Tim Irving - The Photographer

Hasselblad 500cm

2012-02-01T07:14:00.000-08:00

Kodak is Fading

2012-01-19T07:13:00.000-08:00

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.

An Odd Choice of Camera - Canon 110ED 20

2012-01-16T05:58:00.000-08:00

Penitente, Spain (Canon 110ED 20) - Tim Irving

Did I ever mention that I have a liking for 110 cameras? Well I do. Let me clarify that by saying only certain 110 cameras appeal, and that is the Canon 110ED 20, of which I have three, or is it four.

110 cameras were never popular with enthusiats becase the film size was too small at 13x17mm, about the size of a finger nail. With a negative so small the camera needs a high degree of precision to produce a reasonable image. Precision way to keep the the film flat, and precision optics to extract fine details. But because110 was intended for the masses, most 110 cameras are cheap and cheerful, far from precision instruments.

Canon 110ED 20 - Tim Irving

A few manufacturers produced precision 110 cameras for the enthusiast. Pentax, Minolta, Minox and Canon all made beautiful examples, but Canon stands out as making the finest camera of its type, the 110ED 20.

The 110ED 20 has a 26mm f2.0 lens with a coupled rangefinder. Close-focusing to 2 feet. Electronic shutter with speeds of 8 seconds - 1/1000 plus a mechanical shutter at 1/125. Aperture-priority exposure control. Built-in hot shoe. Tripod and cable release sockets. However, the magic ingredient of the Canon is that it has a precision film guide and pressure plate to keep the film flat. No other 110 camera has this feature and it makes a huge difference to the quality of the image. Of all the 110 cameras, the Canon is the one I'd recommend. Not that I'm doing anyone any favours, these are cameras for eccentrics. But if you enjoy working around photographic problems, and you don't mind a grainy image, and if the sight of a Kodacolor 110 film box is soft porn to you, I suggest you track down a Canon 110ED.

Fujifilm X-Lens Roadmap - Ridiculous Jargon

2012-01-12T07:25:00.000-08:00

Ground breaking news.........

Fujifilm have officially revealed their X-Lens roadmap at a briefing at CES 2012. The plan is tricky as they may possibly launch five lenses this year (2012), and again possibly a further four lenses next year (2013), hence the need for a roadmap.

I am so pleased Fujifilm disseminated this information as a cutting edge PowerPoint presentation. Making it easy for us snappers to grasp what is a difficult concept.

What this means to us ordinary folk, is that by creating a roadmap, Fujifilm have testiculated the strategic planning within the designated timeframe. Please note the "(*) Subject to change".

Cameras to avoid - Number 2, Minox 35 GT

2012-01-11T04:29:00.000-08:00

Minox 35 GT, Tri-X - Tim Irving

I was looking through some old prints recently taken in 1982, with a Minox 35 GT camera. It's a camera I remember vividly but with mixed feelings. The camera was tiny, very expensive, yet made of plastic, which in the eighties was a contradiction, but Minox were known for precision sub miniature spy cameras, and the company was (maybe it still is), a subsidiary of Leica, so the camera had an excellent pedigree.

My first experiences of the Minox 35 is one of joy. The photos from that camera have a certain look that is unique, the best of which are truly beautiful to my eyes. The Minox was my camera of choice and constant companion for around six months. Then one day, walking past a camera shop, my head was turned by a Nikon S3. I handed over the Minox plus a wedge of cash and started a new affair.

Move forward twenty years to 2002 and I start hankering after another Minox. By 2002 the prices of film cameras have fallen and I can pick up a mint condition, 35 GT for around 15% of what I originally paid. I looked around for a few days then bought a lightly used beauty. It seemed to be working OK, but as a precaution I bought a very expensive battery before putting a film in it.

The first roll of film I developed was blank. A quick examination and I discovered that when I fired the shutter it made the sound of firing, but didn't actually open. A check with other Minox users confirmed that the electro-magnetic shutter was prone to blanking. One user carried out a survey of Minox users and discovered that 50% had a shutter fault.

It's a shame that a camera with a fine lens and innovative design should end up in the back of a draw, but I'm afraid that's the natual home for this camera. I'm grateful that I experienced it and have the photos that it created.

Coleslaw

2012-01-10T02:17:00.000-08:00

Cafe Interior - Tim Irving

Spoilt for choice - Tim Irving

The bacon and egg sandwich was very good, the tea was perfect. But this cafe deserves an award for its signage. Absolutely splendid.

Portrait

2012-01-06T10:07:00.000-08:00

Portrait of Tommy - Tim Irving

I had an interesting day in London yesterday to visit the National Portrait Gallery and see the Taylor Wessing portrait prize. I liked the exhibition so much I bought the catalogue. It was heartening to see so many photographs taken with film, including the winner Jooney Woodward, for her portrait, Harriet and Gentleman Jack.

Next to overcrowded galleries (there was no gallery rage yesterday), Art galleries can usually be relied upon to sell food I wouldn't normally eat. They also use tea pots that are designed to pour tea everywhere, exept the cup you're trying to pour it into. I was saved from the gallery food ordeal because within 100 yards of Trafalgar Square and the exhibition, I discovered a very good traditional cafe where I had a bacon and egg roll and a good cup of tea. Bliss.

Light Leaks

2012-01-04T09:17:00.000-08:00

A Good Light Leak! - Tim Irving

Well, I received my first photographs of 2012 from the lab, and as you can see above, I've been cursed by a light leak. It's not the end of the world, I can take the photographs again, thankfully. Having said that, the dog was a handful and I would have been very happy with the image.

The cause of the problem is a Hasselblad film magazine. Hasselblad recommend that if you're shooting professionally, the light seal in the magazine, which is just a thin strips of foam and strip of rubber, should be changed at least once a year. I own three magazines and use my Hasselblad to shoot two or three rolls of film each week, which I consider light use, this is the first light seal to fail in nine years, I can't complain. I've ordered new seals for all three backs off Ebay. The Hasselblad should be up and running again in a few days.

Spindle

2011-12-29T04:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday evening, as the light was fading (3.30 pm), I was walking the dog around a field I hadn't visited since the summer. From a distance of over 100 yards I could see vivid splashes of colour in the hedge, and I knew I'd missed an opportunity for a photograph. The colour was the remaining seeds and leaves of the Spindle.

The Spindle's name comes from the fact that its wood, which is very hard, was used to make the spindles of spinning wheels. It's a rare tree and hard to find, as most of the time it grows inconspicuously in hedges. With the coming of autumn however, the fruit and leaves go berserk, setting the hedge on fire with colour. Sadly for me, I was two weeks too late to take a photo of this Spindle at its most colourful, the birds had eaten most of the fruit. But I've already made a note in my 2012 diary to visit it next year. My first resolution of 2012.

Fruit of the Spindle - Tim Irving

Happy Holidays

2011-12-23T04:44:00.000-08:00

I wish you all more play, more fun and more laughter for the holidays. Next year will be wonderful, much better than this year. I'll be back in a few days.

Tim

It's Very Cold Here

2011-12-20T12:41:00.000-08:00

Paris on Film - Tim Irving

The temperature has been freezing here for the past week. Really freezing, with ice on the pavements. So cold in fact I find it difficult to motivate myself to leave the house, so I'm catching up on little tasks I should have completed months ago. Hence the photo above which I'd never seen until this week. It's one of hundreds of negatives and slides I never got around to scanning. Incidentally, the camera I used to take this photo is for sale in my shop.

Tomorrow however, I must go out. London in fact, to see the 2011 Taylor Wessing Portrait prize at the National Portrait Gallery.

Rolleiflex Advertising

2011-12-17T06:13:00.000-08:00

British Rolleiflex adverts from June 1967. Average annual earnings in Britain for that year was £828. Which makes the nice Rolleiflex Wide Angle just slightly more than 25% of the annual average salary.

An elusive look

2011-12-14T10:25:00.000-08:00

Rolleiflex New Standard - Tim Irving

Have you noticed that the price and popularity of Rolleiflex twin lens reflex cameras is as buoyant as ever, and quite rightly so. From my earliest memories of peering onto camera shop windows, Rolleiflex have always been expensive cameras. Of course they are beautifully made precision instruments that will usually out live their owners. I've seen some examples that have been used almost constantly for over thirty years by press photographers. The paint chipped by knocks, leather shrunk by sweat and the lens clouded by constant cleaning with the end of a polyester neck tie. Despite the abuse they still wind and fire.

I've used an old standard (that's it above, in my hand and on my tee shirt), for over twenty years and wouldn't be without it. This particular Rolleiflex is nothing special, it's very basic, but the photographs from it do have a unique look, one that I love and I believe that's the reason why these and a few other camera and lens combinations are still sought after, it's a certain look. At exhibitions and in print, this qualitydraws me in and I find it very appealing.

The look is most striking with medium format cameras. Certain lenses on 35mm cameras can be unique, but in my experience I've found a larger negative in itself has a distinct quality, that's the reason Rolleiflex, Hasselblad and even the toy medium formats, Holga and Diana have a loyal following.

You can try and emulate a photographic look with software, in fact that's a current trend with phone camera apps, to create a lo-fi look. But if you compare the digital effort with the original, side by side, you'll generally find you can spot the fake.

This mysterious look I'm talking about is personal, not everyone will appreciate it. It's very subtle and is best judged in the form of a print, but I can still spot it on a screen. In my case I only became aware of the look after many years, it's one of the advantages of using a wide variety of cameras.

Flamingo

2011-12-07T09:31:00.000-08:00

Red Knees - Tim Irving

Professor Irving explains the differences in four types of cameras

2011-12-01T02:21:00.000-08:00

Here we find Professor Irving passing on his experience to a photography student.

