Boxes & Bellows

Hp5, Tri-x, Rollei 400s, Orwo N74, Foma400, Ilford Pan 400 or what?

2012-01-27T11:45:00.000+01:00

I have cameras. Several of them lurking around the place. medium format, largish format and 35mm. Hang on, excuse me a moment while I peek out and see what that glow is outside....

It's the Sun. Hurrah! Not seen that for a while. There goes my darkroom sesh!

To The Croft - Tri-x

As I was saying, I have several cameras and, things being what they are - the wind from the north, the price of carrots and what have you, I am using 35mm this year a lot. I like 35mm. The cameras are generally small, light and ,,,,, cheap. For the Island Crofter series [3 years and counting ] I have virtually exclusively used 35mm. I can creep up unawares and snap the Crofter doing his thing without him hearing me. Except when I have to take a meter reading first, wipe the rain off my face and find a spot away from the 50mph wind and shout at Maclaren to stop eating my boot - most of the time really. Still, the little Zorki6 does a lot of the work - a freebee from Mr Blomquist in Sweden - along with an OM10, the Kiev II and any other cameras that I notice around the place. Not sure where they came from really.

Toots feeling happy - Tri-x

These days proper film is not cheap. In fact what with the price of silver being what is is/has been, movies using more digital than film [except for the good ones :-) ] the prices have gone up and up. So, I'm always looking for a bargain to grab. Ilford film from Mobberly is truly excellent - HP5 being a nice 400 film although my choice of developer - Rodinal - means that it's best at 250 really. Scanned or wet-printed.

I mean, I do like grain but there is a limit! It's not cheap though - the best never is - but I bagged a couple of out-of-date 30m rolls from Spain recently at a good price so that should keep me going for a while.

Fallen Angel - Tri-x

The same goes for Kodak Tri-x - I bought 10 out of date cassettes of the stuff for - cheap :-). Looks like a grainy HP5 to me - but I'm sure there's a better way to do it! It was meant to be THE photojournalists film after all but I'm not so keen. I've also got some ORWO n74 - which is nice too. Grainy but nice tones me thinks . Foma 400 is fantastic at either 250 [rodinal 1:50] or 1600 [Rodinal !;50]. Don't ask me why, I just like it. Ilford Pan 400 - made for the export markets [India etc] I like too but the BEST real 400 film for me is Rollei400s - works lovely in Rodinal and wet-prints beautifully. Yes, really. Pity really since I haven't got much of that stuff left.

Mmm, maybe I need some more for 120 / Medium format!

Oh bother. The sun has gone !

We need more rain - like a fish needs a tandem :-)

2012-01-26T18:50:00.001+01:00

Toots in An Lanntair

William in An Lanntair

Norman in An Lanntair

It rained again today. It's pouring down as I write despite or perhaps because there was a wonderful red sunrise this morning coming up over the mainland mountains. As they say, "Red sky in the morning, Sheepherder's pie at night" - or something like that. Which, as it happens is wrong since we are having potato cakes and other veg.

Twas lovely despite the dampness. I met Mr Leica Man at his Hebridean Garden Machinery, then William, my former-work colleague for a Mocha in An Lanntair. Norman was there of course then along happened Toots. That's the nice thing about this place, you'll be pretty certain to meet someone you know every day.

And yes, these are meant to be blurry ! Made with Kodak Fine Grained Positive and Polypan-f film.

The day I was late in getting up as it was blowin a hoolie outside [again] and I'd been working out late the night before.

2012-01-25T11:09:00.000+01:00

Odd colours

Yes, yes, it's colour. Odd colour mind you. Even I can see that. I think it might be the Episcopal church in Stornoway but I wouldn't put money on it. I rarely put money on anything. Not because I don't trust my judgement [I don't as it happens] but because I don't agree with gambling. There I've said it. Having said that, I must admit to putting 50p each way on some nag at the Grand National a few years back but, hey surely that's traditional. Of course the nag fell at the first fence - if it even got that far.

Oh, I didn't dream this morning. Well, I can't remember it anyway. Sorry.

Off to the darkroom now for a spot of wet printing :-)

The day I went to town to replace the broken washing machine

2012-01-24T11:49:00.001+01:00

Consumer capitalism at work

There's wet washing hanging all over the place. Newspaper on the floor to catch the drips as the un-spun washing relieves itself of water. The machine that washes the clothes for us broke last evening. The spindle thing that holds the drum thing seems to have given up the ghost - and it's only 15 years old! Goodness, things are not meant to last these days are they?

The tunnel was long and dark with running water in the bottom. I inserted myself into it feet first and pulled my bod along, somehow floating on the water. When I got to the daylight, the exit was vertical with handrails but I managed to pull myself up feet-first without drowning myself in the process. I found myself on a roof with steps to my left, a bit drop over some windows on my right. I took the steps. Then I woke up. Eh? What was all that about then?

Time for a coffee me thinks.

And no Sir, it was not you in the green suit. Trust me. If it was, I would have never got in the bath with you :-)

Edit; I now have a new washing machine - delivered the same day and at a better price than the new discount store. From here. Highly recommended shop

The day the sun shone - until it rained again.

2012-01-23T19:55:00.001+01:00

You can see how strong the sun was today - it spontaneously combusted this person who'd just struggled down from the Dr's, got past the entrance to The County then 'whoosh' there was only feet left. Luckily it rained again soon after and washed the dust away. We are just not used to warmth here I can tell you.

I awoke this morning having had a bath with a man who was wearing a green 3 piece suit. It was a dream I might add. I knew the man. His daughter lives in France now. Can't blame her really if he bathes in his green suit. Must try the Roibos tea!

BTW; snap taken with Fujica SLR and Kodak Fine grained Positive film. Yes, Kodak is still here!

Archibald Ormsby-Gore and some other beings.

2012-01-22T19:15:00.001+01:00

Oberon with Eve

The radio was playing when it suddenly caught my attention. Think it must have been Radio4 and some faux-comedy quiz show or something like that. It seems that Archibald Ormsby-Gore was the former poet Laureate Sir John Bentjeman's constant companion along with Jumbo. There was even a poem and and a book about Archie - you can see the book here - I'd just love to read a copy of that it looks so lovely and just the sort of thing that would calm my mind before sleep - in addition to my meditation.

I mean, last night I dreamt of two pet tigers wandering round a cafe while children playing on the floor. One tiger took my hand in it's mouth. I slowly extracted it which seems like it was a good idea because in no time there was a kerfuffle outside and one of the tigers had eaten a small pet dog. No-one was very pleased I can tell you.

I'm off the Camomile tea now you'll be pleased to hear - now back on the green stuff.

Oberon is always hanging about, no doubt keeping his eye [he only has one] on Jingles [aka Smeller] who is Eve's long-time companion. Lord Wiesmier, the regalled up rabbit of this parish, former Pirate and soon to be King of all he surveys [which isn't much as it happens] keeps order.

The day I spoke about a motorised settee then envisioned The Crofter sat in his hot front room in his boxer shorts, perspiring as thrash metal rattles his windows

2012-01-21T20:47:00.000+01:00

The snow has gone

The snow has gone but the hail stones persist - along with a cold wind from the NW which fair chilled the bones on a little stroll to the village shoppe for some smoked mackerel and reading matter. I was reeling from an earlier conversation with The Crofter who had mended his ailing heating system so now his TV room is like an over-heated sauna. The thought of the crofting man sat in his boxers with his re-claimed sound system rattling the windows as a denture-less Bodach peers through window trying to raise his attention doesn't bear thinking about too much.

Hold that thought though - just for a moment. Then my waking dream of me piloting a motorised settee around the village with Eve and I on board won't seem so bad.

I must ease up on the Camomile tea!

The day it rained a little and we waited for the storm to come in. Again.

2012-01-21T02:17:00.000+01:00

The Great Alexander swots

Toots pretends to look at images of Mr Kenna [whilst giving me a black look ].

There's a very famous series of lovely photographs by one Andre Kertsz entitled 'On Reading'. Go on, take a look through the link while I just wait here a few moments.

Lovely aren't they? Yes, ok that's enough for now, you can go back and look at them later. Obviously there are a lot of images to gaze at admiringly. And they were properly printed on real silver gelatine paper don't you know - the sort that's light sensitive and you slosh with chemicals to get the image to show and to stick so to speak. I do that that too - only as yet these two images have not been through that process.

The Coelyns are often telling me I should do a series of snaps rather than the odd one here and there. I suppose The Croft images do that a bit but perhaps I should develop this little series. Any offers for me to come and photograph you??

The day it snowed again and I thought about last night when The Artist formerly known as Jon came to visit with a lovely friend. They played in my darkroom then stopped for a bite to eat.

