Yes, it's been lovely.

Good weather, wonderful visitors and lovely little trips out made for a brilliant if tiring few days. I'm not complaining though. Not yet anyway.

Look at the mountains on the mainland, it's sure to be raining soon.

I hope that sea is calm.

He's gone. That nice man from down south called Wilman. Gone off to the mainland to see his son playing badminton and everything. What's that all about then? It's called love.

Mr Wilman was a little concerned about the state of the sea before he left but there was hardly a ripple. Not a breath of wind and the sun was still shining too. Must have had a sleep on the ferry I should think - or watched the dolphins, sang to the whales perhaps. Wish he could have stayed longer - we had a such a lovely time.

WTCD -2013. The real thing.

World Toy Camera day. It's been and gone and I have some snaps taken with my Vivitar Ultra Wide and Slim plastic fantastic camera.

What a  wonderful few days we have had - what with the visitation of the AmerIcan photographiser and then the very wonderful Mr Wilman Sir of Englandshire - we are well sated in pleasure. And we enjoyed the brilliant company of Mr Windy and Deanne last night too. How good is that? Very good as it happens. Very very good indeed all in all. I'm buzzing from it all. And everything.

Mr Wilman came out with us to see the wilder parts of this little island here - with his pixel catching machine at home he only had his Hephone or something. But Uig, Bhaltos and Bosta look wonderful whatever device one has in hand. Here's a selection of the worst from the day - blurry and all.

 Mr Wilman assuming the pose - in the blurr

Van Morrison. 

Oh no sorry - Lewis Chess man replica [homage to Captn Beefhart]

WTCD. And I am part of it.

World Toy Camera Day is today.

You take out your simple 'toy' camera often made of plastic loaded with film and shoot. I like this day. Enables me to shoot without thinking of anything bar the image. Apart from the weather. And what we are having for tea. And Mr Wilman Sir who is staying with us - which is just lovely and everything. That's not to say the snaps are any good but I like shooting them anyway. I am, as it happens using an Vivitar Ultra Wide and Slim this year - because I have one. Paid a least 99p for it some years ago.

I took it for a stroll the other day - just to let it breathe. It did.

What a little gem this plastic box is. Just love the thing. I shall use it all day I think. Maybe two rolls of film. Snip, snap, that sort of thing.

Ellen Hunter OBE; see above this is what one does!

In for a penny or possibly £1.50.

Ragnar Axelsson & James Ravilious

Yeah! Rax has a new book. I rather hope Father Festival of Over Consumption can find a little corner to get it in my housey. The book looks fab. If it's anything like his last one - which I have in German [ the images are in English though] it's going to brill.

And yes the images are made on film. And yes his website is well worth your time to look at it.. Faeroe s and Greenland. Well, all of it really. I can't show you any of his work here but look here as well as web-site. And the Vid is brill.

After the late James Ravilious, I can't think of anyone's work I prefer. Yes, go and look at Mr Ravilous. It's wonderful work - made on real film with real cameras and proper silver gelatin paper of England of the rose coloured type. It moves me to tears almost. There a vid too.

If I had merely one image on the wall at home, it might well be this one. Just love it.

And if I could take just one image which moved me as much as work by Mr Ravilious or Mr Axelsson, I would be a very happy bunny

Photograph by James Ravilious © Beaford Arts

She's a 'proper' photographer and I know it!

Apart from the fact she mainly uses pixels, Lizz Cardwell is what one might term a proper photographer. I took advantage, she was sitting in the warming room yesterday and I took a snap or two. Proper snaps and everything - on film and almost in focus. That's because focus is hugely over-rated. I read that somewhere and I took it to heart. Bound to be true surely. Even HCB had off focus images that were wonderful - trust me.

I love this snap - taken with a Bronica that I have not really got the hang of. Something about this snap says "wow" and everything. I mean, look at the grain, the tilt and the hair. The mood and all.
.

That last one is even better than this one here. Although I had high hopes for it, it lacks a certain something the other one has. I shall ask Lizz as she sups her Cullen Skink tonight why that is. She'll be bound to know. She is a proper photographer after all.

A Vision from the USA [via Danmark]

How did that happen then?

No idea but we did enjoy a fine meal at a Stornoway Eatery last evening with The Crofter, Eve, I and the American photographist. And then we came back to introduce her to Irn Bru - as you do. She didn't like the Ginger Wine though. Bad mark against her to be honest.

And since you ask, I like the texture that arrived on this film. No idea why it's there. I have my thoughts but my thoughts are mine and there you are.

