It’s almost 21 years since The Orb released their seminal album, Adventures beyond the Ultraworld — at the time it had a massive impact on me; I don’t think many days went by without me hearing about Little Fluffy Clouds or A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Orb that Ruled from the Centre of the Ultraworld.

This post is a cry for help — 21 years ago I reacted to the album by creating a book containing linked imagery to my rendition of the words found on the album.

I’m now returning to this work and expanding it — which, for me, has to include collaboration.

So, if you do remember the album and want to submit a word, a sentence or an essay relating — or a photo, sketch or doodle then please get in touch

Wow — 2011 all over and done with already – shocking, eh?

I’m going to create a post now where I’m very self-indulgent — and talk about my activities over the last year and how they impacted upon me. I’m aware this isn’t the best way to blog — and certainly won’t change anything in others. But it may help me exorcise some demons, so — here goes.

As I travelled through the year I didn’t really realise that I was going through a series of ups and downs. This is a public message so I’m not going to detail all my complaints of the year we’re about to leave but, if nothing else, I learnt a lot about what I like, what I’m like and, most importantly, that I was involved in a few things that I no longer had the time, energy or interest in. I also realise, very much, that I was spreading myself too thin in several areas.

Exposure Leeds has continued to grow and change into something more mature. I think it’s fair to say that a few of the projects we hoped to progress and haven’t grown at the rate we’d like — but it is a small voluntary organisation with limited funds and resources. The fact we have achieved over 35 events throughout the year, exhibitions, a publication and our conference weekend is testament to it’s importance.

I enjoyed a second year at the 3 Harbours Arts Festival — especially in creating the Photospace — a photographer’s only exhibition within the festival — and in launching the festival’s new website. I’m hoping to again take an active role in 2012; and maybe (just maybe) I’ll not vex my main contact, Yvonne, quite as much! (“Sorry!”)

Out of this and other activities has come a turning point in my own photography. I enjoyed displaying imagery from the previous festival at this year’s 3 Harbours — and got a good reaction to it. However, part of me thought I wasn’t developing much — but I took time to turn some of the activities I’ve taken part in into collections of images. And I’m happy to say that I truly think I’m making headway and that I’m establishing something of a direction for myself. I’m under no illusions that I’m now at the top of my game — but I can see a direction and places to head in the coming year. I’m afraid this means more publications and a lot more of me talking about my own work. I hope that’s ok…

This will include my 2011 zine project — all my photowalks turned into short A5 documents showing the journeys I took, the Broxburn Bings documentation, my visit to Sam Burns Scrapyard and, of most impact, the imagery I brought back from my Louisville experience.

In addition to my main photography I’ve also developed my portraiture — with gains here also. Two interesting projects published, shown as part of a London exhibition and access to a studio space has all helped to develop and enhance my existing skills. A big thanks to Louise for the continued use of her lighting kit and to East Street Arts for use of the spaces – and to all my subjects for their time and input.

The absolute highlight for the year has to be the photography exchange I conducted with Michael Brohm — but which I couldn’t have achieved in such an amazing way without the support of so many people too many to name them all, but I have to mention Alex Lawler, Sylvia Bruton, Kris Kimel, Michael’s family, Mick and Gill – as well as the support of the organisations involved (International Relations at Leeds City Council, the Sister Cities of Louisville and Exposure Leeds colleagues). There are too many other people to thank right now — but I’m hoping to start emailing many of you in the new year.

Work for so many of us has been a challenge this year. I have enjoyed those I’ve had to address at Words&Pictures but, after almost four years in internal communications I’m looking forward to a return to a digital agency, to marketing communications and to city centre working — ‘let’s lunch’?

Away from work we now have an extra member to the extended family — my niece, Nesta, who was born in November. I really enjoyed celebrating the first birthday of my other brother’s son, Eddie — not to mention the first of Alex, the sone of one of our friends. I’ve still no yearning to have kids of my own; but I can see the appeal at least now! Si and I also enjoyed our summer trip to Poland, especially of getitng to see our friend’s home city and being privileged to photograph the wedding of a lovely couple we first met a couple of Christmas’ ago. I’m sure Si would want to wish you both the very best in your first full year as a married couple!

I’ll omit any real aspirations for 2012 – as I think these can wait for now.