Re-visiting my negatives

2011-11-30T06:25:00.000-08:00

French Trout Creel - Tim Irving

Professor Irving Speaks - An introduction to film cameras

2011-11-29T07:05:00.000-08:00

I've been playing with this animation software for a few weeks. Because I'm a shy sort of person this could be a wonderful way for me to blog. The inspiration for this little film came last week when I was trying to buy a roll of 120 film. I visited a store that was part of a national chain of camera shops. Of the eight customer advisers, only one had heard of medium format.

Hen House

2011-11-21T04:34:00.000-08:00

Hen House - Tim Irving

It has been incredibly misty around the east of England for the past few days, with the usual consequences, cancelled flights, long delays on the roads etc. The light during a misty morning is absolutely beautiful and transforms the mundane into something special, so I'm scouting for likely subjects during the day and returning to photograph them the next morning. On Friday I returned to my favourite hens in their misty, moody surroundings.

I've mentioned in a pervious post that chickens are difficult creatures to photograph. They are nervous, skittish and quick. They also follow each other around which is very annoying, so an isolated hen is soon joined by others, thus ruining any careful composition. The biggest problem is getting down to their level, which in this weather would involve kneeling in wet grass.

I solved the problem in two simple ways (a pincer movement). I'm sure you can't wait to hear!

I used a camera with a waist level viewfinder, which allowed me to view the hens at their level.
I gained the hens confidence by flicking lentils into the field.

I would normally have used 400 ASA film for such a dull day, but I couldn't buy any locally. So I used 100 ASA film, 1/30th at f/3.5.

The Fuji X10

2011-11-17T12:53:00.000-08:00

The Strand - Tim Irving

Walking around the shops yesterday, I was gob smacked to see the new Fuji X10 camera with a price of £499. I know it's nearly Christmas and the camera has just been launched, but £500 for a pocket digital camera with a sensor the size of a postage stamp! I must be losing touch with reality. If you already have one of these cameras, well good luck to you. It will be junk in a couple of years or sooner, because digital cameras nose dive in value after they are launched. I just looked up the Nikon V1, launched in October. This camera has fallen from £879 to £684 in four weeks.

I considered why anyone would buy this camera at this price and failed to come up with a good reason. The Fuji X10 wont improve anyone's photography. How can it, it's just a camera. This camera wont make the owner see more creatively. It wont help anyone to win more competitions. No, this camera (and a lot of others), at this price, doesn't make sense to me.

Conkers

2011-11-15T05:23:00.000-08:00

Conkers

Yes conkers! The seeds of the Horse Chestnut tree.

More testing

2011-10-18T11:11:00.000-07:00

Yashica Electro 35 GSN camera test - Photograph by Tim Irving

The Point of Testing Cameras

2011-10-06T06:55:00.000-07:00

Test, taken with a FED 3 and Industar 50mm lens - Tim Irving

With Christmas sales approaching, I've been testing and servicing cameras in preparation for a rush (crosses fingers). All the vintage cameras I sell are given a routine inspection. Most pass my tests, but the odd few require a light clean and lubrication of the shutters and focusing mechanisms, I like my cameras to be smooth operators. Viewfinders and mirrors are also cleaned when they are misty and dusty. On cameras from the 70's onwards, I usually replace the foam light seals around the door if they've turned sticky.

When I'm happy that the cameras are working correctly, and if I haven't already tested that model of camera, I go out and test them with film, usually three or four exposures using cassettes I load myself. Medium format cameras have the benefit of twelve test photos which means the film can be in the camera for a few days. Then I develop the film and scan negatives.

Unlike the tests you read in photo magazines or on photo web sites, which are incredibly comprehensive and detailed, running to several pages of data, my tests fulfil one simple purpose, that the camera can make a photograph. However, in conducting my test, I try very hard to make it a pleasing photograph.

The reason I'm telling you this is becasue of the emails I get asking me to take more photos taken with a camera. It's true! I received an email yesterday, the person said they were interested in a particular ($75) camera, but would like to see a few more photos taken with it. I haven't replied yet.

Wedding Photography

2011-09-12T07:02:00.000-07:00

Waiting for the bride - Tim Irving

I have to admit I enjoyed the my stint as a wedding photographer recently. It was a great day and everyone had a good time in a beautiful location. I've mentioned before about the days of shooting a wedding, solely with film. Looking back it was difficult with very little room for errors. With the recent wedding I still used a very quiet film camera for some reportage photographs, like the one above. But for the majority of the wedding I used a professional digital camera that gave me the freedom to be creative with the compositions. It was great, I want more.

This leads me to announce that as from today, I'm open for business as a wedding photographer, again. Just dipping my toe in the water for now. I'd like to photograph a dozen or so wedding this year, with the intention of building a good wedding portfolio. I'm going to offer the service around Cambridgeshire, Suffolk and Essex. For the first dozen weddings there's a special price of £350 for four hours coverage. There are more details on my web site.

A busy week

2011-09-03T05:59:00.000-07:00

Tommy - by Tim Irving

I've had a such a busy week, it's been a blur. I had a couple of trips into London, I tested a few cameras, plus some vintage film which I'll report on when it comes back from the lab. But the highlight must be a brief photo shoot on location. The subject was Tommy, above, and we managed to get a few extraordinary images in just over two hours. An excellent session, well done Tommy!

Posing Portraits

2011-08-23T03:41:00.000-07:00

Mono Portrait - Tim Irving

Portrait bookings are like London buses, you can wait for ages, then three will turn up at once! And so it seems the portrait season is here and I'm bashing out portraits this week. I've learned to be selective when it comes to portraits, I have to feel that I can direct the session. Also, and this is very un-professional and a little snobbish, I have to like the sitters. If I like the people I'm photographing, and they like me, we can approach the job as a team and the end result will be joyful.

Social Photography - Digital and Film

2011-08-15T06:28:00.000-07:00

The Happy Couple - Tim Irving

During the 1970's I used to photograph two or three weddings a week. Using 120 film, each wedding was limited to 36 photographs. There was no room for error and no Photoshop if things went wrong. Over a period of seven years I did so many weddings they became a blur. In fact the only weddings I remember are the ones that were bizarre. And of these my favourite was the solemn occasion in 1973, the year Bruce Lee the kung fu actor, died. I had the priviledge of being the photographer at a wedding where the young groom was not only a Bruce Lee fan, but was grieving for his hero. The hall where the reception was held was draped with kung fu posters, but more touching was the minutes silence to Bruce, after the toasts. I think it's fair to say I over-dosed on weddings.

But last Saturday they wheeled me out of (wedding), retirement. It was my first wedding in over 30 years and I was very nervous. I had the benefit of a digital camera which allowed me the luxury of checking the photographs as I went. I also had a Contax II 35mm camera and a roll of Ilford FP4 black and white film.

Family Portraits with the Contax II - Tim Irving

In the old (36 exposures), days you had to work fast. The bride, the groom and the guests would need to be shepherded to various areas and poses adjusted. You had to straighten ties, pin dresses, and, I used to carry white lead weights to keep the wedding dress from blowing in the wind. All of this was done with military precision, then it was off to the next wedding. The photographer, like the vicar, was part of the wedding, but just a brief part.

Using a digital camera everything is more relaxed for the photographer. I could carry on shooting until the last waltz if need be. I've never considered this before but the photographer could end up stealing the show. While directing events and taking the photographs, I became aware that I was in danger of becoming the central character. So with this in mind I concentrated on getting the essential photos, but resisted the urge to do more. When the important photos were done using digital, I drifted into the crowd with the film camera.

Duelling With Wax Bullets

2011-07-29T01:42:00.000-07:00

New York 1909

Rollei 35 LED - The Smart Camera

2011-07-11T04:03:00.000-07:00

The Rollei 35 series of cameras are very smart! Agent 86 would have approved.

I had great fun using a Rollei 35 LED at the seaside last week. It's fiddly and fun. Lots of things to pull and twist, settings to set and winders to wind. When everything has been adjusted, the green LED lights up in the big viewfinder and you're ready to go.

Rollei 35 LED

The quality of these cameras is very high. Finely machined alloy components that still feel tight after many years service. There's a satisfying heft as well, it's no featherweight. But it's the design that shines like a beacon. To make the smallest 35mm camera in the world (it still is), a camera the size of a cigarette packette, the designers started from scratch. Everything about these cameras is new, different and innovative. It works like a charm and I love it.

End of the Pier with a Rollei 35 LED - Tim Irving

You Should Know This

2011-07-08T06:19:00.000-07:00

African Kitchen - Tim Irving

In East Africa, right at this moment 9 million people are suffering from a drought that has lasted 3 years. It's the worst drought in 60 years, it's a disaster.

I've visited this part of the world and can tell you that those suffering are in general, honest and hard working people. They include mothers, fathers, the old and the young. They have a sense of humour, like music, art, eating, drinking and gossiping. In fact they're like you and me, and our neighbours.

On a personal level I feel a terrible sadness for the people suffering. I have a feeling of impotence, in that I can't do something directly useful. I've done what I can do. I've given some money via a charity and hope it helps someone. Maybe you can do the same. Type famine into Google and take your pick of the charities.

Heavenly Hollywood Portraits

2011-07-07T05:07:00.000-07:00

Louise Brooks (1929) by Eugene Robert Richee

Glamour of the Gods is an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, London. It is Hollywood portraiture from the industry's 'Golden Age', the period 1920 to 1960. From Greta Garbo and Clark Gable to Audrey Hepburn, James Dean and Marilyn Monroe. If I have to pick a favourite it's Louise Brooks above.

Using Old Film

2011-07-05T11:57:00.000-07:00

Post Box, 1988 Truprint Film - Tim Irving

Tears

2011-06-29T11:13:00.000-07:00

Tears of a Cow - Tim Irving

I like cows, they're angular and big. I was taking photographs of this beauty for ten minutes before I noticed the tear in her eye.

