This photo really reminds me of my older work. I think it’ll look great printed, especially large, so I’m going to run a few off. If you’re interested in buying a signed copy then drop me a note. I’ve been pretty busy lately, but I did manage to buy an iPhone 3Gs. I have a competition coming up here on the blog which I’m looking forward to, it’s the first of many, so stay tuned in. I’m actually putting my money where my mouth is.

This long-weekend past one of my closest friends, Grania, came to stay. It was all going so well, we shopped, we tok our camera’s out (Grania is quite the photographer herself and I got a chance to use my IR filter), we drove all the way to Portstewart via the Antrim Coast, taking in some of that spectacular scenery. We had plans to continue the following day by heading to the Mourne Mountains and Silent Valley, only, I was struck down by the flu (or some kind of virus). Poor Grania has to entertain herself and, being the great person she is, tended to me with plenty of water and hugs. I am, for the most part, over the worst of it and feeling much better. So it’s back to the daily grind. Working on ‘the book’, working on other new projects. I’m also running a competition on the blog soon, so for your chance to WIN something, then keep visiting.

I have lots more fun, experimental photos I took on that one day up the Antrim coast, I’ll post them over the next few days. Things have just been a little hectic to say the least. I’m going to invest in an iPhone 3GS this week also, to help me respond to emails a bit easier.

Unfortunately, I am – less than 20 days in – having to stop Project 365. For now.
Things have turned out a bit differently than I expected, personally some things have come up, and I want to do this project right and for personal reasons I know now that if I continue with the project that over the coming weeks it just won’t be possible. Sorry to back out but I do promise to pick it up again and in the meantime I have a couple of pretty exciting projects that will mean lots of weekly (even daily) photos ahead. So the camera will still be getting plenty of use and the blog will be filled up.
It’s been great to get a taste for it and I promise to keep it up next time I do it.
Thanks for all the great comments though – keep checking back, I’ve still got a lot more photos to share.

My Halloween outfit. I was a Sugar Skull.
Make-up and hair by Me.
Costume by Me, Glynis Kane.
Jewellery by Katy Jones.

Since I started and ended up having to cut Project 365 short, I decided to combine the images I liked best into one post. Looking forward to picking it up again in the new year when life pans out!

Working hard on the book, so here’s a page out of it, which may or may not make the final cut. I’m really excited about this book, I actually think it’s going to be really great. You can read about it here if you missed it.

Here’s the photo I used on that particular page in the guide to creating bright, sharp & bold images from dark, bland snapshots.

I’ve got plenty more of these which I forgot to put up long ago.
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These images are part of Project Snapshot. For more info on ‘Project Snapshot’ purchasing any of these images for cheap then click here.

THE PROJECT: “THE SUGAR SKULLS”

A very wonderful art gallery in my sometimes-hometown of London has offered me a solo exhibition next year (originally it was supposed to be this year) provided I launch exclusively with them and that I provide a complete project of new work. I’ve been mulling over project ideas for a while now, but I couldn’t get things going because to truly work on a fine-art photo set, I need to be inspired.

Inspiration: Paintings by Sylvia Ji.

Then, late in the summer I took a spur of the moment two and half week trip to Texas to see my friends (and now boyfriend). During the trip I visited the wonderfully enlivening cities of Austin and San Antonio, where we visited shops and markets crammed full of the most stimulating Mexican regalia. I was hooked. It had always been something I’d found to be interesting and beautiful as I have a strong interest in traditional tattoo art, but surrounding myself with such emblems only re-enforced this.

Enter the idea for a project.

THE REASON: “IDEAS, CONCEPTS & FOLLOW-ONS”

I wanted the new project to link with my last series I exhibited. “Conflicted” was the series I created for my final year of my degree at the University of the Arts London, it explored the theme of my growing up in a divided city (Belfast) and feeling lost for a real identity. As with most of my portrait work, it was self-portraiture. Five large photographs of myself, looking lost and destroyed in land which mirror my attitude.

Some sketches I did in my moleskines earlier this year. They aren’t connected but this kind of style has been running around in my mind for quite some time, I was figuring out a way to translate it into photographic images.

So ’The Sugar Skulls’ as I’m calling it for now, will be the start of hopefully many follow on projects from ‘Conflicted’. I am hoping with each project I will develop a body of work that does what every artist hopes for, expresses ones self.

Where’s the connection? Well, I want to shoot a series of photographs, much like ‘Conflicted’, self-portraits where my body and body language connects with the land (familiar land, primarily my home territory), but this time I will be more than myself, I will become characters. Each character will be a Mexican ‘Day of the Dead/ Sugar Skull’ Women. In simple terms, me dressed up.