2012-01-19T15:02:00.000+01:00

A day in Harris

I got wet this morning. The snow covered me as I strolled up through the village. it was so dark - my lightmeter registering f2/ 30th @400asa at 11am! Trust me, that's is quite dark. But Royston was welcoming as usual at his home with a warm cuppa and the snow on me melted. That's the way it is.

The Artist formerly known as Jon came over last evening and did artisty things in the darkroom with Anne, his friend from the west side of the island. The veg stew warming on the Rayburn tempted them in from the cold dark-room so we had a fine hour of chat too. I like that. I then had to drive 70 miles for work in hail and snow. I'm not so keen on that.

I must get out again today with the camera - perhaps a little stroll down to see what chaos is happening down at The Croft and a short drive to Bac pharmacy to do a little shopping. In meantime, here's a snap from a recent trippette to Harris with Rodney and Jane. It was dull that day too.

Orwo n74

2012-01-17T22:44:00.001+01:00

A nice cuppa after rolling some film onto a cassette

....and then down to The Croft to quickly get through the short length of film

Hello, what's this all about then? Well, as it happens it's photography of the proper type. You remember, film and all that. Yep, I managed to acquire some Orwo n74 35mm cinematic film. Made in what once was East Germany, it's an interesting one I wanted to try. Not much infor available on to tinternet regarding developing but I turned to my trusty Rodinal [as that was only developer I had] 1:50 for 18 mins. 17 would have done better I think but not too bad at all me thinks.

There's a few more snaps from this roll over here :-)

What do you reckon then?

Some days

2012-01-16T20:35:00.000+01:00

Horses - outside

One morning

Some mornings one wakes up with a wonderful sunrise peeking in the bedroom window [I have a camera by the bed - don't you?] and the day starts very well indeed. Today was not one of those days. The van from the shoppe needed driving to Stornoway and back again after filling it with nefarious items for on-selling as it were. The run was done - albeit later since the plane with the newspapers was late - then I checked on whether I still had 'friends' on a social network. I did. I also noted the Dalai Lama was coming to do a gig at Eden Court Inverness in June, so without so much as a hows-your-father, I rang up - getting through in a mere ten minutes - and booked two tickets. My day was made. Well, the month probably! :-)

The Great Alexander

2012-01-14T21:26:00.002+01:00

The Great Alexander

This is Alexander. I work with him if you must know and a nicer, more trustworthy and pleasant workmate I couldn't wish for. Alexander has a lovely family too with extremely talented kids to boot. Now he's into music, you know the proper stuff with violins and all that. I listen to Alexander talking about the loveliness of this piece of music and that fiddler, and then this piper and this particular tune. Tis a sad tale behind the tune and beautifully played too - all of which nere brought a tear to The Great Man's eye the other evening.

On the other hand I came across Kimmo Pohjonen - who you may think I like because he has an interesting name. And of course you could be right but if you listen and watch here you'll know you'll not see accordion playing like this down the Sea Angling Club!

Mind you, I haven't met many who like the fella - so I don't expect to see him at the Heb Celt Fest - more's the pity.

Not with-standing that, a friend of mine - her name withheld for obvious reasons since she has to run the village shoppe - loves this sort of thing. Strange, because I find that interesting too. There's no telling is there?

Winter Swim

2012-01-13T19:37:00.000+01:00

A pre-wetted Royston

I took myself off today to enjoy the warmish winter sun. But not before I had visited Royston . With the weather such as it was, it didn't take much to get Royston and his doggie Zig out for a walk on Gress. Tis a lovely stroll along that beach - currently piled high with seaweed after recent storms. Only, to get from one end to the other one has to cross a river. We did that using the road bridge. Then we had a little stream to cross - which we also did. However, Royston lost his footing on one stone and went down laying flat in the cold stream before I valiantly rushed forward, forgoing my chance to snap up a wallowing fellow villager, and hauled him out - dripping. Oh how we laughed. Sorry. "Oh, how I laughed".

Oh no, more colour

2012-01-12T15:27:00.000+01:00

The barking dog

Ok, ok, more colour and all that! Since I have the whole roll to plough through - assaulting my senses - assuming I have some that is - you might be seeing a couple more snaps from it. Despite the poor, whatever it is.

I'm just back from a quick stroll along the beach with The Barking dog - seen above. Funnily enough, she didn't bark today. Must be something up! Bit like The Crofter where all is in minor chaos.

This is why I don't 'do' colour [as well as landscapes]

2012-01-11T23:19:00.000+01:00

Mrs 'Up yours' Maciver tries out the new in stock Mr Muscle

Beth Windy sings the recipe of her magnificent cakerity Yuletide confection

Every now and again, I fall over a roll of colour film lurking in the dark recesses of the house. And as usual I get over-excited about the prospects of the this new fangled idea, pop it in the nearest camera and shoot away. Only, after the film comes back from being dragged through hairy chemicals elsewhere [I don't do that sort of chemical thing]to be bitterly disappointed with the resulting imagery. Colour is just wrong.

All the same the cake was just wonderful - it was made by Beth for Eve and myself and Mrs 'up yours' is still stronger than I'll ever be.

No idea why the chains in the shop though.!

Voice

2012-01-07T18:29:00.000+01:00

Paxette sharpness

It may not please you but my voice has returned. This morning all I could do was croak and whisper. But after a quick stroll and a warm drink in a cafe, my sensibilities are reviving.

Waxed

2012-01-05T16:51:00.001+01:00

I play.
Even though me bod is racked with a blimin cold, I'm coughing like the proverbial, I cannot sit around and do nothing. I took a quick stroll in the surprising sunshine this morning down to the village shoppe where 'Up Yours Mrs Maciver' was lurking with a smile, refusing to give me discount on my bulk purchase of one first class stamp. I noticed an ink-squirt print of two shoppe 'staff' [I use that term loosely here] has appeared on the wall - ripped off from this very same blog without so much as a by-your-leave. Eh? My lawyers are on to this as I speak and no doubt I'll be able to retire once the case has been settled :-) .

Eishken Estate sheeps

In the meantime, another masterpiece has been created after copious sloshing of liquids plus some elbow grease as I finished a print I made yesterday in t'darkroom. My sisters both keep bees - I hate the things myself - but the wax they produce does lovely things to darkroom fibre prints. If you heat the print [on the Rayburn ] on top of a newspaper [The Guardian is obviously best but since I read that on-line and the computer screen in all likelihood would melt, the local Events rag had to suffice ] then rub a block of bees wax all over the print till the wax melts and the print is covered. Then take a piece of extra special exclusive paper - in this case kitchen towel - and rub the print all over till any excess wax comes off - whilst still hot. It's a really nice thing to do on a cold day as you keep warm doing the process and it smells nice.

Oh, excuse me while I wipe the keyboard. This cold is worse than I thought! I hope someone at work HQ is reading this as I am still on shift at the moment. Not now of course but tonight.

Once the print has cooled [and here it's best to hold the print flat with a few handy weights on the corners. I used four cameras I found down the back of a chair ] you can polish the print using the extra special exclusive paper again. Not sure why there's a light bit on the left -side of the print, something to do with scanning I shouldn't wonder.

Not sure the print is any better but I love doing the process. Makes me feel like a proper artist like my dear Mum who passed away last year and would often be found with paint, paper-mache or suchlike adorning her hair after an artistic session.

Gosh, I have such a sore nose!

Back to normal

2012-01-04T16:49:00.000+01:00

Shop work Eh? What's that all about then?

Rodney and Jane in awe

Normal it seems is rain and lots of it. Normal is also the Muineag staying in port, rain and me having a cold. Did I mention the rain?? Seems to have come down everyday since a month last Thursday week or thereabouts. I almost need a snorkel to negotiate the garden path . Anyway, Rodney and Jane came to visit which was lovely. It rained all the time they were here but, apart from Jane buying up the Harris Tweed shop contents in Tarbert, Rodney gassing to that ex-punk FlyingMonk in Obbe, we paid a visit to Stornoway's Lews Castle where they both marvelled at the the way it was being left to fall down in order to make a ruined castle - which obviously will attract countless visitors in the future.

All Buzzcockian - Ever fallen in love?

2012-01-01T01:10:00.000+01:00

The Love of my life - who wasn't in the Butty Bus.

So, there we were, looking out the steamed up windows of my little car as the rain lashed down – as it had done all day. I could see my English visitors were impressed at the wetness of it all. I told them the Clisham Mtn was under that big grey cloud, the views would have been lovely had we able to see them, Luskentyre beach was the best in, in, possibly the best in or should I say on Harris and that the fact that the galleries and cafes were all closed, was not because it was Sunday – it wasn’t but because it is a special time of year when only special people bother to visit. We needed a cuppa all the same and I remembered the Butty Bus in Obbe. Dashing over to the equally steamed up bus through the wet from the car, we found a lone figure sat supping his tea. “Bit damp out there I ventured”. To which the little human nodded sagely. “ Just showing my English chums here round the place – they have never been before.” The man looked at me with a weary eye, glanced over to Butty Bus man urging him silently to deliver the ordered eggy sandwich – quickly.

