Hide That Can

After seeing the "Ghost Town? Empty Homes in London" on ITV and having a chat with another OCA student (see the comments to my "London's Empty Homes" post) I've just remembered a book called, "Hide That Can" by Deirdre O'Callaghan. It's a very true and open book containing some great portraits of the homeless men staying at Arlington House, a hostel in Camden, London...

I'm really passionate about portraits but have never had the guts to ask a stranger if I could take there photo. I'm hoping I can overcome this as I think the project I have in mind, which has been influenced by both of these topics must include Portraits.

London's Empty Homes

There was a really interesting program on the other night on ITV (29.10.08) "Ghost Town? London's Empty Homes" was a documentary on the fact there's around 55000 families registered homeless whilst 85000 homes lie empty and unused within the capital.

Anyone who's ever driven along the A406 North circular will have seen the rows of empty, boarded up, lifeless homes. London transport started purchasing these nearly 25 years ago now with plans for extra lanes. 25 years on there still boarded up and now lie in a desperate state of repair. Amongst these sorry sites there are still a few families living in their homes, homes that are like any other, looked after and cherished. All whilst the house next door looks like a war zone.... This has really sparked off some ideas that I want to follow up.

Course material turned up!

Course material turned up this morning! So pleased. Struggling not to look at it as I've loads of work on today. Have to say that the red tissue paper was a nice touch :)

New laptop!

Yay! got a new laptop today... Soooo much quicker than my old one that has now died. CS4 is now a must though.

Introducing Sammy!

As I've already mentioned being out and about with "the dog" quiet a bit, I thought I'd upload a photo of her.

Waiting game

Well I'm cold, the dogs cold and the cows think I'm mad. I've been in the fields where I saw the Hawk for the last hour now and no sine of it. Is this the stupidest thing to try... stalking a stalker?

Must remember to....

.... TAKE MY CAMERA WITH ME, EVERYWHERE!
I was out last night with the dog and walked past a tree with an old weathered grey branch. When I looked again I realised that stump of a branch was a Hawk! I could only have been 5ft away! Oh well, I guess I'll have to keep that image in my mind.

And another link...

This one's for Dan Holdsworth - Photographer
An old work mate ran his own record label (Ai records) and used DH's images on a series of sleeves. His works very clinical and clean with some great uses of light. They really inspired me to go out there and try my own ideas out.

Just added a new link....

It's for Josef Hoflehner - Photographer
He's one of my all time favourites!
I love his work and thought I should share it with you all.
I stumbled across a gallery in London selling prints from the "Frozen History" book he produced on the Legacy of Scott and Shackleton. These shots are just fantastic. I'll blog some more on him later...... Enjoy!

Contrast

- Rust pitted chrome ?
- Same shot done twice. Black and White. Light crops in field. Once at early misty morning, once in the early evening with grey overcast sky?

Not sure why I've started this list but think it may come in handy....

Image Sequence

From the field at the top of the road...
Walking the dog tonight I noticed the car lights light each house up as they go down the hill.
I'm wondering how a sequence of shots could work? maybe I could merge the shots too!

Bus or Tube
A sequence of close up portraits as the bus moves (head and shoulders? maybe to include the window as a frame for the shot?)

First Post!

Well I've paid up for Art of Photography course so watch this space!!