Someone who has made a huge decision is Martin Middlebrook who has chosen to live in Afghanistan for a year to pursue his dream, that's a huge decision for a family man.I recently read Martins latest piece in PP and it's opening few paragraphs struck a chord with me.
I contacted Martin and wished him Happy New year and was really pleased to receive an email on New Years Day saying that he had visited the gallery in Wells in September last year, small world.
If you have time please have a look at Martins website:
link


Ok, bet get some more of these over saturated images off here pronto

Once again all the best for 2012




Dec 14th
Charley did say amazing a few times!
Had a few visits recently to the Winterton and Horsey area.Beautiful dunes and beaches with the added bonus of the very large seal colony on the shores here at this time of year.I think seals are absolutely gorgeous creatures and they are fascinating to watch.The pups are especially beautiful and I even encountered one on top of the dunes at Horsey the other morning, quite a surprise.Well worth a look if you can head down there, the beach at Horsey is off limits but plenty to see from the dunes.

The mornings have been a bit predictable of late as mentioned in my blog from two days ago, nice bit of cloud first thing and then it all disappears.Same this morning but today is designated a manic processing day and I've stuck with it.Backlogged images are the norm with me, there is so much to catch up on and so many images to weed out and delete, it would be lovely to be up to date, dead jealous of those who can afford to have someone to sort out the cleaning, keywording side of things.I barely have money to run the car let alone pay someone, put them hankies and violins away.

As it seems very unlikely that there will be any more book projects in the near future for me I am looking at producing one or two via Blurb just to give me something to work towards, I miss the focus that that kind of project can give you.I hope to complete the first one in January, so please look out for it though I do understand the Blurb books can be a little pricey to say the least.

Winter days and processing mean a bigger biccie and cake consumption.Have just finished off one of my daughter's homemade mince pies with clotted cream.Gorgeous.

I noticed the other day that David Ward has returned to blogging after a wee absence.I am very big fan(bet he'd hate that word!) of David's work and it's nice to read his thoughts on all things photographic.This poor Norfolk boy needs a dictionary sometimes for some of the words used but it's well worth visiting his site, hopefully he'll put some new images up regularly too.

We have a few copies of the old Hasselblad Forum magazines at the gallery and I was reading them the other evening after a long cold day in the gallery.I spotted a very youthful Hans Strand in an article and some fine work by another Scandinavian landscaper, Tore Hagman, great stuff, well worth checking out.These Scandinavian boys certainly are an inspiration.

Ok, think I'll round things off here.Will probably be moving the blog to a place on site that allows comments etc, feedback next time so look out for that, most probably in the New Year.

To those who look at my images, thanks,I'm trying to keep it real in a genre that has become over saturated(literally) with over processed images devoid of shadows.Such a pity.It's not what it used to be.I never claim to be original but I hope you see honesty and integrity in my work.

Have a nice Christmas break and all the best for 2012.
Jon

ps don't forget the January sale.







Dec 12th
It's been a while...forgotten how to do these, so 'bare with' as they say on Miranda.
Firstly, a news item.
January SaleFrom Jan 1st- Jan 31st 2012 all photographic prints/canvasses will be reduced by 25%.Why not treat yourself to a nice photographic print with that Christmas Gift money.

Hopefully some of you will have seen some of my new work on site, thanks to those that have looked, it is much appreciated.

Early November was my annual pilgrimage to TT up in Dornie.This time I had Bromage and Duckett(sounds like a Victorian stage act) in tow.Unfortunately the boys couldn't stay as long as perhaps they wanted to but it was lovely to see them.No rained off days, if you are ever going to the Highlands or Skye, find out when I'm going up there and go at the same time, must be lucky I guess.
The weather was a bit mild though, unfortunately, no frosts and too many clear skies meant some days photography was limited to just the extremes of the day but always a pleasure, never a chore to be up there, a spiritual home.After my usual period of ignoring the images(except for putting some hastily processed examples on here) for a good couple of weeks it was nice to visit the files and see some shots I was quite pleased with, considering my state of mind at the time I was pleased to get anything(but that's another story not worthy of these ramblings).I hope the boys got some good stuff too, looking at their lcds it certainly seemed that way.I even had a mini photo paddy with Mr Duckett at Tarskavaig Bay, I just couldn't see a picture and John was finding all these lovely compositions.I didn't get one in the end, I'm sure JD did.

Gallery bit.
Just come off the back of four weekends in Wells.It never ceases to amaze me how many people visit this lovely wee town and pop in to see the pics we have on show.In terms of a calendar year it's been a good 'un.I must say we try and cater to all pockets, and I believe that is very important.We do not have limited edition works, we may in the future but we will always have affordable work on display, an overpriced gallery may be lovely to look at but 'ooh that's lovely but a bit out of my price range' never filled the kids stomachs and in all honesty there's too many overpriced works out there, add another zero for location, so to speak.Anyway, just to let you know we have taken on a new photographer, Andreas Gursky, we'll only charge him 50% commission(photo satire).
If I don't write any more of this crap before the C word is upon us, many thanks, hugs and kisses etc to customers both old and new and to those who come back for more.

Random Roads Bit, (nothing at all to do with photography)
Why can't bus drivers parallel park anymore, always sticking their back ends out into the traffic lane.
Why do vans always park at junctions so you can't see if there's anything coming when you are trying to pull out.
80% of cars today don't have indicators, discuss.
I'm getting old!!!


More of this stuff in the morning, unless I am out and about, 'please not another clear sky, I really bloody mean it, I am going to swing for you, Mr Deity, Supreme Being, whatever you are, if you are etc etc, we need bloody clouds in Norfolk, we do big skies the best but we need something in them'
ps ' Hoar Frosts gratefully accepted'

Off to watch Charley Boorman say 'that's amazing' four hundred times in an hour!









Oct 21st
Anyway, Ardnamurchan and the area around it.I had only briefly gone on to the road to Ardnamurchan a few years ago when I visited Castle Tioram with Stef on hols.
For some reason it couldn't have left much of an impression on me but it is a superb area for photography.The autumnal colours were stunning, especially around areas such as Salen and Loch Mudle.
I decided to stay for a couple of days and visited Ardnamurchan point, Sanna Bay and the area close by, wonderful coastal scenery, great views toward the small isles with those wonderfully distinctive shapes of Muck, Eigg and Rum looming in the distance, and my beloved Skye too if it decided to show itself.
Sanna Bay and it's environs wins the gibbo award, I had walked from Portuairk and positioned myself on a hill overlooking the bay, nice view but slightly gloomy weather for a big vista type of shot.30 mins later the sky was hinting at something special, I trundled as quick as the old legs would carry me down to the lovely dunes overlooking the beautiful sands, there was a family on the beach watching the beautifully clear turqoise waves rolling in.The sky just suddenly burst into life, as if someone had switched magenta saturation in the sky to a spinal tappish 11.
I talked to the chappie on the beach, we couldn't believe how a gloomy sky could change into something spectacular so quickly, suffice to say the next hour was spent taking images in the most gorgeous light, the joys of the everlasting western scotland sunset.Marvellous.
Unfortunately the old heavy ,misty rain set in for the next couple of days and knowing that I will be trundling up further north soon I thought best to head home with loads of x's on my map for places to re-visit another day, blimey, another part of Scotland under my skin.
It was fantastic to hear the deer in rut and to witness stags on the hills but I must remember never to overnight in a car park close to woodland, holy shit, thought I was going to have a heart attack when a stags call interupted my snooze, he must of been pretty close!
Thanks to the lovely lady at Sanna Bay who allowed me to charge my other camera battery up whilst I was off taking pictures around the bay, she wouldn't accept a penny, she'll get a piccie though.


Oct 19th
Another hurried entry I'm afraid before gallery duty.Firstly, I have noticed since changing computer that some of my earlier work on here looks very ott in the saturation department(like a North American landscaper on mind bending drugs!), I will try and rectify that as soon as possible.
Just returned from a brief trip to the highlands, I tried to turn off at the lakes but yoda the skoda said 'does not compute' so the highlands it was, the car wouldn't let me stay in the Trossachs either, though it was awful misty rain so the highlands it was, which was awful misty rain.
Therefore after a little deliberation and a soggy walk down the King's Road in Glencoe I thought I'd visit the Ardnamurchan Peninsula.Continue this later, gotta go...

Oct 6th
Oh yes...chilly, windy, puffy clouds, happy wee baldy chappie

My Holkham obsession will never end, beautiful place.

Sep 30th
Just announced, a new group workshop with my good friend and fellow landscape photographer Dennis Bromage(link)

Staithes / North Yorkshire Coast Workshop
Monday 19th - Friday 23rd March


The workshop is based at Barrass View (link) a large self contained cottage in the heart of the beautiful sleepy fishing village of Staithes. We are renting the entire cottage for the duration of the workshop so will have the full run of the place giving us plenty of space to relax and the ability to come and go as we wish without getting in the way of other guests.