“Hang on” I thought out loud ”you’re John Maher, the former Buzzcockian”. I might have included the current drag car engine maker, pixel-peeker and night walker – but I didn’t. Or at least I don’t think I did – tis all a blur now. The little man looked at me with his head leaned to one side looking again for the eggy butty – which actually turned out to contain tomato as well – and in a bun, then retorted “and you must be Wiesmier”. I stood back [well, back as far as you can in a little bus on the side of a harbour in the Outer Hebrides with the rain lashing down outside] amazed. “I am as it happens but you can call me Andrea – since that is my name – Wiesmier being merely a nom de prune" [or whatever it is]. Mr Maher explained to my bemused English chums we both take snaps with cameras, both post them on Flickr but have never met. Goodness knows how Mr Maher knew me since the other rare snaps of me to ever appear online are both blurry and / or odd! Still, I played along with the new-found chumminess introducing the lovely Jane and Rodney – Jane who used to be the same cycling club as myself and the Rodney I used to work with at the Manchester Velodrome. “Manchester Velodrome? Did you say Manchester Velodrome?” All of a sudden Mr Maher became really animated. “I love cycling, follow the tour de france and everything and I’ve just been reading Mark Cavendish’s book - you are not THE Rod Ellingworth that Cavendish talks about are you?” . "The very same as it happens” the Rodney one replied “Been coaching Cav since he was 17” he added with his typical cheeky grin. All of a sudden our loose bond became closer, coffee’s ordered, and seats warmed up by bottoms three. And photos snapped up too. Mr Maher Sir was questioning Rodney to an inch of his life about the life with Cav and the boys of the Sky cycling team. Then I chirruped in. “Hgmmm.” I coughed trying to get a little attention – Jane looking on as ever, the resigned but accommodating creature she is – also working for the Sky cycling team and having heard this sort of thing a hundred times before. “Hgmmm, I’m in Cav’s book as well’ I said rather less meekly than perhaps I should. The day was made.

Mild

2011-12-29T12:27:00.000+01:00

Wrapped up against the mild weather

What a lovely place to stroll

I told you it was mild and dry the other day. Probably why it's been lashing down all morning - now my pals are arriving from England. Oh well, at least they get to see the real island :-)

Weather

2011-12-28T18:03:00.000+01:00

We are having weather up here at the moment. Rain seems to have been falling for weeks, gales too. Mick & Bee, wintering over the other side of the Atlantic in Maine with the good ship Hannah told me this m0rning that more gales are heading this way later. I really wish I didn't know that!

Portrait of a horse

On the other hand, yesterday was lovely. Mild and dry with no wind at all most of the day. It seemed a perfect day for a stroll so off we went to the Eishken Estate on the Isle here. Twas wonderful. So quiet, so beautiful with deer on the slopes of the hills around us, seals in the loch and Golden Eagles soaring overhead. There we even the semi-feral horses to talk to.

Soggy Boxing Day

2011-12-26T12:26:00.000+01:00

Eh?

MV Arran

Evelyn and my Dance Teacher

It's been raining for days up here. Gales howling too. I think The Crofter's coows have probably grown webbed feet by now. Still, it is unseasonably warm so we don't have to wrap up too much.

My dance teacher Karmiena, and Eve posed for me on a recent beach walk when I was lurking with camera with COLOUR FILM IN !. And then 'we' snapped up two views of the Harbour in Stornoway - one of which may contain my image. It vaguely resembles me anyway. It's not digital ICE I need with these colour neg scans but cryogenics!

Greetings all

2011-12-21T21:24:00.000+01:00

Winter Beach

Many thanks for taking a look in here from time to time [and here as well ]. I enjoy taking the snaps and sharing with you all - as well as making the up rubbish I write. Thank you all so much for taking the time to read it!
Just want to wish all the very best over this Festive period - whatever it means to you. Take very good care and hope to see you all again soon.

Shopping. What's that all about then?

2011-12-18T17:09:00.001+01:00

We had to do a bit. Shopping that is. Tradition demands it for some reason. It's all to do with the Festival of Conspicuous Over-Consumption don't you know. Luckily, local customs haven't embraced this festival fully yet preferring to get on with the day as per normal. But us English have been infused if not infected with this pagan celebration with gay abandon, drinking the supermarkets dry and emptying the shops as if they will be shut for a month - not the one day [possibly] that they are down there.

After coffee with Lewis Photographica [continuing] on Saturday, Eve and my good-self when into The Smoke - Stornoway, our small capital. The place was heaving. Lovely day though, sun shining and all that. Dosed up with coffee and cakes from Toots and the Windy's we raced around getting a few minor items to send southwards and an extra potatoe for us on Christmas Day. I took the opportunity to snap up the scenes of mad shopping with a lovely Fujica Slr I have lurking - loaded this time with old Kodak Fine Grained Positive film. That's an old copy film with an iso of around 1 or 2 with a paper-type emulsion, Developed in Multigrade paper developer when I got home, I present to you;
Stornoway gone mad -Wabi sabi;[ a Homage to Nickolai Globe].

Did I tell you about Toots?

2011-12-15T18:34:00.002+01:00

He's happy.

I can hear it ........

2011-12-15T17:18:00.000+01:00

North Tolsta

"So, you're taking landscapes now are you? And pictures of the Callanish Stones too. What an earth has got into you?"
I can just hear it as I walk into the coffee club on Saturday morning with him of the Coelyns bending my ear and Toots grinning from ear to ear - as he is prone to do these days. I must admit that I may have mentioned that 'I don't so landscapes' once or twice. I may also have mentioned how much the endless snaps of the stones at Callanish are a particular irritant. But these are different. The snaps at the stones were because I went there to show a work colleague - [see below] - and my picture taking finger got over-excited. The other snaps? Well, I just like the look of snow :-)
"So Mi Lud, there rests my case."

All change

2011-12-14T19:47:00.000+01:00

John A and friend

Oh no, not a Stones snap!

Monochrome rainbow over a croft

Snow. Eh?

No, it's not snowing. Been there, done that. And maybe it'll do it again too. But it is raining now. Has been for days. But when we had snow I did take a few snaps with my trusty Zorki6 and some RolleiRetro400s. You can see some Crofter snow images here too.

And I took a snap of a rainbow - in black and white of course.

Standing

2011-12-12T20:18:00.000+01:00

The Tooter stood in the sunlight and shadows and waited while I pointed an optical device at him

What it says.

Paper-neg in camera then enlarged onto Ilford RC

Anti Tunnock

2011-12-07T16:18:00.003+01:00

The Tea Cake Connoisseur surveyed the feast before him and noticed there were no tea cakes. A candle drooped in his disappointed glare.

I always like a good title. And I think this is one I like. If you visit the Arts Show thingy in An Lanntair in Stornoway you may happen upon some more nice titles. The images there are lovely too. In reality the whole show is lovely. And I have a my eye on a little painting there too :-)

Now, I can hear you all thinking this image is a bit weird. Well, I meant it that way. I didn't happen upon it for a change but used my paper neg [Orwo paper] in-camera and then enlarged onto more paper [Ilford] technique. Eh?

The Artist

2011-11-26T21:22:00.001+01:00

We had a visitation from The Artist -previously known as Jon - the other evening which, as you might expect, was most welcome.. Was sat, talked about this and that, ate some food and looked at some images - all in all, a great time was had by all.

The Village

More of the Village

Only a couple of weeks ago Mr Windy loaned me his nice little Pentax Espio and so, enthused by the possibility of something interesting, I loaded it with colour film. So easy to use and easy to waste film - which, obviously I did. The result was - well, ordinary which I put down to the user rather than the machine. After all, Some people seem to be able to brilliant images out of any camera at all.

An old friend of mine from the soft south of the UK well, the north of England actually, accused my photographs of bleakness. So I show these rare colour snaps to show how bright it is here. Only, the weather is bad - again and I couldn't wait for next year's day of sunshine :-(

There's a wonderful artists work over here which I implore you to look at. It's young Carl Radford.

Was Lowry here?

