LONDON

London 2012! What a fab weekend in London, I have taken so many photos this blog is rather long and there will be a second part...maybe even a third.
Here is a selection of the black and white images I took with my PEN, I love the street photography style and thought the gritty black and white grainy filter really adds to the urban atmosphere.
I find street photography quite liberating as you are literally pointing the camera at people who you don't know. In that split second you can get some great facial expressions and the results are usually quite interesting although I am not sure you would get the same reaction to the camera anywhere else in the country? Who knows maybe I will snap up the streets and people of Blackpool?

THE OLD ROCK FACTORY

First I have to apologies for the lengthy photo post but I really couldn't cut any from the series as they all bought the story of The Old Rock Factory to life!
Some of you may or may not know the studio space but here it is. A place for creatives to be..well creative! As you can see Robin Ross the owner has his own printing studio located on the first floor and it is filled with lots of interesting things from the actual screen prints, paint pots, work areas and all with the back drop of a beautiful old factory setting.
Robin holds many printing sessions here for people of all ages and on a daily basis is there to make his own art work in which he exhibits all over the world.
The annual event 'Sand, Sea and Spray' that features Robin (and who has also curated it!) will be held in Blackpool on the 16th June this year. Over three days the town will be 'sprayed' by various artists in various urban locations. Want to know more? Click here.

I think its great that Blackpool finally has studio spaces for creatives to work in and I urge anyone who is passing to pop into the factory!

BONKERS CLUTTERBUCKS

I am currently an 'apprentice' on Project Object where we will meet weekly to develop a card model based around the templates designed by Bonkers Clutterbucks. We are sourcing images and inspiration from the archives at Blackpool Library and as you can see from the second image down I have focused on the Blackpool Tower Circus acts from before the war.
Working with Peter and Kate we gain an insight into the world of taking a product to market. So far we have heard from the buyers at Yorkshire Sculpture Park and learnt how Bonkers Clutterbucks started their business with modelling kits for children. Its just all so much fun!
For more information and where you can buy some of the lovely models seen above check out Bonkers Clutterbucks site here - http://bonkersclutterbucks.com/

INSTAGRAM BLACKPOOL

This week I decided that while walking to work each day I would try to get a shot of a part of Blackpool that I have never seen or photographed before.
My journey usually takes me along the back streets and near the back of the Winter Gardens. I soon realised that there are lots of old signs that I have no idea what they mean but are faded or painted onto the walls.
The Instagram app and my iphone make it so easy to snap these up and as you can see the effects are quite 'urban decay' looking and bring out the colours brilliantly.
If your looking for an app for your phone I would highly recommend Instagram!

CULTURE SHOPS FINAL ROUND

The Culture Shops programme is supported by Blackpool Council and enables artists to exhibit their work in an empty shop in the centre of Blackpool. During this time of recession the project aims to make otherwise empty and dull spaces vibrant and interesting.
Friday 13th saw the final round of this programme and included artists such as Garth Gratrix, Michael Cassidy, John Mark Allen and the Langdale photography group. After a brief introduction at FYCreatives we all walked down to the space located at the old Bar Red site to listen to the artists talk about the theory behind the artwork.

Click here to find out more about the artists and the Culture Shops programme.