"And this is a 10 year old Irn Bru"

Liz

Mr Crofter Sir, David, Sue Eve and I enjoyed the visitation and the photographising. Murray and John Angus too. And as I write John A has found some peat to stack, a fence to mend and a ram to ,,,,,, do something with/to. In his smart garb too. Funny that :-)

Liz will be off back to Danmark soon but we hope she comes back and see some 'proper' horizontal Western Isles weather.

http://lizzcardwell.com

I may seem a little frantic but there's a shrew loose in the hoose.

Despite our esteemed visitor - or perhaps because of her, HHHCB has brought in a shrew this morning and now the flippin thing is running loose - and I can't find it.

Perhaps I'm a tad tired too after chasing the Aurora last night. Lovely green lights sparkling in the sky despite the huge and very wasteful street lights we have that make the place look like an outsize horizontal Christmas tree - without the baubles.

No, I have no snap of it, I preferred the reality of it's actuality - although our esteemed visitor took a few snaps with her electrical image capturing device as we stood shivering on the moor in the dark night. Mr Crofter saw it too - first time for him though he's been here 10 years.

I do have another fank snap though. And that's all you get till I take something more.

We have a photographer around

I took her in. Well, we fed her and she is staying elsewhere in the village with a spare bed and everything. When you live in a house the size of a shrunken dolls house, we have to compromise.

Liz, for that is her name has come from AmerIca via Arhus in Denmark. Lovely too. She'll be around the place for a couple of days so, don't hide; she likes Crofters :-) Interesting work too. See here.

For your delectation today [while I listen to the Reith Lecture on Radio 4 don't you know] is another snap [above] from the fank. Hector and his doggie whose name escapes me but is a fine sheeper dog - tootle off to bring a few more sheeps for their swim in the smelly stuff. They love their quads round here.

One man and his imaginary dog

I imagined the dog anyway.

He, didn't need a dog, the sheeps knew where they were going - at least they did when they saw the fank. They were not too keen on that. And I wouldn't be either. They were dipping the sheeps in 'orrible smelling 'stuff'.

'They' were all there - or most of them anyway. Didn't see Mr Crofter Sir as he was still shaping teeth for the masses. It's a nice place to see old pals, to pass the time of day or take a snap or two.
I might have some more soon.

Profound apologies

I have to apologise for yesterdays outburst - for all the good it did anyway! The sun was out and I'd been stood in it for too long in Ness having a really interesting conversation with this lovely fella me-lad of a granpa with his sweet twin granddaughters. Obviously it had got to me - the sun that is. We are not used to up here you know. The chap was really good to talk to - had to tear myself away from telling him how this consumer-capitalist society we have  is incompatible with the closed biosphere we 'live' in and are quickly destroying. And how the gross inequalities in the UK are not good for us and how those countries where they have smaller inequalities in society have better health, crime figures etc. And how.... . Well you get the idea. He was gong to agree with me - eventually. But we just hadn't got to that point yet and the cafe was calling.  I wonder if he could adopt me since I'd enjoy another conversation with that 'lad'.

So that was why I was so out of sorts. You can see that from the suitably deteriorating snap of me - the current parlance being a 'selfie' - although I do hate that term. I prefer Self-Landscape. It's from a while back but discovered it yesterday while sorting a space for The Wardrobe.

Urban cyclists have a way of annoying me too - calling their lovely fixed wheel bicycles 'fixies'. Eh? What's that all about then? BTW; That author fella Kevin McNeil who wrote The Stornoway Way rides a fixed wheel bike :-). Can't be all bad can it?

Please just leave a comment; I'm tired.

Look, I'm writing this every day almost. Snap up snaps, slosh them about in stuff, print them sometimes and everything and only one or two of you ever comment! Eh? And one of you is off to NZ for goodness sake - without some much as a bye your leave or whatever ones says these days. ['whatever' probably].

What's that all about then? I know I don't comment much but that doesn't mean you don't have to does it?

Yes, I'm tired and just a bit on the grumpy side after playing with the boat outside the housey - doing 'things' to it. Too technical for here - as I don't really know what I was doing anyway. It made me feel important though - and that's good. And that was after  a bit of wardrobe measuring, Ness visiting, photographising, drinking coffee in yet another cafe and what have you. All in the name of research - obviously.

Ok, here's a print I prepared earlier - and everything;

Of course it's from Island Crofters. Doh! And yes it looks better in reality! Doesn't it always? :-)

Just a bit tempted!

That's what happens when you have a lot of snaps; the darkroom work is rubbish. They call it 'sods law' for the technically minded.

