I hate undue celebrity being foisted upon the latest reality tv star, so it’s with a heavy heart I’ve started to use the term ‘Flickebrity’ - but I think this is due. 

With a few exceptions - fame (or infamy) on Flickr is generally gained through talent, creativity and a talent for effective socialising. I accept that, whilst I have a natty habit of getting things done around the photo-sharing site, that I’m far from having some form of celebrity status.

I used the term originally to describe Cybergabi and Tootdood - both who came by their status by posting interesting imagery in an almost soap opera way - by giving us a glance into an edited version of their daily life through the ‘365′ images they have posted daily.

I realise that their celebrity is limited and it is closer to local renown than anything else - local being their social network sphere, rather geographically but it is great to see that people can achieve some level of fame from more than ‘right place, right time’ methods generally found in the mainstream broadcast media.

I remember when Amazon first set up. It was an underdog; no one thought it would ever beat Barnes and Noble.

Now, with the arrival of Amazon Fresh in Seattle I’m starting to wonder if Amazon isn’t in line to be the biggest global retailer sometime in the next few years.

As reported by Leelefever (on CommonCraft) it starts to make you question the future of the supermarket. I don’t think it will stop us using a supermarket but, if Supermarket shopping could be given the Amazon usability tratment and, if Amazon manage the supply chain by delivering too… could this mean a few less sheds on the edges of or cities?

I went supermarket shopping last night and, whilst I don’t hate it; I wouldn’t miss the experience. There is simply very little pleasure in grocery shopping - I would embrace Amazon Fresh if it replaced my big Asda shop…

The question now is… why don’t I feel the same way at using Asda for delivery?

Well, after several months of planning Photocamp Leeds {2008} is now over.

The main event, at Old Broadcasting House within Leeds Metropolitan University was a roaring success - attended by over seventy delegates from as far afield as Glasgow, Rotterdam and Oviedo in Spain.

Between them the delegates delivered 24 sessions on subjects such as off camera flash, night time photography, pinhole, composition, studio lighting and unusual ways of using light in photography. In addition we had renowned flickrebrities, Cybergabi and Tootdude talking about their 365 self portrait sets.

Delegates at Photocamp Leeds {2008}

photo by Cybergabi

I will be posting more evaluating the event and how Photocamps could be delivered elsewhere - something I’m more than happy to discuss with others. But for now I am happy to say that this one was a wonderful success and to thank all those that helped make it so!

Following my last post about Sigma’s dodgy customer contentness factor - I’ve another whinge about them.

I sent my flash in to be repaired - and got back a POSTED letter for me to complete. Only, when sending it out, they didn’t bother to check they’d attached the correct quote… they hadn’t.

And now, despite them having my email address I am waiting for them to post out a second… so, don’t think I’ll be buying from Sigma again in a hurry.

But good stuff:

Last Friday I bought (’won’) a Nikon SB24 flash on eBay. It arrived, from Japan, on Monday morning. Well done that seller.

Last weekend the brass ‘nipple’ for the fastening on my Billingham camera bag vanished. I was a bit upset as the bag was a present (and not cheap) - so I phone up today and the very nice man from Billingham offered to send me a replacement in the post. He even apologised that his post for today had already gone. And he told me how to attach it so it hopefully won’t fall off again. I know it shouldn’t have fallen off - but now it has done I’m re-assured by the great support they offer.

That said - I’m fancying a Lowepro Slingshot to make me look less like an old man.

Last year I bought a Sigma 500 DG ST flash and, whilst I wish I’d paid more attention to the marketing material and bought the more advanced product, the unit has generally been a good purchase.

Until, it went the way of all things slightly outside warranty - and failed.

So, trying to be a little green / penny saving, I thought I would get it repaired. This is where my first problem occurred - I found out that, if I send my flash in, I can expect to pay £10 - even if Sigma can’t fix it; or if they quote and it makes financial sense to replace rather than repair. Also they quote a figure to repair my flash at a little over 50% of the original cost of the unit (not excessively expensive, but enough to consider the repair/replace conundrum)

This being the case I dropped them an email; asking if my fault ’sounded like’ other faults they had. To which I got an email stating they couldn’t tell me anything by email and to send the lens in to a listed address.

This is what bugged me. 

If you are going to reply to a customer, wouldn’t it be a good idea to actually talk to them in a way that re-assures them that you are a person with some level of understanding of the situation (or avoid any specifics at all).

I will probably still send my flash in to be repaired; but I now think somewhat less of Sigma than I did prior to the failure; and will think longer before buying equipment from them.

Well, that’s it for me - the end of LS1; Leeds’ first web festival.

For those of you free on Wednesday there is GeekUp Leeds at The Lounge on Merrion Street - everyone being talked out I believe it’ll be a wii-athon.

I want to start by thanking all those involved in bringing all the events together; it’s been a resounding success. I enjoyed Barcamp Leeds - at least as much as the last one. This was a bit of a surprise - but then again my unusual role as ‘official photographer’ means I saw a small part of every presentation! I’ll post all the photos in the coming days; I’m surrently editing down from 600+

I think at this stage I got most from meeting new people and spending a bit more time with people I’ve met previously. For me it’s great to meet a bunch of people interested in tech but who aren’t necessarily working in my area of ‘expertise’ (previously corporate recruitment, now corporate communications).

So, my thanks to Ross Brown, Chris Garrett, Debs Bassett, Linda Broughton, The Hodge and of course - Imran Ali for bringing together what has been, for me, a great collection of events.

This is one of those annoying blog entries - where I tlak about me and all the uninteresting things I’m upto in my life…

Well, the first of those is the great first networking evening for PhotoNN; held on Thurs 16th at the Design Innovation Centre in Leeds. I think this group has the potential to go far and hope to become involved myself, once the fun of Photocamp Leeds {2008} has died down.

The second of my great nights was earlier on - when I enjoyed a great evening with a bunch of bloggers at Wordpress UK North. As I keep saying to anyone who bothers to listen; there’s a lack of networking opportunities for those with a commercial eye to working in micro organisations for the ‘digital’ sector. This is another group I hope to get involved with in the future.

Because of these two events I’m going to press on and try to establish ‘Under Construction’. The concept is that this becomes a virtual network with occasional real world outings for companies working primarily in consulting roles in the digital and creative industries having less than four employees. The premise: to share ideas on how to best do business. If you are interested in this type of thing, head over to the web space.

Those who know me will be aware that photography is my big creative outlet. And many will also know how ‘big’ I am on sharing ideas and socialising around this hobby.

Well, following other challenges I’ve undertaken for my hobby I’ve recently launched  my biggest yet… Photocamp Leeds {2008} - which is planned to be a free one day (and then some) event in Leeds city centre for all serious photographers to get together and share ideas, expereiences, techniques and calling cards.

It is hoped the day itself will generate new work - but also that relationships created on the day will lead to other projects - including a whole series of commissions from local charities and not-for-profit organisations.

The event itself can only happen through the support of NTI Leeds and LeedsMet University - a big thanks to Linda Broughton there for allowing this to happen.

For the rest - why not see what’s happening over at photocamp.org.uk

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