I like picture books

One of my University lecturers once said that he hated 'picture books.' You know the sort of thing - coffee-table photography books which have little to no editorial in them, instead relying on the photographs themselves to get the message across.

His reasoning was something along the lines of how he disapproved of the way pretentious photographers were exploiting their work (and its captive audience), simply to make a quick buck and if they were that set on being 'photographic artists,' they should probably just think about getting their work up on the walls of a gallery. Ooph.

I can see his point. I don't necessarily agree, but I can see his point.

Personally, I love seeing my work come together in any way, shape or form - whether that's on a client's website, in a national magazine, in a self-published book, whatever. It's often been said that pictures are no good just sitting on a hard drive - they should be enjoyed by others, employed to increase awareness of a situation, or to generate revenue if used in a commercial context.

By now, you will be aware of my Fountain Jam book project. I'll be editing, laying out and generally putting this together next month, but already I'm thinking about getting this year's book project under way. No details to share with you yet - you'll just have to watch this space!

Anyway, the point is, it's really important for us photographers to create bodies of work other than those which are commissioned by our clients. If we don't, all we have to show for ourselves is a bunch of pictures depicting interpretations of other people's ideas.

I like 'picture books.' Regardless of whether they are produced by contemporary photographers or creators from other disciplines. If I admire their work, chances are I'll take a look at any new collection they unleash on the viewing public.

One such example is Chase Jarvis, who I have mentioned in previous posts and on The Active Photographer podcast. Not so long ago, Chase brought out a new book called Seattle 100: Portrait of a City, which is a fine example of what a self-driven book should look like.

Whether you like his work, or you simply want a great photography book to inspire some fresh thinking (especially if portraits are your thing), I'd highly recommend you take a look.

My copy is sat on the bookshelf, waiting to be brought into action just as soon as I have a spare moment - but from what I've seen of it already, the ol' brain will be buzzing with ideas once I properly indulge myself in the pages' rich, contrasty, black and white images.

Merry Christmas!

So, with just a matter of minutes left before the big day, I'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

And on that note, here's a rather good find I'd like to share with you all - clever, funny, and an interesting reflection on the wonders of social media in our modern-day world. Enjoy!

Always carry a camera?

Whilst heading back from a meeting one chilly morning recently, I felt compelled to pull the car to one side of the road and get out to grab a few pictures of the view across the city.

In my bag, along with the day-to-day items I typically carry, I had nothing to make images with other than a point-and-shoot (my trusty, go-anywhere, Canon G9) and my mobile phone's built-in camera. Choosing the former, I quickly rattled off a number of pictures before beating a hasty retreat to the warmth and relative comfort of the car.

I also recorded some thoughts for Episode #2 of The Active Photographer podcast. It's worth checking out the show notes there, but for those of you who want to skip straight to the audio, you can hear it via the player below.

Episode #2 - Snapshots And Snooker:


This photo opportunity was unplanned. It was exactly that - an opportunity. I hadn't expected to see the hazy view from the top of the hill; if I had, my regular kit would have surely been packed in the car.

Sometimes, it's nice not to be weighed down by the high-end clutter of one's kit. It allows us to concentrate purely on the visual, on what's in front of us - undistracted by which aperture to set or how many different ways a particular lens can be exploited to effect. When we don't have the distraction of such technology, we are left to work simply within our means, making the best of the situation.

Of course, there's the old adage which speaks of always carrying a camera wherever you go. Do I adhere to this? Well no, not always... unless you count the fact that my phone has a built-in camera, which could always be put to use (although I don't consciously think to use it in the same way that I might if I have packed a camera in my bag or coat pocket).

At times like these (and a good few others, actually), I'm often heard to say 'You know what, I'll definitely carry the G9 with me all the time from now on.' In much the same way as drinkers profess 'I'll never drink again!' after a particularly heavy night. Easily said, but not so easily done...