The workshops will involve three full days of field based photography and plenty of time in the evening to talk through the day's events and review your work. We will meet on the Monday afternoon for introductions and a discussion about the days ahead, followed by a first evening shoot in Staithes. Three full days (dusk till dawn) out on location on the stunning Yorkshire coast will follow and there will also be an option for a further shoot on the Friday morning before we all leave. Breakfast and evening meals are included in the price and myself and Den will be your chef's for the week (yes we can cook!) which means we have total flexibility to come and go when we want, with no fixed meal times. Lunch isn't included but it's intended that we'll just drop into a cafe or pub for a bite whenever's convenient or when we're hungry during the day.

As for locations, this is Den's back yard and he knows the area like the back of his hand and there's enough here to keep us going for a lifetime never mind a week! Staithes is more or less equidistant from the mouth of the river Tees and Robin Hoods Bay so it's this stretch of coast that we will be concentrating most of our efforts on. Along with Staithes itself, which we will of course be exploring in depth, other highlights are likely to be, (from north to south) Paddies Hole, Saltburn, Runswick Bay, Sandsend, Whitby, Robin Hoods Bay... If the weather's right we might also have a foray or two into the North Yorkshire Moors which are also literally on the doorstep. Take a look at Den's image galleries for some inspiration :-)

We will be taking the entire house for the duration of the workshop and the room layout and prices are as follows;

Room One: King Size Double Bed. Single occupant at £620 or a couple (or two mates that maybe don't mind sharing?) £400 each


Room Two: Two single beds. This is a shared room at £570 each


Room Three: Two single beds. This is a shared room at £570 each

Please do not hesitate to contact myself or Den if you require any further information.





Sep 26th
Bizarre weather, there's me running round singing 'It's the most wonderful time of the year' like in some naff Xmas (doh! I've said it) song and then we get a bloody indian summer mini heatwave thing.Anyway, love this time of the year, the cusp of great weather and colour, later sunrises means a little extra rest for this old boy and earlier sunsets means I can still get home in good time for a horlicks and a nibble of chocolate and put my slippers on.
Some lovely colour in the trees already.If you are ever driving on the main road between Great Yarmouth and Norwich check out the trees skirting the Blofield bypass, how come the most intense coloured trees are beside a bloody dual carriageway, seriously though, beautiful colours.Great bypasses gallery coming soon.

Looking forward to a photography filled few months now.I know I'll end up in Scotland in November but besides that I can't really say at the mo where else I intend to go.

Have started undertaking a very large and thorough edit through my files, I do this regularly but this really is quite an intense one this time.My god there's some shocking stuff in there but it's slowly disappearing, I imagine every photographer likes to think they are improving and I like to think I am but who's gonna tell me?.I believe it's important to notice the improvements yourself and laugh at daft mistakes or at shoots when you really should of gone home and spent time in a more productive way.

Workshop Update
On a productive note.. it looks like myself and Den will be adding a North Yorkshire workshop for next year.Dates to be confirmed but it will definitely be either mid Feb or mid March, keep an eye on these meanderings for confirmation at the end of this week.If there are any of you out there who would like to attend a workshop in a beautiful part of the UK, myself and Den have a space avalable due to a cancellation for our March workshop in Localsh/Skye (workshops page link) , single room available.What more can I say, two passionate landscapers, max six participants,the highlands and skye scenery, a beautiful house to put our feet up at the end of the day and talk photography whilst sipping a wee dram(buie).

Blimey I'm tired, I wanted to write more but it's stopped flowing.Back soon..







Sep 5th
The Netlog Blog.
This is for all the people who have recieved emails from Netlog, I am sorry.I joined up as an old friend asked me but I had no idea that all these emails and reminders would be sent out to literally everyone I have ever contacted by email.I have no profile, pics or anything logged on there as yet.Once again sorry.


Sep 4th
Firstly this is just superb.Never a truer word spoken
http://tonysleep.co.uk/no-budget-for-photos

I know I mention this every two or three blogs but thanks to all those who have visited the gallery, we have had an amazing month.For at least half of last month the gallery had a kind of battlezone feel as myself or Gareth tried (sometimes in vain) to keep up appearances but we've got through it.Today was a real kind of end of season feel in Wells, pissing down rain from about 3.30 and that was the end of the day trade wise.
Sometimes I do get the 'blimey this is like a job' feeling at the gallery but the people watching and listening is to die for, a little gallery summer summary follows...

This summer I have seen Jeff Lynne outside the shop, Rachel Weisz and Miranda (both in the shop this weekend!!), the real Sean Wilson ex Corrie actor popped in a couple of weeks ago and that's it for the famous and the lookalike famous visitors.
I have re-affirmed the fact that kids are fascinated by picture framing.The kids in the gallery this year have been so well behaved, nearly restored my faith in the people of this country but then I walked through Yarmouth town centre!!

Quotes..you know my fave one this summer but some of the old faves are always gonna be about:
'50 quid for that, it's only a bloody photograph' (Jon says - When I see a bleeding watercolour painter on Holkham Beach at 4am in a howling gale you can have the pic for 50p)
'You could do this dear, your pics are as good as this' (Jon says - oh great, another weekend warrior with a salary god knows how many times more than I get who probably gives pics to mags for free)
'Oh this one has definitely been manipulated' (Jon says - Lord above! Until digital photography came along no images were ever manipulated)
'This one is out of focus' (Jon says - oops! I went all creative and did some very selective focussing, may I be forced to watch a complete 'Last of the Summer Wine' series in one sitting)
enough of this nonsense, I'll leave the last word of this daft gallery piece to a new wee pal of mine...

'These would be good if they were paintings' - Toby aged 7.

Apart from a very humid weekend you could feel the change in the weather last week, I'm not a great fan of hot weather and summer in general.Time to look forward and dream, plan, think about places to visit in the coming winter months.



No bloody snow in this pic,taken this morning whilst hitting the huts at Wells.





Aug 23rd
In my last meanderings I mentioned that this may be a lean month photographically.That's certainly been proved correct, I've taken more pics with the htc than with the Canon, two beautiful evening visits to Holkham have been the sum of my landscape photography this month, on the flip side the gallery has been manic, on the down side this is probably the least time I've ever seen the kids during their summer holiday (finding it hard to not feel very guilty), I also missed the most amazing sky on Monday evening, one of those will it or won't it, it certainly did, all caught on the htc!!!! Nevermind...
Anyway, musn't grumble, Holkham never disappoints.

When I first got back into photography I remember walking along the beach in Great Yarmouth and visiting my favourite part,South Beach, now but a memory as it is the site of the Outer Harbour(there's more going on in Outer Mongolia in the depths of winter).In the early days it would be carrying the Minolta 505si, or later the Minolta 800 si (top camera) and later the Canon 10d,all tripod less.Looking back at some of those old slides/files there is a certain something about those images that is missing from what I shoot nowadays.This brings me to an afternoon out with the kids(who luckily remembered me from a photograph!)at Happisburgh this week.I'd downloaded a wee app on the phone which enables all these toy camera settings, polaroid etc etc.I was like a pig in poo poo wandering around, no bloody tripod and snapping away at the kids and all the joys of Happpisburgh, still good subject matter at every angle(just don't forget fellow landscape chappies, there are other locations in Norfolk).Photographic freedom ensued until the bloody battery ran out, such fun!, I like that dodgy quality and vintage feel look to the images.

Had a lovely visit last week to the Cotswolds with Stef.Becoming a very big fan of that area, hope you're ready for more visits TG! Did a bit of everything, cream teas, river walks, country walks, shopping in Royal Leamington Spa and Brum plus donning our best metal wigs to thrash out at the 'home of metal' exhibition at Birmingham museum, top few days.mtc.

A little disappointed that my hopes of getting the go ahead for a book about my beloved Skye were rejected by the publishers of my other books.This is not a criticism of them, times are hard and anything risky these days falls by the wayside.I shall endeavour to do this by Dr Hook or by crook!


Gallery beckons for the rest of the week.How many times will I hear 'ooh beach huts in the snow'?, will I photograph anywhere else apart from Holkham?, will I photograph anything?, how many tractors will there be on the road during the busiest time of the day?, will the sunflower field I spotted last week now look awful?, will 4 x 4 drivers down country lanes move to their right side of the road or must I drive into the hedges to save their beloved's paintwork? I could go on...but I need a kip.

Bugger, forgot.Really pleased to say that the March Localsh/Skye workshop has sold out.Myself and Den are thinking of adding another workshop either before or after though we need to finalise that when he gets back from Iceland(b%^"&*d!).If you are interested please drop me a line or please consider the November 2012 workshop.There are also rumours/stirrings of a North Norfolk group workshop and North Yorkshire group workshop.More news soon hopefully.
Now I am going for a kip.



Happisburgh with an htc.



Aug 1st The Three Tenors

Guess what the pics below failed to do.First correct answer out of the hat wins a weekend away for two with the over processing landscape photographer of their choice!! Bitter...mmm, pint of Broadside for me please.


