Psuedo-Pagan and Photographic Ramblings

elswhere

2006-01-17T15:40:00.000Z

Hello - hope someone is still listening out there?

just a quick entry to say I've got a new blog to here AND am involved in an exciting new development - bookmark and visit the new blog to keep informed .......

see you over there!

Leon

ok then - maybe not ...

2005-09-07T19:03:00.000Z

You guys ......!

ok, I wont stop bloggin'. But I wont be doing it from here. I'll have a page at www.leontaylor-photo.co.uk/blog set up , but it wont be updated very often I'm afraid.

Now - can anyone tell me how I set up a blog type template were people can leave comments? and how on earth do I get my own site all RSS'd up? I'm such a thickster when it comes to this kind of thing.

The End

2005-08-30T14:53:00.000Z

I've decided to make this my last Blog entry. Traffic is slow, comments few and far between and to be honest, I'm bored with it. I'd rather be outside taking pictures.

Thanks to all my regulars - it's been great. I'm going to make a real effort to update my website so pop by now and then to see any new pics.

Goodbye.

Backlit trees in Kingswwod

2005-08-20T09:40:00.000Z

Another shot from my ongoing Kingswood project. I printed this at 11x11" on the relatively new (to me at least) Oriental Seagull VC Warmtone paper, which I have to say is the best paper I have ever used (and it wants to be at £80 for 50 sheets!). The print is rich in tones, beautiful gradation, shadow detail is crisp and obvious despite being very dark - it's just amazing, and it dries fla - what a bonus. And warm doesnt even begin to describe the untoned colour, it's like velvet! This one is a smaller version (to fit on my flatbed) very lightly toned in selenium to increase dmax, although I'm not sure this scan does it justice in any way at all.

I heard the news about Mo Mowlem yesterday - very sad. With her and Robin Cook gone, the Labour Party has very few links with it's old self any longer. Both were strong and passionate politicians who tried the "Third Way" but couldnt stand the nasty taste it left in their mouths. They both held great sway in my opinion.

ceiling

2005-08-14T11:16:00.000Z

It's been a while - sorry.

This is a shot of the ceiling in the entrance way to Holkham Hall in north Norfolk, England. Taken with my bessa r3a, 40mm nokton, on orwopan 125 developed in aculux 2, printed on photospeed legacy and toned in maco selenia.

I've been having a bit of a rethink recently . I deleted all my pics at Flikr the other day. I've been spending far too much time staring at monitor screens and not taking enough pictures or spent enough time in the darkroom. My website is way out of date and needs a complete overhaul, and I just post and comment on too many forums/ sites. I'm going to limit to my two faves - toycamera.com and apug.org, and get my arse into creative gear.

Foo Fighters new Double CD- stupendous.

Martin Grech new release - incredible.

Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel - amazing, read it in two days. How did I ever miss this book? It's been around for 20 odd years.

Ripple farm organics box scheme - there is no better! And they are only 5 mins drive from my house so I can pick it up in the field it was grown, from the farmer who grew it - you dont get more local than that!

Metamorphosis

2005-07-18T20:36:00.000Z

I bought a new book last week - "John Blakemore's Black and White Photography Workshop" and it has changed the way I consider my photo taking completely. It is a bit of a darkroom manual, it is a bit technical at times, but it also goes into great details about the emotional and psychological side of Blakemore's pictures - especially his Tulip series which is just amazing. I've seen quite a few original prints of the pictures in the book before and now to see the hows and whys is incredible.

So ... I have embarked upon a new journey to change my way of seeing. I am not going to look so much at the subject, and consider photographing the light as the main impetus of the image. I have set myself a project - every 14 days I am going to go up to Kings Wood (nr Ashford, only a short walk from my house) at dawn or dusk and just photograph the forest - one roll per visit for 12 months. I'm hoping I'll be able to look at what I've acheived over the year and see a journey of improvement and metamorphosis (something Blakemore is very much "into"). I'm going to be technical yet spontaneous ... if something grabs, I shoot and try to get a feel for why something grabs me as it does.