The Graflex Baby Pacemaker camera came with us to Seil. It came via Fleur and the late Monty - for which I am mightily grateful. It's a lovely Press camera which looks really impressive and, takes some fine snaps if one points it in the right direction and all that sort of thing. I'd loaded it with the last of my Hp5 in honour of the day and set out onto the course of the Oban Sportive nearish the end so I could enjoy the riders suffering up the hills. Only I ended up going out to find a fallen rider who had also broken his bike. His handlebars had taken a right remodelling so I loaded the bike into the car, the rider into the front seat and took off to the finish.

I got back soon after and took these snaps - only to find Eve had fallen off too - hurt her arm and shoulder but continued anyway. As she does. Been to the Physio today as it happens as the shoulder is still crook..

Nice area innit? That's the road the riders slogged up after 80 miles or so. Several more after that before the finish as well. At least the sun was shining - unlike last years Ullapool sportive.

Look, I pointed it everything that didn't move. It is not a camera for dynamic stuff, rather it's best for posing. I do that well. Anyway, a few portraits of the near-Oban countryside for you.

Now, I need to go and sort out pile of wet useless paper in the darkroom :-(

It's the Future; or it was back then anyway.

A while back someone who should know mentioned that one of my prints had a Futurist look to them. I think it was John Nanian if my ailing mind remembers correctly. Twas this print. Nice eh? It's in CaNada now since someone took a liking to it.

Now, not knowing anything about Futurism let alone futurism in photography a bought a second-hand book on the subject and came across Anton Guilio Bragaglia and futurist Photography - a movement rather stained by it's association with Facism. Still, the imagery was interesting to say the least and made me look further. There are some really nice images here.

Then my pal Henry Iddon mentioned his MA paper he wrote entitled Photography, Embodiment and the ‘Athletic Experience’ - it's a fine read of course but I won't bother you with it here only that he mentioned Mr Bragaglia there too. How good is that?

I'm hooked on the 'movement' now as it were. I have several images of this ilk  just waiting to be printed. 

There's 'art' all over the island too.

Elk on Easdale Island alarm

It's a boat.

Did that title worry you somewhat? Probably not since you may not even know the island. It's weird. An old slate quarry island with nice little cottages, a pub and no roads. But there is a safe mooring where The Elk classic yacht is moored - and is now for sale. I love the look of that boatee but think it may be beyond my means and skills no doubt. I have skills I might add, but sailing big nice boatees is not one of them. Yet.

Elk

See, it's nice little place - with too many tourists at times - at least on the Seil side of the place in or near the Tat shoppe.

Weird eh? [Not Eve. Obviously]

Harbour 

 Somewhere on the island.

Al fresco Ceilidh anyone? 

On the ferry

We will be going back to Seil. Remember, it's OUR SPECIAL PLACE ! Eh?

Ellenabeich - quite possibly

Back on Seil Island - not an island at all now apparently but reached by crossing a bridge all the same - I took some snaps. That's the sort of thing I do. What else would I do?

We were near Easdale island - a real island by all accounts reached by a boat and everything, when you land at the right one. [at least I think it was here. If not, it must have been somewhere else - although the snap remains the same].

I think Eve must have been somewhere near judging by the hair! Stlll, I like to have Eve in the snap when I can so that's alright. I'm sure the camera club people must really appreciate this snap!

Oh, look at that. Another Eve snap. Not sure what was happening here but to be honest I don't think she should take up acting and everything.

Were you expecting me to do a landscape or something. You know full well I don't 'do' those and Coelyne of The Coelynes may be reading this and it's Wednesday. At least I think it's Wednesday. It certainly feels like Wednesday anyway. Rain and all that. Wind too.

THIS IS NOT A LANDSCAPE. It is merely a portrait of a place. Just so you know.

Now, tell me you don't like it and I'll not 'do' any more portraits of places.

Trumptonshire

I'm a bit worried about the economy of Trumptonshire. Just been out working in the car and listened all about it on Radio4s 'More or Less' programme. Rather worrying it was too.

I managed to set up and shoot the old Graflex while away on Seil. I didn't have time to make sure all was in focus - not that it matters anyway - but I caught the peeps going into the tat shoppe all the same.I shall try and find an in-focus snap for you all soon.

R. Mutt; Urinal

Those that know me may not agree, but I talk a lot. I like talking as it happens. You learn a lot talking to people. And sometimes, just once in a wee while I say something interesting myself.

