365 to 52

Love the texture of the peeling paint on this old Narrow Boat.

Not really the Easter Bunny but they do have big ears and hop. Taken on the Roaches quite a few years ago.

The John Rylands Library in Manchester. The reading room.

Hazelhurst Aqueduct just around the corner from the Hollybush Denford.

A busy day working on photos for a customer, then a quick call out to deliver some prints, so here's a photo from a few weeks ago taken near Hanley.

Up on the Roaches after the snow has gone. The comments option on the blog was set wrong, it has not been sorted, thanks to Trevor for point this out.

Tittesworth Reservoir taken a few weeks ago on a lovely still morning.

The John Rylands Library in Manchester.

The John Rylands Library in Manchester.

Prepping for my meeting tomorrow morning, and already looking forward to the great breakfast they serve at the Hotel Rudyard. 

Another busy day, this time out on a shoot for a local IT company, so a quick post of a Robin I took on Monday.

A very late post as I have been spending the day with this very special lady, happy birthday Caz.

Ziggy burried in a snowdrift with a plastic bottle that Marley had found, while Marley sits at the back awaiting his chance to snatch it back.

Chatterly Whitfield, my old work place and where I took some of my first proper pictures.

The boys enjoying the snow a few weeks ago.

After spending a couple of days going through old photos, I came across this one of Carolyn on top of Kirk Fell. This was the day we finished doing all the Wainwrights (214 fell tops in the Lake District) and it was smiles all round as we enjoyed a small plastic cup of champagne.

Been going over some old pictures and came across this 4 shot panoramic of Great Gable taken from Kirk Fell.

Sat at my desk preping for two early moring meetings, so thought I would post a picture taken at the last meeting on Friday.

Finding pictures to post is easy, but finding ones that I want to post, that is taking a bit longer. This image was taken 3 years ago and sat on the computer unused and unprocessed until today. Looking at something like this on the screen before it was processed it is sometimes hard to understand why I took the photo, but after a few minutes playing with it I see the textures and curves that must have caught my eye that day long ago on the beach. 

Isn't Facebook wonderful I've just had a friend request from someone I've not seen in 25 years, we once worked together at Alton Towers. That got me looking through the pictures from that time, here is one of my favorites, we were so young. The memories from that time are a bit dim now, but looking through the picture brought it all back.  Here is a link to the rest of the photos that I posted on Facebook 6 years ago and got me back in touch with some of that mad group. Alton Towers 91/92

A snowy day from last week down at Tunnel pool near Leek

Yesterday started with an early morning meeting in Rudyard, so as soon as it finished I went down to the lake and took this.

Following on from the last few posts before International Women's day, I'm back with some of my long-standing commitments. Bagnall fete was a landmark job for me, as it was the first job that came to me from a total stranger. Over the years I've captured loads of great shots, but when it came to choosing one for this, this shot sprang to mind. It was the very first shot of my work at last years fete and for me sums up the joy of working with a group of young ladies, when I look at it I just smile.

One of the real perks of this job is getting to photograph some amazing women. Here is a small selection to celebrate International Woman's Day. We have amongst them, Artists, Actors, Singers, Musicians, Crafters, Mums, Wifes, DJ's, Poets, Models, Dentists, Queens, Businesswomen, Blacksmiths, Activists, Scientists,  and quite a few good friends.

Following on from yesterdays post, another long-term commitment has been the Leek Show. It's a massive undertaking with so much to see and such a large area to cover, but the images I have captured over the years have been well worth the effort. This one picture rates as one of my all-time favorites, I was taking to the local MP when I notice the young girl giving her shire horse a drink of what looks like beer, so I grabbed a shot in mid-conversation and was well rewarded for my efforts.

During the last 10 years, I have had the pleasure to be asked to photograph some of the areas best events. Some of these have lead to a long-standing association and produced some of my best work. The Leek Blues festival is one of those events and this picture is from one of last years gigs. This picture, while not one of my best, sums up the festival and my involvement very well. Staring with the main focus of the picture that is the little girl captivated by the band, showing the wide-ranging appeal that the festival has. Also, the background to the left of the band shows my exhibition of images taken over the last few festivals.

No I've not been out braving the storms, this was shot from the warmth of my bedroom looking toward Cheddleton.

One from this time last year as I've not been able to get out to play this week.

Cornish Poppies, roll on summer.

Over the next few days, I'm sure loads of you will head out to the countryside to try and capture the stunning snow-covered landscape, so a few tips from one who has at one time or another broken them all. Dress warmly, not just enough to be warm walking around, but also if you find yourself unable to move for a long period, like if you slip and break your leg. If you are going alone tell someone where you will be and when you will be back. Carry spare clothes, food and water. Watch the weather and don't push your luck. Good luck out there.

It's snowing and nearly the whole world seems to be taking a snow day. So why not head out to your local park and try your hand at some Lowry-esk shots of people playing in the snow, like this one of mine from about 5 years ago.