Been a great week at the gallery, thanks to those who have popped in.Got a little bit of cabin fever towards the end of the stint, probably a lot to do with the fact that I didn't get a successful pic during the stint.We had one of my pics of the beach huts at Wells in the snow in the front window, it did a great job at stopping people but I swear by Sunday I was getting fed up with hearing 'oh look, beach huts in the snow!', reminded me of a Father Ted episode where Richard Wilson kept hearing 'I don't believe it' over and over again.Even a place where you are proud of can drive you nuts after a while!
Did take one of my favourite walks to the Burnham Overy end of Holkham Bay though, but apart from scaring the life out of an elderly couple who were sitting watching the sunset as I ambled over the dunes and nearly fell on them it was a fairly uneventful shoot.No I didn't spoil any sexy old age fun, I know what you're thinking!

This is going to be a fairly lean month for photography, the gallery takes up a lot of time for the next few weeks and I will be chomping at the bit to get back out amongst the wilds somewhere.

I only subscribe to two or three photo mags, one has become a real dissapointment(just like my spelling!) and the other is Professional Photographer.What a great mag, never features landscape work but I love reading every single word in that mag.It is sad to see Grant Scott leave the mag as he has done a great job and I for one will miss the incredibly funny/sad and poignant Dench diary.Hope the mag continues the good work...

Last photography part of the entry.Richard Childs, beautiful images, check out his lovely work.

Now on to the fun part.Two great weekends with the metal legends Judas Priest and Iron Maiden.
Priest had Queensryche as support which was a bonus so had a great time with sweaty yorkshiremen at Doncaster Dome watching their sets as well as enjoying the very Zeppy but enjoyable Rival Sons.Amazing to think that one of the legendary metal singers Rob Halford is 60 this month.Still cannot believe I forget to bring the G9, would of got some decent shots.
As for Maiden, another brilliant gig, really manic at the front(more sweaty yorkshire chaps) and impossible to get any decent pics but was a challenge trying.You cannot but admire this band Dave- and his funny faces, Adrian-still too cool by far, Bruce-will that guy ever age, Nicko - nutter, Janick - a true showman and last but not least 'Arry- a legend.Hope they tour again as I've promised my wee man i'll take him.


'arry

Mr and Mrs B - congrats x






July 19th
I am really pleased to announce that my good friend and fellow landscaper Dennis Bromage(http://www.dennisbromage.co.uk/) will be joining me for the Localsh/Isle of Skye workshops in 2012.This now enables the workshops to have a maximum of six participants which is an ideal client to tutor ratio.
Den has worked really hard over the past year making a name for himself in his native North east and his workshops have become very popular and rightly so.He has further details of the workshop over on his site (http://www.dennisbromage.co.uk/page29950.html).
Please see my workshops page(LINK) for a list of some of the places we are likely to visit, you can also check out my Isle of Skye and Scotland galleries to see images of this beautiful part of the world.
I am hoping that we can plan some further workshops together in the near future, I shall undoubtedly keep you posted within these meanderings.



July 16th
A wee break from keywording to write this.Plus the annoying bloke on the British Gas adverts on Spotify was getting on my tits, I like Ray Winstone, hope it's not him.While I'm on adverts would anyone else like to murder whoever created those bloody Halifax monstrosities.Ok.The new Old Spice ad made me laugh though, are you still working your way through the gift sets Dad?

A grim end to the week in Norfolk, was planning to go away but the forecast looked poor for where I wanted to go (Peak District) so I am here and no doubt the Peaks were blazing in glorious changeable weather.
Had a good day's commercial shoot earlier in the week but got a bit lost in Peterbourgh, thanks lovely Postie lady for directions,I am still resisting the world of the sat nav.Hand on heart I really enjoy the commercial side of things, lets face it, landscape photography is commercial for very few, so us mere mortals must diversify, slowly waking up to that fact.
Cannot believe I resisted buying Jo Nesbo's the Leopard until it came out in paperback, already a good third way in, great stuff.Hope there's a newie on the way.Talking of Scandinavian Crime I missed the original Danish 'The Killing' series, I am currently watching the American version but it hasn't got it's hooks into me.
Very hurriedly got my last few entries into the Take a View competition this week.I would love to get a pic in the book, that's all.No point trying to second guess judges, I simply put in images that I liked.Would love to see a winner that is not an iconic British landmark this year.

I have two metaltastic Sunday's in a row.Tomorrow it's Judas Priest, pity that KK isn't with them but can't wait to see them play a set from their fantastic back catalogue.
Next Sunday, Iron Maiden, have not seen these boys for many years and am rather excited.I have always admired Steve Harris as a musician and as a person for sticking to his guns, no compromises.Look where they are now, bigger than ever and unfortunately never given the credit they deserve.There's me complaining about my dodgy knee and these boys who must have ten years on me are running around like looneys (well Steve and Bruce and Janick are anyway!).Can't wait, will take the G9 to both and see if I can get a shot or two.

Finally a wee commercial plug.At the gallery we have recently been taking orders for some seriously big canvasses which is great.We don't produce them ourselves, this is where Fotoviva come in.Jason and his team provde a great service and we know we can rely on him even when we ask for awkward sizes.It's not only Canvasses, they do other products such as posters and acrylics, well worth giving them a try.
http://www.fotoviva.co.uk



ps, a wee post-script for any students.
I do get regularly asked questions and I am quite happy to help people, but for God's sake use my name, do not put a generic Hi, do not ask too much/take the piss and hey!, why not try a please/if you have time and maybe send a return thank you e-mail, little things mean a lot.






June 30th
The no news night blog
Like a regional news programme when the most dramatic story is cat stuck up tree, man finds winning lottery ticket on day after expiry, granny gets on wrong train and ends up in Paris etc etc this is my no news blog, nothing much to report or say but I have to keep this up because it is nice to know that there are people who like reading this nonsense, there are also people who have bizarrely looked at my commercial gallery, many thanks, it will be time to worry when someone orders a print, that would be typical!
The highlands called me the other day, they often do, I have to ignore that at the mo, strange that you can be going about your daily business and suddenly you're 600 miles away imagining the places you haven't visited, the images you can improve upon.What a huge pull that area has on me....
Had a good chat with a good friend (whose photography is improving!! - Isle of Dogs - ya cheeky git! )the other day, amazing how little things like that can give you a perk up.I know I'm not alone in my worries about this landscape photography as a career lark, we are an odd bunch, insecurities of what work is around the corner, insecurities about how good our work is, insecurities like does anyone know I'm here and in this economic climate a real major insecurity is can I afford to drive to a location and then be let down by the weather?, how sad that we now have to think in very real economic terms before we even walk out the door, but that is reality.........do I spend more time processing images or take a chance on the british weather.Oh to have that carefree feeling of the weekend warrior photographer again......nah, I don't mean that at all
Gallery duty next week and my inland only (slightly bendable) rule is going well, the North Norfolk countryside is bloody gorgeous and I hope to add some new stuff on here asap.

I haven't eaten a piece of chocolate all day..now that is news


June 16th
This week I have mostly been scraping woodchip off the wall.Sounds like Pulp, wish the house was very small!
I have stepped back from the computer (doh) and taking pics for a few days just to recharge the batteries a bit.Had a good weekend at the gallery with a couple of really good shoots in the North Norfolk countryside.I was basically on the lookout for a nice poppy field and managed to find a couple of examples plus an absoloutely beautiful wild flower field near Burnham Market so dead chuffed.
Also visited the lavender fields at Heacham, whilst the colour is probably not quite there I liked the contrasts I was getting with the purple, green and the earthy brown of the soil.Had a nice chat with a chappie using 5 x 4, he was suitably quite eccentric(not that I think eccentricity goes hand in hand with 5 x 4), he had a lovely shot lined up so hope he got it though it was a contrast nightmare to include the sky, filter city.I have every respect for large format photographers but I will never forget this chap I bumped into in Cape Cod, talk about talking down to you, I am sure he was saying in a roundabout way that I care less because I use digital or because I can take more images, prat.
Have had a nice couple of articles in the Suffolk press about the new book and have taken some website orders for the books too which is nice considering we live in an Amazon dominated world nowadays.
Later on today I will be photographing things I want to sell on ebay, exciting stuff.
On a final note there was a bloke in Wells at the weekend who looked so much like Jeff Lynne I had to have a double take.If it was you Jeff (let's face it, that is highly unlikely) then if you're still in the area can you come round and sign my gatefold sleeve 'Out of the Blue'.
Things photographic: lovely new book from my pal Mr Burton, really nice Scottish images on Mark Denton's site, watch his you tube clip backed by Radiohead's 'Pyramid Song'.


near Burnham Market


Juuuuune (Terry Scott pronounciation) 7th
Oh!! I don't know what to say and I am in a daft mood but better put something down.
Was visiting my wee bro(Hi TG) the other week in Leamington Spa and managed to get a couple of shots in around the Cotswolds(yes..inland!).What a beautiful area, chocolate box villages, beautiful hill country and lovely ladies (Hi Liz) who bring you out cups of coffee whilst you are photographing beautiful village architecture.Must go back there soon, so many views and locations stored on the visual memory.
I'm glad to say The Suffolk Coast book is out and about, all I need is another project to work on now, cue concentrated mind waves in the direction of Frances Lincoln, Eilean a' Cheo, oh go on you know you want to, a labour of love.
Haven't been Suffolk way for quite a while now but will change that soon when the heather colours become intense around the Dunwich/Westleton area, this part of Suffolk looks beautiful most times but the heather really adds another visual dimension, looking forward to it.
I am umming and aahhing about where to visit next if I get the opportunity but I am sure something will spring to mind, talking of heather I must visit the Peak District, well overdue a trip, can't see myself visiting anywhere that hasn't been done a million times before but would like to be up on those edges taking in the views.