The concept for ’Conflicted’ was that I was at a loss for cultural identity due to my upbringing in a city with such diverse cultural identities and I felt I belonged to none. The concept or ’The Sugar Skulls’ is that I am stealing or borrowing aspects of other countries cultures and bringing it to my own land. Then, I can perhaps start doing it with other cultures in the future. The important thing is that I am being incredibly honest with these projects, I can fully admit, holding my hands up that I am at a real loss for cultural identity – always have and always will be.

From my series ‘Conflicted’ 2008 (Untitled #1).

Of course, I now have a LOT of research to do because I can’t claim I am an expert of Mexican culture and my interest solely stems from a visual appreciation and my only connection (besides my Texan connection) is the fact that my fathers family were Catholic, so he can explain a little bit about the ‘Day of the Dead’.

JUST SO YOU KNOW: “HALLOWEEEEEN!!!”

I love Halloween. I’ve always been a fan, ever since I was little and my ever so creative parents would help out with some of the coolest costumes a kid could wish for. The past few years in my Halloween history have been relatively quiet and not so creative, but that’s all about to change. Despite my lack of solid Halloween plans, I have decided to use my ‘Sugar Skulls’ outfits which I am working on to double up as my Halloween costume and to get me into the swing of things! Hey, two birds, one stone.

Sorry the blog has been a bit dull and quiet lately and the photos haven’t exactly been tip-top, but I’ve been a busy girl working away on ‘the book’ (Not the actual title).

SO THEN, WHAT IS THE JIST?
Due to be published in early 2010, ‘the book’, is a young, fresh, fun guide to photography. It’s aimed at the blog reading, ‘Generation Y’, hip, creative types and is my way of raising my fist to the boring old ‘How To’ photography books that line the library and bookshops which, lets face it, your Dad is more likely to read than you are. Without giving too much away (because it’s still in basic production stages, yes, still) I am including everything from pages giving you the basics on shutterspeeds and apertures to little random anicdotes. It’ll be a huge mash up of everything I think we are all craving when it comes to our generation and group of artsy-blogging-20/30/40something kids in relation to photography. It will all be nicely layed out with bright, contemporary graphics and nice bright, sharp images to accompany your moneys worth of text! I know, I’m hyping this up beyond belief, but not just for promotional purposes but because I am genuinely excited about this.

HELP WANTED: ‘THE SURVEY’!
I am looking for participants to join in and help fill out a survey. It is a survey of no more than about 25 questions (give or take) related to photography and your experiences. Nothing too personal and you can respond in as much depth as you wish (one word answers or essay length responses – I don’t care, all are welcome). The survey will be done via email generally but if there is a better way to suit you then please let me know. If you do answer the survey you will get a voucher for 15% OFF the book upon its release. All responses must be mailed back before November 20th.
Interested? Leave your Name & Email address here or send me an email with the subject line ‘Survey’.

AVAILABILITY AND PRE-ORDERING!
There is still no official word on when or where the book will be retailing in shops, but hopefully it will be happening. It would be really great to get it retailing in stores/shops both in the UK and beyond. If you know anyone with a small business (or any business) who might be interested in cutting a deal don’t hesitate to let me know. I’ll bring more info on this nearer to the time. Of course, as with my last book, it will be available online worldwide. This time I will be selling the book directly through my website and selected editions will be coming with a few extra treats (again, more info closer to the time, but this will be pretty exciting).
As for pre-ordering, I am already taking pre-orders. Unfortunately my online form for the book is not yet available, but if you send me an email with your details and you are within the first 50 customers you will recieve a free post-card set and the other extras that will be shipping with the selected editions, these copies will also be signed and numbered. I will not be taking desposits, but if you do submit your name now for pre-order you will need to purchase the book within the first week of release.

THE LAUNCH!
Again, this is not 100% confirmed but I am in talks to launch the book in a fantastic Belfast venue. Everyone who pre-orders is welcome to come along and more information will follow soon. I am also looking to launch the book in the USA, provided I can secure business publication within the States. Again, all who order will be sent invites. If you know of any venues that would be interested in benefitting from hosting a book launch, put them in touch!

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I wanted a book like this when I was getting started (in all fairness, despite it being my job, I still consider myself somewhat new to photography) and I could never really find exactly what I wanted. So all input / help / questions / general words of wisdom and suggestions are not only welcome but I’m eagerly grinning with anticipation for said response right now!

Project Snapshot | Ryan
I was babysitting my cousin’s five year old son, Ryan, this week. He’s just started primary school, the same one I went to, and I tried to grab a few shots of him before he ran off to play the Wii and Playstation 3.