Contax Camera - My Impression

2011-06-24T06:39:00.000-07:00

Piggly Wiggly Contax IIa with 85mm f/2

I recently read a test report of the latest Bentley motor car. I don't know why, I'll never have one. I think it's a man thing, it's about precision engineering, polished metal, fine leather, masculine design, and wanting something you can't afford. However the test focused on the cars amazing technology and how it will eventually trickle down to affordable cars in about twenty years time. One of the miracles of the Bentley is the interior lights. Apparently, the lights cover the entire interior roof and resemble the solar system. Millions of microscopic points of light that glow in teh night to welcome the driver.

A few cameras have been years ahead when released, leaving other manufacturers to catch up. A prime example is the Zeiss Contax. When the Contax II was launched in 1936, it was twenty years ahead of its rivals.

At this very moment, sitting on my desk is a Contax IIa. A pre-war version made around 1937. Over seventy years old but it's still a very modern camera in operation and design.

Contax IIa with 50mm Sonnar

I've been using this Contax for several weeks and shot several rolls of film with it. I can tell you that it's still a very modern camera, in fact it's easier to use and far more reliable than some cameras made today.

Like the Bentley, it's a totally luxurious gadget precision made and covered in morocco black leather. Everything about this camera is easy. Focusing is the most accurate I have used on a rangefinder, film loading is simple and the lenses are glorious. Even by todays standard the 50mm Sonnar is as good as it gets.

My impression of the Zeiss Contax is that it's the finest 35mm rangefinder of its time. Even today it's more than good enough for most photographes needs. I love it.

The Old Smoothie - A Great Rangefinder Camera

2011-05-25T04:43:00.000-07:00

Voigtlander Vitomatic IIa - Tim Irving

For the past couple of weeks my camera of choice has been a Voigtlander Vitomatic IIa, from the early 1960's. I've said it here before but I'll reiterate it for you now, I do like a good standard lens on a camera.The Voigtlander lens plus the ergonomics of the camera are lovely, I'm smitten.

This camera comes with everything I need. A beautiful viewfinder with coupled rangefinder, a fifty one year old light meter that works perfectly, and a Color Skopar lens.

The build quality of this camera is second to none. Every control is smooth and precise, it's a joy. Although not sold as a professional model, this camera was aimed at the affluent tourist, very classy with a rich feel to it, definately a luxury camera.

Of course it's the glass that I'm interested in and the Skopar is up there with the best. As always, there's a sample below, I'll the the photograph speak for itself.

Voigtlander Vitomatic IIa, Kodak Ektar 100 - Tim Irving

Painting the Seaside

2011-05-24T13:23:00.000-07:00

Seaside View - Tim Irving

I spent today at the seaside, painting and taking photographs. I have loved every seaside resort I've ever visited. I wonder if I moved to the coast, any coast, if I would be happier, or if the novelty might wear off.

Agfa Isoly

2011-05-11T10:45:00.000-07:00

Photo by Melissa Mohd Nor

Another customer pops up with some great images. I hope this trend continues, I love seeing photographs taken with my ex cameras. This photograph was taken by Melissa Mohd Nor with an Agafa Isoly, like the one below. I love the photograph above, I wish I'd taken it. Melissa contributes to Cool Girls Shoot Film blog. An excellent blog devoted to analogue photography, I recommend it.

Agfa Isoly

Bunting Bicycle

2011-05-11T05:48:00.000-07:00

Bike Decoration - Tim Irving

Balda Baldina and a Happy Customer

2011-05-07T09:08:00.000-07:00

Balda Baldina - Tim Irving

I usually lose track of cameras once I've shipped them. I often wonder if they're being used to take photos or used as a nice piece of interior design, either way I'm happy.

I sent the camera above to Australia a few weeks ago. It's a 1954 Baldina. I like this cameras a lot. It has a coupled rangefinder and a very fine Baldinar collapsible lens. It's beautifully crafted from chrome plated brass and boasts many unique design features. The buyer has very good taste.

I was delighted when Aleks (the buyer), from Australia sent me a few photos taken with the Baldina. I think the one below is stunning. Look at the light on the hair and arm. It benefits from aerial perspective, cool blue receding background with warm foreground colours. Thank you Aleks for sending it to me, I'll sleep soundly knowing the Baldina is in expert hands.

Photo by Aleksandar Trofin

British Holidays

2011-05-06T06:12:00.000-07:00

Bank Holiday Walk - Tim Irving

I've been walking for miles this past week, hence the lack of blog posts. I promised myself that I would write ten paragraphs a week, but the May holidays have tripped me up. If we take this paragraph into account, I owe you nine paragraphs to be completed by next week. I promise.

The Old Rolleiflex

2011-04-29T05:26:00.000-07:00

Garden Gate - Tim Irving

I've been playing with an old Rolleiflex this past week. It's one of those cameras that look bigger than it actually is, so gets left behind in favour of something that looks smaller than it really is. Does that make sense?

The one I'm using is a Standard Rolleiflex made in 1933 and it never ceases to amaze me how good it is to use. Despite it being nearly eight years old it's a very modern camera that's simple to use. I apologise for the Bluebells, cliched and hackneyed as they are I still enjoy the site of them.

Easter Weekend

2011-04-21T10:34:00.000-07:00

Semana Santa - Tim Irving

Daisy Chain

2011-04-18T13:36:00.000-07:00

Dog and Daisies - Tim Irving

I was having a conversation about favourite things, when daisies entered my mind. On reflection, daisies are very important to me, and do you know what? I didn't have a photograph of a single daisy in my portfolio. These are truly memorable little flowers, discreet, trodden under foot and plucked out of the ground without a second thought. A bunch of daisies is probably the first gift a child gives its mother. These are flowers of joy.

Where Fairies Live - Tim Irving

Darling Buds of April

2011-04-06T04:00:00.000-07:00

Hawthorn Buds - Tim Irving

Hawthorn Buds with Sky- Tim Irving

April is a great month! Spring has gained it's momentum, next stop summer. It's a wonderful time for art and photography. The whole countryside is changing dramatically, all that was needed was a smile from the sun to warm the earth, then everything bursts into colour. It's a time of small dramas like the hawthorn buds above. Depending where you are, you can see these buds throughout the month. But this phase, the tiny flecks of white, is very brief. Within a day they have turned into blossom and you've missed the magic.

The Art of Painting Chewing Gum

2011-04-05T03:57:00.000-07:00

The art is here! Photo btyTim Irving

Since I was a child, I wake up every Sunday morning wondering how to avoid boredom. Last Sunday was no exception, but something new changed Sunday into an interesting day. I discovered a great new pastime. It's very useful for artists as it makes you look and observe very carefully. This pastime has a lot going for it. It gets you out of the house onto the streets. It's cheap. It provides good exercise and the end results are very rewarding. There is one downside to the pastime, and that is, it's hard on the knees. If you havn't guessed, I've become a chewing gum art connoisseur, a paint snob of the streets.

The idea of adding beauty to something ugly and anti-social appeals to me greatly. I found the art on this page around Crouch End and Muswell Hill in London, but it's dotted all around North East London. It's been created by Ben Wilson, you can see him at work here. I like small pieces of art, they engage me. There's a whole range of techniques involved in the paintings, they're like miniature art demonstrations, some of the detail in the art is amazing. It's good to see some craft on the streets.

Chewing Gum Art on The Streets By Ben Wilson. Photo by Tim Irving

Gemma By Ben Wilson. Photo by Tim Irving

Chewing Gum Art on The Streets By Ben Wilson. Photo by Tim Irving

City Guide Books

2011-03-31T04:27:00.000-07:00

Incident on the Paris Metro - Tim Irving

My mention of Robert Doisneau yesterday has whet my appetite for a spot of Parisian photography. I have a meeting in Paris coming up, which I intend to extend by a couple of days to allow me to wander on foot and by velib.

Paris is very liberating for a photographer. Not only is it a very beautiful city, perhaps the most photogenic in the world, but Paris, and Parisians love the camera, or at least they are indifferent to it. I can't think of another place on earth where I feel so at ease photographing people as they go about their daily lives as I do in Paris.

My one issue when visiting a large city, not just Paris, is that the guide books don't suit me. I don't blame the guide books, they try to be all things to all travellers, sadly they're wasted on me. On my last visit to Paris I took a copy of "The Rough Guide". 440 pages, weighing more than my cameras and just slighly smaller than a London red brick. 99% of the contents are superfluous to me.

I need "A Guide For The No Nonsense Person". Pocket size with the following subjects:

Places to avoid
Keeping out of danger
Where not to eat
Useful phrases (Hello, I want, I don't want, Please, Thank you, Good bye.)
In case of emergency
Map

If you have any suggestions for the "A Guide For The No Nonsense Person", I'd be happy to hear your ideas.

Fuji X100 Digital - The Dream Camera?

2011-03-30T04:33:00.000-07:00

Fujifilm Finepix X100

The Fuji X100 is probably the most eagerly awaited new camera for donkeys years. There are long waiting lists, if you want one, get in quick. The price here in the UK is close to £999.00.

The reason for all the excitement is the retro styling and the fact it has a viewfinder. It is indeed a fine looking camera, like a dream from a more elegant era. It is my opinion that Fuji are in fact selling a dream with the X100. It's the dream of strolling around Manhattan or Paris during the 1950's, or swinging London in the 60's. It's the dream of being Robert Doisneau and David Bailey.

What's interesting for me is listening to the cheers for the viewfinder. Viewfinders are great, they're essential, everyone knows that! The modern viewfinder has been around for about 90 years, it's a simple design that works perfectly. Viewfinders function wonderfully on everything from the cheapest Kodak Brownies to the most desirable Leicas. This makes me wonder why is the Fuji X100 is only the third (Epson RD1and Leica M8 came before), digital compact camera to have a useable viewfinder? And why should having a viewfinder, which is only two pieces of glass only be available on premium cameras. I don't know, but composing a photograph by holding the camera at arms length never seemed like a good idea to me.