Today was not one of these days really. I listened to a really interesting fellow I had met before. And we discussed among other things Marcel Duchamp's Fountain. I prefer HCB's portrait of Duchamp - see here - it's a nice image and has essence of cycling in it too. What more does one want? Sound? Listen here Mrs "Up Yours"

Perhaps I did over-talk a bit today thinking back. I do most days. I am it has to be said a boring and inveterate talker. That's me. If you don't want to talk just humour me for a few moments and then tell me you have to go home to watch your vegetables grow. I won't be offended. Probably.

Grenville - "what does this bit do?" 

Fleur 

In the meantime enjoy some colour snaps on Kodak Portra 160 from the Voigtlander Perkeo. On Lapwing, the boat of Fleur and Grenville. On the big river through Londinium. This year.

I can't imagine who would not like this. Sure to be fielding phone calls from the galleries now. Not that I will sell.

Of course it's the Oban Cyclosportive. I missed Eve falling off her bike so you will just have to imagine that's what this is. I could have been. It might be the last snap coming from the lovely old Kodak Retinette since it has a screw loose which jams the wind-on thing every now and again causing me to miss masterpieces as they appear in front of me. I shall resort to the Petri7s perhaps for this technique.

Lith awaits since Bromoil has got the better of me for the moment. Nice splodges and everything but just can't get over-excited about the process as I haven't learnt it properly. Yet.

Anyway, expect to see a series of these while I continue with the Zorki4 / Jupiter12 over on Island Crofter :-) And the occasional MF snap here too. And some other things. Obviously.

You can complain as I like to imagine there's someone reading this stuff.

We have ferries

This is my preferred route off and on the island. There's a nice ferry there, it works in the main and doesn't get cancelled too much - and, this is the important bit - it's a relatively short crossing. Just as well if the wind is blowing!

It goes to Uig on Skye from Tarbert on Harris which means a short and lovely drive down the island from home to get there - and back. Obviously Barbara of The Coelynes had done just that because there she is snapping with her electronic image capturing device on the left as her pal Susan wonder's what the fuss is about. The fuss is that Barbara and Coelyne of the Coelynes along with Susan have left the island and we miss them.

Once on the wee boatee the local rush to the bar or the reclining chairs [to sleep] or the  cafe to eat  while the visitors look at the sea and make sure the Capt. drives a straight line to coincide with the ley-lines. He doesn't as it happens. Apparently something to do with rocks they tell me - although I'm not sure I believe them. 

Not sure what is happening in this snap. The chap pointing was from Amer Ica apparently and the lady was looking for the - oh I don't know. You'll have to make it up yourself. It saves me the trouble!

BTW; The Stornoway ferry was broked Sat and has been taken to Greenock to have it put back together again. In the meantime, ferries will be brought from goodness knows where and chaos will reign no doubt. Still, good to have something to talk about!

Friends

We are so very lucky to have some lovely friends here on the island as well as elsewhere. We have, it has to be said, been very lucky [and privileged] to meet wonderful people.

None less than William and Gemma who live in the most wonderful Cromor in the Pairc area of Lewis.

We visit from time to time and I never want to leave such is their company. How nice is that? Very since you ask.

Of course I left the dust on the snap - authentic isn't it?

Oh my giddy aunt; a masterpiece in the making !

Please don't expect me to listen if you try and tell me this is not a budding masterpiece. Needs a bit work - lith perhaps, maybe Bromoil but it has all the ingredients to make it a wonderful image. And no, it's not for sale; that's a capitalist plot to undermine creativity - or something. I mean, David Harvey, the Marxist Geographer is who informs my thinking. Got a problem with that? Eh?

Change your newspaper please!

Here's the fantastic image!

"Is that it?"

It is.

I have been playing with Bromoil printing. As soon as I get something that is recognisable as an image, you'll be the last to see it :-)

Salgado

His name is Sebastio Salgado. Brazilian. I shall say no more. His images speak for him. Like this;

By Salgado 

See more info here and more images here.

It moves me and informs me.

Toots' intentions

I have a pal. Several in fact. Several who take snaps with film cameras too. How's that for good fortune? Eh?

One of these pals is Mr Toots who lives just up the road in the next collection of houses at the other end of the 'straight' across the moor just south of hereabouts. I can't see his abode from here - which is just as well since the sight of him in his rabbit-eared onsies might put me off my breakfast.

Still, he's a pal and just before Eve and I took off for the mainland last week I took a stroll on the beach with the man - avec cameras and all that. And film and everything.

I took some snaps, meditated and all that. Tapped my toe and all and eventually I persuaded him to leave. I have now developed the film and scanned it. Here it is. Maybe Toots' film is still in the camera??

Without Coelyne of The Coelynes here to keep him on track it could be next year before we see Toots' snaps.

National Poetry day. Listen here please