Saturday 14 May 2011

Hair Today School Tomorrow

Amongst my most sacred duties is that of child care. My willingness to care for the next generation is also a scary duty. If the ones that I have the perilous pleasure of caring for are a measure of our future society then I am glad that I don't sleep well as waking up screaming is not my idea of a good night's rest. Despite being unable to fathom the logic of youth I do enjoy being confudled by childish perspectives.

The crux of this piece is that my child caring duties lead me into great situations that I would not be encountering without interaction with those whose perceptions have not been stifled by adult attitudes. My own inner child is very happy and likes nothing better than to be left alone to read in the quiet corner on sunny afternoons. When taking care of children I tend to allow them room and space to express themselves - within obvious limits.

Whilst looking after one delightful bundle of youthful joy recently I was treated to a coiffurist experience of excellence. Well they thought that their talents excelled and I agreed as the head torture progressed so as to bring the painful process to an end. On a more positive note I can state that I enjoyed practising my self portrait camera phone picture techniques and was pleasantly surprised with some of the results.

Furthermore I am now readying myself for bit beard parts, part beard bit parts as a walk on Viking or Celtic warrior type character. My acting roles are so far very amateur and my vocal and dramatic training is rarely called upon these days. So if bit part success does not call me back I shall have to wait until another home from school day before I get chance to see how the beard looks in pleats.


Please Note: that all child labour used in coiffure productions was safely within World regulations and guidelines and that the only slight damage done was to my follicles.


Hair Today School Tomorrow May 2011 (105)

Hair Today School Tomorrow May 2011 (108)

Hair Today School Tomorrow May 2011 (102)

Tuesday 3 May 2011

May Day Forget-Me-Not in Midlothian Scotland


The sun was shining brightly as stalked the small flowers with a 180mm lens and 1.4 converter. I came at them from the shadows and they never had a chance to hide their blooms before I had manually focussed and depressed the shutter release. Twin flash heads fired and the image was captured. That is how I got my May Day garland this year.

May Day is a time to celebrate the return of flowers and the warm vibrant months. There is supposed to be a link with Juniper and May Day rites in Scotland. The Juniper was burnt for purification, but I was only wanting to take pictures of flowers. My garland for May Day predominately featured Forget-Me-Not. There is a garland rhyme which is said to be traditional for the day;

The first of May is Garland Day
So please remember the garland.
We don't come here but once a year,
So please remember the garland.

Next year maybe I will light a fire or two in remembrance of times past and to light my way towards all of my tomorrows.


May Day Forget-Me-Not in Midlothian Scotland (101)

May Day Forget-Me-Not in Midlothian Scotland (108)

Yellow Poppy on May Day in Midlothian Scotland


The Yellow Poppy seems both strange and familiar altogether at the same time. These pictures were taken on a warm May Day eve. The brilliant glow of the petals hid the delicate details within. Just a touch of fill lighting was used to set the scene.

Some how the Yellow Poppy had me reaching for my lens cap. Capturing this bright yellow bloom had brought an end to flower shooting for May Day. The sun had featured in my exposures and it had lit my way to several several that were completely created by the warm lighting. With my camera stowed away there was plenty of time to enjoy the sunset.


Yellow Poppy on May Day in Midlothian Scotland (102)

Yellow Poppy on May Day in Midlothian Scotland (103)