In my own mind, snatching these 'golden picture' moments as they present themselves is a bit like racking up a tally of wins. I've now got a bunch of images to work with, which I'd never so much as thought about when I woke up that morning. As I describe in the audio, I have no agenda for them, but I'm sure they'll be useful somewhere down the line. Self-promotion, stock image sales, illustration during workshops... the posibilities are endless, and it'll be interesting to see where they end up.

And then there were penguins...

When the snow hit, what did you do?

In the past week or so, the UK has been hit by a considerable amount of snow; most heavily up north and in the Midlands, but we've also had our fair share down here on the south coast.

Not surprisingly, I received many comments from friends and colleagues who assumed that I'd be out there at the crack of dawn, taking pictures all day, every day. Because that's what every photographer is expected to do, right?

Funny, really. Would you expect a vet to check over every dog they encountered in the street? Should every mechanic take immediate action when they hear a car rattling along the road? Of course not, so why the special rule for photographers?

That said, I did venture out on three of the days that my immediate landscape was coated in the white stuff... but with certain objectives in mind. Hey, even I know I'd be be stupid not to take advantage of such great conditions!

The first day saw me head out into my local woodland to shoot a video review - more about this in another post coming soon. The weather was not ideal (for what I had in mind, snow falling would have been preferential to sleet), but I wanted to get something in the bag, just in case conditions took an even bigger dive the following day.

Thankfully, things got a whole lot better, and so out I went for a second time, to pick up where I left off the previous afternoon. With establishing shots sorted, I was able to film the main review in one take, before grabbing a few additional establishing shots on my way back out of the woodland. Can't wait to see how it all lines up in the final edit!

As a side note... I also recorded some audio commentary, too. If you don't know what this is for (I've mentioned it enough on Twitter!), then keep an eye out at the beginning of next week, when all shall be revealed.

So, back to the snow. Seven inches fell overnight. Okay, granted that's not going to break any records but, believe me, it was enough to raise a few eyebrows around here.

With filming complete, Inny and I headed for an old Saxon path, which we knew would look fantastic - about as close to the idyllic winter wonderland image as you could hope for. It was still early enough in the day that the local kids hadn't spoilt it with their sledging and snowball fights, so out came the D3 with 24-85mm to seal a number of other key images...

Firstly, I wanted to get a new shot for this year's client Christmas card. I wasn't disappointed; perfect white snow, hedgerows with leaves and berries delicately adorned with shimmering white highlights... Couldn't have asked for more, and this was also a great time to get some nice stock pictures taken care of.

And then there were penguins. As far as I'm aware, not native to this part of the world, and we certainly weren't expecting to encounter a couple of four-foot fibreglass beasts on our travels. But, sure enough, that's exactly what we got, having entered into a random conversation with one of the locals. Got to sort him out with a couple of prints - that was the deal - which I'm thinking just might lead to yet more obscure findings in his workshop!

Could make for some interesting portraits...

Fountain Jam - update

Over the next few posts, I’m going to take a look back what I’ve been up to throughout the past couple of months. It’s been hectic for sure, and it’s about time I shared my experiences with you.

First off, a quick update about this year’s book project, which I originally told you about here.

As the year draws to a close and the long sunny evenings seem an ever-distant memory, Fountain Jam - as I am now calling it - is starting to seem more and more like a reality than simply a project to be worked on over the course of a year. I’ve lost track of just how many images I’ve shot (we’re talking in the thousands here), and it’ll be great to relive the memories during the editing process.

With only a couple of months' photography remaining, now would probably be a good time for me to sit down and review all the material I’ve shot so far; there are bound to be gaps, people or details which I thought I’d captured or which I want to give more time to. And there are technical considerations, too.

One thing which I have been concentrating on during the past few trips to The Fountain is my lighting. Or, rather, how I use the light which is available to me on those evenings. Being a cosy, informal, traditional-style village pub, you can probably guess what it’s like - warm, rustic colours, dark corners created by a certain atmospheric glow… An interior designer might call it ‘mood lighting’.