I must take this chance thank my support network — the people who keep me going, help me redirect, ensure I’m sustained or simply listen to me complain about the things I’m not pleased with. To family, friends and colleagues — you all help and I really appreciate it. Just because I know I’d be upset if I don’t mention them — I really have to flag up (in no order) Anne, Lloyd, Sara, Imran and my parents. I know a lot more plates would have dropped (or been frisbied against the way) without your input.

I’ve also made a lot of new friends — or developed existing friendships in the last year. A nod and a wink  to you all!

Without a doubt I have to highlight my partner, Simon, for putting up with all I put him through — including the many trips away, short and long alike and the hours spent in my office or away from home tending to my many projects. You are a total star x.

So, that’s it – a brief look back at a challenging and yet very positive and progressive year at the same time.

I’d like to finish by wishing everyone I know a 2012 filled with moments of accomplishment and joy — that you can enjoy when they happen — and challenges that you have the skills and experience to overcome to your benefit. I look forward to sharing some of them with you.

See you all in 2012!

Hi! Thanks for reading.

In a few week’s time I’m heading abroad on a photographer exchange to Leeds’ twin city, Louisville. I’m incredibly excited by this — especially with the additional plus that I’m also getting to attend the Idea Festival (and, of course, getting to spend time with the amazing Michael Brohm again while I’m over there).

Ok, so now I’ve annoyed you all by telling you about my excitement — here’s my conundrum.

While I’m there I’m effectively doing 3 things…

• Representing myself as an individual
• Representing Exposure Leeds and aiming to create twinning links between photographers in both cities
• Representing LSx (and WePublish) and aiming to create some form of partnership between us and Idea Festival and it’s delegates.
• Representing the city of Leeds; which is not a requirement — but they are sponsoring the initiative, after all!

I’m behind on my reading (ok, very behind).

That’s about five Wired’s behind the current edition and have stacks of books and other publications, awaiting being thumbed. I have an odd approach to managing my library, but books and magazines in stacks are those I believe I need to read to expand my knowledge — as opposed to those I buy and quickly find their way to a bookshelf — probably assuming the knowledge will miraculously seep into my brain!

Anyhow, from a ‘recent’ Wired I read the article on the impending end of privacy and found the following quote…

We are sharing because it brings benefit. We meet people, make friends and stay connected. We spread ideas. We get attention. We gather information. We gain trust through transparency. We collaborate through openness. We are learning how to use our new tools to organise movements. We cross borders. We entertain ourselves… We question authority”

This is Jeff Jarvis writing — but it sums up part of why I do what I do. Why I think that the type of blended online and real-world networks that I try to develop make sense. Why I think that it’s good to have a local focus, with international input. Why I think there is room for cross-city twinning projects and why the photography group I started thinks first about open, sharing and friendly before it talks about technology or output.

As Jeff pointed out half a billion people now actively share. It’s as if the human race was waiting for Facebook (and it’s pals) for the leap in inter-personal relationships that the telegraph and before it the horse-back messenger did for civilisation. For those who think Facebook is the end of all that is good, I think you’re mistaken. For all the wrong things there are with it, there are too many good ones to end it. It isn’t a dishwasher — it isn’t just a tool to make people’s lives easier — it’s one to enhance and develop.

Social networks are just the eventual and logical development of the camp fire camaraderie after a day’s hunting. They are also a great way of connecting people who can’t be together; the thing we’ve still to learn is – how to balance our on and off line lives. I’m not sure any of us can honestly say we’ve got that 100% right yet!

Dear online providers — in case you haven’t noticed, the major differentiators  between you and your competitors is very likely to be customer service — and understanding the needs of those using your service.

My utility provider wants me to use their energy-saving services (cavity wall, loft insulation etc), and I’m willing to give them a go. But, as a leading online service centre you might want to consider suppliers who will arrange appointments on weekend or evenings! (And they, in turn, should really join the 21st century)

And, if you operate in multiple countries providing personalised, on demand ‘stuff’ it would be great if you could flag up that you do when a customer is directed to your US site and enters a UK postal address. This would have saved me the £12.80 post office charges; where was the big warning? But what would have been even better is that the goods that arrived were actually as shown on your website; printing a very precise graphic under a complex texture really didn’t look great — and printing it off centre (on a mirror-image artwork). Not insisting I return the goods before refunding was a redeeming touch, but I shouldn’t have been in the situation.

So, two companies I won’t be using — that I have negative feelings towards and won’t ever recommend or refer — and one that I’ve dealt with for some years that I feel less positive about. All for want of a little quality control and service design.