This is from my 1st visit last night. Unfortunately I had a bit of a spanner attack when loading the reel and fogged the film a little - but this has come out ok, and I reckon should print fine.

Big Tub o' Pansies

2005-07-11T14:25:00.000Z

This is from my back garden - I'm not overly keen on pictures of pansies (erm...!) but I was testing film in my new homebrew developer (this is fp4) and I must say it is pretty damn hot! You probably cant see here in the compressed Jpeg but the sharpness and tonality in this negative is amazing.

I've been printing like mad over the past week to get a last minute informal show together. 2 years ago, I was asked to take a series of shots in my old workplace. The building was due for demolition and the plan was to display the prints in the newly built offices. I took them and didnt hear anything further until 2 weeks ago when i was asked if they would be ready for the 23rd of this month. I thought they'd forgotten about it all!!! So after a mad panic, I've come up with 9 pretty reasonable prints which seem to work really well together. They go on display in the foyer as from Friday the 23rd July. I hope they like them.

My thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims of last week's attrocities in London. Words can not say how this has made me feel - I am proud of the way we have and continue to deal with what has happened. It will never stop us.

Black Knights

2005-07-04T18:59:00.000Z

Helen and I took our Nephew to the Jousting and Falconry display at the local castle over the weekend - a good chance to try out some fast-action-both-eyes-open bessa r3a gymnastics. Quite pleased with this one, although it's a substantial crop ... mental note - I must save for a longer lens.

We also tried our hands at archery - I got to use the Long Bow. Cool

Chemicals

2005-06-24T11:27:00.000Z

A couple of points to make about chemicals ...

when someone tells you you can store dry photographic chemicals in ziplock type plastic bags indefinitely, then sells you a load for astronomical prices , dont beleive them! I've just noticed my several year's supply of film developer has gone bad. So I've decided to go the whoel hog, buy some scales and raw chemicals and mix up my own when I need it. This works out so cheap too. Chemicals to make 100 ml of my favourite Pyrocat hd stock solutions work out at about 85 pence - and that will do about 32 MF rolls (with 2 rolls on one reel). I was spending £12.50 on the equivalent :(

secondly - I've been looking for a more gritty yet fine developer to use for 35 mm. Rodinal is too grainy for me so I've tried Patterson Aculux 2 which so far looks very promising (see above image taken on Voigtlander bessa r3a with 40mm 1.4 nokton and orange filter). it gves sharp yet small yet defined grain, good film speed and is pretty darned cheap.

2 Boats

2005-06-16T10:35:00.000Z

I've got this one over at Flickr, but I needed to post about what a great few days I've had this week meeting up with fellow toycamerateers Mark Skorji, Susan Burnstine, Ed Wenn, Damion Rice, Janet Penny and a few significant others. It was great to see everyone, I havent got the films developed yet so might take a while to get my shots posted ( I only took a few anyway - too much to talk about to shoot anything!).

Anyway - great to see you all.

Dont forget to pop over to check out the new lightleaks.org website and to submit your UNUSUAL plastic shots.

That Should Keep Him Quiet

2005-06-09T15:38:00.000Z

I know I promised some (more) boat pics, but I coudlnt resist posting this one.

This is my nephew filling his gob with a bubble-gum flavoured ice-lolly (yuck!) - he never usually shuts up so this was an extraordinary moment and one I had to record. I am so very rarely successful in photographing people that I was pleasantly suprised with this.

A proper little munkee.

Dont forget to check out the new lightleaks.org site and submit your "unusual" plastic shots.

Boats a Plenty

2005-06-07T18:20:00.000Z

This is, as promised, a shot from my test roll out of the Bronica SQAi and 40mm lens (wiiiide).

I went to Dungeness today - probably the weirdest place in the world and took loads of pictures of (wait for it ..........) BOATS - you cant say I'm not consistent! So if you think there is room in your memory stores for YET ANOTHER BOAT PICTURE, drop by here in a while ...... ;)

If you are a plastic lens user, drop over to lightleaks.org to find out about an exciting new publication all about toycameras. The magazine is accepting submissions for the first issue.