For me, it presents a challenge, and one which has recently changed in my favour. For so long, I have been making frequent use of a single additional flash (SB-800, sometimes with a ¼ CTO gel attached) simply in order to capture the action. Nice, clean images packed with detail - but hardly what you might call ’atmospheric,’ other than the human element.

Imagine my joy, then, on turning up one evening to see that Keith had begun bringing along an angle poise-style lamp to illuminate his music folder. Sounds tacky and unphotogenic, I know, but in the resulting images, my subjects now have a hugely atmospheric presence, with punchy highlights and deep shadows. Shooting, by necessity, somewhere in the region of ISO 5000 merely compliments this lighting, bringing out the ‘live music’ vibe that we all love so much.

By mixing up the flash and non-flash pictures, it’s clear that the book will now look much more dynamic, much more visually engaging - and ultimately much more pleasing to the eye.

So there you go - things are moving along nicely and an ever-increasing interest in the project is making these final stages of shooting a real pleasure. As a creator of anything, it's always nice to know that you have an eager audience just waiting to get their hands on the final product of your endeavours.

One last thing... Don't forget, the Jam nights are a free-for-all, so you are more than welcome to come along and play some tunes. If this sounds like your sort of thing, why not drop me a line on Twitter or add me on Facebook? As well, you can always check the Thursday Nights Jam page on Facebook, too.

Found object: Video - light painting

If you've ever tried painting with light - combining long exposures with the use of a hand-held light source to etch shapes/words/colours into the air - you'll know what great fun it is.

Typically, you might trace around people or objects, using a torch or a flash gun - and the technique relies on the principle that during a long exposure (anything from a couple of seconds through to several hours), a moving object (the light) will record as a blur whilst static objects remain, well, static.

Commonly, we see this in 'light trail' pictures of cars travelling along a road at night.

I came across this short video recently, which is perhaps one of the best examples I've seen of how you can take things one step further.

Enjoy!





And if you want to know how they did it, take a look at this behind-the-scenes video as well:





This has given me some great inspiration for a forthcoming shoot - I hope you get something out of it, too!

Introducing: GBP:Workshop

Finally, the official announcement!

As many of you may know, I've been quietly working away behind the scenes, putting together a brand new series of workshops aimed at anyone who is keen to learn, explore and improve upon their interest in photography.

The premise is simple: Beginners' guides assume too much knowledge, which means people reading them often end up none-the-wiser. They don't want to be bombarded by photo-jargon - they just want to know what they should be doing in order to improve their image making. Is that really so much to ask?

With this in mind, I've developed the all-new GBP:Workshop - a series of one-off, 4-hour sessions, centred around a simplified hands-on approach to learning the basics of photography.


GBP:Workshop isn't:

• Jargon-filled, alienating, uncomfortable
• Pre-learned knowhow required
• Vanity lecture disguised as a workshop
• Uneasy silences in an echoey room
• 'Keep up or catch up!' mentality
• Desk-based series of how-to instructions

GBP:Workshop is:

• Fun, small, group-led participation
• Run by a professional photographer
• Tailored to you; bring your own camera
• The basics, to get you up and running
• Practical skills which actually matter
• Step-by-step, topic-by-topic, learn-as-you-go
• 'Snap and see' hands-on tasks
• Legible workshop notes and reference material
• Project ideas for continued learning
• Online support
  

I've never been a fan of the way so many seminars and workshops are based around the mentality of 'take the money, teach and run'. For this reason GBP: Workshop offers on-going support in the form of online discussion; after the workshop, you and your fellow attendees simply upload your pictures to a designated private online album and there we can talk over your progress and any ongoing questions you might have.

Of course, there's no pressure on you to do this, but I'm sure it'll be of benefit - and besides which, it's a great way to network with fellow enthusiasts!