Rush were great in Sheffield a couple of weeks back.Great musicianship as always and a couple of nice new meaty numbers showcased.


Boy Geddy

My pal John Duckett has got a great rant on his new blog entry, John's ranting..Loving It!!
http://www.jduckettimages.co.uk/page10542.html

So much to do, so little time, geting old, missing the boat, knockdowns, few highlights, tough at the mo but there's nothing like being out there....




May 15th
Five days between blogs..wow
Talking of wow, had a wow type of evening last night at Holkham bay.Very possibly the best light I have witnessed all year.
Holkham Bay is simply wonderful and I am lucky that it is a short distance from the gallery so it is easy to visit after a long day explaining to people how these pictures are not hdr, combined/blended blah blah blah.Whilst I am on this point(digressing already!) I make a point of keeping some images on the card in the camera at the gallery to show anyone who dares to take the heavy manipulation route in their conversational opening.I parry their futile attempt to belittle the skills I have learnt over a few years with "ok, explain that buddo!!!", cue pic of lovely sky and well exposed foreground.Cue...oh
Anyway back to Holkham, a wild and vast space of extreme beauty.If I have sang the praises of the bay before on here I do not apologise for doing the same again.The difficulty is putting across that sense of space, the difficulty last night was keeping the camera steady and avoiding extreme sandblasting.The poor old Gitzo feels a bit scratchy at the mo ( the Gitzo being a tripod not a part of my body) so I shall be taking that apart for a clean asap.
Took loads of images simply because I was worried that camera shake would spoil a good percentage of them, amazingly most of the shots seem fine, result!
I know this hasn't been the most exciting entry but just wanted to say these are the type of evenings that make it all worthwhile.I'll try and get some of these shots up soon, one newie below.
The drive to Wells in the last few days has been a kind of mobile speed camera hell.If my first speeding ticket arrives this week (anyone who knows me knows I live in fear of getting any points), can I phone a friend like the Rt Hon whatsisname!

Holkham Bay

May 10th
Just back from a nice wee trip up to the Berwickshire Coast and a wee bit of Northumberland.The Northumberland Coast rightly has it's place in UK landscape photography folklore but I must say that it was the Berwickshire Coast that caught most of my attention on this short trip.
I was staying in the five star Hotel Yoda Skoda as usual and spent a few mornings waking to my 03.45 alarm, cursing to myself at the pissing down rain(every morning) and then waking up much later only to try and get some clothes on without exposing myself to a by now full (ish) St Abb's Head Nature Reserve car park, oh, the joys of economy accomodation!
Which brings me to St Abb's.Now this is a special place, great fishing village, rolling countryside all around, vertiginous cliff top views(bloody hell-wobbly leg syndrome or what!), the smell of bird s$%t in the air and enough subject matter to keep me happy for a few days.Pity I didn't get the opportunity for a morning shoot but I did what I could with what I was given and as a landscape photographer that's all you can do.Simply a great location as well as some of the others visited - Pease Bay(ignore the caravans - a beautiful beach), Coldingham (great cliff top views and geology) and Harbour Cove (lovely harbour and geology).
Whilst having a quick nap in the Hotel near Dowlaw I was aware of a police car pulling up beside me.Apparently a local farmer had seen me parked up on this waste ground and had informed the police that I was there as they were on the lookout for a missing person.I wasn't missing but I was knackered, we had a quick chat, turns out he's a photographer!.I had earlier trundled down the hill to Fast Castle only to find that my jacket was not attached to my camera bag when I got back to the top.I remained calm( cue visions of jacket blowing off cliff with car keys in it) and walked back down the hill(which is always a joy with my knees) to retrieve my jacket (phew).Back up the hill I went wondering why are the man made steps that are cut into hillsides always so bloody steep and with a back soaked in sweat and my heart beating so quickly you could of heard it in Norfolk.Great little trip.
The only morning that it wasn't raining was the day I decided to go home.Thought I'd visit Bamburgh on the way to try and improve on the pics I had taken before(I didn't!).Some arty soul has painted two of the wartime defence blocks to look like two giant dice, I thought they looked pretty cool.There were three photographers on the beach which made it difficult and I even saw one chappie turn up, shoulder his gear and then get straight back into the car and drive off after seeing us on the rocks.There are so many photographers about now, both amateur and pro and we are a small island, that's how it goes sometimes, that solitude that we sometimes crave may only come from once in a while ignoring the honeypots and doing a bit of research/legwork to visit somewhere new or relatively less photographed, it can be done.
Newies from the above trip should be up soon.



St Abbs

Isle of Skye/Localsh workshops
This is purely in an idea only stage but I am looking to run two workshops in 2012, one around March time and one in November.The workshops will be based in Dornie (if you don't know Dornie it's the village next to Eilean Donan Castle, if you don't know Eilean Donan Castle look on a pack of Shortbread!) and will involve visiting some of the beautiful locations in an area that has become very dear to me.
The list is endless...... Torridon, Glen Shiel, Glenelg Peninsula and maybe that little Island down the road that is so much more than just the Storr, Elgol and the Quiraing.
I don't know who reads these meanderings but if you would be interested or have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.The workshops will be limited to three attendants only and we will have a beautiful place to stay which makes a perfect base.

April 14th
Firstly, a news item:
Received my first copy of my new Suffolk Coast book (out in early June) from Frances Lincoln the other day.If you would like to reserve a signed copy then please contact me via the contact page on the site.See link below for details of the book:



http://www.franceslincoln.co.uk/en-gb/C/0/Book/2865/The_Suffolk_Coast.html

Been a while since I blogged, a trip to Scotland, more hours at the gallery and a tentative step into the world of architectural photography haven't given me much time to update these random ramblings.
Always great to visit Scotland BUT I had a bad day at the office, or did I?.
I resolved to give these images more time after I returned to sit on the hard drive before I started looking at them.At present I am disappointed with them, not cliff edge sobbing, noose around the neck type feelings but at the moment there is just something about them.I have picked at a few and some have started to appear on the latest work section, they are moody little numbers in true gibbo tradition but there's something missing, I shall give the majority of the images some more breathing space and re-visit them.Managed to visit a couple of new locations on my beloved Island but still haven't had a battered Mars bar.Bizarre sentence!

By the way my lent, abstinence food for the year is Ice Cream, it's gonna be tough.

The gallery is trading well and once again thanks to all those who have popped in.

The it's got nothing to do with photography rambling section follows....
I have just finished reading Robert MacFarlane's 'The Wild Places', having read 'Mountains of the Mind' a good while ago I didn't realise he had another book and certainly didn't realise it had been televised too.It is beautifully written and I'm sure the words connect with so many who simply love being outdoors.In complete contrast I haven't read Jo Nesbo's 'The Leopard' yet and am intrigued to see what the film version of 'The Snowman' will be like.
Having a bit of a musical late spring and summer with some old friends, Rush on the horizon, Deus soon ish and a metal tastic combo of Priest and Maiden within a week of each other in July, all we need is Soundgarden and Alice to tour together and I'll be crying like a baby.
Criminally I had never watched 'Into the Wild' before(though I had heard Eddie Vedder's lovely songs on the soundtrack) and caught it the other night on Film Four, a brilliant, moving film.
Had a bit of a random ramble there but let's see what I can finish with.I think just a photo, from a moody Glen Sligachan.




Mar 15th
Firstly some news items:
Salmon Calendars have very kindly produced a North Norfolk images calendar for 2012 using my images exclusively.If you would like a copy please contact me via the contact page on the site.Price is £7.50 which includes postage.



I am pleased to announce that I achieved a runner up place in the Hasselblad Masters which was nice,surprising, shocking etc.In truth there are quite a lot of runners up but it is always a boost to be recognised for your work and there is some stunning photography on show.My pics are viewable from the link below, all Norfolk images as usual:).Won't be getting a Hasselblad sent my way to use (computer would say no anyway if I tried to open one of those files) but I can dream.

Up and coming..not at my age dear!!


http://www.hasselblad.com/Masters/2010/semifinalists/jon-gibbs.aspx

I am not long back from a great trip to see my pal Dennis Bromage in the North East.Luckily the weather was mostly good to us and Den was a great guide ferrying me around some of the beautiful locations on his 'doorstep'.Filters were scratched and even smashed in the name of landscape photography.
Den is establishing himself as one of the top landscapers in the North East.Check out his site: http://www.dennisbromage.co.uk/


Saltburn

The highlands are calling......



