When At The Crossroads

When At The Crossroads

When you're plodding along, often times at full speed ahead, it is inevitable that you lose sight of everything in the peripheral. Everything may seem to be going right or everything may seem to be going wrong. In some cases and certainly in my own, everything may very well look the same. Each step brings the same stretch of of monotony. Imagine it, if you will, as you were walking down one of the many straight and distraction free roads in Kansas. Hundreds of miles of nothing but featureless landscape and empty concrete.

Eventually; however, you have to get somewhere and sticking with the metaphor above, that will usually be a crossroads. Do you just continue straight ahead with no thought? Do you quickly make a decision and go where the roads may take you? Or, do you sit down, have a breather and ponder what has led you here, to this grave stretch of monotony.

Clearly, nobody likes to feel they've lost their way or to feel they've gone wrong somewhere, but in my own case I feel that I have.

After much thought, I realise that this result has happened because of other people, through no fault of their own, offering their input on what I should be doing. It is I that have taken on all those advices and criticisms without flinching. It is my fault that I haven't fully considered whether each piece fits my puzzle or not. So, in taking on everything that's come to me, I became lost, muddled and clouded in judgement, following a path set out by the whims of others.

That's no good.

In doing so, I've lost sight of my own goals; of which I don't even remember if I had any. Instead, just putting one foot in front of the other in order to reach a destination that I'm truly unaware of whether or not it exists. Walking to my own grave if you will.

Now if you've read this far, I am immensely sorry that this is such a personal post; however, it is not a negative one, I promise that at least if you'll only bear with me.

So here I sit, at an intersection and I've been here for quite some time.

Do I ignore the consequences, pick myself up and keep going? Do I say "Screw it" and take a path unknown? Or do I sit here longer, pull out an atlas and plan my own journey; thorough and concise.

Two options are easy. The third, in theory, should be just as easy, yet I find it the most frightening and intimidating of the lot.

However, I am quite exhausted of this free roaming existence with no end result in sight. No goals and no purpose. In that statement alone, I believe I have my answer.

So here it is; a mandate to myself.

Don't do it to yourself anymore. I will plot my own course through this journey. I will take steps as quickly or slowly as each leg requires. But most of all, after each step, I will quantify the results and if that particular facet of the journey does not lead me closer to a goal, then it shall not be repeated.

Most of all, I will strive to enjoy and learn from every single moment on the way.

I am still at the crossroads, but now I'm sat here diligently planning my next move.

My Favourite People On Facebook

My Favourite People On Facebook

Probably quite rightly, there's a lot of emphasis on Twitter when it comes to blogs and such, yet Facebook is just as rich! Here's a list of some of my favourite people and their pages (in no particular order) on Facebook! Go "Like" them! You won't be disappointed!

Lottibella

An incredible model and an incredibly nice person! 

Panda Face Photography

A huge part of my portfolio with her modelling persona and also quite the up and coming alt photographer!

Emma-Alicia

Another incredible model as well as a brilliant Make-up Artist!

Collette Von Tora

It's only just been over a week since I had the pleasure of working with her, but this Bizarre cover girl is amazing!

Peggy Soo

Yet another incredible model and all over lovely person! Like now!

Miss Lily Stark

I'm going to have to put gaps in between all the incredible models on this list!

Dark Arts

An alternative modelling agency that deserves your attention!

Asha Tank

All over renaissance woman! Owner of Dark Arts, wonderful model and stupidly nice person!

Pirate Photography

Kitten is one of the most prolific and consistent conceptual photographers out there! Also plenty of geeky goodness!

Integra Fairbrook

The closest I have to a muse! Extraordinary woman! 

Violaceous Latex

Rubbery awesomeness of the wearable kind!

Miss Cobweb

I cannot believe how many times I've had the pleasure of working with Miss Cobweb. Sheer disbelief: she's that good!

Fetasia Latex

New latex designer with a vintage twist! Gorgeous stuff!

Rudigo

Another model that plays a huge role in my portfolio! Always up for utter craziness!

Zivity UK

The one true home for all UK based Zivity artists! Stay tuned: we're growing fast!

Tamara-Marie

Zivity model extraordinaire and total nut job (in a fantabulous way!)!

Black Lotus

Tea addled conversation junkie who also happens to be an awesome model! She's utterly lovely and joy to know!

That's it for now. Overload is no good after all! I shall probably revisit this in a few weeks with anyone I've forgotten!

Project: Yorkshire Fashion Industry

Project: Yorkshire Fashion Industry

For one of my University assignments this semester, I have been tasked with creating a body of work that encapsulates a genre of photography. In my case, I was more or less directed to stay away from fashion and contemporary portraiture for obvious reasons. With those limitations in mind, I also thought it would behoove me to steer away from still-life and music photography as well. 

