Damp

 Mr Windy

Toots Wilson

Yep it's raining. Rained all last night and looks like it's going to rain all day.

Bin out collecting papers, bread milk etc for the village shoppe this morning - windscreen wipers on overtime - and now picture making calls. Cartridge paper has already been coated with a new cyanotype mix since I gave the last lot to Lucrecia. Since you ask, Lucrecia is not her real name but she has been known to me as that for years now as she fits the name perfectly - and not Flynn as she was christened.

As I write I have another oil-print exposing. What a phaff that's turning out to be. A disaster as big as my gum prints - which don't work for me either. But I keep trying. This time I did three coats of gelatin on the paper and one of Pot. Dichromate.  Later, when I have washed it, dried it and wetted it again the oil-based ink will be applied. There might even be an image at the end of it. Wonders never cease!

In the meantime, I'm wondering if Toots had a rough ferry crossing this morning as there is a bit of a blow - force 8-9 they say. He's off down to wettish Cumbria for a few days leaving his new wife to mind the gaff. 

I posted the snap of Mr Windy as I like it. And it might encourage him to re-start posting on Windy Wandering Blog.

Another blog I see from time to time even gave this blog a mention :-) Try unknown photos blog for yourself.

A tad tardy

I don't know why but I awoke with a heavy heart this morning. The sun was shining, my dear Eve was here but something, just something was bringing me low. A walk in the breeze was required and that we did on Point - that great lump of land we can see o'er the bay from here. Up to the lighthouse, round the cliff-edge and back. Lovely. I felt better then.

It was almost as good as a stroll on a beach.

Coelyne of the Coelynes

He's away so I can post this.

The Norm

I met Norm. I often meet Norm and I often get to hear about his 'book' - slowly making it's way towards completion - or should I say 'towards starting'? Not sure really but I enjoy the chat and the company all the same.

 Norm; doing his film star pose

Tag.

I took a turn around the metropolis that is Stornoway finishing the roll of film I had in the camera. There was this 'tag' on the wall of Stag Bakeries. No idea what it means but I like it. Just hope it's not rude!

bonkers!

I called in to check on the newly retired Toots the other day. I knew he was getting in the swing of the non-working thing when I caught him talking to the boys on the see-saw!

Then Toots gazed over towards the road to check on the neighbouring piggies. He couldn't see them for the fog. That worried him. He went inside and made a cup of tea to wash down the Tunnocks.

Stornoway lith

That'll learn you [as they used to say down Briftol way]. Eh?

Yes, you should have said you liked the last two snaps - as Iain did - then I would have shown something else just to be contrary. Now only Iain liked them up I'm having to assume you all like them and give you one more.

It does gives you the essence of Stornoway . Now the rain has arrived with a vengance, the wind breezes in off the harbour and the peoples dodge from cafe to pub, shoppe to car. A a few walk a bit. This is they.

The next day

It's got to me a bit, the tooth that is. Yay yay yay! I mean, it's a bit sensitive. Seen the tooth doctor who prodded it this way and that but it's covered in gold so goodness knows what's underneath. No doubt it's wrong though and no doubt it will cost me money - and pain. I shall keep you informed.

Just excuse me while I read 'The Overcoat' By Gogol. Have you nothing you to do for a few moments?





Good isn't it?
Eh?


You still here?
Good.

I posted this snap elsewhere - and some people liked it. It wasn't even real. Just a neg scan but since then the darkroom called me so now we have a hard-copy on silver gelatin. I like it.

Fingering his chanter; holding up the wall.

Oh dear, pick me up off the floor! I can just imagine the guffawing of a certain Coelyne at this print. I know, I know, I can hardly see the thing myself. And its waxed. Stopped short of giving it a full Brazilian but waxed all the same. It's on old Agfa Portriga - sepia-ed - with my own mix a chems. Hence the 'texture'.

Like it?
If so, please say so. :-)

Today

Tree; a tintype by Carl Radford

Remembrance Sunday.

I will remember those who gave their lives, those who lost their loved ones and those who are injured, mentally and physically.

There must be a better way than war.

We are all artists here!

Of course you don't believe it. I really didn't expect you to.

The islands here are crawling with artists of one sort or another. Painters, potters, photographizers and other art-creating genres starting with other letters of the alphabet. And before you start on me, yes, photographizing can be [but not always is] art. There I've said it. Luckily for me I do have acquaintances who agree with me. They have the faith.

