Photo Photo 365

Day 317: Snowy Edinburgh

2010-12-23T14:24:00.000Z

We are reaching the end of the year - well for me anyway as I won't probably be able to post again after today, heading to Dumfriesshire sometime either today or tomorrow, then to Lyon via London on Boxing Day - flights and general weather-related mayhem permitting.

So... well... this has been great, the best New Year's resolution I've ever made (and one of the very few I've kept). A vast improvement on the one I made aged 10, 'Practise piano every day' which lasted until the 2nd Jan. Ok, I haven't posted every single day of the year but I've done pretty well. A lot better than I ever expected.

And personally, this has been a really amazing journey for me and one I've really enjoyed. I've learned so much about photography along the way, about what I like to take photos of, what I'm good at taking photos of (and what I'm not). The journey doesn't end here but I think the 'Photo Photo 365' blog might. It's too limiting in some ways, too wide open in others. Next year's focus will, I hope, be more project-based.

I'll keep you posted on where I go and hopefully those of you kind enough to follow this blog, will follow my next one. There should be some interesting projects ahead, involving another Malawi trip hopefully and an epic horse ride through Scotland - so keep in touch.

In the meantime, I wish you all a very happy festive season and thank you again for all who have taken the time to view the photos, given me fantastic feedback on what you've liked, where I can improve, etc.

In this photo, the Duke of Wellington (currently covered in snow in subzero Edinburgh) is pointing to the way ahead as his horse gets ready to gallop off in that direction. So shall I.

Day 316: Santa on CCTV

2010-12-22T20:27:00.000Z

Santa was asleep on the back of the bus this afternoon, wrapped up in a nice warm jacket.
Can you spot him.

Day 315: Snowy eve

2010-12-21T20:03:00.000Z

This is the street I work on, in the snow, beautiful moon, above the Mosque.

Day 314: Vantage point

2010-12-19T18:08:00.000Z

This is the same pic again (obv) but with his friend in too.

Again, I don't know which works best. This one, I like for the triangulation, and the sense of something being observed on the other side of the wall on which they are standing. But I love the floating aspect to the other two.

What do you think?

Day 313: Boy floating

2010-12-19T18:06:00.000Z

This is the cloned version and I would love your advice on which works best.
I love the sense that this boy is floating almost flying in this pic and leaning in to the thing we can't see in the background of the photo.
But does it need more of a sense of context. I'm not sure it does but I'd love to know what you think?

Day 312: Education Day II

2010-12-19T17:41:00.000Z

I can't make my mind up whether this picture should have the wall and spotlight cloned out of it but I think there is something really incredible about this boys pose. This and the last Education Day pic are a couple of my favourite pics taken this year. It's funny how it's often when you revisit the pics you've taken, you find something in them you didn't see to begin with.

Day 311: Sleeping boy

2010-12-19T00:04:00.001Z

or girl...

Day 310: Ceiling decoration

2010-12-18T00:25:00.000Z

Edinburgers - spot the pub!

All ceilings should be decorated like this, don't you think.

Day 309: More fairy lights

2010-12-18T00:23:00.001Z

Day 308: Fairy lights on George st

2010-12-18T00:23:00.000Z

Day 307: Looking Up

2010-12-15T20:53:00.000Z

Day 306: Fungi

2010-12-15T20:51:00.000Z

Day 305: Music and Smiles

2010-12-13T22:26:00.001Z

Day 304: Stairwell

2010-12-12T20:11:00.000Z

Day 303:

2010-12-10T16:52:00.001Z

Yesterday morning, I was almost heading back to Malawi today due to unforseen circumstances.

In the end, it was just a bit too short notice to organise.

Bit of a shame in a way, bit of a relief in another.

Christmas is fast approaching and at some point I'm going to have to again take an almighty deep breath and belly flop into the middle of the pre-Christmas panic buying frenzy, complete with noise-repelling earplugs to protect against any possible Cliff Richard Christmas medleys I might encounter along the way. Wish me luck.

Day 302: Fly by

2010-12-08T19:29:00.000Z

Day 301: Snow on branches

2010-12-07T21:49:00.000Z

Day 300: Snow

2010-12-06T19:15:00.002Z

You may have noticed but we've been having some weather in Edinburgh these days.