Mar 2nd
Progtastic processing day.
Spotify is blaring out my prog rock faves and imagine if you will me having to stop for a moment from dust spotting to do an air drum fill a la Peart from La Villa Strangiato.Once again I'm out of time......
Had a fantastic few days in Rome with the family, non-serious photo trip so beautiful night shots of Saint Peter's will not be appearing.Stef kept a list of all the different gelato flavours we tried (didn't they do well as Brucie would say), best geleteria for me....got to give it to the boys at the Old Bridge near the Vatican (far) queues!
Rome is a real walking city and the orra's did us proud, take a bow pups.
Oh...fill time...Natural Science
Great weekend at the gallery, Feb half term is always good to us and it amazes us how much larger scale work we are now starting to sell.Thanks to anyone who has come in recently.
On the gallery front I must just mention that our work will be available at the Holkham Hall Gift Shop and the newly renovated Beach Cafe at the beach car park in Wells next the Sea when they open for the new season.
Air guitar time...The Mirror, Dream Theater
As for new shoots they have been few and far between but plan to get away next week, for the moment it's processing and drum fills, coffee and popcorn.


Orras - Piazzale Flaminio

Feb 10th
Firstly, Happy Birthday Io and boy G.
In terms of new images this has to be the most unproductive period of time I have experienced.Apart from a great trip to Dorset (when the light was 50/50) it has continued to be this awful wintry grey light interspersed by an odd bright day, which of course will occur on the day you have to be somewhere else.
Having read a lot of Scandinavian crime novels recently I begin to wonder how Scandinavian photographers cope with the months and weeks of darkness, I hope the poor devils haven't come to Norfolk for a month or two's light cos we have had bugger all.

All this desk time sets the mind thinking about other possibilities but it also sows seeds of doubt too, there have been two very poignant recent articles on landscape GB by Richard Childs and Fran Halsall that have really struck a chord(and that will not just be with me).Both are highly committed photographers who produce some great work but are frustrated with amongst other things - owning a gallery, trying to make ends meet, low rates and rising costs of simply getting out there to make images.
These worries and concerns can take over, they are the devil on the shoulder that you can't shake off.The wonderful thing about landscape photography is that a beautiful location and a great days shooting can change all that, as I may have said it is one hell of a rollercoaster, it is easy to become despondent, but hey look at what you do, look at the wife, the husband, the kids, be thankful, sure it may be a kind of treadmill but we are very lucky to see the world in a diferent light.

Hope that's not too much talking bollocks!!!

When I became a born again photographer at the start of the millenium the photographic magazines were full of real quality images, the likes of Tom Mackie, David Ward, Joe Cornish and Lee Frost filled the pages and their work and words were inspiring.Today I see endless computer technique articles on 'resurrecting' images, in fact apart from the odd example I just seem to see techniques on the computer.Mmmm......another magazine rant but where is the passion and feeling in the magazines, they seem like endless lists of techno drivel filled with substandard work.If I had the money I would start one up, then there would be another on the shelf, I can see it now, WH Smith will need annexes for photo mags only!!! But what should I call the magazine???
Digital Resurrection Monthly
Why try and take images in inclement weather and challenge yourself when you can learn this fab new technique in photoshop Enthusiast (bit wordy)
Put your tripod legs right here, it's never been done, honest, weekly
or for you Norfolk togs:
Happisburgh Monthly (for it is the only location in Norfolk -satire)
two magazines for you Suffolk togs:
Southwold Pier Technique
Herringfleet Mill User



Maybe my next blog entry will have a new image, maybe I won't moan, if you still read this stuff , I thank you.

belatedly
RIP - Mick Karn

Jan 29th
Saltmarsh boys on tour!
Just back from a great Monday to Friday trip to the Jurassic Coast in Dorset with boy Gareth.It's been a real shot in the arm, January has offered little in the form of good weather here in Norfolk so it was good to finally get some new stuff on a visit to this quite beautiful coastline.
One positive note was the fact that I thought I would be gasping for breath on some of those sloping coastal paths but perhaps I am in better shape than I thought.
We managed to pack quite a good bit into our few days and visited some great locations both famous and not so famous.For me Dino's Pizza in Swanage was a real highlight as well as....come to think of it I can't really name my favourite location of the week, they were all rather special though of all places I seemed to struggle with Kimmeridge, probably more to do with the fact that the cloud cover was quite thick that evening.
It's amazing how positive a good trip away can make you, a brief look at the images today has left me rather pleased.I think that's a good note to end on.They'll be a gallery of Dorset newies on site asap.


Lulworth Cove

Jan 10th
Firstly, Happy New Year and all that.
The only good thing about the weather in this part of the world at the mo is that Amanda Houston presents it!!! Shockingly bland skies, nevermind, onwards and upwards.
Lets see if I can make this sound interesting........ processing, cleaning and keywording....no, I can't.
But, that is what dull and rainy days are made for.The processing is fine, especially going back to old images and finding little 'gems' that can used for the gallery, stock etc.
I recently did another edit sweep, good to get rid of images you would never consider, good for computer space and good to look at and wonder if you are improving and unfortunately finding how far behind you are with processing, and cleaning and keywording....yawn
Got a bit of a Xmas tum and was fully prepared to go up North to make some images and do some walking but the forecasts are pretty poor.Should I have tried anyway?
The gallery is re-opening this week and Gareth is on duty.We will be only open at weekends for now but if this year is as good as last year then I will be a happy chappie.Lots to look forward too there.
I don't watch much telly but I have been overdosing on Mad Men(xmas box set prezzie), really love this excellent show.The Sopranos was the last thing I religiously watched, it was a big fave but it went downhill which was a pity.I'm also well into Wallander and really love seeing all the old swedish versions, I cannot pick a fave between the two swedish actors, I also got the box set of Kenneth Branagh's excellent Wallander episodes, I am a lucky boy!
A Norwegian chappie called Jo Nesbo has got me into reading again, I find his excellent crime thrillers tough to put down, after a day on the computer and then an hour or half of Jo it's a wonder my eyes haven't packed up.
Whilst in Norwich before Christmas I visited WH Smith to buy a mag to read whilst on Forum duty.Correct me if I'm wrong but are there more magazines for photography now than ever?, I think it is well ott, there needs to be some serious photo magazine pruning.
Better stop there, at least that's got me started on the blog thing for this year.


Dec 23rd
Christmas Log Blog
This is going to be a bit of a rambling blog, probably without any structure, if anything it's a summing up of 2010.
It's been a good year and I have finally turned a corner and found happiness in my work life to go with my precious and happy family life.Too often I hear money crop up as a subject..... salaries, material wealth, promotion etc etc.... blah blah blah!!!
Why is one of the first questions I am often asked 'how much do you make from this' - how about 'are you happy?' - in truth some people who talk to me express a certain jealousy about what I do, (a good number of these people are in high paying jobs with all that material wealth-they also often look drained).
I have had people question me about why myself and Gareth have started up a gallery in this 'day and age', experienced long in the tooth photographers saying that photography has finished, you'll not make great money out of this venture, I may or may not but while they wallow in bitterness I am enjoying the ride so to speak and I never want for a bar of Dairy Milk or a bottle of Adnams.
I am a man of simple pleasures and I bloody well enjoy doing what I do, I cannot wax lyrically about photography, my answer to why I photograph the landscape would require no more words than George Mallorys' when asked why he wanted to climb Everest....'because it is there', I could perhaps add 'and it is beautiful'.
I consider myself very lucky to do what I do, simples, many 'out there' don't.Here endeth that little rant!
Photographically it has been a mixed year, decent beginning, unsatisfactory middle and good ending but I am really pleased where I am with my work and that is important to be able to say.In honest terms I suppose I am a bit of a Ronseal landscaper, no tricks or frills, no bullshit either.My work will never rock the landscape photographic world but I am proud of it.
The gallery year has been great and I must thank any of you reading this who have come in to visit us,myself and Gareth are proud of what we have achieved and hope to build on this success in the future, we'll be having a wee break but will start up again not too far into the new year.
I have a list as long as my arm of places in the UK I would love to visit next year but already know that I will only see a small percentage of them, such is life but I'll have a good go anyway.The trouble is I can't decide where to go first!! This country has a truckload of faults but it has the most beautiful landscape, an embarassment of riches.
One of the most enjoyable moments photographically has come from a retro styled lens that I am so pleased I have in my gear bag.I haven't used a prime lens for years, the last time was with my faithful old Pentax MX (still got it) and a 50mm fast lens.I can honestly say that the Carl Zeiss Distagon 21mm(I am trying not to sound like an advert!!) has blown me away with its' quality and it's good to have a decent dof scale on a lens, is that too much too ask, apparently so nowadays.If you have any free samples Mr Zeiss!!!!!!
I didn't explore the world of video as much as I would of wanted which is a pity but hope to progress to being able to put something on here by the middle of next year.I've said it before here but some of the stuff done with the 5d2 and 7D is truly staggering.
Finally thanks to those who have read these meanderings through these first few months of blogging, much appreciated
Right...I'm off to watch Wallander
Have a good xmas and a happy 2011
jon