It took a few weeks of very hard thinking to conceptualise a project that would maintain my interest as well as help to further my individual pursuits. Inspiration finally came after I remembered a little snippet I read on Joe McNally's blog quite a while ago regarding how National Geographic spreads are shot. Now, I know most people associate National Geographic with wildlife and pretty landscapes, but I associate it with brilliant reportage and documentary on all manner of subjects; the article I always think of first when I think of National Geographic is one on Caffeine. In Joe's post, he reflected that it used to be 1500 rolls of film used to be shot for a single article. That single sentence provided incredible insight to the quality of photography that National Geographic is famed for. Also stuck in my brain, were that these articles were not comprised of any one genre of photography, but rather encompassed all genres.

With these two notions in my head, I proposed to my tutor that I actually prepare a documentary article on the subject of the Yorkshire based fashion industry (focusing on South and West Yorkshire) and present the final product in the form of a magazine. 

Once I had her approval, I began evolving the idea further. More inspiration for the project came from the unlikely source of Magnum photographer Martin Parr during a lecture he gave in Huddersfield. Mr. Parr is currently working on a project based on his fashion work in which his output is no other than a magazine. The inspiration comes from the fact that he is actually including advertising (produced himself) in his magazine as well as the content. 

Along with my own ideas for the project, the bits of inspiration from these two legendary documentary photographers helped me to provide a solid plan for my project as outlined below:

Goal: To create a photographic and journalistic article that documents the current state and history of the fashion industry in the region of South and West Yorkshire and produce  the final output in a magazine format with intent to exhibit the body of work at a later date.

In order to achieve this enormous task, I intend to research and document the following:

• Independent Designers and their workspaces
• Fashion Retail
• Independent Boutiques
• Street Fashion
• Textile Industries
• Independent Craft Fairs
• Fashion Recycling/ Charity Shops
• Shopping Culture
• Beauty Industries
• Fashion Shows and Trade shows
• Fashion Related Advertising (Billboards, shop windows, etc)

I need to have the majority of the work done for the beginning of May in order to prepare the final output for the hand-in date, but it should be entirely possible to finish the project in that time frame.

I am open to virtually anyone getting involved in the project as long as it is fashion and beauty based (even if it's not covered in the list above). Please feel free to get in touch via the comments section, the contact forms on my website or by Facebook.

I'm very excited about undertaking a project with huge potential and I very much appreciate the time you took to read this! If you can help in anyway, please don't hesitate!

Replanning and Refocussing Social Media Efforts

Replanning and Refocussing Social Media Efforts

When it all seems to be too much, it usually isn't. Well, not to me. When this happens, it's usually just a matter of a different approach. This is certainly the case when it comes to my online presence. Between all the normal social media sites, photo sharing sites, networking sites, blogs and all the other miscellany: sometimes it just gets a tiny bit overwhelming.

For too long now, I've been telling myself I'm going to write up a crystal clear and concise plan with how I'm going to use each and when; an editorial calendar of sorts if you will.

Finally, I'm there. After a good few days (weeks and weeks really) I've managed to come up with a rough, not too strict, agenda for my various outlets online.

Now I could keep this to myself and just get on with it, but this post serves to purposes. First, it's here to direct whomever might be interested to exactly where the information relevant to them might be found. For example, if you're interested in pretty photos on a regular basis, then my student blog probably isn't where you want to be. If you're interested in musings and thoughts on the whole creative and business sides of photography, you probably won't be interested in my Facebook page. 

Second, through conversations, I know I'm not the only person trying to tackle this conundrum. Therefore, if laying out my solution to this dilemma can possibly help someone else in some way: bonus results!

Each tool will now serve a specific purpose, well, as specific as possible without limiting all potential.

So, if there's something in my experience and endeavours that interests you, you can find out where it will be found from now on below!

   The Website

Of course, my website will remain the hub of all my online activity. It's purpose, to display my portfolio and allow for a single way for people to find and get in touch with me remains unchanged. Also unchanged from my business and marketing plan is the fact that all other online efforts should in some way point back to the "hub". The same applies to the website for my alternative work.

    Facebook

Quite easily the form of social media I use most, my approach to Facebook will more or less remain the same. My personal profile is where I do most of my networking with collaborators and like minded creatives. It's a weird and eclectic mix of personal and professional, but doing things like that keeps it from getting stale and cold in my opinion.

It's been fairly recent that Facebook has shifted as my main means of networking. Other sites such as Model Mayhem have deteriorated in use and priority as their tools have become less effective thanks to a reduction in features for non paying members. 

     Facebook Pages

I have two Facebook pages. One for my fashion and beauty work and the other for my alternative work. These will continue to be used for regular (almost daily) and short updates and showcasing and a bit of networking as the limited tools allow. These mostly allow a presentation method for people who are interested in my photos but not interested in the photography side of things.

     Twitter

With a recent influx of busy-ness added to my schedule, my use of Twitter has dwindled a bit. It's a shame for certain, as I do love it. So, I will pick back up on Twitter as I would really hate to see it unused. As before, it will mostly be for networking between other photographers, models and creatives as well as trying to keep up with the ever-moving fashion and beauty industries.

     The Blogs

I have three blogs and I think this is where most of the "confusing myself" has come from. No longer as each now has a specific purpose.