It's been great, although obviously bringing the city to a standstill has its down sides too. This evening, I had to walk most of the 4 miles home as the bus services had been suspended.

By the time we got to Duddingston, socks soaking, feet cold, we thought 'maybe we could hitch the rest of the way', stuck thumb out in a rather half-hearted fashion just as a giant 4x4 was passing.... and... IT STOPPED. Approx. 1 nanosecond spent waiting for a ride - the fastest hitchhike in history.

Giant 4x4 therefore driven by Guardian Angel No. 4, as she shall now be known, and took us all the way home.

I took this photo at lunch time today in the Meadows. Hope you like it.

Day 299: Neon

2010-12-05T15:40:00.000Z

Day 298: Birthday girl

2010-12-05T15:09:00.000Z

Day 297: Minaret at sundown

2010-12-04T16:52:00.000Z

Day 296: Djemma El Fna

2010-12-04T16:48:00.000Z

Day 295: Snails

2010-12-03T19:48:00.000Z

I think, generally, I'm quite adventurous when it comes to food... but... I'm afraid, there is something about snails. Maybe it's the look of their rubbery texture or the knowledge of how they drag their slimey asses over every surface. I don't know if I will ever actually pluck up the courage to try them.

They are popular in Morocco though, great vats of the things, as here, at the many snail stalls in the Djemma El Fna, all with plenty of people gathered round enjoying their hearty bowl of snail soup.
Sadly, I wasn't one of them. Not this time anyway.

Day 294: Starry night II

2010-12-03T19:30:00.002Z

Day 293: Starry night

2010-12-03T19:28:00.002Z

Day 292: Riad Edward II

2010-12-02T21:39:00.001Z

Day 291: Riad Edward I

2010-12-02T21:38:00.001Z

If you ever find yourself in Marrakech in need of a place to stay, make sure you book at least one night in this beautiful place, Riad Edward.

Day 290: Moo

2010-12-01T19:16:00.001Z

I'm thinking this might be my bid for a travel guide front cover. What do you think?
Topical, reflective of the region, plenty of space for text?

If only travel guides came in landscape format... doh!

Day 289: Shadows V

2010-12-01T19:12:00.003Z

Day 288: Shadows IV

2010-12-01T19:11:00.003Z

Day 287: Shadows III

2010-11-30T18:34:00.003Z

Day 286: Shadows II

2010-11-30T18:33:00.001Z

Day 285: Shadows

2010-11-30T18:31:00.001Z

Day 284: Modern Art

2010-11-30T18:28:00.002Z

Is it wrong to post a photo of someone else's art when you aren't able to credit the artist as you forgot to write down their name?

I tried to find out from the website who was exhibiting at the Musee de Marrakech (where I took the photo) last week but the site seems to have been last updated circa 2004.

So you'll just have to go there and see it for yourself!

Day 283: Patterns II

2010-11-29T19:19:00.002Z

I love the patterns in these last two pictures. This one is a shaft of sunlight coming through a small portal window and hitting the wall diagonally beneath another portal window. It made an interesting natural composition, I thought.

Day 282: Patterns

2010-11-29T19:06:00.000Z

Day 281: Marrakech Part II

2010-11-29T18:17:00.000Z

A pattern is now forming when it comes to visiting Morocco. First trip, earlier this year, resulted in being stranded by the ash cloud and an overland adventure to Spain arriving home about 5 days late but with the additional bonus of a night train to Tangier, a hilarious lunch in a Port 'o Leith type bar in Algeciras and a couple of lovely days in Cordoba.

This trip ends with the Great British Freeze-off and the slowest, nightmare-ish train journey back to Edinburgh from London last night, arriving close to midnight, about two hours late due to 'events' en route, as the train guard described them. Cold, nauseous, full of flu (picked up in London).

But Marrakech was great. Colourful, noisy, spicy, chaotic. I love it.

Day 280: Rosie II

2010-11-18T22:08:00.000Z

And again.

That's probably your lot for the next few days as I'm off to Morocco (again), with my Mum this time.

Life is not usually this jet set I can assure you. It's a bit like buses...

See you later.

Day 279: Rosie I

2010-11-18T22:07:00.000Z

And here is the cutest little girl.

Day 278: Magnus II

2010-11-18T22:03:00.000Z

Blowing out plastercine candles.

Day 277: Magnus I

2010-11-18T22:02:00.000Z

Tell me this isn't the cutest little boy.