Dec 2nd
Not a lot of snow about in Norfolk and in all honesty dull weather with the odd exception, ho hum.
I was in London for a couple of days last week and attended the opening night of the Take A View competition, despite my misgivings about too much hdr and some frankly odd choices from last year I must say that the exhibition was excellent.
Done a bit of a culture tour in London and visited the National Gallery, the British Museum and The Tate Modern.I am no art expert but whilst I enjoyed the National Gallery and the British Museum, I find the Tate Modern bloody hard work and it was interesting to hear some of the comments as I wandered around, I was not alone.There was a great photography exhibit on portraits taken on the New York subway but that was about it for me, except perhaps for the turbine hall which never fails to impress even when filled with ceramic seeds, wtf!
After the delights of Skye and the Highlands I have found it very difficult to get fired up about photographing locally at the moment, it will pass, I know, but living in a county that is so hard to get out of quickly to access other parts of the uk can be quite frustrating.
I must mention that myself and Gareth have an exhibition/stall at the Forum in Norwich from Dec 20th-Dec 24th, prices will be lowered for this seasonal(bah humbug!) exhibition, come and have a look if you're in the city and solve those last minute prezzie problems!!
The gallery beckons for the weekend, it's gonna be a cold one, layers a plenty, water bottle strategically placed and hopefully there will be some people about.
Next week brings my highlight of the year so far, wisdom tooth extraction on Monday, oh joy, will probably look like John Merrick for a few days, some say this will be an improvement.
I leave you with a pic from the Tate Modern complete with transfixed visitors.


Nov 18th
Just returned from a week long trip to the Highlands and the Isle of Skye.The week started with the big drive and as I got to Scotland the wind was howling, I was trying to avoid aqua-planing on the roads near Loch Lomond and a brief sleep at the roadside near Bridge of Orchy saw the car rocking to and fro in blizzard like conditions, an ominous start indeed.
The thing is I have been very lucky on my highland visits and my luck still hasn't run out I'm glad to say.Brilliant changeable weather was the norm for the week so I returned a happy chappie.
The Isle of Skye is a place I dearly love and it was no surprise that I spent most of the time on this beautiful island with a brief interlude to visit the Torridon area, unfortunately plans to photograph more of the Applecross peninsula were quelled by the closure of the Bealach na Ba so that will have to wait for another time.
It was my intention to visit more of the locations I haven't been to on Skye so once again I ignored the Storr and Quiraing (mostly because of my very dodgy knee)and ventured out into the unknown so to speak.Suffice to say I saw some great new locations and I think(haven't had time to look properly) I have some images I am really pleased with, I am convinced this part of the world brings out the best in me photographically.I hope to get some new stuff up within a couple of days so look out for a new latest work gallery.For the moment I have posted a pic below from my favourite island.


Oct 18th
Just back from a wee trip to the Isle of Arran.What a lovely place, I believe the Scotland in miniature tag is a bit naff though.What I loved about the island was how accessible and easy it was to get around(except the bit of road near Catacol that reminded me of the Snails at Joyland!), it could be argued that it is not a spectacular island but it is certainly an island of varied landscapes which would suit the photographer who shoots both wide vistas and abstract/detail type images.
There is a BUT though...
The weather gods were not with me on this visit which is a pity, reviewing some images since I got back has put me in an odd mood, did I try hard enough or adapt to conditions.My conscience is clear(I think) but when I had light it was from a featureless blue sky so contrast was really high until the very last light of day.The grey skies I had for most of the visit were lacking definition but hey, why complain:
It is not a million miles away,
I can go back,
I'm not working in a supermarket(!),
I consider it a privilege to visit these places.
Hopefully in a few days time there will be a latest work gallery on site here with stuff from Arran, hope you like them when they appear.For the time being the image below shows Rubha Airigh Beirg looking across to the Kintyre peninsula.


Can I draw your attention to a very new venture between Tim Parkin and Joe Cornish, namely Great British Landscapes (http://www.landscapegb.com/), I have been a fan of Tims' blog for a good while now so I am sure this site which concentrates solely on British Landscape photography will be a worthwile visit for those interested in the landscape photography of this wonderful island.



Oct 8th
Whilst HMS Dauntless visited my hometown this week, Burnham Overy Staithe had the pleasure of welcoming HMS Audi and HMS Renault.


Oct 5th
I'd get back behind the lens if this weather wasn't so crap
Blimey!!!! Norfolk has been covered in a shroud of grey for about two weeks and I have cabin fever.I have two lovely new lenses that have hardly see seen the light of day( or any light for that matter) and I need to get away from my immediate surroundings.
It was nice to do some Broadland stuff a couple of weeks ago but there is a lot of work going on around Broadland and some places I went to either had unsightly fences or heavy machinery in the vicinity.So that was a waste of diesel.
With my luck the Highlands and Skye next month will be closed for repairs whilst they put scaffolding round the Old Man or resurface the shore at Elgol as it's a health and safety issue.Moan, Moan, grumble, grumble...


I imagine this hut isn't worth £67,000

Sep 21st
Back in the land of filters, never had to blend any images which is good news.
I have also been temporarily wide angle less which has meant I have managed to do some 70-200 mm photography involving slow moving and fast moving subjects.
I failed miserably with the fast moving stuff, the Tour of Britain (not the Tour de France as some in Wells believed!!) passed through Wells next the Sea on a sprint section last week and the competitors passed by me at great speed and the 5d2 (for I am blaming the camera!!) didn't manage one decently focussed effort.Still, got some great pics of the police motorbikes and the support team cars!
Much more enjoyable was a couple of days at the seaside at Lowestoft and Southwold observing people on their day beside the sea.I have to admit it I quite enjoy this candid type of stuff, so nice to leave the tripod in the back of the car and have a basic set up nice and easy to hand.There really were some great subjects and I think I avoided any awkward moments, this type of photography can get quite addictive.
Hopefully this mini-heatwave will pass by and the dramatic weather will return.Whatever it brings I have got to get out and about a lot more now because this is an important time for landscapers, the approach of Autumn.I have Scotland in sight for November with a mission to photograph some different locations on the Isle of Skye my main priority, I am also thinking of a quick trip to the Isle of Arran because it intrigues me.
Aside from my Scottish obsessions I need to photograph Autumn, simple as that, I have no excuse this year, I really need to put the hours and miles in and make some images of this beautiful time of the year or I will regret it.I am really looking forward to it, since leaving my part time job I have been spending a lot of time getting my computer house in order, and that is so important if you are to work more efficiently.Having achieved that goal, now is the time to get back behind the lens.


Chips at Lowestoft

Sep 1st
Filter shortage....blending in sight
Blimey! Cannot get any Lee Grads for love nor money unless I am prepared to wait for ten weeks.I'm down to a trusty .75, the .6 and .9 have had to go because of too many scrathches in awkward places.There may be no other choice until those bits of plastic are available again........I may have to blend(cue dramatic incidental music).
I just don't like that approach though, I really don't.Lugging around a Minolta 800 si(lovely), Mamiya 7(lovely but..) and a Pentax 67II(clunk) learning the ways of the filter have left me as a traditionalist in the approach to filters, and that is where I shall stay, a dinosaur?...... perhaps.
In all truth I know how to blend images and have done in the past when I have left the filters behind mistakenly.I'm on this damn computer enough without then having to blend images, if part of the filter is darkening a certain area in my shot then I will dodge it back in, that's about the extent of my photoshop skill.
There may be no choice though and the weather and conditions with autumn approaching mean there will be so many opportunities to get out there that I could have files of 'doubled up' images waiting to be processed, that fills me with dread.
Please send your grad filters to Filter Aid and save this poor photographer from unecessary computer work.


Landguard, Felixstowe (.75 grad filter)

Aug 16th
Oh yes...I can feel that weather changing.Does that make me a spoilsport and a selfish landscape photographer for wishing those hazy summer days would end and moody skies become the norm? If it does I offer no apology, I am not a great fan of hot weather so bring on those cooler temperatures and skies full of clouds and drama.There's been some lovely northerlies blowing in which has affected the tides in North Norfolk, Friday mornings' high tide was particularly impressive though the light was poor.
Had a great visit to Brancaster beach on Saturday morning, definitely the best light I have witnessed all year and it was also fantastic to witness for the first time at Brancaster the speed of its' incoming tides (wow!). Managed to get some nice stuff ranging from subtle to dramatic, I seem to be preferring the subtle stuff at the moment though.
Would of liked to have witnessed the meteor showers earlier in the week but over indulged(food not drink-two pints is over indulgence for me nowadays!) on a lovely night out with Stef, never mind, maybe next year.
It's a strange feeling this week, I am now for want of a better phrase out in the big wide world of being a professional.For me this is both exciting and as Sir Alex would say a little bit 'squeaky bum' time too! What it will hopefully do is give me some opportunities to travel some more in this beautiful country and add to what is unfortunately a very limited portfolio at present,I'm looking forward to changing that very soon.
Did a very photographic geeky thing at the gallery and asked a man(sorry didn't ask his name!) if I could hold his Leica.An M8, quality craftsmanship, lovely chap, had his 'two' wives and a schnauzer in tow.He's part of a site called Midlandsrocks (http://www.midlandsrocks.com) that showcases rock music and rock photography in the Midlands, some great stuff on there, he's even going to photograph one of my old fave bands from the past called Diamond Head.Am I evil....yes I am
For those who have followed this blog since I started it, firstly thank you and secondly, I still haven't touched the sweet biscuits and thirdly I will add some latest work images soon, processing is, shall we say, a wee bit behind...


