Thanks to all the members of Cork Textile Network who brought their work to Bishopstown Library on Saturday for photographs. It’s great to see the wealth of creativity and craft that is brought to me every year for photographs.
The CTN Members are preparing for their annual exhibition in the School of Music coming soon.
And look out for CTN Member, Mary Palmer who is opening an exbibition of quilted pieces in Bishopstown Library later this week.
Good luck to you all and I look forward to seeing your work on display.
The Small Fella’s big day is tomorrow and yesterday was the big ‘try on’ day and we were all on shock: he looks so big (typical thing for us to say I know); but he also took to it so well. Boys eh?
I don’t believe in Bucket Lists: there’s just so many things to do out there (and I’m lucky to have done quite a few cool things), why limit yourself to a list?
But I guess if I had one then I would have ticked something off while we were away in Allihies: I did a Sea Swim.
Now I did already do one in Australia – I did the Cole Classic in Manly in 2008 – but many would say swimming in the clear, pure, 22 degree waters of Sydney isn’t the same (despite the sharks, poisonous octopi and stinging jellyfish). But I’m not fond of cold water. In fact, I’ve had a couple of experiences that have lead me to think that cold water and me are never really going to be friends.
Some of you will know that I’ve swum in the pool since I was a kid. I’ve been doing a bit recently and got into reasonable shape before Douglas Pool closed for the Summer. And in the course of swimming with Sundays Well I’ve been asked about getting in around the coast – those nice people at Sandycove and the Lynchs of Myrtleville amongst them. But no way. It’s just too cold and I don’t like it.
But it seems finally the peer pressure got to me. Only this time it was Daughter No 2 who decided she was going to do the swim at the Beara Festival on Bere Island and how could I let her do it without entering the mens version. So in borrowed togs I took it on.
Now it wasn’t exactly Sandycove – more like a few 100m out to a buoy and back in the harbour off the Island but it was cold and no wet suit (unlike my daughter). The first quarter I thought I’d die of not being able to breath. So head out – to help the breathing and to find the buoy. By the turn I suddenly felt a little more used to it – warmed up even. So I went round the bout and ‘kicked’ for home.
Thankfully my family were so worried about my survival that there is no documentary evidence on film. But this is the spot (we waited until the ferry had left) – and you couldn’t really ask for anywhere more scenic. But I can’t promise I’ll be back next year!
I had the pleasure of attending the launch of Cork Craft Month at the Old Mill Kinsale last night. The Old Mill is the location of an exhibition entitled “Who Made This ?” – Cork Creates 2012 which showcases the work of 30 Cork-based craftspeople.
Craftspeople on display in Kinsale
In June this year Cork Craft & Design Network invited me to photograph each of the selected craftspeople. I was expecting to be asked to photograph their work but this exhibition brings the story of each of the Makers into play and the curators wanted to feature them more strongly.
So I had a day of photographing 20-odd very interesting (if somewhat reluctant) people who are far more used to putting themselves into their work than on film.
I think it’s worked wonderfully for this exhibition and there was a lot of talk last night about the portraits and the link made to the Maker from the work and how it enhanced the relationship the viewer (and hopefully the purchaser) had with the work to know more about it’s precedence.
And nice to see my work on the wall next to so much wonderful Art.
The exhibition runs until the end of August in Kinsale and there are lots more more events going on as part of Cork Craft Month running into September
Portraits of Makers featured at Cork Craft Month, KinsaleTracing Craft back to the Makers, Cork Design Network
You have to be practical with young kids – especially with the summer we’re having. This little fella was nice and comfy on the ground on the blanket and smiled his little head off for the camera.
Mum wanted to be outside with the flowers and although it was still early in the season for Fitzgerald’s Park there were plenty of daisies around – and they were just right to provide a background but not to take the focus away from the star of the session!
Best of Luck to everyone finishing up school today – I hope you all enjoy the summer.
It’s been a bit quiet from me on Facebook and the blog over the last few weeks – a busy time at work and at home but hopefully I’ll catch up next week and post some more recent work and updates…
I did this event a couple of years ago and had a great night (even though I was the only male in attendance – or maybe that was why it was so much fun!)
Unfortunately I’m not able to help this year but if you’re free this evening call to the Radison Little Ireland for a bit of Fashion Fun.
The best sessions are just plain fun. The kids aren’t performing, they’re just being themselves and I’m lucky enough to share that and get to capture it in a series of stunning images.
And what’s more beautiful than young ladies gathering bluebells!
Clearly I’m not a believer in the old motto ‘never work with kids’.
Why would you not work with them when there’s so much fun to be had.
The thing about photographing kids of any age is to realise that they generally won’t do what you want – they’ll do what they want. Which is only a problem if you want them to ‘sit still and smile’.
But if you want them to go out and be themselves, doing what they want is all you can wish for.
You just have to be able to capture it in all a photograph!
It’s over. It’s offcially been handed in. Good luck to whoever is marking them.
The History Project has become a major part of our lives over the last few weeks: any spare time we thought we had has gone to it; the combined resources of four families have been devoted to it.
In fairness they all did really well. They learned a small slice of local history and they learned a lot about organising themselves as a team.
Our lot decided to do a video instead a model and true-to-form what might have been a documentary became a drama production. A big thanks to Hugh for doing a great job with the video but it fell to me to produce a cover shot.
So inspired by my recent reading I went for something slightly more ‘conceptual’ than my normal stuff. I even dragged out the studio backdrop and the strobes for it! The girls were very expressive (and patient) models and we had a bit of fun with the courtroom drama idea – whilst keeping the original home-grown costumes. We even shot a circular concept shot for the DVD label!
I’m quite pleased with it. It’s good to have to think of something different for a specific purpose. And while I much prefer location work for most of what I do, there are times when you need something more abstract.