Day 276: Constructions of Happiness

2010-11-18T22:00:00.003Z

Check out Constructions of Happiness by Astrid Bussink at the Filmhouse at the moment. It's an intriguing concept and reminds me of this other fantastic project done by Nikki S Lee where she infiltrated all these different social groups. Check it out online.

Can you spot the life size cut out stuck to the wall in this photo?

Day 275: Uncle Fish

2010-11-17T19:47:00.001Z

Day 274: Secret Garden III

2010-11-17T19:46:00.002Z

Day 273: Secret Garden II

2010-11-17T19:41:00.004Z

Day 272: Secret Garden I

2010-11-17T19:41:00.002Z

Day 271: Boys will be boys

2010-11-16T19:26:00.000Z

These boys just loved striking Ninja poses and then seeing what they looked like in camera.

There was about twenty of them, all jumping about, arms flailing across each others faces, so I was quite lucky to get this picture, in focus, without someone's arm reaching across the screen Ninja-style.

This is probably the last of my Malawi pics so I hope you've enjoyed them. This is hopefully just the first taste and I'll get a further chance to visit the country and explore it a bit more.

Day 270: Baobab

2010-11-15T19:52:00.000Z

A cool picture painted on the wall in the Safari Lodge Hotel.

Day 269: Coming Home

2010-11-15T19:50:00.000Z

These boats can go out at 2 am often to return home 11 am with, hopefully, a net full of fish.

Then the village near where I was staying was crazy busy as business was done and the fish were all sold on.

Day 268: Big Fish

2010-11-15T19:48:00.000Z

Day 267: Sunrise

2010-11-14T16:58:00.000Z

Day 266: Fisherman on Lake Malawi

2010-11-13T16:28:00.002Z

I took this photo at Senga Bay just after sunrise at about 5.30am. This guy was fixing his nets before setting off in this dugout boat to fish on Lake Malawi. Chambo is the most popular fish you get in the Lake and we had it often, totally delicious, grilled open, often served with Nsema.

Nsema, sort of like semolina but more pastey and less grainy, is very much the national dish of Malawi. A meal is not really a meal without it. I had it once and it was quite tasty but I'm not a big fan, generally, of food with porridge/cereal texture so would always go for rice as an alternative, or... ahem... chips, yes, Fish and Chips, you can take the girl out of Britain... etc.

Day 265: Tomato Seller

2010-11-13T16:15:00.001Z

Along the route of all the major roads you can buy the most beautiful produce from the local villages. Mangoes, all types of vegetables and here, delicious tomatoes, all carefully presented in little stacks, one on top of the other.

Day 264: The (lil) long (we) road

2010-11-12T18:20:00.001Z

Senga Bay to Lilongwe.

I drove this route, feeling king of the road in a huge 4x4. Ok it might have been semi-illegal, since there was the small matter of a driving license I'd neglected to bring with me. But I made it. Then drove all the way from Lilongwe to Blantyre in convoy the next day.

Ah, the only way to travel.

Day 263: Kids II

2010-11-10T21:13:00.000Z

Others weren't so sure.

Day 262: Kids

2010-11-10T21:11:00.000Z

Some kids loved having their picture taken.

This little boy was a delight to photograph, with a smile to die for, and was equally delighted to see his photo taken.

Day 261: Tay Grin

2010-11-09T20:24:00.002Z

Louisa and her brother Limbani - AKA Malawi's No. 1 rap artist, Tay Grin.

Day 260: Tearoom

2010-11-07T10:38:00.001Z

Incredible red earth in Malawi.

And incredible blue sky.

And beautiful, brightly coloured chitenge that the women wear.

Day 258: Education Day

2010-11-06T14:50:00.002Z

Day 257: Beach baby

2010-11-05T18:11:00.002Z

Day 256: C V

2010-11-04T13:26:00.002Z

Day 255: C IV

2010-11-04T13:24:00.002Z

Day 254: C III

2010-11-04T13:23:00.002Z

Day 253: Chimwemwe II

2010-11-04T13:22:00.001Z

Day 252: Chimwemwe

2010-11-04T12:17:00.002Z

Chimwemwe means Happiness in Chichewe.

She was born on the 1st January 2010.
A new life to herald a new year and a new decade.