Brancaster

Aug 2nd
Not too promising weather over my gallery weekend but managed to head for a wee shoot at Weybourne.At this time of year the cliffs are lit beautifully at sunset, a real honeycomb colour if the light catches them well.We have cliffs in Norfolk much to many peoples' surprise and they are damn good ones at that, the areas around Sheringham, Trimingham and Overstrand are great areas, not forgetting the distinctive cliffs at Old Hunstanton, pity the buildings(and not particularly pretty ones either) are so damn near to the edge here.
I've never done the walk all the way to Sheringham from Weybourne but there must be other great viewpoints along the way.It made a change for me to head eastwards from Wells rather than going west.Still not shooting much inland but did the 'no one's ever shot this before' hay bales in the fields near Salthouse, think I'm on to something here!
Comments are coming thick and fast from outside the gallery door, everyone's a bloody photographer nowadays aren't they, have I ranted about this kind of thing before, well maybe...
Quick plug (as it's my site!), the new Norfolk Coast book is out now so look out for it if you will, if you want a signed copy with love and kisses from me please send me a contact message via this site.With all the shooting I now do on the Norfolk Coast I probably have enough material for a volume 2 and 3.
I leave you with an image from Weybourne complete with people out enjoying a late evening stroll.


July 22nd
Inland....
Great to meet up with John (Duckett) over the weekend.He 'forced me' to shoot inland and we spent a good hour shooting a barley field nearby to Chateau Duckett.If John hadn't of got in contact I would of been on the coast as usual so I'm really pleased that I got to see a different type of landscape.John suffers the same coastal addiction as me so the next morning we restored equilibrium in the landscape world with a super sunrise at muddy Morston.
Check out John's work at http://www.jduckettimages.co.uk , he can be a moody devil!!!


Barley field near Chateau Duckett.

While I'm here (before sleep beckons and then a weekend at the gallery) I must mention two new photography sites on my links page.Check out the links to Fortunato Gatto's site and the Dreamerlandscape site, a real Italian connection here and a feast for the eyes.


July 17th
Popcorn and Processing
If you decide to definitely and without question set aside a day for processing, put your gear beside the door and go out for the day because sods' law decrees that god given weather will arrive on that day.
Oh well, perhaps a quick trip out tonight, but of course that means all the clouds will of blown away and the evening will be clear.
Still, I have a bowl of popcorn which is my secret ingredient to beating the biccie craves and I have been catching up with some great music while processing new stuff, Dead Weather, Them Crooked Vultures, A Perfect Circle and Mark Lanegan and Isobel Campbell have all passed by.


Stiffkey
July 15th
Send in the clouds!
At last we have clouds in the sky and for a Norfolk photographer that is a basic necessity.Visits to the gallery recently have produced horrible hazy cloudless days which has been driving me mad but the weather changed over the past weekend and whilst it was still a little too hot for my liking at least I had some subject matter in the sky to go with the plentiful supply on the ground.
That is the joy of photographing in North Norfolk, a wealth of subject matter, there are plenty of places for me still to discover and if I can one day stop myself from shooting the coast I may find visiting inland more often pays dividends too, herein lies another of my problems, inland.....
There are times when I have driven through lovely rolling countryside in North Norfolk but failed to see a shot or even the potential of a shot at another time.I'll openly admit I will always prefer the coast but it is not good for my development as a photographer to keep visiting the coast, can I drag myself away from dunes and mud and boats this weekend, I kind of hope I can but that is easy to say, not so easy to act upon.
A bogey location for me in North Norfolk has been Holme Dunes, well it was until this weekend.The lovely walk from Thornham Harbour alongside the saltmarsh brings you to a lovely dune system and a gorgeous beach, if you ever get the chance etc etc
Once again (and I'm beginning to sound like a real saddo here!), I interrupted more carnal activity on the beach, there I was photographing the last colours of the twilight and I turn round and a couple have set up a blanket, bottle of wine etc.I made my retreat back to the car passing another couple walking to the dunes in the twilight, I gave them my best 'I know what you're up to' look, there looks were a little more sheepish.Pic below from Holme Dunes before my peace was so rudely invaded by amorous couples!



Well done Spain on winning the World Cup, isn't that Mark van Bommel a super fellow!



July 1st
This damn hot weather continues but I've been out there giving it a go, late nights, scarily early mornings, today the head is telling me to rest with a pounding dull ache.
Been shooting a bit of the Suffolk Coast and checking out the colour of the heather on the lovely heathlands(not quite there yet) around Dunwich and Walberswick.
Shot at Kessingland yesterday morning, someone was wild camping on the beach and was right where I wanted to shoot from a previous recce, I can clone dust spots but not bloody big blue tents! Also did my bit for the little tern colony by throwing stones at a really manky looking fox who was denied his breakfast by baldy photographer chap.
Had a brief visit to the dunes at Horsey Gap last night, quite sensibly they have put a gate up to stop the late night parties on the car park so stress head here had to sprint to catch the fading light, I'm geting too old for this early morning, late night and running around game.Got to the beach and disturbed a couples plan for a little bit of beach nookie (I'm sure they carried on after I departed!)and took some shots of a very nice sunset, clouds at last!


for Jimmy, sleep well old friend and have a 6X waiting for me at the 'upstairs bar' xx

June 24th
I hate hot weather!!!!
Pleased to say that I am finally beginning to turn the corner and head on the home straight to the end of shooting images for my third book with Frances Lincoln on the Suffolk Coast.As great as it is to have your own gallery it can also be a time eater and I seem to be shooting less and less at the moment.
In choosing some images for the project I have gone back through old shoots and thoroughly checked the images to see if I've 'missed' anything and I most definitely had.It is wise to let the images sit on the hard drive for a good while once captured and then go back and check them at regular intervals.I always ask myself 'will I ever process that?', if it is an emphatic no the image has to be deleted, a maybe means an image may stay until the next review.It is always worth holding onto your images for a while, time away from them allows you to see them differently on a later visit.The wow shots and the useful stock shots will show themselves more or less straightaway, some images need a little time out of the memory though.

Walberswick

The World Cup seems to have woken up, great but nervewracking performance from England and for me the best game so far in Ghana versus Germany.

June 17th
Southwold this morning for a quickie shoot on the Suffolk Coast, very blustery but good light and always a pleasure to visit this gem of a place.Southwold has always been a bit of a bogey location for me but I'm glad to say I am now getting some better light on my visits there.Unfortunately the pier has become a bit of a photographic icon and it seems that every landscape photographer in the UK has a pic of the pier(please see pic of pier below!).Notes to self, must buy some new filters, must pack wellies in car and must get a new screw thread for my ids mk 2 as it's knackered.


Landscape photography inspiration time: I do make a point of regularly visiting Hans Strands site, amazing new pics on there from the recent Icelandic volcanic eruption.http://www.hansstrand.com

Thank god the World Cup is entering second game phase because frankly it's been awful.
My diving divas awards go to Suarez of Uruguay and Ronaldo of Portugal(surprise! surprise!).