To get the ball rolling, the first workshop I'm running is SLR Startup - which covers the basics of how to master the key functions of your digital SLR camera in order to consistently get the striking results you want.

Details of this workshop, location and prices can be found here.

If you have any questions, please drop me an email or post them in the comments section below (this would really benefit all those interested!).

Alternatively, you can always catch up with me on Facebook or Twitter (hint: you can search my related tweets using #gbpworkshop).


Edit: Here's some feedback from someone who recently had some 1-to-1 tuition with me:

"I hired Giles for a morning's practical photography refresher course to improve my skills and get to grips with a new digital SLR. Giles explained everything in a non-techie way which has really helped me to get the most out of my new camera and take much better images as a result. I would recommend Giles to anyone looking for a photography workshop or one to one training session."

Fountain Jam - revealed

Spoiler alert - this post has nothing whatsoever to do with jam... Although I am rather fond of the stuff!

Back in December, as part of my yearly 'Looking Ahead To...' post, one of my bullet points stated "Personal projects - research and develop further; possible exhibition?"

Well, regular readers will know that I am already involved with the Vobes-Babbidge Pinhole Camera Project. This has taken something of a back seat of late, due to health issues on the part of Mr. V, but with things on the mend, we are due to get together for the latest instalment soon.

In the meantime, I have another (self-driven) project under way, which I have kept quiet until now. It doesn't have an official title as such, but the premise is simple: Every Thursday, The Fountain Inn at Rowlands Castle in Hampshire, UK, holds an open-mic jam night. This is a local-level, free-for-all get-together, hosted by ex-Van Morrison member Herbie Armstrong. It's a great showcase for local musical talent, and always full of interesting characters.

I have made it my mission to document proceedings over the course of the year, with a view to publishing a book somewhen around February-March 2011.

Feedback so far has been really positive, with many kind words which spur me on to produce more great imagery of the individuals who stand in front of my lens! And, thanks to a few sneaky glimpses of my camera screen along the way, it looks like there are already a bunch of regulars interested in getting their hands on a copy of the book. Great stuff - I can't wait to see the end product!

To find out more about the Thursday Jam Nights, you can contact me via any of the usual channels or get in touch with the event's co-ordinator, Keith, through the dedicated Facebook page (be sure to tell him where you heard about the event!).

I'm not there every Thursday, but if you do come along and see me, um, 'working,' don't be a stranger. It's a very relaxed state of affairs, and so is my shooting style (not, I hasten to add, due to over-zealous consumption of local ale!). Make yourself known, have a chat and enjoy the tunes!

You never know - you just might make it into the book!

As an aside - a quick shout-out to Lorraine Paintin for the use of the picture you see here. See, I do sometimes get caught out on the other side of the camera - sneaky, Lorraine!

Edit: For a progress update, hit this link!

Pimp my Moleskine!

Here's a quick general interest piece, which just might inspire you to try something different and increase your productivity...

If you read my 'Looking ahead to 2010' post last December, you may have picked up on a sense that I was wanting to make changes to the work I do, the way I operate, and the way I handle my workflow. Well, you'd be quite right.

Having just put in an order for some new kit, I'm reminded that I am still very much tied down to the modern technology, but one thing is crystal clear to me now - moving back to a traditional diary was definitely the way to go! Almost five months into the year, and I have seen my productivity grow, simply because of the way I can structure my days and weeks using old (ie less-fashionable) 'technology'.

As with technique and the way individual items of camera equipment are set up, there's something to be said for feeling 'happy' with one's kit. This may sound odd, and it is a little difficult to describe, but I suppose it's a bit like a golfer having a favourite club, or a chef having a favourite knife. Whatever it may be, these items make their operators feel confident and comfortable in their day-to-day activities.

