Hosepipe ban

We had a very dry spring here in the Lake District which meant the reservoirs running very low and our trusted utilities company slapping a hosepipe ban on the entire North West. What has this got to do with photography I hear you ask? Everything.

From the day the ban came in to force it has rained. Heavy rain, light rain, drizzle, we've had the lot which makes booking a model a fraught procedure. As I mostly shoot outdoors, keeping an eye on the forecast is mandatory. So when one of my favourite models emails to say she's got a cancellation for 3 days time, would I like to shoot, I have to weigh up the odds of a downpour interrupting us.

Still it was Raphaella and for some reason the sun always shines when we work together, so despite a very poor forecast I went ahead and committed. And yes, as I met her off the train, the clouds parted and the sun came out - briefly.

The shoot this time was a little different for us both. There are plenty of quiet places I know of but I wanted to do something in a more classical setting. I have had a location in mind for quite some time that was ideal, the only problem being that it was in a public area and there were quite a lot of folks around, it being the middle of the summer holidays. Anyway we got an early start and actually managed to shoot an amazing amount of images in a very short time.

Not wishing to push our luck, we quit whilst we were ahead and moved on into a woodland area where the rain had made the vegetation such a lush green that it formed a sumptuous background for Raph to pose in.

Then it was quickly back home to meet the family and the briefest of shoots in the studio before getting her back on the train and off to her next shoot. These are a few of the images, hope to have some more on my site soon.

Three for the price of one

I met up with a few fellow photographers and models last week for a networking get together. These events seldom pass without the cameras coming out and the models strutting their stuff. Good to catch up with people I've only previously spoken to on-line and also to renew acquaintances with others.

Here's a few from the day.

In the pink shoes; Aimeboo. In the bath Nudey Butt, who travelled all the way from Edinburgh and lastly Miss_G; down on the beach. Planning another shoot with MissG very soon so lets hope the weather improves.

It's gone quiet

My anonymous fan has been keeping rather quiet lately. It's been a week since I posted and she doesn't seem keen to take up my offer of a coffee and chat. Ah well, I expected as much really.

Where do we go from here I wonder? I doubt I've heard the last of you my friend and this one way correspondence is challenging to say the least.

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself (Old Chinese Proverb)

Got some more fanmail from my anonymous admirer this week. My, my, someone really has got sand up her backside. This post therefore is addressed really just to you my friend.

Whilst I'd really like to debate with you there really is no mileage in doing it via my blog. Your tenuous grasp on the reality of the situation is frankly laughable and virtually every 'fact' in your last letter has been manipulated and distorted to suit your own skewed view of the situation.

However, amused as I am personally by your outpouring of bile, as someone who has adopted the self proclaimed 'moral high ground' on this have you stopped for a moment and thought just what effect your actions are having on those who you say you are trying to protect? Have you? Do you enjoy giving innocent people caught up in this sleepless nights?

Of course as the self proclaimed moral champion here you'll no doubt say that I've brought all this on myself. Well at least I've got the guts to stand up for my position. I don't go around anonymously spreading falsehoods and lies about other people.

Anyway, enough. Amused as I am, I'm also getting rather pissed off. So I'm going to make you an offer. It's unconditional, take your time. The offer is simply this. Meet me at a neutral place, we'll have a coffee and we can discuss your concerns. I don't like ill feeling with anyone and I'm more than happy to talk things through with you. You can even bring a chaperone …

You know where I am, get in touch.

However should you choose to decline my offer then consider this. We live in a small village, our kids go to the same school, we shop in the same shops. Remaining anonymous is difficult as you have already proven. I will unmask you and I will expose you. Let me leave you with another proverb from China.

"Corner a dog in a dead-end street and it will turn and bite"

Spencer Tunick Exhibition

The Spencer Tunick exhibition Everyday People had it's preview evening at the Lowry in Salford last night. It was great to catch up with those people I'd met at the photoshoot and to see Spencer's work alongside the originals by Lowry himself.

Here's a couple from the evening, with the group of us and Spencer. Thanks to Kiran for the photos. The exhibition is well worth catching, especially if you are a fan of Spencer's work.

Bigoted People

Art is a funny thing, some people like one thing, some another. Same with nudity, I suppose. It's not everyone's cup of tea. Unfortunately some very narrow people make assumptions when they come across nudity. They assume that nudity equates to sleaze and to sex and just can't see the art there. Ah well, that's life I suppose!

What's prompted this post? A letter accusing me of creating porn. An anonymous letter, at that with example photos from my website. No doubt this letter has been sent to others in the community in an effort to stir up ill feeling. That's the trouble with bigots, they're usually cowards too. So, whoever you are, thanks for the letter, you're opinions are noted and respected.

Why is my website and this blog anonymous? Why do I not put my full name to it. Simply because of this all pervasive attitude in the UK the nudity is wrong. My work is out there to be enjoyed by those that want to and those that don't … well just turn the page, friend. So to my anonymous contributor I say this. I am extremely proud of my work. I strive to create art and the human form is my preferred subject matter.

Last month the artist Spencer Tunick photographed 1,000 naked people in the centre of Manchester. Is that porn? If that isn't then why is my art porn?

So whoever you are, I'm sorry for you, sorry you live such a narrow existence and sorry you are unable to enjoy the human form in all it's beauty. Most of all I'm sorry you feel unable to talk about it.

The end of winter

Hopefully. Not posted on here for a while as I haven't really been shooting outdoors much. Anyway with better weather approaching (or so we thought) I arranged another shoot with Kirsty to start the season. It rained.

Our planned location was near a waterfall but shooting nudes in the pouring rain in March in the UK just wasn't on. Instead we found a boathouse that had a sort of covered walkway so whilst I persevered in the rain Kirsty did her stuff at least in the dry.

Heres a few from the shoot.