Now, in town, Stornoway don't you know - is a pop-up shop. Eh? In Stornoway? Yep. And well worth a visit too. The shop is being run by the Create it Collective. I love collectives me I do. And this one is no exception being full of lovely things - painting, cards, pottery and more. Delicious. And it's there - in that snap above [no, that snap is not Art] in the shop between The Criterion bar [yellow] and the pink shoppe. Open Saturdays till End of December me thinks.

The Russian plastic Cosmic Symbol camera got a shot at these snaps - along with some old Agfa film. Cheap as chips [cheaper in fact] camera with interesting exposure system - that works rather well - unlike the focus!. I got the Criterion ok though and caught Toots Wilson as he ambled down to The County on his last day of work for a meal of freshly slaughtered tomatoes or something with colleagues who had respectfully dropped back as I shot.

Toots; The last day of work.

Slavich and Polywarmtone

The darkroom got a visitation today. William had bought me coffee in An Lanntair so he could get a chance to show me his crutches. Since I was suitably impressed, I left and returned home with the intention of sleeping. The night before had been long - and without much sleep. But the notion of sloshing some warm chemicals about in the dark got the better of me.

As it happens, I have been gifted some fine papers for Lithing - and I already had a couple around the place so I entered into the session with Slavich Unibrom and Forte Polywarmtone. Not that I started with this neg but I ended with it. I like it and that's what counts.

Butty Bus - Russian paper style

Slavich Unibrom is an interesting Russian cold tone paper and gives some fantastic rsults once you know how to use it. On that score I need more practice although the first print does have something about it. Although I'm not sure what! All the same, I  like it. But not as much as the print on Forte Polywarmtone - all sloshed in Rollei-Creative chems.

Mischief behind doors

Well, they were Belgians weren't they?

The man who accused the islanders of 'mischief behind closed doors' that is. He's probably right mind you but, a Belgian?

Yep, I Love Sarah apparently. I don't actually, I love Eve. But that's another thing entirely.

Then there were the Scottish dancers. Not Highland fling sort of thing more a Highland Fling sort of thing. With added Clachan Bar. [you'll have to follow the links to get my gist]. Excellent - although my tinnitus is playing up a bit today. Look, there's a trailer for the show here - you'll see what I mean. Yes, yes, go and look now. Remided me of an evening in the Lewis Bar some years ago.

Toots, the retiree

This followed a wet day on the beach with recent retiree Toots Wilson who, enjoying his new found freedom was snapping here and there on the beach with me to keep him company. I took the plastic fantastic 50p camera I have but after seeing the wonderful textures in the piles of storm-feed sea-weed on the beach, I shot home for the Hasselblad for another go. The films are sloshing about in chemicals as I write. I did develop the plastic cam film last night tho. See, that's Toots, the retiree above.

Sammi the seal was keen to join celebrating Toot's freedom by bringing seven of his mates along and followed us along the beach. Many thanks Sammi, Mr Toots enjoyed you being there.

Marbles, lens' and all that

Just in case you thought I've lost it, here's a snap taken today showing that I have little to lose :-)
The old FKD large format 'camera' complete with elastic bands and kindling wood to keep the thing from falling apart came out the box. Testing was done with some out of date resin photo paper whilst the lens - was put together with 3 close up lens I found lurking about the place. Not sure what strength they are but in total probably about +6 - if that means anything to you. Works tho - whatever it means.

I know I don't look seductive. Without marbles,  hardly animated in fact. But I am alive and well since you ask!

I believe!

Yes, I believe.

It's the sort of question that one gets asked around this island. My pal The Artist formerly known as Jon got asked that at 10am in the morning the other day whilst queuing up for tickets. Granted it was tickets for the Dawkins lecture in An Lanntair but still.....

As it happens, I listened to the talk on the local radio - and the other one before it by a Minister of some ilk - but not the local ilk it seems. He wasn't a creationist after all. That meant he got a bit in the ear at one time from the live audience. Oh well, I found it fascinating  And Prof Dawkins was interesting too. A fantastic speaker - so much so that the Wee Frees would be keen on having him preach - if only he believed. But, he's agnostic.

Vandyke print of an old camera [still wet] 

I believe my pals I work with have The Faith. Same book different beliefs though. How does that work then? Belief that's how.