So, I've finally got around to personalising things a bit further, inspired by a small leather-bound sketch book I bought Inny for Christmas; thanks to her, my Moleskine diary is now a far less standard, corporate affair, and features a nice new buttery-feel wrap-around cover and fastening.


For anyone thinking of doing the same, there's no need to go out and spend a lot of money. The coloured chamois leather itself was an off-cut bought from an art shop, the leather cord came from a haberdashery and the alien fastening was pulled from a pack of buttons bought at Hobbycraft. Total cost - about £4.

Okay, so it's just a bit of fun really, but there is another accidental advantage to this whole process. Because it's something a little bit different, my diary has now become a talking point on occasions when I'm in meetings with clients, colleagues and contacts in my network.


And just as with so much of this kind of thing, you never know what might come out of the most trivial of conversations!

Just in case you missed the link above, please do check out Inny's site, and her exhibition (I plugged it here), which runs until the end of the month.

GBP Facebook

Exciting news - Giles Babbidge Photography now has an official Facebook page!

You can check it out by following this link, which will take you direct to the main page showing the latest posts, news, updates and conversations.

I will also be be sending updates to my Twitter page in real time, so can be sure to keep up to date with what's going on.

As ever, I fully encourage you to get involved, to widen the network, so be sure to sign up as a fan and join in!

Vobes-Babbidge Pinhole Camera Project: First tests

Well, the Vobes-Babbidge Pinhole Camera Project is moving on at a nice pace now, with our latest tests showing definite improvements over the last.

In the first of our audio commentaries below, you'll hear us constructing our MK#1 camera, taking it outside for exposures using only available light (the sun) and developing the very first paper negatives. It was interesting to see what appeared out of the darkness of our improvised darkroom...

Pin Hole podcast - 003

With the MK#2 camera in hand, there was a definite increase in sharpness, contrast and density in our results. In a somewhat more controlled environment, we stayed indoors and set up a still life arrangement; this was lit by a constant light source (one 1000-watt halogen photo lamp).

By no means perfect (watch out for the schoolboy error!), our work is still very much about understanding the process and slowly refining our technique... as explained in our final thoughts about how to move things along in the very near future. Enjoy!

Pin Hole podcast - 004

Oh, and if you missed our first two instalments, you can catch up with them here.

Clever sweaters

This little video amused me. It's also a clever piece of marketing, I think, on the part of Pringle of Scotland, who commissioned David Shrigley to produce a short 'behind-the-scenes' animation for this year's Milan Fashion Week... Enjoy!





Many thanks to the lovely Inny for the heads-up :)

Introducing: The Vobes-Babbidge Pinhole Camera Project

With the end of another year just hours away, it's time to think ahead to what the next twelve months might hold in store. That in itself will be the topic of a forthcoming post, but for now I'd like to talk briefly about a very exciting project which I will be involved in throughout the whole of 2010...

Many of you will by now be aware of my friend and collaborator Richard Vobes - most likely as a result of following either him or myself on Twitter, or via various audio chats we have recorded this year for vobes.com (some of which have also subsequently appeared in posts here on the GBP Blog).

Well, now we have taken things one step further, embarking on an idea which Richard came up with a number of months back. Its working title is The Vobes-Babbidge Pinhole Camera Project - and we are very excited about it!

In a nutshell, we are going to be stripping back the photographic process, removing the hi-tech, super-material, computer-reliant aspect so prevalent these days, instead concentrating on producing a set of images as the final outcome of a simplified yet very involved process.

Why so involved? Well, rather than simply purchasing a pinhole camera and photographic film, we will instead be working from scratch - completely from the ground up. As such, the starting point will be to construct our camera- most likely from traditional materials such as wood, varnish, brass, leather etc. And then there's the small matter of the physical medium onto which our images will be physically recorded (clue: we want to make our own).

The final images will for part of an installation/exhibition around this time next year.