The day before she was born, her father was tragically killed in a car crash aged 19.
Father and daughter never got to meet but she was born a carbon copy of him.
A new life and a renewal of life.

I offered to take some portraits of this special little girl for her family.
So here are a few of them.

Day 251: Strawberry seller

2010-11-04T09:15:00.002Z

Mostly, the photos I liked best of those I took in Malawi are of people. This boy was selling strawberries and was a very persuasive salesman. As a result, I ended up buying an impractical amount of strawberries from him.

Day 250: I'm back

2010-11-03T15:30:00.002Z

Well, hello again. It's been a while. I hope you've fared well in my absence.

I got back to Edinburgh this morning and have so many things to say about Malawi, the wonderful time I spent there and the fantastic people I met. I have one or two (hundred) photos to sift through which is going to take some time.

Don't expect any wildlife shots, that wasn't a part of this trip (I'm going to save it for the next visit). But I really had the most amazing time, and in a large part I need to thank the lovely Louisa for that (pics to follow). For inviting me to join her family for a really memorable day on the shores of Lake Malawi, for Nervous and Louisa both for trusting me to drive their 4x4 half the length of the country, for taking me local restaurants and shops that I would never have otherwise discovered, for introducing me to Malawi's premier rap artist, for long discussions over coffee and rock shandies on every subject from politics to hair braiding.

Where to begin.

Day 249: Off to Malawi

2010-10-13T21:03:00.001+01:00

Things have been hectic these last few days preparing for my trip to Malawi tomorrow so no time to post any photos.

I'm hoping that despite working for most of the trip, I'll get some opportunity to take some splendid pictures like this one Fran took on her trip in July.

Adios for the next couple of weeks or so, I'll be back sometime in November.

Day 248: China tea bowl

2010-10-10T17:24:00.002+01:00

Day 247: Leather patterns

2010-10-10T17:23:00.002+01:00

Day 246: Abandoned

2010-10-10T17:22:00.002+01:00

Shopping trolley.

Day 245: Games

2010-10-10T17:21:00.001+01:00

Once it might have been 'Listen with Mother' on the wireless, then later it might have been eating crumpets whilst watching the wrestling on TV. Now, it's gathering round the latest game for the iPhone for family entertainment a la mode.

Day 244: Shadow leaves

2010-10-08T23:16:00.000+01:00

Day 243: Bird's Eye

2010-10-07T20:52:00.002+01:00

This was taken from the top of City Hall in London on the Open Door day.

Day 242: Hugh Hughes

2010-10-06T23:19:00.000+01:00

We went to see the wonderful Hugh Hughes this evening.

Telling the true story of the day that Anglesey broke free from the Menai Bridge and went floating off round the Atlantic.
1st April 1986. No word of a lie.

Day 241: Abstract III

2010-10-05T20:29:00.001+01:00

And there's the abstract triptych to begin the week.

Day 240: Abstract II

2010-10-05T20:28:00.001+01:00

Number two

Day 239: Abstract I

2010-10-05T20:27:00.001+01:00

My aim this week is to see how many abstract photographs I can take whilst not moving from the sofa.

Here's the first of three.

Day 238: Urban Car Park

2010-09-30T19:32:00.002+01:00

Off to Manchesterford for the weekend so I'll leave you all with a suitably urban scene in the meantime.

Have a good weekend all.

Catch you later.

Day 237: A sign

2010-09-30T19:26:00.001+01:00

Show me a sign, any sign will do...

Day 236: Me

2010-09-29T20:41:00.000+01:00

I didn't take this one but I am holding the angle poise lamp (does that count?).

Day 235: Blurb book

2010-09-29T16:33:00.008+01:00

Everest Base Camp 2009 by Jo Spiller | Make Your Own Book

Day 234: Giant

2010-09-28T21:31:00.001+01:00

There is something very wrong with this picture. But can you spot it. I'll buy you an ice-cream if you can.

Day 233: Crazy couple

2010-09-27T19:49:00.003+01:00

No idea the names of this crazy couple but I think they'd be marvellous characters in a David Lynch film.

Day 232: China Montage

2010-09-26T19:24:00.003+01:00

I'm branching out. Testing some photoshop skills.

This is slide of my Dad, changing a camera film at Chairman Mao's birthplace, apparently with a long line of curious onlookers behind him. Probably taken circa 1970.