2011-11-24T17:07:00.001+01:00

[Gaelic] Homage to Lowry

After the outstanding success of the last two snaps I posted, I realised I was on a roll - the same roll of film actually - and got to work printing up one of these masterpieces in t'darkroom while a storm rages outside, threatening to rip the ventilation pipe off its fixing. The snap was shot on a camera I found on a shelf around the place - a nice Kodak Retinette 1b as it happens - loaded with movie copy film called Polypan-f from some unknown source. Shot the image 'on the fly' with 1 sec exposure [ish]. Once the potential masterpices had revealed its negative self I then printed on Adox MCC fibre. Nice eh? Well, I think so anyway. I have an even better one drying still since its short sepia bath this morning. Nothing too much trouble :-)

GRINNEAS NAN EILEAN

2011-11-22T21:32:00.002+01:00

The local arts show at An Lanntair is coming up soon. Paintings by well known artists as well as less well known ones. Photos too - although there's usually a plethora of beach snaps and images of the Stones. I'm entering a couple and there's not a beach or big stones among them. You know, I might even get in the darkroom and print this wonderful snap of Stornoway and one of its residents. Anyone know who it is??

Still life - moving

Or what about this still-life???

Uh?

2011-11-20T20:25:00.000+01:00

Took me ages to figure out this snap taken with some cheap plastic pano camera. I like though.

The New Place

2011-11-18T22:16:00.000+01:00

The Coelyns will be letting their collective hair down this weekend while on a St Kilda gathering in Edinburgh. Hope they have a great time and come home safely.

Rax

2011-11-17T15:46:00.001+01:00

I love this fellow's work. His name is Ragnar Axelsson and his work from the far north - Greenland, Faeroe Islands and the like is outstanding. The Video here is lovely too. Take a few moments of your time and enjoy the images. A lot of this work was made with B&W film and Leica Mamiya cameras too :-)

lith - eh?

2011-11-16T18:46:00.000+01:00

Hector's Peats

Yes, it's an old neg but with a new interpretation - done as a lith print on Oriental Seagull paper. Nice eh? I had a little bit of Rollei-Creative lith liquid left and thought I'd put it to good use.I have now just about recovered from chasing The Crofter's flippin calf [Esme]around the croft - well, the next door's croft actually since it somehow got over fence and wouldn't go back via the gate. After Esme had run us ragged and had some fun in the warm sunshine, she popped down the croft and walked over the low fence. Cow's Eh?

Mr Leica Man

2011-11-14T22:06:00.001+01:00

I took a trip over to Barvas the other day. It's not generally somewhere I usually go unless the Agricultural show is on or I'm off to snap a photo somewhere. For some reason, the area has not won me over. Still, now I have friends in the area. Two just up the road who have moved there recently of which, no doubt more at a later date, and Colin aka Mr Leica Man [and tells me he's too busy to use his cameras! ] who has opened a shop selling all thing garden machinery. How good is that? The place is packed full of new and pre-used machines and others being resurrected from an early demise. Mr Leica Man has a nice little shed in there too where he can hide and drink cups of green-tea between customers and work. Go pay him a visit, he is such a nice chappie.

My dance teacher

2011-11-13T22:16:00.000+01:00

My dance teacher - and her Mum

The sun's still shining here and it's as mild as can be. A lovely walk along the coast was great to clear the cobwebs in the morning but in the afternoon we paid a visit to my dance teacher.

As it happens, my dance teacher was busy - busy making ginger-bread beings with her Mum while her young brother created the usual havoc and Dad placated him. The ginger-beings were fab - not overly gingerey but just nice. I didn't get any dance tuition.

Eroba-Race

2011-11-10T22:23:00.000+01:00

That's 'im, chasing at the back [of the break - obviously]

Two more snaps I found among Victor's negs - one of the bike he was / is so proud of and one of him racing :-) Both on glorious AgfaColour slide film.

Victor

2011-11-09T20:32:00.001+01:00

No idea who it is but I love the image!

Victor?

Eroba-Race

Our pal Victor is currently sunning himself in Australia at his daughters en-route to a few months cycling in NZ. Before he left, Victor sent me some really old negs to look at and perhaps print. I am so impressed with these three that I post them here - hoping he doesn't mind :-)

Something tells me these were taken in Germany. Victor was in the RAF and was posted there. Maybe it was just after that as the bike was given t Vic by his pals when he left the RAF. I'm sure Victor will know when he sees them. Aren't they wonderful? Oh, and the bike; Eve, my partner rode it this year at L'Eroica bike event in Italy .

Not Morecombe and certainly not wise.

2011-11-07T20:42:00.000+01:00

There's unseasonably good weather lurking round the island at the moment. Granted it's a little breezy but the warmth is still there as is the sun. The moon's up too which means I shall be out soaking up it's energy as my wonderful Reiki teacher tells me to.

Miasma of Mince-pie dust concern

2011-11-06T14:46:00.001+01:00

Yeah, winter's around the corner

There’s a crisis looming. A surfeit of cheap mince-pies came on offer at the main island outlet. And when I say cheap, I mean less than a bag of chips – although having said that, it’s such a long time since I bought a bag of chips my comparison of prices may be a bit off. The last time chips were bought sans poisons – or even avec – was…. Oh I don’t know. A while back anyway. And what with the hike in prices I may have lost touch. Still, I bought several boxes of pies of the mince over-consumerist-capitalist faux-christmassy type.

I have been putting in some design-time for an on-going photographic project [that is; I thought of a snap to take] and the mince-pies lurking within the packaging on the table in the warming-room came to mind. And I was tad peckish after a long afternoon’s meditation. The box was soon opened and the first of the ‘fine’ [I use the term loosely] food items within consumed. And then I noticed the other items – crushed to a pulp. Mashed and cracked, dead, nailed to their perch. No wonder the very reasonable cost.

Fearing for my lungs from the dust, the pies were soon wrapped within the tums of this household. I should imagine that the ‘erb who dropped the case of pies from a great height in the storeroom or lowered the half-ton of bottled Highland water on top of the case of pies is now lurking down Francis Street as we speak awaiting the Lack-of-Jobs-Centre to open in the morning.

I wondering if there is going to be an outbreak of ‘mince-pie-lung’ [© Wiesmier] in years to come as a result of the miasma of mince-pie dust on that fateful day.

Just William

2011-11-04T18:21:00.000+01:00

The sun shone today-once the lashing rain had departed. My plans to inhabit the darkroom foiled again, as one must enjoy the light when it's here. William, a former work colleague of mine arrived unexpectedly [the text announcing William's possible visitation arrived some hours later when i walked down the road] in his new white van. No string or gaffer tape holding this one together and no odd graphics on the side either advertising a closed down pottery business. We took tea in the Warming room and then enjoyed the air on Garry beach for a while as William explained to me how lucky he was not be working for the same company as as I suffer from.
Of course I took a camera - finishing off a roll of film lurking in the Voigtlander Perkeo since our hot trip to Tuscany.

William enjoying the local Tolsta air - and not talking for the moment!

I did visit the darkroom- albeit with the door open to the warm sunshine as I developed the film.

Another nice link

2011-11-02T13:50:00.000+01:00

Listen and watch here NOW!

Am I alone?

2011-11-01T15:25:00.000+01:00

Am I alone in thinking that much of the social unrest that is around at the moment - and that is likely to come is because of the gross inequalities in the world that have helped shape the culture within which we now live? There a great article in The Guardian today and, if you want to read a fine book on the subject read The Spirit Level; Why more equal societies almost always do better. [Wilkinson & Pickett].

Darling Eve

2011-10-28T15:32:00.000+02:00

A Tuscan day is not like an Isle of Lewis day

For some reason I am struggling with my health again. It's not been a good few weeks at all. Despite my best efforts with meditation and what have you, I'm not getting better at the moment. I am so lucky that my dearest Evelyn is always so supportive and caring and that makes life a little easier to bear.

So, here we have Eve in Tuscany recently with the warm sun pouring through the window. Nice eh?

Postings may be a bit erratic for while - for which many apologies. Normal service will be resumed soon - I hope :-)

Somedays

2011-10-27T20:08:00.000+02:00

Somedays, life feels like this.

When you would prefer it like this

Every time I blink.........

2011-10-25T20:31:00.000+02:00

Everytime I blink, nothing much changes.

Holga

L'Eroica

2011-10-23T14:54:00.000+02:00

The last stop

As I said; Deanne seemed to like the sun!

Is it too hot?

2011-10-22T21:34:00.000+02:00

To be honest, at the time it all seemed a tad hot. Italy was broiling - up to 40C some days and being acclimatised to The Isle of Lewis, it did seem too warm. Now, with rain coming down for the last few days, storms passing over the island regularly in the wake of the national MOD, the thought of sitting in the warm shade with a cup of espresso watching the world go by in Tuscany is rather more appealing.

I rather admire the hoardes of tartan clad personages who have been roaming around Stornoway in search of a dry spot, or a dram or, in the case of one bakery, a dram soaked Stornoway black-pudding bun!