Yes, I believe.
Not the "I believe" of some, or any over-dogmatic grouping based on some reading of a book. I believe in belief itself. Belief itself is the key. It keeps you on track, sane and healthy. Yes, I believe that.
I think.

Around the place

 Alison

Alison is now in France. No idea where but we think she is enjoying herself before flitting off to NZ for Christmas where Vic and Gwyneth already are. Cyclists get about a bit. She was here a few weeks back on a whistle stop visit from t'mainland. She used to be Mr Brailsford's PA at the Manchester Velodrome [where I was coach taking opportunities to take snaps of people like Graeme Obree ] till a few weeks back - then she was saved :-)

The sea is still here looking cold and steely. The clouds are here too but we have no snow. It's on the mainland mountains; I can see from here some 40 miles away.

Textures on the snaps come from the commercially developed film! I rather like it; you know, some people add this to their pics to give them more authenticity!

Last of the colour for a while! Yep, it's Rodel harbour.

Zombied

"Have you just been doing the Zombie thing? " I was asked somewhat surprisingly this lunchtime on leaving An Lanntair. My hair was a little out of place granted. My jeans a tad old and my eye-liner not as well applied as it might be but, a Zombie? Eh? Did I look tired, half-alive or something?

There was a plethora of Bodach around the place on account of the fine film about the fishing boat Providence we'd just been gazing at. Maybe it was the contrast between myself and them. Or maybe it was because there had been a Zombie flash mob outside just before. Something like this perhaps.

I smiled sweetly. As sweetly as I could anyway. As sweetly as I could without baring my fangs and sinking them into her neck that is.

 The Boys in An Lanntair

I do have friends you know. Some of them still talk to me too.I think these two do.

And another, Mrs Toots who married this year and with whom I, Eve and the Coelynes will be doing dining out with to celebrate Toots' retirement. Toots is coming too. How good is that?

Very good.


I am so pleased that Mick & Bee of the good ship Hannah came through Hurricane Sandy safe and well. We were thinking about you bobbing about over there.

Gone

On what proved a whistle stop visit of four days, the Hunters have now left the island. All is quiet and no-longer am I being rebuked by dogs three for dancing, singing or just being. No I have no snaps of them. Why Would I snap them up after all? I spent years working with their owners, travelling with their owners and that's enough for anyone.

Still, twas lovely seeing them all, Lucrecia and I spent spent happy hours snapping here and there, developing, printing and just looking. Nice.

It wasn't always dry.

The Crofter has been feeding the coows

The house is very quiet now as my dear Eve and I relax.

Yep, she's here

Beach stroll

See that? [above]
That's Gress beach. This morning.
Eh?

Was up with the birds doing the shoppe run into The Smoke collecting the milk and papers not forgetting the cakes and all. Then it was back to Tolsta and the shoppe before traipsing back to The Smoke again for The Crofter to deliver teef to the Dentist place.

 Sand and water. That's what it's like down there.

 More sand and water. Told you.

 Sand, water and sky. With a little land.

 I've bin here before.

Seaweed. That's here as well.

Surrounded

Caught on the stack

Obviously the weather has taken a turn for the worse since Lucrecia and family are on their way from Cornwall.

With the rain coming down, the beach seemed a good idea - and along with the pinhole camera we had some fun on the beach. Yes, I'm on the stack as the tide comes in!

Back from Bac

Monaco: afloat again - just

The evening went well. We spent some time in Bac at a Beetle Drive. Remember those? This one was for the Nowzad people and organised by Carolyn from Bac pharmacy. Oh what fun we had. Cakes and tea too. We lost as it happens. We were playing Tolsta rules and the rest of them were playing Bac rules. I think.

Today's snap taken this morning with the Graflex in memory of Monty whose camera it was and who departed this life 4 years ago tomorrow. 

Still here and breathing

After my near-upset experience yesterday down on The Croft, I'm recuperating at home for the moment. The snow has fallen a little so there's a white dusting outside. Apparently Stornoway has seen nothing of the snow while the Clisham road is rather more covered.

Looking forward to the re-meet of Lewis Photographica [continuing ]on Saturday morning but first I have the beetle drive at Vatisker to negotiate. Mrs Bac Pharmacy is to blame so if you fancy a drive as it were, it's 7pm at the community hall - in aid of Nowzad.

So, without further ado, here's today's masterpiece print, rescued from behind the settee - hence the dust.