Anyway, back to the Fuji X100. Personally, I wouldn't get one. It's too expensive for what is a consumer point and shoot. Don't be fooled by the "Professional" tag. The Fuji X100 is definitely not built to professional standards. If you want professional quality you'll have to fork out the extra cash for a Leica M9.

The X100 viewfinder is a blessing, but as a creative tool, the Fuji X100 is no better than any other compact digital camera. It wont make you a better photographer, it certainly wont take better photographs than any other camera. This is a camera for dreamers.

Testing Cameras

2011-03-29T12:55:00.000-07:00

Bicycle - Cambridge, England - Tim Irving

I'd never make a reviewer, not that I have a desire to review things. I'm not very interested in lots of detail. The fact that something works is usually enough for me. But review web sites are incredibly popular. People review everything to the point where I doze off. Looking on Google for oil paints the other day I found someone reviewing a wooden paint box. You can watch it if you want, but it's nine minutes of a man talking about a wooden box, be warned. I take my hat off to the man he's very talented. I would find it difficult talking for one minute about a wooden box. "It's made of wood. It has four sides plus a top and a bottom. Er...."

So I don't review. I test! As you can see, I've been busy testing cameras using my favourite static subject, the bicycle. All the cameras passed my test with flying colours, all will take great photographs. My test is very simple. I take a couple of photos with the camera. If the negatives are reasonably exposed, we're onto a winner. An offshoot of all this testing is that I'm getting a reputation as one of the worlds leading bicycle basket photographers. Weavers from all around the world are beating a path to my door.

Sometimes a camera has a fault that actually enhances the image. Holga and Diana users will know what I mean. An obvious lens aberration or a subtle light leak that can add a touch of magic, it can also act as a signature for the photographer. Despite this desirability, cameras with faults are difficult to sell. Very few people want a faulty camera, even if it produces beautiful images. I'm pleased to say all the cameras from this batch were free of faults.

You're probably wondering which cameras took the photos on this page. I'm sorry to disappoint, but I can't tell you, it would be marketing madness to blurt it all out. To see the results you'll have to visit my Etsy shop and take a look, as I add cameras over the next few weeks.

Bicycle - Cambridge, England - Tim Irving

Spring is here and the new lens is at work

2011-03-25T05:03:00.000-07:00

French Trout Creel, taken with new lens - Tim Irving

Two days of sunshine and everyone has a smile on their face, including me. Everything in the garden looks wonderful, including the dead flowers. I'm getting into the swing of using my new lens, the one that I complained was too sharp. I've persevered. It's been a rough ride, I've experienced anger, frustration and mild depression, but I now think I've got the better of the little bugger. I can control all its little idiosyncrasies and use them to my advantage.

The Boot sale Camera Challenge

2011-03-21T07:39:00.000-07:00

Boots ale Camera, Fujica GER - Tim Irving

I think they originated in the US, but car boot sales are now a British phenomenon. They've become a national pastime every Sunday during the summer. It seems that every event I visited last summer including car shows, summer fetes and flower festivals, incorporate a car boot sale, whichwere more popular the main event. A quick search on Google revealed there is even a daytime TV programme "Boot Sale Challenge".

I'm a bit of a sucker for boot sale bargains myself, last summer I bought three notable items. A very nice Sinclair Spectrum computer from the 1970's for £4. A set of tomtom drums for £1, and the Fujica camera you see above for only £2.50. What bargains!

The computer and tomtom ended up in the attic with the rest of my junk, but the camera has been put to use. Not much use mind you, just one roll of film, that has taken me six months to use. You see this camera turned out to be a bum steer, a lemon that has several faults. The problems include a non working meter, faulty wind-on lever and a shutter that fires only if the month has an "R" in it. On the plus side, it has a good lens, the rangefinder is working and it is light tight. I'd call this camera challenging.

So I took up the camera boot sale challenge, the camera has been with me on almost every assignment since last September. I have taken a photograph with the camera whenever I've remembered. I was hoping that the photos would be naive and quirky, but they've turned out to be very normal. I'm pleased to report that the images are all perfectly acceptable. This says a lot for modern film which is more impressive than the camera.

The images were processed and returned to me on a CD. I have cropped and made adjustments to contrast and colour in PhotoShop, that's my normal working practice.

Photograph from the bootsale camera. Kodak Ektar 100 film. Photograph by Tim Irving

The Fujica has now joined the old computer, tomtoms and a lot of other junk in the attic, it has done its job. I hope I never have to use it again, but if I did I'd be confident knowing that it can produce photographs as good as any other camera, no matter how expensive.

Photographs of Old England

2011-03-19T08:30:00.001-07:00

Bowling for England - Tim Irving

Here is a small selection of photographs from an assignment last week. The figures and surroundings date back to 1929, I felt at home. The weather was very English, raining continuously for four hours, adding to the authenticity.

To my followers who have never visited England, the photographs on this page illustrate perfectly the English way of life. God save the Queen.

Filling up at an English Garage - Tim Irving

The English Village Church - Tim Irving

Croquet on the lawn - Tim Irving

The Nearly Day

2011-03-16T04:11:00.000-07:00

Sea-King - Tim Irving

It's 9.45am. The postman has just delivered a package I've been eagerly awaiting, containing transparencies and CD's, all the photographs are from last Saturday. A day when I spent several happy hours wading through mud on the Thames estuary. It was a very good day. The beginning of which will be remembered for the bacon and egg rolls with a cup of tea. Midday was seafood heaven, the herrings were outstanding. Finally, before returning home I sampled deep fried cod in beer batter with a glass of local ale. Unfortunately, the day will not be remembered for my photographs. I'm a little deflated in seeing the images some of them nearly make it, but not quite.

You get days like these, where everything is full of promise. Saturday was a lovely day, mild for the time of year, with a light breeze. My timing was spot-on, with the tide out. The low sun produced dramatic shadows. But none of my photos cut the mustard.

I'd be wasting my time dwelling on my failures. The devil is in the detail, it's the small annoying distractions that ruin the composition. I need to concentrate more on the subject, less on the lunch. I accept Saturday was a disaster and move on.

This Friday I'm out again photographing another lovely place. Two nearly days in a row would be a disaster, both financially and to my ego. I'm taking Friday very seriously, I'll let you know how it goes.

My Lens is Too Sharp

2011-03-08T11:54:00.000-08:00

English Landscape with Snowdrops - Tim Irving

The photograph above was taken with my new lens, the one I bought 2 weeks ago. I've used the lens twice to date, I'm not sure it's me. The areas out of focus are very pleasing but the areas in focus are too sharp by a long way. Normally this isn't a bad trait in a lens as long as it's controllable. Generally, a lens becomes softer as the aperture is opened wider. However this lens is as sharp as razor no matter what I do.

There is a trick I'll share with you. It's more suited to portraiture than landscape, but it can help. Years ago, when I did wedding photography, I used to keep a soft focus filter on the lens. Very useful for hiding spots, wrinkles and scars on the otherwise radiant bride. The alternative, which I used above, is to breathe on a plain glass filter, to take the edge of shapness.

As you can see in my photograph the weather is glorious here. I've spent 2 afternoons in the countryside hunting snowdrops. I've also seen my first bluebells. They're not fully open but there are plenty of them, I'll persue them next week.

Using Toy Cameras

2011-03-04T06:30:00.000-08:00

Me and my Marwin! Diana Camera - Tim Irving

I'm a big fan of toy cameras. Dianas and Holgas have been my tools of choice for many years. They used to be really cheap, I'm talking pennies, or even given away in promotions. Today they're very trendy and very exclusive, I've seen them for sale at MOMA and the Pompidou Centre, in fact if you want one you'll probably pick one up at your local museum. They're not real cheap anymore, but they are affordable and they're great fun.

There's no doubt that these cameras can produce wonderful images. For the photographer the simplicity allows you to concentrate on the subject and composition. Overall though, toy cameras seem to be misunderstood. The reason is, in normal use you wont see a lot of difference between the photographs of a toy camera and any other camera. Of course if you look carefully, you will see a softer image and maybe a little colour fringing, but at standard print sizes that you'll get from the lab, the difference can be hard to see.

These cameras are bought on myths and half truths. "The photos look vintage" Not true. "They produce unpredictable results and colours" Not true. "The photographs look arty" Not true. What is true is that toy cameras tend to share certain traits; The images are softer, especially around the edges. Contrast is low. And some cameras produce definite colour fringing. One thing that is usually consistent is they all produce flare.

Once you know these characteristics you can get the best (or worst), out of the camera by exploiting these traits. Shooting high contrast or very low contrast subjects. Shoot very saturated or very subdued colours. And, shooting facing the sun to make the most of that flare. Another trick to exploit lens distortion is to compose your subject close to the edge of the frame like I did with Liverpool, below.

There you go, just some thoughts for you. Good luck and have a great weekend.

Liverpool with Pidgeons - Tim Irving

Using Out-Dated Film

2011-03-03T05:55:00.000-08:00

Untitled -Tim Irving

Last summer I bought a big bag of mixed 35mm colour print film (40 rolls), from a car boot sale. There are no famous names here, it's all re-branded with names like Prinzcolour which I'm familiar with and Kirkland Colour, which I'm not. Most of the film was meant to be used by 2001 but some expired as long ago as 1997.

I originally bought the film with the intention of keeping a few rolls for myself and selling the rest, but no one wanted it. Last week my 40 rolls were still in tact. They were sitting in their bag, in the corner of my office laughing at me for wasting my £2.

I've taken up the challenge to use the film and over the last few days I've exposed the first roll of "Kirkland Colour Print Film". I cross processed the film using E6 chemistry and the results (gold fish above), are to my liking. The second roll is now in my Nikon waiting for my next outing, tomorrow. I can't wait!

Suze Rotolo

2011-03-02T03:19:00.000-08:00

Suze Rotolo and the Dylan walking in Greenwich Village

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Suze Rotolo this week. I knew nothing about her life except she lived with Bob Dylan for 3 years at the beginning of his career. Dylan's self-invention was already in full spate, they had been living together for some time, but she didn't discover his real name – Robert Zimmerman – until he dropped his wallet and his draft card fell out.