Sweetie Shop (like a child in one)

2005-06-01T18:57:00.000Z

After much wrangling, I decided to sell on my old and (a bit untrusty) rolleiflex sl66 - and am now the owner of a brand spanking new Voigtlander Bessa R3A with a Nokton 40mm 1.4 lens ..... wait for it ... AND a used (but you wouldnt be able to tell it was) Bronica SQAi with 80mm and 40 mm lenses.

This is my 1st frame from the bessa - the camera and lens are superb in everyway - I'll be posting some of the broni shots a bit later in the week.

Chuffed doesnt even describe it.

PItts Package

2005-05-17T17:39:00.000Z

This is for Simon Colbran 31st oct 1969 - 17th May 2005

thanks for the laughs

Moving Water

2005-05-10T17:14:00.000Z

An old shot from my trip to the lakes in February.

I had a great day with Ed Wenn, Jim Green and Mike (ed's brother inlaw) on Sunday when we visited a camera collectors fair in London. I managed to come home with a couple of 1940's folder camera's in a servicable but shabby state. I have cleaned them up and they seem fine - they are all loaded up and ready to be tested - look out here for the results.

The toycamera.com magazine, Light Leaks is still under preparation, stay tuned for more dtails soon.

Log Flume - Folkstone

2005-05-02T15:06:00.000Z

This is the Log Flume ride in the derelict Rotunda fairground on Folkestone sea front in a Holga style.

beltain

2005-04-29T06:39:00.000Z

This is (yet another) boat shot taken on Deal Beach, Kent back in February. It was with my Voigtlander vf101 - a superb compact 35mm rangefinder. It was one of those gorgeous low raking winter light type afternoons. Unfortunately it was a little hazy, I think I would have prefered a little more seperation in the clouds/sky.

I got my copy of Black and White photography yesterday and I am in it! It is such a rush to see your own work in print, and when asked to contribute something, I can never quite believe that it is anything other than a joke ... Mr Paranoid :)

Merry Maidens

2005-04-25T18:45:00.000Z

I love this Circle - it is quite small and unnassuming, but a great place to stop and have a picnic (mm, egg and salad cream rolls :)). My dog always loves it here, she runs in circles around the stones very fast and growls at anyone who dares to enter the circle when she is in there.

The electioneering rolls on, all the parties moaning about how bad the rest are, but never saying how good they would be .... yawn.

One peice of massive excitement is the burgeoning activity happening on the new toycamera.com magazine - stay tuned here for more news on this project as it happens. It's gonna be big!

New things I've discovered/ rediscovered lately:-

the ocean by Led Zeppelin (love that syncopation)
Tori Amos - the Bee Keeper (I know, I know, cookie weirdo whiney piano woman - but I had a bit of a crush about 12 years ago and I havent been able to stop myself from buying the records ever since)
Before Sunrise and Before Sunset - great films
Queens Of The Stoneage - Lullabies to Paralyse - just plain good
Viz - thanks to Mark Skorji - cheers mate

Chun Quoit

2005-04-20T21:52:00.001Z

Two versions of the same shot - one in fetching plastic livery and one sleek and refined glass-wear. Which do you prefer???

Did anyone realise that there is a general election about to happen in 2 weeks here in the uk?? Why is it so quiet on the Western Front? I remember GE's during my childhood to be noisy affairs with hot debates, doorstep canvasing and massive feelings of uncertainty - will the blue witch get in for yet another term .... how much more damage will she be empowered to do. But then again, that was the 80's. Now all we get is three main parties (well 2 and a half) spouting the same rubbish with very little variation or vision. Clearly the labour government have shown that they cant really make a difference with their rather wanky 3rd way (or is it just the same way as all the rest???).