Eve, getting down wif the kids [probably]

In the dark

Yes, yes, it's meant to be that colour. A pot of builder's tea poured over the print soon gives it the edge. After a few prints that were less than brill, this popped out the fixer - along with some other small prints on a selection of old papers in my possession. Nothing quite like playing around in the dark on a dull day.

Yes, this is meant to be unsharp!

The sun has mainly gone for the moment although it did make a brief appearance this afternoon whilst I was enjoying a stroll round the village. At least it is still warmish and the wind isn't blowing - yet!

It was open

Rodel Hotel

We had been a few times but never found it open. But when we did find open, the scones were just delicious!

And the weather is still glorious!

What a morning!!!!!!

The night was 'orrible. For some reason aches, pains and torment visited me last night. The hours dragged as sleep evaded me. But the morning was superb. Blood-red sunrise painted the complicated and layered cloudscape in the still air. Mist hung in the hollows and we smiled as we went into town to get the papers [which didn't arrive- [fog closing airport etc].

The intention today was to enjoy the darkroom. It won't happen today trust me. Sleep is required and the last hours of a very late summer must be enjoyed.

The snap above will have to wait!

I have a singing teacher: Apparently.

Time was passing by. The day had passed pleasantly enough. We took ourselves off to the beach and nearby to shoot some 'stuff'. Now the shoot was a 'wrap' - or whatever it should be when it's finished, a glass of rhubarb and apple sat temptingly by my side as a tempest tore in. Mr Smit and the Smitlings came in for a little shooting of the breeze [I think]. Lovely.

Mrs Smit stayed at home and had some peace.

Mrs Smit.

Soon the tempest tore out again and Ms Smit informed me that she is now to be my singing teacher. Well, that's ok, my singing does require some tuition / help. I have no sense of holding tune and Ms Smit can. Hopefully, I shall have more time in tuition than I did when Ms Smit was my dance teacher.

Master Smit.

Master Smit seemed rather unconcerned about the whole affair.

waxed and aged

The emigrant 

Yes, yes, it's an old neg. But I found it lurking down the back of the settee in the summer parlour. It spoke to me or something like that so I had to throw it in the enlarger, shine a light through it, wave my hands about, dump the paper in chemicals, wash it, put it in some more chemicals to get the colour, dry it, wax it, crease it after a spell in the freezer then polish it. And now I can't scan it properly. Not that I could do the first bit properly either but I had fun - and that's what counts surely?

Lucrecia

Lucrecia is coming for a few days. Oh, how lovely that will be. The kettle is already on. Models are primed. Film de-frosted and everything. Lucrecia will be doing the snapping. Me just looking and learning.

Lucrecia is coming all the way from Cornwall. Eh? How good is that? Very good if you didn't realise. Mater [OBE], Pater and Fred on their way too so bound to have a fine time.

Yes, there are snaps of Lucrecia and Fred on this here blog but you'll have to find them yerselfs as theym don't look like that now - all growed up and all that. Life eh? [unless you click here - Sorry Lucrecia/Fred, couldn't resist]

And, please note, Lucrecia likes me blurred up snaps too - at least that's what she tells me! If Ms Hunter want's to get into the fab Bath Spa Uni course [one of my old uni's ] she'd be better off looking at these snaps here.

In fact, all go and look now while I drink my green tea.


Ti- dum, dum dum dum.

Nice eh?

Looks like an 'orrible day here for a change. The sun that recently bathed us in its cold light has gone and now the wind blows. Cold.

Proper island wall. [and everything]

Oh bicycle, why have you let me down?

It's not alone.

spots in black

I'm still playing with images from the Ullapool cyclosportive. This is one, printed on old Kodak Bromesko with Rollei-Creative Lith. Yes, there are black spots. Why shouldn't there be. I like them. I think I may specialise in them come to think of it.

It's right sunny here too.

darkroom day

It really lashed down last night. Work me up with the racket of the hail - or whatever it was - rattling on the roof. Just as well the island drains well - although the sea did seem rather higher than usual this morning. Not sure if the two are related.

Buoyed up by the new-to-me darkroom papers I spoke about yesterday, I took myself off to my little darkroom for a minor sloshing of the chemicals - in this case, some Rollei-Creative-Lith.The new papers are fab - but I won't show those snaps yet since - they are still wet and I haven't really looked at them yet. The RC paper I have dries quickly though so here is a snap I took in Assynt and printed onto Agfa MCC RC. It almost has a Japanese look to it I think.

Portrait of a road; Assynt.