Apparently Suze was an artist of great vision, but the reason for her fame and for my humble tribute is the wonderful album cover above. One of my very favourite photographs. Good bye Suze.

Copper Domed Roof

2011-02-28T02:54:00.000-08:00

Copper Dome - Tim Irving

I didn't see any thatched animal sculptures over the weekend, but last Friday I stumbled upon this beauty. It's an old windmill that's been converted to a house. I think the dome is its crowning glory.

The Wellcome Image Awards

2011-02-25T01:20:00.000-08:00

Foreleg of a male diving beetle - Spike Walker

The 11th Wellcome Image Awards were announced last Wednesday, recognising the creators of the most informative, striking and technically excellent images among recent acquisitions to Wellcome Images. The winning images are on display in Wellcome Collection until 10 July 2011.

The fantastic image above by Spike Walker caught me out. When I first saw it I thought it was a detail from an impressionist painting.

Alexander McQueen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

2011-02-23T02:50:00.000-08:00

Dress, The Horn of Plenty, from the autumn/winter 2009 collection
Photograph: Solve Sundsbo/The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dress from the autumn/winter 2010 collectionPhotograph: Solve Sundsbo/The Metropolitan Museum of Art

This looks interesting. Work by the late the Alexander McQueen is being exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. From the 4th of May to the 31st of July. It will feature 100 pieces spanning a 19 year career.

Fox and Cubs Thatched Roof

2011-02-23T02:06:00.000-08:00

Fox and Cubs - Tim Irving

I'm pleased that someone else finds these thatched roofs attractive. Most villages in East Anglia (Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk), have a few old cottages with thatched roofs, but ones like this with sculptures are quite rare. However, I know of a few more, I'll snap them when I'm passing.

Nikon Prime Lenses on Canon Digital Cameras

2011-02-22T09:06:00.000-08:00

Canon Eos 5D with Nikon 50mm f/1.2 - Tim Irving

Like fast cars, fast lenses make me go weak at the knees. Over the years, as my income has ebbed and flowed, I've sampled some truly exotic lenses including a Canon EF 50mm f/1.0, a Canon f/0.95, and of course the Leica Noctilux, both the F1.0 and the superior f/1.2 versions. All wonderful, if very heavy.

These lenses are sometimes described as standard, but believe me, they're not. I have been asked "What are the qualities of a Noctilux, when stopped down to f/8". The answer is I don't know, or care. I only use a fast lens wide open or stopped down one or two stops at the most. Wide open I like the narrow depth of focus, the bokeh, the low contrast and the softness, particularly the softness.

I've written before about the Nikon 50mm f/1.2 lens, and my liking for it. Until recently this lens has been parked permanetly on my Nikon F2, it's been a happy and fruitful union. I've spoken about how the lens has a unique look that I like, probably one of my favourite lenses of all time.

For about 40% of my work I use Canon full frame DSLR's, like the Eos 5D above. They're fast and very easy to use, but I've always found the current range of Canon lenses to be rather sterile, disappointing really. I've settled on the 50mm f/1.4 and the 85mm f/1.8 which are unremarkable but work well.

For some time I've toyed with the idea of putting other manufacturers lenses (read Nikon and Leica), onto one of my Canon camera bodies. Two weeks ago I took the plunge, I ordered the appropriate adapter from SRB, a very good, small precision engineering company who make adapters for everything. The SRB adapter is beautifully made and fitting it to the lens is simple matter, as is fitting the lens to the camera.

Looking through the viewfinder for the first time it's instantly apparent that the lens/body combination will take some getting used to. The camera works in the Av mode (aperture priority). You set the aperture and the camera sets the shutter speed, which is displayed in the viewfinder, so far, so good. You can also adjust the ISO and the exposure compensation for fine tuning.

In use this combination of camera and lens is like going back in time. For me it's like using the Exacta camera I had 30 years ago. Within 5 minutes, or 10 photographs, it's obvious that focusing this lens is guess work on the standard Canon screen. I ordered a split image focusing screen which arrived next day.

Drops of Scarlett - Eos 5D with Nikon 50mm f/1.2 - Tim Irving

I've been using the Nikon lens on the Eos 5D for the past week and I can report that we have our good days and we have our bad days. Using this combination, the photographs I produce have the Nikon f/1.2 look to them plus the sensor on the 5D produces a very film like look, it's produces a very pleasing, watercolour effect. Unfortunately, using the lens on the Eos is very slow. Slow to focus, slow to get the exposure correct. So on good days I use the outfit for still life, landscape and generally things that don't move. A bad day is when I meet something that moves, I'm thinking chickens here. If there is any sign of life in my subject, if it might make a sudden dash, I swap the lens back to the Nikon F2. It's handles faster, feels more natural and the whole outfit is smaller and lighter.

Overall I'm very happy with the Nikon/Eos combination, it works very well alongside my other methods. It could be easier, but nothing is perfect.

Boxing Hares

2011-02-22T02:02:00.000-08:00

Boxing Hares, Suffolk - Tim Irving

Buying a New Lens

2011-02-18T07:40:00.000-08:00

Tree Lights - Tim Irving

I've just listened to a very funny interview on the radio with the ex Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. He talked about his obsession with his favourite guitar of the moment, a 1963 Fender Jaguar. When the interview was recorded he had collected over 100 of these particular guitars in various colours, in addition to the hundreds of Gibson, Gretch and Rickenbacker guitars he already owns. In the interview he says his wife recently asked him "why had he bought another Fender Jaguar in blue, when he already owned over 30, blue Fender Jaguars?". He said "but it's a different shade of blue".

Johnny Marr is an extreme example, but some of us like to buy objects that make us happy. I am such a person and I'm very happy! Unfortunately, photographers who change cameras and lenses are somehow frowned upon by certain characters, their theme is "Stick to one camera and one prime lens". To these people I say, mind your own business! You wouldn't restrict a painter to one canvas size, or a guitarist to one guitar, it wouldn't make sense.

For me, changing cameras and lenses can improve my photography. It can inspire me and let me see subjects in a new way. It's all very well knowing your equipment inside out, but my favourite images are usually the result of a happy accident, and I'm not just talking about my photos.

The sign that I need a new piece of equipment is like an irritation that can't be ignored. It starts with an idea, then a Google search and over a few weeks it turns into a desire. Like a hungry dog, all I can focus on is the big juicy bone that gets bigger and jucier by the day. In my case it's a lens that becomes more important to me by the day. I used to try and ignore the irritation, but as I've become older (and wiser?), I see no point in suffering. So if the hunger is there after 2 weeks, I buy. This weekend I'm buying a new lens. I'm exited, it's going to be a big day out, involving catching a train and having lunch, all part of the experience and the pleasure. Using the new lens will follow a predictable pattern, a honymoon, where I initially feel clumsy but eventually, my confidence and technique improves with practice.

Have a great weekend and wish me luck.

Working With Chickens

2011-02-14T12:23:00.000-08:00

The Nera - Tim Irving

You can see now why I was fussing with old carpets over the weekend. I had an appointment with several hundred chickens and needed a suitable carpet to pose them in front of. I'd devised a simple plan that in the event sort of worked. My idea was to sprinkle a trail of corn leading to where I wanted to take the picture and snap the chickens one by one as they posed on the carpet.

The job was not without its issues, but few jobs are.
Issue one was the cold. When I left my house to drive to the farm, the sun was shining, it was warm, too warm for a coat. When I arrived at the farm on the Cambridgeshire Fens the sun was still shining, but the wind was cold, very cold. Never mind, get the job done. Issue two was I didn't consider kneeling for an hour on damp grass. Issue three and by far the biggest issue was that the chickens didn't feel comfortable on carpet. They'll do anything to avoid walking on a nice rug. The common ploy used by the poultry was to keep to the edge of the carpet, stretching their necks to peck the corn.

I'm happy with the photograph of the Nera (Rhode Island Red hybrid), but I haven't finished the project, today was a trial run. On my next visit I'll take warm clothing, a groundsheet to lie on and, the secret of success, a bigger carpet!

Old Carpet Face

2011-02-13T08:21:00.000-08:00

Old Carpet - Tim Irving

I'm feeling much better! Thank you, to the frends who wished me well, I really appreciated your thoughts. The flu, or was it a bad cold, was a miserable experience. Feeling physically weak and very uncomfortable is bad enough, but on top the discomfort, I felt hopeless. I couldn't muster up the enthusiasm to consider making a picture and I did wonder if I would ever take a photograph again. I tried to re-assure myself saying "It's what you do", but no pictures or inspiration came to mind. Happily, I thinking much clearer now, I'm almost positive.

I've started work again, but I've noticed I'm looking for subdued colours to make the most of the soft northern European light. There will be no sun or sky in my photographs for the time being.

A Dose of Flu

2011-02-10T14:15:00.000-08:00

Untitled - Tim Irving

I've been felled by a dose of flu!
On Monday I thought I'd caught a cold. On Tuesday, I was feeling better. On Wednesday I lay in bed, hot, cold, delirious. Today, I'm out of bed but with wobbly legs.

I'm fired up to take photographs and get some exercise. So after a brief recuperation, I'll be visiting the North Sea coast on Tuesday for a long walk and hopefully a few pictures.

The Negative Photographic Product Award

2011-02-08T05:21:00.000-08:00

The GUGO Camera

We live in an age of mutual back slapping where awards are given, and people are honoured for the most basic abilities. Do a Google search for design awards and you'll be overwhelmed by the sheer number of gongs given out each year. Photographic and electronic products manufacturers, are amongst the biggest culprits for slapping themselves on the back. Most new cameras and electronic gadget seem to have some obscure award thrust on them automatically on conception.