     The Website Blog

Tying into the goal of the site itself, my main blog is where I will be posting recent work, who I've been working with, projects I'm working on as well as promotional offers and the such as it relates to my business. Easy.

     This Blog

Finding a purpose for this blog was slightly more confusing. However, after careful thought it wasn't all that hard, after all it would be a shame to have no use for it at all. This will be the main point of "operations" for professional industry related networking with other photographers and such. Things like techniques, equipment, thoughts and, god forbid, rants that don't belong with marketing will be here. I will also use it to share things I've found throughout any given week for the benefit of people who aren't sad and always scrounging for any information available.

     The Student Blog

As I'm currently enrolled in a FdA program for Commercial Photography, one of the requirements for the course is to keep yet another blog. This was another confusing one as there's tons of information I wanted to share with my fellow students; however, didn't think it was the proper outlet. It's not, as it turns out. So all that info will be shared on this blog. The student blog will be exactly that: student stuff. Course work and it's relatives. If you want to follow along with the things a commercial photography degree course entails then follow there!

     Flickr

My Flickr has more or less been taken over by NiceSmileSir (a 365 project). Instead of trying to fight that, I'm going to let it stay that way for a while, so for a photo a day (some really awful snapshots from me as well) check my Flickr.

     DeviantArt

As far as photo sharing goes, I much prefer DeviantArt anyway, so that's where the focus will go in that respect.

     Model Mayhem

Though it's use has somewhat fallen off recently, I still think Model Mayhem  is by far the most useful networking tool avaiable for photographers, models and Make-up Artists. Therefore, I will continue to use it as such. For its recent shortcomings; Facebook has more than made up for them and shall continue to fill the gap.

     Purestorm

Purestorm. In the past, I've more than made clear my not so high opinions of this site. However, I've noticed a huge increase in usage of late and can no longer ignore its potential. I don't have the highest hopes, but I will strive to make the most of it nonetheless.

     

     The End

Finally; well, for now. I do apologise if all that seems cold, clinical and slightly dispassionate. Anyone that knows me, should happily tell you I'm not actually like that, I just couldn't think of a way to get the information across without losing the point. In short, if you're reading this because you're interested in some aspect of my work, please use the post to find the stuff you're looking for. If you're here because you're trying to sort out a similar problem, I can only hope it's helped you in some small way!

Thanks for getting this far and hopefully I'll see you somewhere amongst the interwebs!

Zivity (NSFW)

Zivity  <3

I do love Zivity. Why you ask? Easy! It's a great, friendly community where everyone has a similar purpose and goal! Create the prettiest and  best work possible and share it! What could be better than that?

Of course, Zivity does have a royalty system for contributors allowing a small amount of payment for work submitted. It's not a lot, but for me, that's not what it's about!

I now have an excuse to create work for the fun of it. Experiment and play around with ideas that aren't exactly commercially viable. More importantly, I have an excuse to work with all the fabulously wonderful models that have also come onto the site! 

Add the regular themed contests and there's always a challenge to hone creativity and guess what: have fun!

Basically, it gives me a venue for personal work that doesn't always have a place amongst everything else and just as importantly it's a Hell of a lot of fun!!

So do come say hello! If you're not a contributor, just drop me a line and I'll invite you to a 30day free trial of the site! And if you want to model for it, or even if you're a photographer looking to contribute, just give me a shout and I'll answer any questions you may have, but don't forget to read the FAQ, it's rather concise and for once this is a site that's completely transparent about everything!

I do hope you're convinced and I'll be seeing you there shortly!

Breaking The Rules (NSFW)

Breaking The Rules

Lately, whenever I've gone through my portfolio, there's been one thing in particular I've been quite critical of. Quite simply, I felt as though I wasn't doing enough to push myself forward.

Sadly, I know where a large part of this problem stemmed from. The amount of energy and time required to run a small business as a sole trader doesn't lend itself very well to creativity. So I had a problem. Wherever there's a problem, there's always a solution right? I promised myself, in the next few shoots I did, I'd strive to push everything a bit forward. I'm always cramming new information into my head, but I'm not always using it. Thus, I knew I needed to dust off the cobwebs and push some new stuff out there!

The best way to start, I figured, was to ignore what I know. Camera clubs and magazines and what not spew forth a lot of rigid rules as to what makes a "good photograph". I've known for a long time that a technically perfect photograph doesn't always translate into a photograph worth looking at, yet when in the thick of the moment, it's all too easy to stick to "what is expected". 

I have made very small steps towards this in the past, often inspired by some of my favourite magazines, but usually it would be a one-off before returning to the "safe" images.

Basically, screw it. I wanted to make something different. Something for fun and something interesting to look at. Cue a whole lot of flare, overexposure, underexposure, light stands in the frame, ridiculously long exposures in a studio, white balances all over the place. These past two weeks have been a bit fun and I have no intention of stopping here! 

Enough talk! I do hope you enjoy these half as much as I enjoyed making them!

Thanks for reading! I do hope you enjoy the post and even feel compelled to kindly leave a comment!