For the benefit of both ourselves and those who would like to follow our progress, Mr. V and I will be recording all of our steps along the way - via audio, video, stills and note books. We've already documented our first tentative steps via audio; you can listen to these below in order to get a better idea of just what we have in mind.

Pin Hole podcast - 001

Pin Hole podcast - 002

To keep up to date, either check by here to see new pinhole-related posts, or bookmark the Pinhole Camera Project page over on vobes.com.

Now we Tweet!

If you are into the 'online community' way of things, you will no doubt have heard of Twitter. For those that don't know, this is another of the minute-by-minute, user-updatable sites out there. Think along the lines of Facebook, Beebo etc and you're not far off. The official blub reads:

"Twitter is a unique approach to communication and networking based on the simple concept of status. What are you doing? What are your friends doing - right now? With Twitter, you may answer this question over SMS [text messaging] or the Web and the responses are shared between contacts."

Well, the latest news in GBP's widening online network activities is that I have now joined up, and you can check out what I'm up to in several ways:

• Go straight to my Twitter page here, or...
• Follow the link over on the right (directs you to the same place, actually), or...
  
• Check out the 'Twitter Updates' section, again on the right-hand side of this page.

To keep things in perspective, I'll tell you now that I am not planning on sending tens of messages each day. At this point, the aim is 1 to 3 per day. Maybe more, maybe less - depends on my schedule. As and when the mood takes me, I'll be adding the odd picture along the way, too, just for a bit of fun.

So, I suppose the question is... do you Tweet? If the answer is yes, then why not hook up with me? This is how it all works, after all!

And if you're just curious to see what all the fuss is about... well, you have all the links you need to find out!

In spite of the rain...

Whilst up in Manchester, Manda and I decided to take a trip out into the countryside of Bowland - a lovely area of rivers, sheep and rolling hills crossing rural Lancashire and North Yorkshire in the North West of England. I'm sure there's probably more to the place than that, but these were just my initial observations!

Having been treated in Blackpool, the day before, to a relatively mild afternoon with dry weather and a fantastic sunset, we were all fired up to have another day out walking around and taking pictures 'just because we can'. As I said in a previous post, creating more personal work is very much on my 'to do regularly' list this year.

In theory then, the idea of another day out was a good one... Seeing that the light was pretty good and conditions were almost rain-free, we packed the car with everything we'd need to create simple lighting on location - 2 flash guns (Nikon SB-800s), 2 lightweight stands and a set of Pocket Wizard remotes (for reliable wireless flash triggering). Between us, we were using both Nikon and Canon camera/lens kit. Oh, and just for a bit of comfort, a flask of coffee came along too (pity we forgot the milk!).

I say the idea was a good one 'in theory', because nature had other plans for us.

With every mile we drove, the wet stuff got worse. Specks of rain turned into a fine drizzle, before passing through a state of what can at best be described as 'lazy droplets', before threatening to become a downpour. Add to this the increasing cold and we were getting further and further away from what would be considered 'favorable' conditions.

But of course, in true British spirit (that is to say a stubborn and determined fashion), we refused to be beaten by this. I always carry a bunch of clear freezer and zip-lock bags with me, to keep all the electronic stuff dry in such scenarios - and thankfully, as ever, this simple, cost-effective solution proved perfect for the job.

Modern pro kit is pretty resilient these days - it has to be - but even so, it makes sense to give it a helping hand from time to time.

We managed to get a good few pictures in the can between us before the decision was made to head off to a different location further up the road. In the event, the weather really set in and so 'Plan B' came into force - head for the nearest pub on the way back and have a late lunch before settling down to a warm evening and review our day's efforts.

All in all, we had a great time in Bowland. And despite the weather, the experience only served to fuel what drives us as photographers, and what it's all about - a passion for photography, and a desire to make images. Pure and simple. And with the thought of long summer evenings on the not-so-distant horizon, we can't wait to get out and about and do more of the same!