But now I'm about the brave the weather again the evening for work, Tuscany again feels along way away

Kowa 6

2011-10-18T15:26:00.002+02:00

Bonky - with the Kowa6

I'm very pleased to have my favourite camera back again after being tweaked back to life by Newton Ellis of Liverpool.
I've really missed my Kowa 6 and will be loading it with some film a getting out just as soon as this gale stops howling across the island! I have some images here from this lovely camera.

It's nice 'ere

2011-10-17T17:21:00.004+02:00

I've popped up here too.

Deanne

2011-10-16T20:08:00.000+02:00

Homage to Jack Spencer.

2011-10-15T16:57:00.000+02:00

Italy

Back to the dust

2011-10-14T13:01:00.001+02:00

Out on the ...

2011-10-13T20:19:00.000+02:00

Just in case you are suffering from a lack of island snaps, here's one from earlier in the year - Eve, Roy and Ziggy out on the peat bank. Wonderful; image from the Vivitar UW&S :-)

These people

2011-10-13T14:57:00.000+02:00

Two

One

Did I tell you Italy was hot?

2011-10-12T14:47:00.000+02:00

Hot

Gawking Gaoile stylee

Presse

Very Hot

WhatYouLookingAt?

A few snaps from my 50p plastic camera and colour film developed in old sheep dip I think :-(

Snap in Tuscany

2011-10-11T19:33:00.000+02:00

Poster

Sometimes you see something that just begs to be snapped up. This was one such occasion for me in Italy. Lurking is a street of a small Tuscan town was this disused cinema with posters on the doors. I got there just before Mr Windy then warned him off with a friendly grimace and a quick kick to the shins. Needless to say he left me and Perkeo to it.

Italy

2011-10-10T17:31:00.000+02:00

A nice Italian gaff

Eve's mount awaiting action

Yes, we have been to Italy - just in case you hadn't cottoned on to that yet. With Mr Windy and Deanne. Twas lovely. But very hot. Still, we stayed in a nice gaff in the Tuscan hills with a swimming pool - albeit a cold one! We swam all the same. I mean, I swam as well. Eh? I never swim!!!

The two Hebridean cyclists.

Despite the heat Mr Windy and Eve went out cycling in the days before the big event, sporting their fancy jerseys and old[er] bikes. I meditated. Deanne cooked some wonderful meals. And we missed our pals who couldn't come.

Home now the [lack of] heat is much more bearable - although me thinks Deanne prefers the Italian heat.
I have a stack of films to develop sometime. I'm getting through them slowly - which makes it far more exciting to see the snaps anew rather than see them in the back of the Electric image capturing device. Even so, Eve had one of those devices and here's me making sure that Mr Windy leaves the gaff. Yes, I look hot. Didn't I tell you it was hot??

Siena

2011-10-08T18:44:00.000+02:00

There's this town in Italy set among the Tuscan hills that's full of tourists. Lots of them. More in the summer but even in October it's busy. Ice-creams dripping in the heat, red shoulders in the sun and all that. We went too. Walked around a bit gandering at this and that, snapping at the other. The church place - Siena Duomo - is a magnificent confection. Black and white marble in and out - although we only saw the outside on account of the hoards going inside. All the same it was too hot and I was surprised the church didn't melt.
We even saw some L'Eroica escapes here.

Cool tool

2011-10-07T20:31:00.000+02:00

Mr Neil Orrell.

Eve and I were in Italy with Mr Windy and Deanne. Stephen, Sonja and the Smit-lings were meant to have been there too only Stephan got unwell and couldn't come. Twas a real pity and we missed them all greatly. It was also a pity since Stephan was meant to be riding my old bike which Neil Orrell -of Neil Orrell Cycles -had renovated for me some years back. I wanted him to see the bike being ridden again. Still, we met up for a chin-wag in Gaiole over a glass of cool water or something. Neil and his pal Daryl - were riding L'Eroica too and got around the 75km route despite the baking conditions.

Meanwhile Stephan, Sonja and the Smit-lings were braving the storms at home !

L'Eroica

2011-10-06T21:51:00.000+02:00

Two tired and hot cyclists at the end of their ride; Mr Windy and Eve.

Well, we are back. Back after a drive across Italy to the airport, a flight to the UK and another to Scotland, a coach journey the next day to the coast and a rough ferry ride this morning. Mr Windy and Deanne are still suffering in the heat of Italy!

L'Eroica event was fantastic - and no doubt I will post some more snaps from that soon. The weather was VERY hot. I mean, 35-40 degrees C. Eve and Mr Windy rode brilliantly for their 135 km over tarmac roads and the white gravel roads of Tuscany.

Nearly

2011-09-24T21:06:00.006+02:00

Eve checking this beach is where it should be. It was.

Me, using a film up. Nicely.

The coffee was on when we called in to see Mr Windy today - whilst the wind and rain raged outside. I saw the new bike box, cuddled Harry the doogie and had a chat. A pre-L'Eroica chat. And yes, Eve's bruises are going and the cut knee healing.

We pre-packed Eve's 1961 Eroba-Race bike when we got home just to make sure it fits the old bike bag - it did. Then we panicked a bit since we weren't sure we'd informed the airline about the big bag. Still not sure either. And, since the weather is a tad on the rough side, we are wondering which route to take to Inverness where our air transport will be waiting for us to take us eventually to Italy. If we go by ferry - or try to - the weather just may be too rough and it won't go [depends rather which way the wind is blowing - and I HATE rough crossings anyway - 3 hours] . There's another ferry down on Harris that goes to Skye [1.5 hours] but then there's the little matter of getting from there to Inverness. We could fly to Inverness from Stornoway just down the road, but the planes are small and cannot always take bikes. What to do??

Meanwhile I scan a roll of colour film taken with a point and shoot I found in a cupboard. Not sure I like colour but I do like these two snaps.

This is older. I like it.

Later; Eve found some old currency from my earlier travels - 2.5m Boliviano from Bolivia as it happens. Were rich!!! I think it's about 9 pence these days looking at the devaluation . I remember having to change money every day as the inflation was a tad high - and we think it's bad in the UK now !!!!.

Oh, and now a Chilean Peso note - 500 pesos. Brilliant, that's another 62p then.

I'll hang on to the Guilders, Pesetas and French Francs for when the Euro finally falls over :-)

Another fine day

2011-09-23T21:17:00.000+02:00

Not the weather mind you. Tis raining and windy and has been all day pretty much, the forecasts are horrible which is not so good as we are meant to be on the ferry across The Minch early next week!

But, I had a lovely time at the Blue Pig Studio of Jane Harlington who always makes me smile. There's the wonderful welcome for a start and always a creative atmosphere. I hung about soaking it all up, drinking the coffee, eating the cakes and admiring the progress of works in the making. I hung about so long I got roped into catching the geese in the barn prior to transportation to another croft down the road. They were not happy geese either but with some skilful hands, the job was done and I did my bit of shutting the box lid. Someone had to do it!

I haven't a snap to post so go and have a look at Jane's work - it's wonderful.

All Perked up and somewhere to go

2011-09-21T21:49:00.000+02:00

I'm all Perked up and ready to go. The holiday is looming and my beloved Perkeo is filled with hope and anticipation of a trip with me - and I think I may take her since she is taking nice snaps these days - whatever I point her at. I'd had a little issue of focus but a little tickle here and there and all is well - well enough anyway. Sharpness is overrated, the preserve of the equipmentologists. Talking of which, I was told by some young but bright upstart the other day that my degree is not a 'proper' one since it is not only an 'ology' but a 'aphy' as well. Of course it's a real one, I had to talk to people AND measure pebbles - what more do you want? Young-uns eh?

Perked

Been to the mainland today. Yesterday I flew over there - broomstick class - for a work meeting in a nice hotel where I stayed. Stayed but not slept much since the rooms are so hot. And comfortable or something. The morning came slowly but I showered in the limitless hot water [although, to be quite honest, I didn't know it was limitless, it just didn't get cold when I used it. The chap who got up at 10.30am and came down to the foyer of the hotel with a scowl may have thought differently] and went for a short stroll before the Inverness massive were awake

The stroll was lovely, the air clear and fresh and dryish- although that all deteriorated when I started the course in the hotel conservatory as the rain lashed down drumming madly on the roof - as it did most of the day.

I'm home now, all snugged up with the rain still lashing and the wind blowing with Eve by my side.

This is post 1001 too!

Lovely

2011-09-18T21:03:00.000+02:00

I've had a lovely weekend since you ask. You did ask didn't you?

Still afloat.

Saturday saw Eve and I drinking tea and eating fancies in a lovely environment with some lovely people who imparted some particularly lovely information. The evening was spent with the The Crofter in lovely conversation and supper then Sunday we took off to see some other wee lovelies for coffee and more fancies while we finished arrangements for our forthcoming lovely holiday. How lovely is that?