We need someone who is brave enough to say, "hang on, none of this is working, we need to change things drastically - try something that really is new" ... I urge any readers of this blog who feel disillusioned like me about the lack of choice in this current political climate to take a look at the Green Party Manifesto Even if you dont agree with the philosophy, you must admit it is so very refreshing that a growingly popular political movement is brave emough to suggest radical ideas in a manifesto aimed at the mainstream ... local currency!, citizens income! - this is amazing food for thought (and tastes to me like it was cooked by a michelin star chef).

I'm going to vote green, but then again, I'm a hippy.

Next Door to the Cheese Ring

2005-04-13T15:15:00.000Z

Whilst in Cornwall the other week, Helen and I walked out to the Cheesering rocky outcrop from the Hurlers Stone Circles nr Minions on Bodmin Moor.

This walk has become a bit of a pilgrimage for me and is something I try to do whenever we visit the area. Julian Cope reckons these naturally occuring wind carved stacks were "Prototemples" or idols and pre-cursors that informed the man made stone circles and other megalithic buildings that scatter the moor. I quite like that idea and, standing on top of the Tor like hill looking in the direction of the Hurlers, I feel like I can really see the significance of it all - but then I climb down and end up feeling quite confused again.

There is often much folklore attached to rock stacks like the cheesering - often involving the stones spinning and turning of their own free will at specific significant times. Just behind the stack in this shot, I found a massive broken stone with huge, deep circular grooves on the surface - almost as if some very heavy stones had been repeatedly turned round and round on it many times ... very odd that!

This picture is a repeat shot. I have shot it quite a few times before, and I think I'll take it again whenever I visit.

The Wife and I

2005-04-01T10:19:00.001Z

We're back from our honey moon and here are some neg scans from the snaps taken by our wedding witness. We got married in a place called trevigue about 1 mile from Crackington Haven on the north cornwall coast. Despite the day starting off misty and damp, about 1/2 hour before we were due to start, the sun came out and flooded us with lovely warm late afternoon light - perfect for these pics overlooking Strangles beach.

We had a fantastic day - thanks to everyone for their kind wishes etc.

I've got loads of films to develop from the rest of the honeymoon and quite a few more negs to scan of the wedding snaps so plently more to bore you with an the weeks to come! Hooray.

PS - for the observant amongst you, yes I am holding a dog lead - Helen wanted to dress meg up in a bridesmaid tutu - but I drew the line at that ... !

Hitched

2005-03-15T11:17:00.000Z

This is Helen (with our nephew, David)

Right ... We're off to Cornwall to get married.

back in 2 and a bit weeks

the eyes have it

2005-03-11T16:44:00.000Z

My SL66 is back from the camera repairer with no fault found. This is good news in a way because at least I dont have shell out loads on a repair bill - but it does leave me in a quandry ... WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS GOING ON?????

I dug out the loupe and mini lightbox today and looked closely at some new and old negs - it would seem that some of my newer pics are out of focus , but some arent. Also, it seems that the camera is focusing closer than it should, and I am assured that this is not the camera, so I suppose this can only be due to me, or my eyes to be exact. Time to go to the Optician I think!

This neg is one of the only ones from the lakes that has some sharpness in it - not a very exciting picture, but i do like my tree abstracts.

1 week to go.

colour?

2005-03-08T22:32:00.000Z

a splash of early summer colour on this dull and cold March night.

9 days to go!

Holga in the Mainstream

2005-03-04T15:33:00.000Z

Another old shot taken in Perry Woods, nr Selling , Kent
( a lot of detail has been lsot int eh jpeg compression sadly)

This posting is a bit of a brag/ big-me-up ...

Black and White Photography magazine have accepted one of my prints for the regular Printers Art feature they have. The current fomat is two people make a print from the same negative, and compare the two - neither printer seeing eachothers print, only the negative.

The print I submitted was my WTCD boat hull - a Holga shot. This is one more step for plastic acceptance amongst the conventional photographic art world ... which I think is very cool

I am Chuffed to Buggery and cant stop grinning. I dont have a date of issue it will be in yet, (knowing my luck, they'll drop it now!!!) but will post this when I do know.

Who'd a thought it eh???