Just a bit of fun

I like to have a laugh. After all, it can't always be work, work, work. Sometimes you just have to find an escape and let your hair down. For me, this relief often comes in the form of visiting a little web site by the name of World Of Poot. Don't ask. It's just a bit of fun - check it out if, like me, you have a twisted sense of humour, and all will become clear. Disclaimer: I have always maintained that it is my insanity that keeps me sane - and, no, it is not me in the pictures!

Anyway, the point is that over the New Year break, the WOP team went out and about to do a spot of filming locally. Naturally, this gave cause for supporting still images for this non-factual spoof documentary. And as far as I was concerned, it also provided a chance to give the new 50mm Nikkor another airing. Lovely standard lens, and perfectly suited to quick, no-frills portraiture. I also brought out the ultra-wideangle for some more dynamic perspective - another nice option for this kind of stuff, so long as you are aware of the limits of its perspective distortion at closer distances.

As for lighting, the rather flat ambient of the late-afternoon overcast day was just perfect for balancing with portable flash. Given that the images were shot at an old abandoned folly, and the underlying story had a theme of history and the past, we wanted to inject a bit of atmosphere. Playing with light (albeit very simply) is the perfect way to do this.

Additional lighting, then, was supplied by a single Nikon SB-800 speedlight, triggered remotely using CLS - Nikon's Creative Lighting System, and fired bare-bulb style (i.e. no modification such as diffusers, brollies etc). This was mounted on a small tripod for easy positioning.

These are by no means technical images, nor do I claim them to be. It was all just a bit of fun. However, the techniques used for the shots here can be applied to many different assignments in order to add interest, highlight certain image elements or to create separation from surroundings.

Oh, and for quick reference, the direct link to the mini-film is this one right here. Enjoy!

Ready for Christmas?

I am not ready for Christmas. Actually, I am... but I'm not.

Let me explain. Each year, there are two events which I have plenty of warning about, but which invariably catch me by surprise. The first, in September, is my Birthday - you would have thought I'd get used to it by now, what with it having always fallen on the same date every year for as long as I can remember. This year, I remembered about 5 days before; last year I managed 2 weeks.

The second calendar-stopper is Christmas. Same deal here - all year to think about it, to prepare for it, to approach it nice and gently. But no. I've only just realised that it is now just a little over 1 week to go! Have I bought presents yet? Nope. Have I arranged where I will be at what time? Nope. Surely I have got all the decorations out and festivised (actual word?) my cosy little abode? Nope. I'm rubbish.

But guess what, I have a bunch of pre-prepared excuses! What a surprise, eh? Here goes:

• I am still busy with work and I have to make sure all those loose ends are tied up before the Big Day. Then I can start to relax. And besides, I can fit my various Christmas duties in easily. I hope.
• I always leave my shopping until the last week before Christmas. What can I say, I thrive on pressure!
• I will do my decorations - this weekend. Promise. Most probably with Southern Comfort in hand and Christmas Vacation on screen. 'The tree was wonky when I got it' - that'll be my story and I'll be sticking to it!
  

I could go on... But that'll do for now, I think.

Happy Christmas, everyone!

What The Duck

Sometimes, you just need a little relief from the daily grind. I found just such an escape this week in the form of What The Duck - a fantastic online cartoon strip by Aaron Johnson.

Seems I'm not the only one who appreciates what I see; the site has a massive following, which reaches out into the everyday, right down to the highstreet (see if you can spot a WTD t-shirt next time you check out anything published online by any of the guys listed as WTD Friends).

If you are interested in photography, or simply just like a good cartoon strip, I'd encourage you to go take a look straight away. If you like what you see, you can always subscribe using RSS so that you never miss an edition.

Know of any cool/interesting/weird/wonderful sites out there? Why not tell us about them? Be sure to include your website URL if you have one - hey, we might even give you a plug by way of a thank you, too!

And yes - I will be dropping the odd WTD cartoon into the GBP Blog from time to time.