One of tubs above is the boat that the net mending fisherman below works on !

Mending the nets

2011-09-18T13:59:00.000+02:00

A local fisherman mending the nets - from a short stroll in the sun with William and my Ilford Sporti .

POP

2011-09-15T17:19:00.000+02:00

September came around quickly. The sun shone and Eve and I took off for a lovely walk along our beautiful coast to a wonderful deserted beach where we dabbled our painted toes in the azure clear and cold water of the Atlantic. It was fantastic. Being with Eve is like that.

Now what ten disc's would you take?

Then I succumbed a little with something that needn't worry you but meant I had medical people looking down into lots of 'places' - and not finding anything wrong thank goodness. I have been a wreck. That's the way I get sometimes. But now I am on the up with no small thanks to some lovely people who know who they are.

The sun shone yesterday amid the heavy rain so, trying to forget the last 'probe' required at the Doc this morning I found some old negatives - on x-ray film as it happens - then some old Kentmere Printing Out Paper and made some sun prints. This one is small - less than two inches square but I like it all the same - even if the actual thing is a bit more interesting than it is here. And you can't imagine the pleasure I had in doing it - and that is what counts really.

POP goes the print

***

2011-09-02T05:36:00.000+02:00

I think I will be taking a while off taking and developing images as I am a tad unwell at the moment and need to get well.

Apologies.

Franka

2011-08-31T17:50:00.000+02:00

Mr Leica Man

The Harbour

Whilst ferreting around in the cupboard the other day, I fell over this old Franka Rolfix camera. I acquired this veritable camera when my former neighbour in Lancashire found it in a skip and gave it to me. Nice lens and everything. And it has a 6x6 mask still in it. The only down side is that it scratches the negs a bit. Still, I loaded it with film, pointed it at people and places and now I have images. Cool Eh?

Huisnish and beyond

2011-08-28T20:03:00.004+02:00

The Huisnish road.

Same road, without the sheeps

The day dawned bright when I opened my still sleepy eyes. Lord Wiesmier, the stuffed rabbit looked at me suggesting I ought to get up and leave the bed to him. I did and so did Eve. We loaded the little car and took off to Isle of Harris and the wonderful road to Huisnish. This, I might add, is probably the most beautiful road on that island - especially when the weather is kind.

We had a wonderful walk - of which more later - then came back in wonderful light. A sheep posed so I stopped the car and shot it's portrait - only by the time I'd sorted things, it had turned away in disgust. Perhaps next time I'll have a camera that's working properly with me!

A Radford

2011-08-26T11:02:00.001+02:00

C Radford Esq.

We had a visitation for the lovely Radford family the other weekend. Carl, for this is he, is a very fine Wet-plate collodianist and if you click here, you can see some of his lovely work. I took the opportunity of snapping him up with my little Zorki6 in the summer parlour. I like it. And the Radford family.

More Kiev madness

2011-08-22T21:10:00.010+02:00

I was fumbling around in the gloom trying to sort the box room and the mound of old cameras and bits in there. I took the cameras out and sorted them into the pile of ones that are kaput, ones that are malfunctioning in some way and the one that works :-) Actually, I think I have a couple of cameras that are perfect condition but I'm not sure which ones they are :-)

Tyres

The sky from a dark-place

In one Soviet-smelling leather case I found a Kiev 4a 35mm rangefinder I'd long forgotten I'd been given. Wasn't sure if it worked or had a light leak or something - as they are prone to do. I also found a little bit of APX400 so loaded a cassette with same, chucked it in the Kiev and set forth for coffee with Jason & Mr Leica. It works! Well, nearly anyway. Just the slower speeds are a bit suspect in that it won't fire at those speeds. And it may be that the rangefinder is off - which was just as well since Mr Leica took a pot shot of me with it - and the image is blurred. But coming home the weather was rolling in, I shut down the f-stop and shot this down the road from the darkroom door!

Before I took coffee, I went to Marybank tyre depot where the good gentlemen there took the nail out of one of my car tyres and mended the think with a smile and a warm greeting. I would never use any other place such is the pleasure of going there.!

And while you around listen to this podcast on the filmwasters site - talking to Ilford Harman.

Kiev madness

2011-08-21T22:04:00.002+02:00

Toots Wilson looking pleased with himself

Stump

I have the old klunker of a kamera from the Ukraine called a Kiev 6c. Or it might be a Kiev 60 - I never really worked it out. I had both acquired from a chum on trips to the former Soviet states and from goodness knows where. One packed in completely and i was left with the other one which works. Almost. I'd pretty much given up on it since its a lump and let in light when it shouldn't. Only, my beloved kowa6 is at the Dr so I took a look at the old Soviet bloc kamera again and tried to figure out what was wrong. I poked around with the shutter curtain a bit since that seemed to be where the light leak was. And in the process seemed to make it worse. I gave up again then a few weeks later gave it a last chance to prove itself. and it seems I may have the solved the issue - for the time being at least. How did I do that? So, here for your delectation are some snaps from that Kamera on Chinese gp3 film.

Oh, and I'm still playing with the matchbox pinhole.

Another matchbox pinhole from the Wilsonian Institute

A Wilsonian cake stand

Pinholed Ziggy

Now I'm looking forward to seeing Mr Leica for coffee on Monday :-)

Shrinking Tolsta

2011-08-19T22:26:00.000+02:00

Winter is already here - or at least this evening it seems like that. Spent a nice day with my pals Mr Bentham and his side-kick Zig down on Scalpay island checking it out, speaking to the Scalpay massive and all that. Been out to work too since I can hear you asking.

On the photography front, the Collective is working on a project for the future of which this is a test snap. Taken with the Baby Graphic with lots of front tilt. Sounds technical but believe me, it's not.

All without the matches

2011-08-17T15:05:00.001+02:00

The Cragro Photographic Collective [me] can now present a new direction in my photographic journey to goodness knows where. Not even sure where it's coming from actually.

Since I was feeling a bit flush I lashed out and bought myself a new camera. Well, I bought the bits for one anyway. A matchbox. Plus a lot of gaffer tape I had around the place, and a little bit of tin-foil. I did some less than brilliant manufacturing like so and soon I had a matchbox pinhole camera - without the matches and with film loaded. How good is that??? Eat your heart out Leica lovers, Mamiya musers etc etc..............

I must admit I have not QUITE got the exposures right and there's a lovely little light leak but hey, it's early days yet. I shall be onto my first wedding shoot in no time :-)

Anyway, her's my first shots from this delicious little camera.

Self-portrait in the Summer Parlour.

Tolsta Boys

Carnival

2011-08-14T15:12:00.001+02:00

I didn't get any snaps of the Stornoway carnival so I searched out a snap from the Bridgwater carnival in 2006. Here there are usually about 200 floats and it takes around 2-3 hours to pass. Now that's what I call a carnival! In Somerset since you ask. Lots of info and vids here. And look here for a float I'll never forget

Village show meeting

2011-08-13T00:21:00.000+02:00

Service with a smile. [buying with a vacant stare!]

Of course I went.

Actually, now I re-read my title of this post I realise it should have said "Village Shop meeting". Village show does have a better ring to it though. I can just imagine John A as Mother goose, Dorothy as Cinderella, The Crofter as the wicked witch and so on.

"He's behind you".

He wasn't of course, he was sat in front of me at the table chairing the show. The teas were laid out along with a range of home-made cakes and, and this takes me back a bit, Bourbon biscuits - no doubt bought in the village shop. [When I lived in Engerland I worked at the Manchester Velodrome and during one session training up new coaches I came across a Bourbon snatcher. Eh?]. There was also lemon flavoured sponge cake and chocolate crunch things - made by Irene in Tolsta from Mars Bars don't you know - again no doubt bought from the Village Shoppe.

To be honest, there's an awful lot in our Village Shoppe despite it's diminutive size. My, you can even get Tolsta mugs and postcards [and if you wan't one, let me know and I'll buy one for you - if you send me the money! I'll even address the postcard and post it to you from the shoppe. All proceeds to the shoppe - which I read is a not-for-profit organisation :-) ].

I've been to better shows to be honest. There was no rousing sing-along at the end although Murdo Red did his best to get us all roused up, no curtain call either - although they did deserve one. We drank tea, ate cakes and went home - only for me to have to go out to work again in the pouring rain till 11pm !!

The picture is not of the village shoppe by my late Mater and Pater serving in one of the youth hostels they ran for some years. The old codger is typical of some of their clients at that time. Did I tell you about the Christmas we had at Ironbridge youth hostel with them? No, well .........

Sorry

2011-08-11T15:34:00.001+02:00

At the Taraxacum Collection

The Shed

Look, I'm sorry.