As far as industrial design goes, most new cameras are uninspiring, the majority dull, and a few down right ugly. So for this reason I've decided to create an award for products that I believe are outstanding and that in my opinion deserve a mention.

The idea for the award came about because of the handsome camera above, the GUGO. And it's the GUGO camera that received the first Negative Photographic Product Award, ever. It wins the category of "Best looking, unknown camera".

Feel free to submit your favourite cameras for next years awards.

Milton Rogovin

2011-02-06T02:00:00.000-08:00

'All my life I've focused on the poor. The rich ones have their own photographers."

I have to report that Milton Rogovin has died aged 101. He produced one of the great bodies of social documentary photography of the 20th century. A great photographer who's simple style was infused with respect.

Fairy Wings

2011-02-02T08:17:00.000-08:00

The illustrations below are part of a project I've been working on (and off), for over 2 years. The idea for the illustrations came from looking at photographs of the Cottingly Fairies, which were taken in 1917. The bizarre outcome of the Cottingly Fairies saga was that after many scientific studies by photographic experts, and much money spent, it took until 1982 for someone to declare them fake.

My original idea was to dream up 30 species of fairies, and make a small booklet to identify them. I would claim them to be genuine and challenge experts to prove me wrong. The 30 species were invented and named in a few days. I could have invented more, including cross species, sub-species and rare sightings, but it was fortunate I didn't. Illustrating fairies is a life long job. After 2 years (part time), work, I've just finished my 8th wing, the Ice Fairy, below.

The illustrations are quite big, 72 inches high. The text is overlaid on acetate for re-positioning so on paper there is just the wing. I'm now wondering if they would sell on their own, sans text. Or, should I continue and publish the booklet.

Thistle Fairy - Tim Irving

Water Fairy - Tim Irving

Air Fairy - Tim Irving

Ice Fairy - Tim Irving

Google Art Project

2011-02-01T11:05:00.000-08:00

You know I'm always grumbling about the crowds in art galleries. Well Google have obviously read my blog, they agree with me, and decided enough is enough. The image above is from my screen. It's the newly launched Google Art Project and it's very impressive. From the comfort of your own home, you can visit some of the greatest art galleries in world. So far 17 galleries are taking part, but new galleries are to be added.

Google Art Project isn't a new idea. The Lourve has been on line since the early 90's. I was personally involved with a project called the National Arts Guide back in 1994, where 600 galleries in the UK could display examples of their collection. But these early attempts to display art were crude, and the quality poor. Google Art Project is very polished indeed.

Celia Paul Watercolours at Marlborough Fine Art

2011-01-25T11:25:00.000-08:00

I've probably mentioned it before, but for me, watercolour painting is difficult. As someone who's wasted more expensive paper than is decent, I feel qualified to have an opinion on the techniqes of the medium.

Today I spent a good 2 hours at an exhibition of watercolours by Celia Paul. I love her technique and her subject matter. The exhibition was interesting in that I don't think I've seen another artist who has focused to such an extent on close family, this artist has spent 35 years painting her mother.

This show focuses on her 5 sisters and mother, however, dotted around the gallery are a few self portraits. Because of the family likeness runnung through the portraits, I get the feeling that this sequence of paintings is about the artists identity within the family. The paintings are wonderful and serious, the technique is vibrant and precise. A good show, highly remommended.

Five Sisters by Celia Paul
Copyright - the Artist/ Photo courtesy Marlborough Fine Art (London) Ltd

Sorting the Wood from the Trees

2011-01-22T07:05:00.000-08:00

The Wood - Tim Irving

One of the most frequent questions I get asked (via email), is "My photographs look dull. Can you suggest a camera or film?". My answer is in most cases is a camera or film wont help, but looking carefully will.

Over the years I've seriously looked at hundreds of thousands of photographs. It's what I do to improve my own work and I love looking. After you've looked at good range of photos over many years, you realise that the most appealing photographs are a combination of a talented photographer and a great printer.

Make no mistake, all of your old favourites by Ansel Adams, Cartier Bresson and the rest, will have been cropped, dodged, burned, toned, spotted and had their contrast adjusted to get the best image out of the negative. Except for amateurs, who pick up their prints from the chemist, there are very few 'Straight Prints'.

So the first step in creating a great photograph is finding it, on the negative. If you're using digital, the same principle applies, you need to find the photograph, it's hidden on your screen. Carefully look at your image, consider how it could be improved. Look carefully, is there a picture within your picture? Then isolate the important part by cropping. Is it too light or dark? Does it need more contrast, or less? Colour or monochrome? Warm or cool? I could go on.

By sorting the wood from the trees, it's possible to make a silk purse from a sows ear. I found the wood above, in the trees, below.

The Trees - Tim Irving

Street Life - Vivian Maier and Jimmy Forsyth

2011-01-16T09:45:00.000-08:00

By Vivian Maier

If you haven't heard, Vivian Maier was a Chicago nanny who died in 2009, leaving behind 100,000 negatives that no one but she had ever seen. Her work was discovered by chance, and now the photographs she took are being hailed as some of the best in 20th-century street photography. Of the few images I've seen, I'm impressed.

The story of Vivian reminded me of Jimmy Forsyth who obsesively photographed on the streets of Newcastle in the UK, for 50 years.

By Jimmy Forsyth

Jimmy was originally from Wales but moved to Newcastle in 1953 to work in the ship yards on the Tyne. Within months of starting work he lost an eye in an accident and never worked again. In 1954 Jimmy started taking photographs, and until his death in 2009, aged 95, Jimmy never stopped taking photographs.

All of Jimmy's photographs, and there are over a quater of a million, document working class life and the city he lived in. Mindful of posterity, he captured a world now disapeared, all done on a tiny budget. Jimmy had an innocent, un-trained vision, but within the archive are images of outstanding beauty, like the phototgraph above.

Gallery Rage

2011-01-16T06:18:00.000-08:00

You've probably guessed from my tone in previous blog posts that I find visiting major galleries tiresome, a waste of time. The last time I visited the National Gallery, I left down hearted when I should have been up-lifted. The gallery was noisy and crowded, with the type of people I spend my time avoiding. I spent 15 miserable minutes being elbowed and pushed, before I left.

Major exhibitions are so heavily marketed to the general public that they are ruined for art lovers. I suppose it's a good day out for some. A day in London, visit a gallery, have lunch, visit the gallery shop, buy fridge magnets, look at some paintings. It's terrible state of affairs and it cheapens the experience of viewing something beautiful.

When I left the National the last time, I vowed never to return, unlesss it was by private invitation when the gallery was closed to the public (fat chance). I found the experience apalling and thought it couldn't any worse. But I was wrong, it is worse!

The Gauguin exhibition at the Tate, which ended this week saw record numbers of visitors. Crowds flocked to the artist's first major British exhibition in 50 years. But large numbers left disappointed and angered by the scrum around every painting. Parents with baby buggies, groups of schoolchildren, art students, middle-aged art lovers and hundreds of day trippers all competed for elbow room. Many of them left the building in a state of what one prominent art critic called "gallery rage".

One report said:

"The crowding in front of the paintings on display was so bad, according to angry art fans and critics, that they have vowed never to go to such a big show again. A fraught debate is now expected in the art world over the need for different forms of crowd control for Britain's major art shows."

Crowd control! Ha ha.

Personal Art

2011-01-12T06:23:00.000-08:00

My Rotring 600 Mechanical Pencil

I have an hour to kill and rather than doodle with my pencil, I thought it would be more productive to talk about one of my favourite items, namely, the pencil I doodle with, the Rotring 600 mechanical pencil. So I picked up a book and placed the pencil on a drawing, to photograph it. On seeing the drawing for the first time in over a year, I then decided to tell you about the wonderful artist who created the drawing above. But one thing at a time, let me tell you about the pencil and I'll cover the artist later this week.

The Rotring 600 is my piece of personal art. I carry it in a pocket when I'm out and it sits on my desk when I'm in. It is both beautiful and functional. It's machined out of solid brass, it's heavier than most, but not all mechanical pencils, yet feels substantial rather than heavy. It has the same diameter as a traditional pencil making it very comfortable to use for long periods, the knurled grip is a bonus.

I don't how many parts, pistons and springs are in the pencil, but it's mildly complicated. As far as I can see, all parts must be handmade, everything fits and slides together with ease and precision. In fact one of the pleasures of owning this pen is the satisfaction I get from dismantling the top and loading new leads, it's all very satisfying.

The pencil has other, less obvious uses. As a person who has no use, or need for the ubiquitous mobile phone, the pen also comes in handy if I want to avoid eye contact. If I enter a public place, cafe, or tube train on my own, rather than stare at telephone screen, I take out my pencil and perform a little maintenence, one-upmanship guaranteed!

The Rotring 600 design is also available as a fountain pen. I used to own one in black chrome but I didn't find it as useful as the pencil.

My hour is up, I have to get back to work.

Still Life with Chairman Mao

2011-01-07T09:50:00.000-08:00

Still Life with Chairman Mao - Tim Irving

It used to be a tradition in junior schools that children would bring a flower bulb, a bowl, and soil into class on the last day of school before Christmas. We all planted our bulbs in our labelled bowls, then the teacher would store them in a dark cool place and we would forget about them. Months later when spring had arrived, on the last day of school before Easter, our bowls were returned to us to take home. But now they were magnificent, with spring flowers about to burst into wild shapes, it was exciting. And we proudly showed our families and basked in the praise of what we had grown.

Well it didn't work out that way for me. I spent a Saturday morning in Woolworth's selecting 3 handsome hyacinth bulbs plus a container. On Monday morning as I was getting off the bus (while it still moving), on my way to school that day, I dropped the paper bag containing the bowl and it shattered on the ground. It was a good bowl too. A rich brown, glazed earthenware bowl that cost 5 shillings (5/-). I entered the classroom with 3 hyacinth bulbs and a bag of dirt.