I wanted to create an image by juxtaposing this picture with some Chinese art work, so took a photo of the inside box of a China tea set I own and blended the two together.

I'm open to suggestions on how it could be improved but I quite like it.

This is going to a project this week as I have loads more images I want to use.

Day 231: Weird warping

2010-09-25T21:58:00.001+01:00

But I like it.

Day 230: Found photos

2010-09-25T20:58:00.006+01:00

Tiananmen Square circa 1970.

I'm having a slummy weekend (which I'm blaming on the flu bug), scanning old slides that haven't been viewed in literally years. I have the fire full on and a hearty supply of chocolate, cardamon and chilli cake to hand. I even have one eye on the X factor boot camp - though I hate to admit it.
So what more does a girl need.

Red. Wine.

Day 229: Monk

2010-09-24T20:25:00.002+01:00

I'm afraid I've been too full of a cold, flu, throat infection, blah, blah to take any pictures but I have been busy, frantically trying to edit a load of existing pics ready for my first ever After Dinner Speech in November. I know this makes me sound terribly organised but I'm going to be away for nearly three weeks of the intervening period in Malawi so don't actually have very much time to prepare.

So I'm editing loads of pics, putting together a Blurb book, putting together presentation slides, desperately trying to think of good jokes to keep the old dears awake and engaged. I'm thinking blast them with Heavy Metal every fifth slide might do the trick... hmm.

So here's an old one but a freshly edited one and in the fluid, rule-making of my blog, freshly edited pics count as new pics.

Ok, it's tenuous, but, well, what are you gonna do? Fire me?

Day 228: Horse and Caaat

2010-09-23T21:10:00.001+01:00

Day 227: Elephant on yer head

2010-09-22T19:53:00.001+01:00

That's the way to grab a kid's attention. Stick a quilted elephant on your head. Juniper, the elephant, was kindly lent to us by the lovely owner of Ganapati in Peckham, THE BEST RESTAURANT in the UK (in my humble opinion), in order to entertain a slightly over-tired toddler. It worked.

Day 226: London Open Door

2010-09-22T19:48:00.002+01:00

Not only did we get to wander round City Hall and check out the spectator seats in the London Assembly, we also got to wander round a couple of really fabulous private homes. One especially was very inspiring. A very clever use of small spaces to create a strong sense of space and tranquility - complete with mirrors to create faux skylights, a compressed air-powered one person lift that made me think of Augustus Gloop going up the chocolate chute, and lots of amazing art.

It seemed intrusive enough to be traipsing through a stranger's home, photographing it too would have been a step too far. So you'll have to make do with this pic in city hall.

Day 225: Welcome to the world

2010-09-21T22:57:00.001+01:00

Day 224: Fairy wings

2010-09-17T17:34:00.005+01:00

Off to London town today to visit this little one and meet her new baby sister.

Back on Tuesday with many more pics like this no doubt.

Have a good weekend, all.

Day 223: Daisy...

2010-09-16T20:52:00.001+01:00

Daisy, what will your answer be

I'm half crazy....

Day 222: McEwan Hall

2010-09-15T21:19:00.004+01:00

I got to have a sneak peek at the elegant McEwan Hall this evening, without Graduation ceremonies or Fringe events, just the very large, impressive empty hall. Here is a picture of one of the rather stunning murals that adorn the walls. And it's a lot bigger than it looks in this pic.

Day 221: Puppets

2010-09-13T22:00:00.002+01:00

It may sound weird but I just discovered my flash this evening.

I've never really known what to do with it in the past - in fact I still don't - but this picture was taken in a pitch black room, firing the flash from an extension lead off to the left. I wanted it to look like an interrogation picture but next time I think I'm going to need slightly more 'animate' models to get the effect I was looking for.

Any volunteers? It would help if you look pretty haggard, like you haven't slept for a week, have a green tiled bathroom and a wooden chair with a wonky leg.

Day 220: Neon Eskimos

2010-09-13T21:53:00.004+01:00

Day 219: Ram

2010-09-12T20:08:00.003+01:00

Day 218: Horse shoe

2010-09-12T20:07:00.001+01:00

I have been set the challenge of taking an artistic photograph of this half horse shoe. Here's a horse shoe smile to start with.

Day 217: Water

2010-09-12T19:58:00.001+01:00

Mint flavoured.