June 11th
Nice to get back in the gallery swing of things after Gareth being captain of the ship while I lazed about in Scotland(big thanks bud-a week where legends are born!).Crap weather both days, no photography but then as I'm going home the weather becomes gorgeous which is bloody typical.Played Abba really loudly in the car on the way back but as Procol Harum would say 'I skipped the track Fernando'.....
Had the amazing good fortune to watch Uruguay v France this evening (satire)

June 9th
Skye and the West Highlands
I admit it, I am obsessed with this area and particularly with the wonderful misty isle of Skye.
Just got back from a 'beach' holiday in Scotland with the family, great weather and coral beaches,all beaches should be coral beaches, no horrible fine grains of sand being found weeks later in all sorts of strange places!
Not really a photographic trip but managed some evening shoots with one of my 'orras in tow each night.My shiny wee head looked like the surface of the moon after three consecutive nights of midge bites but marvelling at the beautiful scenery and the spectacular west highland sunsets with one of my kids beside me soon made me forget the itching and iritation.
Can't remember crying before on leaving after a family holiday but not at all ashamed to admit I did this time......haste ye back as they say


Plockton Coral Beach

The World Cup is nearly upon us, will I get anything done photographically over the next month?
Come on England

May 14th
Photoshopped and digital distrust.
I am frequently dismayed that so much of the initial conversations about photography involves how much work you did in photoshop.What an amazing programme photoshop is, I couldn't live without it, I take it to bed and cuddle it in the hope it will never leave me BUT this fantastic programme(which I really like) has never helped me take an image out in the field but why do people not ask these questions anymore:
'whatever time did you get out in the morning to get that shot?'
'what exposure did you use to blur the water?'
'did you angle the grad to reduce those highlights?'
these intelligent and thoughtful observations are now replaced by:
'How much photoshop work have you done on this to get that effect?'
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I shall now tell you what I do with my images in reference to computer work, prepare to be amazed:
Firstly I get the exposure how I want it (please note the word exposure as in singular), in many situations it is a compromise.I use a tripod, cable release, mirror lock up and grad filters.
The file is saved as a raw file.
Back at home with a cup of tea(but no biscuits!) in front of the computer the image is opened up in the wonderful Capture One software.White balance is sorted first then any exposure tweaks, I then apply a contrast curve to the image, if needs be a little more contrast is added and a little saturation, if I feel contrast has blocked the shadows a little too much I may use a small degree of shadow lifting in Capture One.I do not apply any sharpening from the raw convertor.
Press process and its off to photoshop, basically here I double check that it has 'travelled' between the two pieces of software and tweak anything if needed in terms of contrast, saturation, I may also have to do work on lens distortion and fringing.The image is then saved as a tiff file and if I had an assistant (who would look a lot like Scarlett Johansson btw) she would then clean any dust spots for me but alas I have to perform this function and Scarlett said she's busy anyway.

Many would say the way I work is akin to being a digital dinosaur, where are the layers?, blending?, it's never done me any harm so far.My workflow is so simple but why complicate matters.Perhaps I have rambled on too much with this post but....

I must just mention my good friend Adam Burton, I am sure you are aware of his wonderful landscape work.He has a very professional and classy new site, it is well worth checking out at http://www.adamburtonphotography.com

I leave you with Bluebells from Blickling Wood (That was a struggle Katie!!)



May 7th
People of Woodbridge!!!
I find it difficult to avoid that ill feeling of discomfort when shooting around towns and cities full of people.Perhaps that's why I am a landscape photographer, I'm a bit of a loner and like being on my own (or as near as damn well possible) in a beautiful landscape.Needs must and all that and I found myself shooting at the lovely waterfront at Woodbridge in Suffolk on Monday.
My cynical view of people and what the state of our nation is aside, I was really pleased that not one stupid comment was put my way, people walked by and said hello before I could and asked why I was taking images, kids passed me by, quizzical looks maybe but no insults 'saddo', 'slaphead!!' etc etc (or much worse).I have occasionally felt threatened taking pictures, I can certainly recall two incidents on the North Norfolk Coast of all places where I have met people who if pushed further were up for something(whatever that 'something' is you never quite know these days).What I'm saying is in my usual rambling manner is it was just refreshing to be out taking pictures in an urban environment and feeling comfortable doing so.Pity the pictures were crap!!
Looks like a poor forecast for the weekend so that may limit the possibility for regular landscapes over the weekend while I'm up in Wells but maybe I can continue to push forward and try something new, 'note to self' - if it's pissing down why not try something new.
It's late, I've run out of Horlicks, bed time, have a good weekend...

April 30th
Bad back, painful teeth, lack of sleep, haven't photographed outside Norfolk and Suffolk since early November, it's photographic cabin fever time!!!
Had a great workshop day on Tuesday with a lovely lady called Margie, my favourite pic of the day was of this lovely chap at Brancaster Staithe working on repairing his boat.He didn't seem to have a worry in the world and was more than happy to pose amidst the chaotic surroundings of Malthouse Quay at Brancaster, I shall pop him this pic under his workshop door when I have a print done.


I cannot deny the fact that I have a growing desire to shoot people(photographically!) and without wanting to learn the ins and outs of the scary world of flash photography I want to try and get a project going shooting natural light portraits, North Norfolk does provide some wonderful characters and if I can use this image above as a catalyst to seek out more shots like this then perhaps I can add another string to my photographic bow which in all honesty I could do with, I love my landscape shooting but it is simply not enough now.
Still no sweet biscuits eaten since giving up at lent, loads of Dairy Milk consumed as always mind you.

April 11th
A hectic Easter week at the gallery but still no great light on my visits to North Norfolk apart from a brief sunrise with lovely colours and wonderfully calm conditions at Brancaster Staithe, see pic below




Just managed to get this pic in before the fishermen arrived and parked their assorted vehicles on the water's edge.
A gentleman who is a Wells resident came in the gallery during the week with a Hasselblad Xpan around his neck, I always wanted one of those back in the film days.Very kindly he said he will let me borrow it, quite looking forward to putting a roll of slide film through it.
Norfolk is definitely one of those counties that is particularly suited to panoramic formats, using the 5d mark 2 most of the time gives me the option to crop to panoramic and not lose quality, maybe I'll start a pano gallery on here, maybe a black and white gallery too...

April 2nd
It was looking like another fruitless evening for shooting in North Norfolk after a day at the gallery on Tuesday but nonetheless I headed to Morston to walk to the small harbour at Stiffkey.
The tide was nicely timed for the end of the day, I just needed some dramatic light or at least definition in the clouds.The saltmarsh landscape is amazing whem it is flooded by high tide, it really comes in quick in North Norfolk.A mussel boat was leaving regularly from Stiffkey and I placed myself near to where they had already landed quite a catch.
The clouds got moodier, there wasn't a lot to use as foreground interest, the harbour was relatively empty of craft but there was one thing...space...a difficult feeling to put across in a photograph so this very simple image shows just that, flooded saltmarshes and a foreboding sky and not a lot else, nothing special but typically North Norfolk, space, peace and sky and sky and sky...


March 28th
Good Saturday at the gallery, nice people in and some nice conversation, nothing too photographically geeky which suits me fine.
Good saturday evening at the marshes between Burnham Overy Staithe and Burnham Norton (see pic below).For some reason I believed I could shoot at the marshes and then drive like Jeremy Clarkson to capture the floodlit Binham Priory in good crossover light but it was not to be, so the priory stays on my list, great subject if you're ever in the area.



March 26th
It's incredible the amount of amazing footage/movies shot on the 5d mark 2.I readily admit I am very keen to learn the basics, the trouble is finding a site that starts with the basics.I look through forums and just get blinded by film making science but I'll get there.I have been making small 30 second clips of some of the scenes I have shot as still images ever since I got the 5d mark 2.Some of these scenes have been converted(don't ask me how) and I admit they look pretty damn good, not ready for uploading to you tube or vimeo yet but sometime in the future.....check out the sites listed below

http://vimeo.com/groups/5dmk2

http://cinema.planet5d.com/
Weekend weather looking fairly moody so hopefully able to hit Suffolk again.
Totally misjudged the sunrise earlier in the week and shot some stuff at Benacre NNR because I couldn't get to the coast in time.The countryside beside the road between Wrentham and Southwold is especially good at dawn, there are some great skeletal trees and a good misty morning would be great here so that's one for the future.



Was having a bit of a dreaming of going to Iceland(again) day earlier in the week, it's amazing that there is such a lack of websites featuring this amazing country.One that's definitely worth checking out is Tony Prower's site.Tony resides in Iceland and has travelled a great deal in the country, he also offers workshops and tours.A link to his site is listed below.Jealous, me?...oh yes

http://icelandaurora.com/

March 22nd
The BBC weather website was close, um...actually it wasn't.Broken cloud and plenty of sunshine was predicted,so here I am processing images and cloning dust spots(always a pleasure, never a chore) whilst a look out of the window shows a featureless wall to wall grey sky.Mr Nick Cave will be coming over from Spotify later telling tales of drunkeness and murder, real dust spotting music!!!


March 21st
Gallery quote of the day from outside the door, 'he could of airbrushed that rainbow in'-if only he knew I can hear it all from inside.You can visit him at Wells Hospital by the way.
Nice Sunday morning shoot at Burnham Overy Staithe and hopefully I can get to do some stuff for my Suffolk Coast book over the next couple of days.Had a great visit to Bawdsey Quay last time I was on the Suffolk Coast but was disappointed to see at Bawdsey beach the very distinctive and beautifully weathered groynes had all been replaced by massive granite boulders, I know coastal erosion is important to subdue but these vast walls of rock are just damn ugly.
Gareth tried to tempt me by leaving milk chocolate digestives at the gallery but I resisted.

March 19th
A weekend in Wells-next-the-Sea for me at the gallery.Myself and Gareth have had a great start at our new location but the weather has not been too kind to us on our visits so we have not managed to get many new shots.If the weather doesn't play ball it's at least always a joy to walk amongst the dunes and huge expanse of sand at Holkham, might even try to do some jogging, I've got to get fit, want to take the kids up to meet the Old Man of Storr in May but don't want to have a near death experience getting there.
No sweet biscuits eaten since giving them up for lent, I have no idea how I have achieved that.