Our teacher tried to rescue the situation by suggesting to another pupil (who had a large bowl, but only 3 small snowdrop bulbs) that I could share her bowl, and with little encouragement she agreed. So together, Helen Cowhill and I planted our bulbs. The teacher put the bowls away and we went home to celebrate Christmas. If you haven't guessed the end of the story you must be as dim as me.

On the last day before Easter all the bowls were placed at the front of the class. The teacher picked up each bowl, read the label on it and called the child to collect their flowers. Before the first name was called (but 3 months too late), It dawned on me that my hyacinths wouldn't be going home with me. I looked across the class at Helen who must have been watching the cogs in my brain click into gear, she had a smile on her face like the Cheshire cat. I wont pretend I was noble or dignified and gave in gracefully, because I didn't. I kicked up a fuss and made myself look silly.

Of course I hold no anymosity, it's all water under the bridge, but for the past few years I've bought a single hyacinth bulb in December. My latest hyacinth growing in water, is in the still life above.

Have a good weekend!

A Portrait of a Lad

2011-01-06T09:36:00.000-08:00

Boy in the Snow - Tim Irving

This is the cheeky lad that carried the red head accross the snow. It was getting dark when I took this picture, but the snow creates very soft lighting, which I like. I caught him mid point between 8 days of partying, but he didn't seem any the worse for it.

Images From Google Street View

2011-01-04T10:01:00.000-08:00

From Google Street View

The view from here

2011-01-02T10:08:00.000-08:00

A Bench with a View - Tim Irving

In the south east of England, all the snow has melted and the sun has shown his face. The mere hint of the sun got me out of the house and I took the photograph of the bench, one hour after lunch today. You'll never know what the view is like from the bench, I'll leave that to your fertile imagination. It's a very quiet spot.

My Year and a few Photos

2010-12-31T04:38:00.000-08:00

I have to end the year with a big blog post! People have commented that I haven't had a lot to say recently, and it's true. I would have liked to discuss art and photography with you, but laying floors, preparing walls and fitting baths, sinks and toilets have shut me up, plus I have the tedious chore of earning a crust. But I make no apologies for the lack of words, I've always been here for you with regular photographs and at the bottom of this page I've added a few you haven't seen this year.

Despite the work on the house, I've managed to take a photograph almost every day during 2010. The odd days I didn't take a photograph, I did a bit of drawing. I've used 5 different cameras this year. I've worn out a 60 year old Kodak Retina IIa, and had a Canon digital fall apart after 3 months use.

Because of the lack of time to pursue art, my working methods have changed. There hasn't been a lot of planning involved, most of the work has been conceptual (created on the spot). I've enjoyed the freedom and randomness, but I long to return to the routine of research, planning and prearation.

Marketing!
I could never survive if I had to rely on my business skills, and this year, for the reasons above, I gave up trying to promote my photographs. So I've been amazed that the things are still selling. I've had over 250 direct art sales, a few good agency sales, and I'm pleased to say, I've made some good friends in the creative industries who I'll be working with in the future.

Downsizing
I stopped collecting in 2010. And although I still have the desire, I've stopped buying everything except clothes, books and music (I give the books away, once I've read them). I've been accumulating cameras since 1970. As I was packing boxes of cameras, to move to a different country (this time last year), I had an overwhelming desire to dispose of the lot. In March, this year I started selling my camera collection. As of today, I've found 195 happy new owners, who I hope will have great fun using my old cameras. When a camera sells, I climb into the loft and bring another one down. Surveying the collection this morning, I estimate it will take another 5 years to empty the loft.

2010 will go down as a big year, with lots done. 2011 will be a bigger year for me! More art, travel and work. As our year runs out, I have to tell you I've enjoyed sharing this year with you. If not for you I wouldn't have typed a single word. You are my motivation. I wish you the greatest happiness for 2011, and that some of your dreams come true.

Love & Peace - Tim

Bridgette, a patient model - Tim Irving

It must be a zoo - Tim Irving

The Full English - Tim Irving

Summer Girl - Tim Irving

My Favourite Book of 2010

The Seaside - Tim Irving

Cambridge - Tim Irving

New Friend - Tim Irving

New Kennel - Tim Irving

View From My Breakfast Table - Tim Irving

Red Roof

2010-12-29T09:01:00.000-08:00

Red Roof - Tim Irving

Boxing Day Walk

2010-12-26T07:19:00.000-08:00

Red Head - Tim Irving

My traditional Boxing Day photo walk turned into a fiasco, nothing new there. All the sites I'd planned to photograph were inaccesible. High fences, deep snow and even a river came, between me and my subjects. I'll be back out tomorrow, blizzards permitting.

Untitled for Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T08:21:00.000-08:00

Untitled - Tim Irving

I'm Here for Christmas

2010-12-22T06:37:00.000-08:00

The East End - Tim Irving (click the image to enlarge)

I'll be around over Christmas, blogging live on Christmas day. So there's every chance I'll have a photo to show you or something to say.

The photograph above is Brick Lane in East London. Last June I had the opportunity to rent some space in the Old Truemans Brewery, to exhibit and sell my photographs. I couldn't do it at the time because the house needed so much work. But I've given it some though over the past few days, it's growing on me. So next year, maybe.

Mailman Blues

2010-12-15T05:07:00.000-08:00

Post Office - Tim Irving

Post Haste

‘If I'm reincarnated,
I'd like to be a snail’.
So spake the postman, as
He handed me my mail.

With a snail as a postman
The service might be better
And I don't think I'd mind
The odd slimy letter.

Anon

The Corsetiere

2010-12-14T03:33:00.000-08:00

Mademoiselle Vidaud - Tim Irving

What a Fish

2010-12-13T08:26:00.000-08:00

The Barreleye Fish

I saw this fish on the BBC web site, and I can't stop looking at it. It's beautiful, a piece of art. The BBC are broadcasting a documentary about modern discoveries. In the last decade, scientists and explorers have discovered a quarter of a million new plant and animal species around the world. The Barreleye fish was already known as a species but only recently filmed in the deep for the first time.

Paris Remembered, eventually

2010-12-12T09:17:00.000-08:00

La Mortuacienne - Tim Irving

Why do I need a book to improve my memory?
Well, I was pulled up sharp last week when I discovered 2 un-developed films from my Paris trip last August. It's very embarrassing and I'm only telling you because I know it wont go any further.

On my return from Paris, rather than send all my films to be processed, and risk losing the lot (I'm not stupid), I only sent the slide films. The negative films I left in a camera bag to be processed when the others were returned. Scroll forward 3 months and I remember the films.

I rely on lists and notes written on scraps of paper to remember things, it's very un-reliable. Until yesterday, I didn't even know my own phone number! Because I wrote it on a scrap of paper last February I never took the trouble to remember it. I've started the memory book and I'm finding the exercises difficult, but it's helped me already, I can now remember my phone number. I'm hoping to aquire a reasonable memory, it should make my life easier.

The forgotten photographs were worth the wait. I've got some nice images here, mostly cafes and shops. I'll show you a few this week.

The Memory Man

2010-12-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

My mornings go something like this: Eat a light breakfast, drink orange juice, swallow one cod liver oil capsule (joints), and one zinc pill (colds and flu). I walk the dog. I've walked him after breakfast every day since he turned up on my doorstep, I've never missed a day. I realised too late that I'd made a rod for my back with the walks, now the dog considers a twice daily walk his legal right.

Depending on the route we take and the people we meet, the walk can be anything from a half hour, to an hour. Post walk cleaning the white dog can take up to 10 minutes. Then I make tea and turn on the PC. (I've left out certain morning routines, but I can assure you I'm clean and presentable for the walk).

The first task of the day is to check my photograph sales. These are online shop sales, not agency sales. If I have any sales, I cross my fingers and walk to my photograph file to retrieve them. If the crossed fingers work the photographs will be in the file, but sometimes crossing my fingers doesn't work and the photo isn't in the file, this is because I forgot to replace it the last time it sold. Drat!

This is exactly what happened yesterday morning. It was an order from the US for 2 prints, one I didn't have. Normally I would contact my laboratory, order the required print, then wait 4 or 5 days to have it delivered, but today is the last posting day before Christmas to the USA. I felt it my duty to ship out the order to arrive before Christmas and that meant an hours drive to personally collect the print.

There was an hours wait at the lab, so to kill time I visited a little cafe and had a delicious home baked roll with bacon and egg. The cafe was pleasant enough but it had odd acoustics, entering teh cafe was like walking into Phil Spectors wall of sound, but the wall was produced by 4 elderly ladies having tea and fruit cakes.

After the cafe (and to get to the point of this post), I walked into a charity shop run by The Cats Protection League. I went straight to the bookshelves and there among last years celebrity cook books I found the 2 books at the top of the page. "Documentary and Anti Graphic Photographs" is a reproduction of a 1935 catalogue of the New York exhibition featuring Henry Cartier Bresson, Walker Evans and Manuel Alvarez Bravo. All but 2 of the Cartier Bresson Images I've seen many times before, but the 2 I hadn't seen are spectacular. There were several Walker Evans I hadn't seen before and a handful of the Manuel Alvarez Bravo that were new to me.

The other book "Once Upon A Time in Wales" by Robert Haines, provides an intriguing look at a Welsh mining community in the 1970's. The seventies don't sound that long ago, but the photographs in this book are from a time I barely remember, but the memories came flooding back after looking at these photographs. The seventies were hard times for some. Excellent photographs. The books cost £3 each.

Today I bought another book, but from a from a bookshop. 52 lessons to improve my memory. I've made a start and in lesson 1, which I completed 2 hours ago, I can still remember a tree, clock, mouse and car. That's real progress. I'll let you know how I progress.

Oblique Strategies

2010-12-08T04:24:00.000-08:00

Today, 8am - Tim Irving

Yesterday's weather forecast promised snow, I woke up to mist! If I cared I would go crazy. All my photographs look like Christmas cards, so it's time to stop trying and do something else.

