A step back in time.

I took a cross country route back from a job yesterday rather than the motorway route I normally take, and was greatly rewarded. As well as a couple of great thatched cottages to add to my stock library, I also found some fish traps on the River Test and, believe it or not, some wheat stacked in sheaves drying. Now, I haven't seen that since I was a kid, and as luck would have it the 'owner' of the wheat arrived whilst i was photographing. Turns out that they are for thatching as the supply of Norfolk reed is drying up, and this is used as a substitute. Just show, take the slow way sometimes and you never know what will happen!

Shoot the Day!

It has finally arrived - and fellow photographers with my American stock library Photoshelter will know exactly what I mean! In an effort to get us out of our apathy and into the sunshine (it is glorious here in southern England) they have named July 20 as 'Shoot the Day' day, with substantial prizes for the best images submitted. They are doing other things in the New York area, but as that is over 3,000 miles away I am going to concentrate on local events including a family birthday party.

Why am I telling you all this? It is to emphasise that you don't have to travel thousands of miles to get good stock image. For every photographer who is packing his bags to fly out to a new stock location which he is hoping will produce 'the image' there is another flying into the UK for exactly the same reason. I often wonder of we ever cross at the airport! All we need to do is search the Internet for likely events and open our blinkered eyes. Personally i have 4 events listed for this weekend, all of which are within 40 miles (60km) of my home. So get out there, and have a great Sunday!

Something Fishy!

Believe me, it is not often that I recommend the work of another image maker but for Alex Mustard I will make an exception to the rule! Alex is one of the best underwater photographers around (and a fellow Nikon user) who has successfully combined his skills as a diver, teacher and photographer into one likable bundle. His images combine all the skills necessary to get to the right location in the first place and know your subject inside out, together with a fine eye for the artistic composition that creates superb photographs. Now with his third book on the shelves, and repeated success at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year awards, his growing success is very justified. I thoroughly recommend a look at his web site.

Shooting in Norfolk

I have just returned from a great few days in Norfolk on the eastern side of England. It is a land known for its Broads (lakes) and water leisure facilities, and did not disappoint. I have some great images to work through but thought I would tempt appetites so i have just posted one for now.