I couldn't sleep, the street festivities in Blighty have been exercising my brain cells too much - what with all the thinking and talking one feels the need to do about it. The night lasted long but in the end I got asleep in my bed. Well, a bit of a sleep anyway.

Now I awake and the PM is being all primemintiserely or something. As if....

It's not quite the same as in England here yet. Granted one of the dogs I took for a walk this morning had a poo in a conspicuous place and then ran around a bit. But it wasn't a riot. Honest.

I'm back home now listening to Late Junction on the Iplayer thing after the dog walk in the sun, a cup of welcome tea at the dogs owners place and a visit to the neighbours. Seems reasonable to me.

Now go and read http://islandcrofters.blogspot.com/ please

Why?

2011-08-11T00:33:00.000+02:00

I mean, I'm the one without the television here!

I spend half the day taking snaps, developing them and sometimes printing them in my little darkroom. The other half writing some drivel to go with them when published [if that;s not an overly pretentious term for blogging] here and all I get is "who the blitheration is Adam?"

The last half of the day I can't sleep [like I can't do fractions] - as now, and I wonder why I bother to write the thing at all.

Gratuitous village bike snap

I do have four-seven 'followers' - for which I am grateful - but I think I must have either bored them rigid with my posts, they've have got mugged in the recent street 'festivities' in good old Blighty or else most don't know how to make a comment. I know for a fact that someone on the island looks at this since they comment to me over coffee from time to time. I've even had villagers comment to me in passing - or to others about what I have posted - so I know you are out there!

Please do say something and thanks for looking here. I might post something interesting soon :-).

Where's Adam?

2011-08-10T16:07:00.002+02:00

Adam's constituency

Horsing around

Looking for Adam

Adam's not here

Mmm

Listening to Adam

Gossiping about Adam

Gone to see Adam

There's Adam!!!!

Bored with Adam

Cake for Adam??

Seems like I may have a shutter issue here. Another camera to bite the dust possibly :-(

My Kowa Six is still at the menders too and maybe it can't be sorted. Botheration

Charlie

2011-08-09T19:53:00.000+02:00

William

William and Charlie

William holding the wall up

We went here

We went there and met Charlie.

The dump

2011-08-08T18:45:00.000+02:00

William tempted Eve and I out for a walk over in Cromor where he lives with the delightful Gemma. "Let's go over to The Dump" says William evocatively. Eh? Are you sure William I'm thinking. Didn't sound like the most fantastic stroll in the countryside I could think of.

Back of The Dump

William, leading the way

It was lovely though. The dump - where old cars were dumped - having long been abandoned and returned to normality. I took the Voigtlander Perkeo and shot some film.

The day of the incident

2011-08-08T16:04:00.002+02:00

Twas a while back now, when a real summer seemed nere a dream, the winter had not long retreated and The Crofter was up to his armpits in something smelly. A loud scraping noise emanated from down the road and as a car came to a halt, the racket stopped too. Hector's old trailer had fallen apart after a few years resting on a village croft. I shot down to the scene at a leisurely pace with The Crofter. A wheel of the trailer had parted company from the thing itself. As I reported before, rust has got into the metal and rendered it somewhat weak. Hector and The Crofter turned the trailer on its side - and the other wheel fell off. I only had the Agfa Record 6x9 with me but I shot the scene all the same then forgot I had.
Today Mr Leica Man gave me the film from the camera to scan as I had lent him the camera for a while. And this image was on it.

Hector inspects a rogue wheel

Ugh huh

2011-08-04T09:30:00.003+02:00

AS you may know by now, I don't 'do' landscapes. Can't abide them at all - especially the thousands of pics of Callanish Stones, the beaches and what have you. But I am rather fond of a portrait of a peat-track track.

Since my Kowa6 camera is indisposed, my Kiev 60 and Hasssie is with Mr Windy, I resorted to the Holga for a stroll on the boggy side. The peat-roads are not made of peat as it happens but cross the moor by the village here to get to the banks where the peat is cut. The peats allocated to us are out at the far part of the peat-banks up behind the village. You pass alongside one lochen on the rough stones of the peat-road, rise up over a mound to descend to another lochen through which the tractor must pass to get to our bank.

To be quite honest, our peats are very poor. The best peats are black sort of coal like stuff. Our are grassy brown and burns poorly . I'm not sure why we still cut the stuff since we have to burn coal underneath to keep the stuff alight. Maybe I'll find a peat-bank that hasn't been cut for three years that has better peat and is closer. That's how it's done round here.

There's another snap of this type over on my Flickr - see on right for link.

Not always as it seems

2011-08-03T14:24:00.001+02:00

Some things are not what they seem

One thing and another led me to a bit of a rough few days health-wise of late. I helped bring our hard-won peats in with Eve, Mr Four-tractors and his son. I didn't take too much out of me but then I got a bit upset when someone bent my ear over something and nothing and that sent me down-hill to three days of shocking pain and badness. Now, I'm bouncing back which is just as well as I suspect work might be busy tonight. And there's the little matter of my anniversary of my birth to contend with - I notice the jelly mould full in the fridge - and that's always a good sign. Maybe 'pass-the-parcel' too Eh?

Yay, yay, yay. Nay.

2011-08-01T20:31:00.016+02:00

The big enlarger I have sitting in the 'darkroom' [or 'damproom' ] seems to have stopped functioning for some reason or other. The electric part of it that is. Must be the pervading dampness of the village me thinks. I have already lost two electrical controllers to damp and it seems another has bitten the dust. Got half-way through a print and it just stopped. Botheration !

"Where's Adam?"

Horses.

"Where's the tea-tent?"

Took a visit over to Barvas show aka West-side agricultural show last week with two loaded cameras. Shot hither and thither and really enjoyed myself in the process. It was one of those snaps I was printing today too.
Some chappie fella me lad from a TV programme called CountryBumpkin was there to open the show and as a result loads of people turned out in the unseasonably dry weather. The chap called Adam even judged the coows at the show giving a fine running commentary about 'straight backs' and gurning loins' or something similar. Kept many entertained for moments at a time.

I took a few moments to espy the Horses and enjoyed the throwing of the sack over the high-jump. Disappointed none of the competitors were turned out in kilts. Oh yes, one handsome chappie did have a kilt on while the others made do with a rag-taggle of 'trakies ' [as I'm told they are called] and work-a-day outfits. Anyway, I talked with the locals, looked at the produce, marvelled at the Rams as Ms Humble once did, shot a few more snaps and came home - to produce my first AV - which I dedicate to Toots Wilson and the young lad at the show who exclaimed with a wide grin on his face "I've got second in the turnips!". Bless.
Click on the little snibbit to make the video full screen and watch. Yes, it's meant to be blurred!!!!

You may have noticed I have lost my Lancashire affectations. Since I hail originally from Bath and am a rather better class of snob than most I thought it better. Don't you?

Olympics

2011-07-27T21:02:00.001+02:00

Ellen Hunter MBE

Paul Hunter

I've been listening to and reading all about the forthcoming Olympics in London today. To be quite honest, I've just about had enough of it now. Having said that, it did dominate my life for quite a number of years when I worked as a coach at the Manchester Velodrome - home of the GB cycling team.

Most of the radio was about the stars, Sir Chis Hoy featured as he should, Vicky Pendleton babbled away too and countless athletes, swimmers and rowers spent time telling me how wonderful it's going to be.

For me the stars of the show are the two erbs above. Ellen Hunter came into the Velodrome one day as a novice and then ended up [via breaking her back but riding as the able-bodied tandem pilot] winning a gold and silver in the Athens Paralympics on the front of a tandem with Aileen McGlynn MBE - and later gold in Bejing too. That same year Paul, Ellen's husband, entrepreneur, wit, irritation and driven man won a bronze on the tandem at the same event with Blinkie Sharpe. Paul was the one with all the talent really. I remember, after Paul won his first World Masters title with a scintillating ride in the pursuit final against some chap from foreign climes - him telling me that he had had packed all his training into one week. Yes that's right, one week. Most people take months and years of preparation but Paul planned it on the first day, did hard and specific training on the next 5 days, tapered on the sixth day and won it on the seventh. Goodness knows what he could have achieved if he trained properly. But then, if he had been around the Velodrome all the time like most of the other riders, someone would have killed him! Lovely chap but try telling him how to train .........

On another note I overheard staff at Tesco's in Stornoway talking about Sunday opening. Now there's a can of worms. I also heard some chap on Radion 4 talking about petrol prices in Stornoway being a tad high. He then went on to say people were using their cars less in the UK and so the tax take was lower and it was affecting the economy. Not one mention of the beneficial effect on the climate or the biosphere though.