Coming up with new ideas is difficult, but I'm not happy if I continue to plough the same field even it it's making money. I know of several techniques to change track, one worth mentioning that I've used with some success is Oblique Strategies. It sometimes comes up trumps.

Oblique Strategies is a set of cards (subtitled over one hundred worthwhile dilemmas). They were created by Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt during the seventies. The cards are mostly used by musicians to generate new ideas, to break free of cliches. I can assure you that Phil Collins has never used Oblique Strategies, but David Bowie, David Byrne and Bryan Ferry are adepts. It's a bit like I Ching for musicians. Thinking about it, I Ching would be very useful too!

I have an original pack of Oblique Strategies, but there's an on-line version with same dilemmas that you can try here. Just pick a random card and think about it, within the context of your work. If it doesn't work, pick another card. If it does work, let me know.

Ink Drawing

2010-12-07T12:15:00.000-08:00

Ink Drawing - Tim Irving

It's difficult to motivate myself during this cold snap. Fortunately, at this moment in time, I'm carefree. The temperature outside is minus 5 and clear, the sun is shining. Yesterday's weather forecast promised me mist. I woke up early to photograph in the mist, pulled back the curtains, and was greeted with.... Nothing! Not even a scotch mist.

The great thing about living on a small island is that we all suffer together, 50 odd million of us. It's hard for me to get anxious about not getting out with the camera when 1000 cars were abandoned last night, becasue of a snow storm. Until the country warms up I'm drawing and photogaphing indoors.

After my morning chores, walking the dog, earning a living etc, I finished drawing a portrait. It's based on a pencil sketch I did in 1993, I've done it again, in ink (that's it above, next to the cold tap). Now it's finished it can go in the loft. If I live long enough, or experience another cold spell, I might one day do it again, in oil, on board.

Snowed In

2010-12-02T05:55:00.000-08:00

The United Kingdom has come to a halt! The snow has caused chaos on roads, railways and the second largest airport in the country, Gatwick, has suspended all flights. Schools have closed and the entire population has been advised not to make unnecessary journeys. The government has called for an enquiry in to why the country ceases to function when it snows. I'm certain they've held similar inquiries in the past, winters aren't a recent phenomenon.

Winter Roses - Tim Irving

I've been out and about and I've done a couple of longish walks, but it's too cold to take photographs. It's too cold to take my hands out of my pockets.

I was looking out of the kitchen window this morning, pondering the jobs that should have been done in the garden, and believe me, there's plenty of work out there. Plants that should have been moved to a sheltered spot before the snow, bulbs that should have been planted weeks ago, the list is a long one. In my un-tidy garden, the roses should have been pruned in late summer, but they weren't. The flowers died months ago, and the stems are woody.

The dead roses are my subjects until the thaw. Taking the photographs has turned into a ritual. I wrap up in several layers, go into the garden and have a good look at them, then I take a photograph and come back inside. I'm doing this 3 or 4 times a day as light and snow change the scene. They do look dead, but because I'm studying them very closely, I can see a beauty in them and I can't wait to get out there with them. I'm very pleased with myself that I didn't prune them.

Gone Fishing

2010-12-01T10:25:00.000-08:00

No Fishing - Tim Irving

My View

2010-11-30T04:11:00.000-08:00

The View From My Window, 11.50am

The Hedge

2010-11-26T04:26:00.000-08:00

The inside of a Hedge - Tim Irving

The leaves have almost gone for this year and the countryside looks a little barren and tired. To add interest to my walks, and to find some new colour combinations to the photos, I've been looking deep into hedgerows. If you see a man wearing inappropriate footwear, with his head in a hedge, stop and say hello, it could be me! (if it's not me, you could have a problem).

Part of my walk takes me on prehistoric pathways which were ancient when the Romans arrived. The hedges either side of these pathways are between 2000 and 4000 years old. They are a mixture of hawthorn, blackthorn, holly, beech, oak and ash. It's hostile inside the hedge, millions of thorns to scratch and stab. I wear gloves and push the camera in front of me and hope for the best.

Low Contrast

2010-11-24T03:32:00.000-08:00

Ground Cover - Tim Irving

Traditionally, there is a perfect time (the Golden hours), for taking photographs. It lasts for one or two hours (depending where you are and the time of year), after sunrise and one hour before sunset. At these times, the sun is at a low angle and shadows are exaggerated, intensifying contrast. The colours also seem more vibrant during these hours.

For many years I used the Golden hours as an excuse not to take photographs. If it's a toss up between getting up at 5am or staying in bed, then I'm afraid the bed wins. Living and working in Spain caused problems because the light was so intense and contrasty that I had to obey the rule of the Golden hours. In the summer, I started work at 7am. By 9am the light was too strong and the contrast was overpowering.

Now I'm in northern Europe, I'm working in flat even light, and I'm enjoying the experience. I've been looking at a book I have, paintings by Gwen John and I'm working on making lower contrast, less saturated images with a limited palette of colours. The low light forces me to work with my lens wide open, which reduces the contrast further and produces the blur that you see in the photo above.

Golden Crabs!

2010-11-22T04:17:00.000-08:00

Golden Crab Apples - Tim Irving

Owning new brogues has made me competitive for the first time in my life. I'm beginning to despise the these shoes, but I wont let them beat me.

The brogues and I called a truce over the weekend. I had to soak them in water for a day, then I stuffed newspaper inside them and let them dry slowly. I've walked in them this morning, just a few hundred yards, to buy milk and a loaf, and they were OK. I can't relax while I'm wearing them because all my attention is focused on my feet, but they didn't hurt me. It's too early to celebrate, I'll walk a little further in them later.

I didn't have a car over the weekend and had to walk a long way (5 mile round trip), to photograph the fabulous red crab apples. The apple tree is in the middle of a field and after weeks of wet weather it's very muddy. I tackled the job by doing the long walk in trainers, taking a pair of Wellingtons (wellies are very comfortable, but I thought 5 miles might be too much), together with my camera in a backpack.

The walk was uneventful, but I was disappointed to find the apples, that I'd seen on Friday had all but vanished, most of them were on the ground. I did what I could, which was 3 photographs, then walked around the edge of the field to see if there was anything else of interest to save the day. Within 5 minutes I saw another crab apple tree and I could see a dozen or so, little golden spheres against the dull watery sky. Ooooh, yes please, Mother Natures gift to little Timmy.

I showed this photograph (it's a slide actually), to my TV, minor celebrity neighbour this morning, and asked him to think of a title. Without a hint of irony, he said "Golden Crabs".

Breaking in my new shoes

2010-11-19T06:05:00.000-08:00

Giant Deer, Skull and Antlers - Tim Irving

My Grandfather was a wise man who had a solution for most of life's problems. I remember him telling anyone who'd listen that "New shoes should stand in water before you wear them". And, "Salt is the cure for an open wound". There were a few other gems, but I'll save them for another blog post, maybe a Christmas Special. Not surprisingly I didn't heed too much of his advice, but I was heeding it as I was nearing the end of a 4 mile walk last night.

I say walk, but in truth the last mile was a limp, or maybe a skip, but either way it felt like a long mile. I'm the proud owner of a new pair of brogue shoes. Over the past week I've been carefully breaking them in by walking short distances, like to the car, or, to the bottom of the garden, and during this period I did believe the transition from all synthetic "New Balance" to all leather brogue would be easy on my feet, but last night I had a rude awakening.

The pain, which is excruciating, comes from the shoes rubbing the top of my toes and I can't see how things can improve, unless I cut a hole in them, make brogue sandals. So, I'm going to take my Grandfather's advice and soak them in water overnight, then dry them slowly over the weekend.

While the brogues are drying, I'm getting up very early on Saturday, to photograph a country park where I've seen the brightest red crab apples. I'm hoping for a misty morning with a few drops of dew to test my waterproof/splashproof/dustproof, camera.

A New Camera

2010-11-18T08:55:00.000-08:00

4pm, Thursday - Tim Irving

I bought a new camera today with features that I've never needed until now. It's waterproof, or at least damp-proof. I have a hat, a warm coat, a pair of wellingtons, and now a waterproof camera. No more excuses because of the weather.

I didn't really want another camera, but circumstances forced my hand. I had a bit of a scare last week, I'd been out all day and it was very cold and damp. I was about to take what was my 12th photograph of the day when the camera, a Contax G2, refused to focus. The problem didn't last long, I went to a cafe for a cup of tea and to thaw out, I removed the lens, then re-fitted it, and the camera performed as normal. It hasn't missed a beat since, but then I haven't taken it out on a cold day since.

This is the first time ever, I've had a camera malfunction. I'm not sure if this is luck or the fact that cameras are incredibly reliable. In defence of the Contax, it's over 20 years old and has never had a service.

I justified the purchase because the house restoration is coming to an end, and soon I'll have get back to taking photos on a daily basis. I've forked out for a new (old), camera in the hope that I'll take at least one profitable photograph a week throughout the winter.

Charles Darwin's Fish

2010-11-16T13:54:00.000-08:00

Darwin's Fish - Tim Irving

I do like a good museum! Over the past few weeks I've been searching for, and exploring some of the less well known museums and galleries within a few miles from home. They've proved to be a good source of images for me and an excellent way to spend a day.

My last visit was to the Museum of Natural History at Cambridge University, where the photograph above was taken. It's a glorious place where a few hours can pass in a flash. It's quiet, the temperature is just right, the toilets are clean and photography is allowed. Added to that it's in the city centre so I can nip out for lunch.

This fish (Gerres oyena), was preserved and returned to Cambridge by Charles Darwin between 1831 and 1836.

The Beach Dog

2010-11-12T12:08:00.000-08:00

Beach Dog - Tim Irving

Judging by the comments, my post modern photography isn't going down well with the beloved clients. But I've got plenty of film in my pocket and a new pair of shoes on my feet. So, is this moody enough for you?