Breakfast in Cambridge

The Red Bus Cafe - A short Video

I had a day off work last week, and as a treat I had breakfast in a roadside cafe. These little cafe's were once a familiar sight on the roads of Britain, but today they are very rare, I know of just two in Essex. I wanted to capture the experience of eating in this unique place, and I could have just taken a few photos, but you can't hear laughter in a photograph. So in the time it took to cook bacon and egg, I made this short film.

Trumpton, before and after its restoration - video

 

See the effect of digital re-mastering the classic Gordon Murray children's animation's. The BBC was able to enhance the picture after reels of 50-year-old footage were found in its creator's attic. Warning: It's very easy to become engrossed in the story.

Michael Greenhalgh RIP

Michael Greenhalgh - A lovely boy

I was saddened to hear of the death of my friend, Michael Greenhalgh last week. Michael lived in the next village to me in Spain, we were neighbours for nine years. He was a highly talented racing driver and a very charming and funny man. He was a good cook, very handy with motorcycles, fluent in several languages and could build walls. He was an allround lovely boy. I photographed Michael racing in Europe over several years and became friends with him and his family. I even witnessed his driving at close quarters when he took me around a circuit in his Le Mans car. I shall forever be grateful to Michael for the experience, although I wouldn't want to repeat it, it was terrifying.

Michael died far too young, but I know he lived his life to the full and while he was here, he did have the time of his life. He brought joy and warmth to everyone that knew him. I send my sympathies to his Mum, Dad, Sister and Brother.

A Strange Sight

It appeared early this morning. Correct me if I'm wrong, but this looks like an imitation of a La-Z-Boy California, powered recliner armchair, 1987 model.

Hasselblad 500cm

Kodak is Fading

It's a sad day for photography! After over 130 years Kodak has filed for bankruptcy.

It's ridiculous really. I keep hearing how the company never adapted to digital photography, but that's nonsense. Kodak were at the forefront of digital photography. They invented the digital camera and developed the early models including the first DSLR's from Nikon. Today Kodak are a leading supplier of digital camera sensors, there's a Kodak sensor in the Leica M9.

The current CEO, Antonio Perez, joined Kodak in 2003, and was named CEO in 2005. Since Mr Perez has been in charge, Kodak has had just one profitable year, that was 2007. He's been the head honcho while the share price dropped from $25 to55 cents. He twiddled his thumbs as they shed tens of thousands of jobs around the world. And he bumbled along as the company sold most of its profitable divisions, patents and intelectual property. A truly remarkable long term performance, I'm amazed and in awe of the man. Mr Perez is still in charge.