TLR

2011-07-25T22:55:00.001+02:00

Me old pal Mr Windy, im of Windy Wanderings, decided I needed a challenge or six and kindly lent me his Holga TLR to play with - already loaded with some tasty Foma 100. Now that's the sort of loan I like. I seem to recall Mr Leica doing the same thing but with Tri-x.
Anyway, once Eve was safely back on dry land after her visitation to the NT shop on St Kilda, we snook off to a nearby beach in the warmish cold wind to gawk at the surfer people. Not one VW van in sight so they can't have been proper surfers.

Back from St Kilda

"I surf". Yes, we know!

Shadow wants to surf too

Shadow and Frinn

The TLR Holga is a real pig to use to be quite honest. You look down through the view finder to see some blurred something in a round hole, you think about it then take the snap anyway. What you see is not what you get with this gem of a 'camera'. I like the snaps tho.

The road

2011-07-24T21:29:00.000+02:00

I don't do landscapes #7

Some nice chap sent me a batch of old film to play with. I loaded up the Baby Graphic 6x9 with some old-looking Ultra100 film [whatever that was] and took it out on an old peat rack over the back of the village. I looked at the view for a moment or two, stacked some red filters in the front of the lens and took this snap. I like it. Even with the odd effect of the old film that I had soaked in Rodinal 1:100.

St Kilda so I'm told.

The Coelyns on t'boat to StKilda NT shop

Meanwhile, my dearest Eve was bobbing around in the Atlantic on the way to St Kilda for a look see with the Coelyns, Toots and William among others. Apparently, St Kilda is a NT bookshop with an army base attached. Not sure why they would want to go there but still, I had given my Viv UW&S to Eve to play with in between collecting pixels with her machine. I hereby present two images to prove Eve wus there.

Chips

2011-07-23T17:44:00.000+02:00

Chips on a bench

I very rarely eat chips. Pommes de Terre saute'es a' Cru perhaps but not fries. Never cook them at home and don't tend to frequent chippies either. Having said that, Eve & I did give the ward winning chippie in Ullapool a little business the other week. But that excepted.

Eve's wallowing somewhere out near St Kilda today and I'm chiilin before workin. Life eh?

Thanks for all you inputs on the images for my 'friend'. I value you thoughts greatly. Having said that, I'm printing another image altogether :-)

Picture on t'wall

2011-07-21T00:05:00.001+02:00

I have a a friend. Only one don't you know and yes, I do pay them to be my friend since you ask.

snap 1.

Snap 2

This friend want's a snap of mine on t'wall. There's no telling some people eh? I have in mind these snaps I took the other day. Obviously these are just neg-scans and I might even push the boat out and go to the same peat-road again with a bigger camera if the mood takes me and the clouds stay nice. And the midges stay away and it doesn't rain. Then, I will make a proper print in t'darkroom for 'im and everything.

They are both of the same place. Which one shall it be ? 1 or 2?

BTW; I don't 'do' landscapes.

Sunday

2011-07-17T18:54:00.000+02:00

It's rained pretty much all day. I got up late and mooched around somewhat thinking I might actually one day get back to riding my bike properly. Listening to the TDF on the radio at the moment - with chaps I used to coach riding it - is making it so much worse. But I have to listen and today I hear Mr Ben Swift got 6th on the stage in his first tour. If I hunt around the house somewhere I have a lovely snap of Mr Swift - when he was 12 I think. He is a very handsome man these days.

Still, much as seeing Ben and others riding so well in the Tour, I still miss riding my bike - a lot!

Better

2011-07-15T20:36:00.001+02:00

We now stock Harris Tweed gifts

Tis mad in town at the moment. There's dancin in t'street, people enjoying themselves and everything. The tall boats are blocking up the harbour and creating a nice atmosphere about the place. Feels like the klondykers are back what with all the Polish and Russian crews about the place!

Contemporary Polish 'Klondykers' [Leica II-d]

Turn down one street and there's the Highland dancers, the other street and there's Samba dancers and a mainland drum band. Nice. Quite a change from the normal quietude of the place.

Talked to Mohammed again today - looking real smart in a sharp suit - a change from the work gear from the night before as he was doing the overnight guarding of the 'Continental market'. "Such nice people here" Mohammed told me.

I took some snaps too. Then I messed with one in PS. Just because I can.
Thanks be to Leica Man for the loan of the Leica II[d] and Tri-x

Oh dear

2011-07-14T23:07:00.001+02:00

It was not a good evening. The music was ordinary, there are too many people around and the only drunks I saw were sat in front of me at the music venue. I left at half-time not wishing to have another ordinary hour and had a pleasant stroll around the harbour gandering at the visiting yachts and crews. Not a drunk insight and I didn't take a photo either. Didn't have the heart for it. Could not be bothered. I'm missing my mother who is not here to receive my phone calls now.

As I get older - as inevitably I do - I find myself less able to waste time listening to music that's just OK. Or maybe I go to concerts with a negative feeling in me already. I must meditate on that to explore it.

Last week's campsite at Lickisto

Lickisto Yurt

Leica Man

Still it wasn't a terrible day. Leica Man met me in town earlier to loan me his lovely old camera and Eve is wonderful as always. Three snaps; two from last week's little camping trip and one of the kindly LeicaMan

I must meditate now.

Festival

2011-07-14T17:47:00.005+02:00

It's all happening in town at the mo. There's a festival on - two tallish ships came in this morning and I, taking the opportunity went aboard one. It's a ship from the Netherlands. Now, I was rather expecting an old ship, beautiful grained wood held together with bolts and nails put in by peoples of times long gone. This one was steel, built in 1989 and equipped with all the latest electronic kit. I was gutted. Granted there was another tallish ship out by Arnish shipyard - Polish by all accounts - and that looked a tad older.

Anyway, I had Mr Leica's camera at the time and shot a couple of shots of crew aboard the metal sailing ship before leaving feeling a bit low. For some reason this little visit mad me really upfed. I wonder why?

Tonight, I might go and listen to some music and photograph drunk people :-)

A dog walking his man in Ullapool

Rocks and water - Ullapool stylee

Messy

2011-07-13T18:58:00.001+02:00

I suggest it's all going to get messy in the next three days. I just had that sort of feeling as I came back on the ferry from a brief sojourn in Ullapool. The old boat was heaving with festival goers set for a few days of music and ,,,,, and something.

Messy

Whoa! The world's falling over!

Not sure if he has a licence for those legs. Sorry.

You looking at me?

Ullapool is a nice place -especially when the sun is shining, the ice-creams are melting and dogs are driving cars !! Eh? Yep, at least I think so.
The sun shone all day, the tea was drunk, the chips sober and fun was had.

I love the island I live on but it is lovely to visit the mainland from time to time - when the sea is calm and all that. Now that's done I must get the peats in - Donald four tractors has been round to see when I want trailer services so we must bag the stuff up.

Dampish

2011-07-11T10:23:00.000+02:00

Harris Half marathon

Whatever.......

After our lovely sojourn I 'arris we came home as I was working - on call anyway. Then it rained. The golfers on the mainland must have had enough of it and sent it over here. So, after a nice stroll up t'road to nowhere - and back in the morning I sloshed some developer around a film I had exposed in the little Petri7s then sat back and looked at the images. I do believe they are getting better every time I shoot these days - even though I say it myself. To me there is something about a snap that gives you an expression of something rather than the thing itself - which is, to me at least - altogether too boring.

No doubt The Coelyns and Leica man won't agree although Toots probably will since he is a happy man at present.

I was lucky enough to see the Harris Yoof half-four mile run [ that's 2 miles if you left school a long time back] so got this magnificent shot you see at the top :-)

A day or two

2011-07-09T23:50:00.002+02:00

Down Harris way

This morning's stroll

Eve and I took time off our busy lives to play big with the Harris massive at Mission House Studio the other evening. We tootled down to Harris [it's all part of the Isle of Lewis & Harris and joined by an isthmus - Tarbert] after Eve finished her worked, parked up the tent at the wonderful Lickisto campsite - highly recommended by us and loads of other people too - and set off to hear the fantastic Kyle Quartet play Beethoven. The venue is just perfect, the location too. The Hosts - Nickolai and Beka were so welcoming and the music sublime. I mean, I've never heard Quartet 15 Opus 132 before but it is just wonderful, my fav of the evening in fact. We even had a composer fella Piers Hellawell to speak about the piece before that last quartet - and very interesting it was too. Now we are wondering if we justify another trip down for next Friday's concert.

I think we can :-)

I did take some snaps - if you can take snaps with a Graflex 2x3 handheld. Eh? Any, here's two I didn't muck up too much, taken this morning :-)

And the coastguard were out practising just down the road again - although I did wonder if they were doing a spot of sub-contracting work for the council so they can spot builders using the village skip for their rubbish instead of having to pay to dump it.
Just wondering.