The Age of Stupid..

If you get the opportunity to see this fantastic film please do - I can't recommend it enough.

The Age of Stupid Trailer

The Age of Stupid is the new release by McLibel director Franny Armstrong. Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite stars as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking at old footage from 2008 and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance? I think what makes this film have so much impact is that it really gives the facts from a human viewpoint - real life stories are used to illustrate the crises occuring worldwide. The footage of the NIMBY brigade opposing proposals for a wind farm in the UK is particularly galling. The film does end with a sense of hope that there is still time to take action but I do feel it is difficult to not feel incredibly small and helpless in the face of such huge global corporations and their senseless greed. I do believe though that everyone can make a difference and despite what you may think about climate issues the fact is that there is only so much resource to go around and with our increasing population numbers we all need to make changes on as many levels as we can.

It was great to see the film at the wonderful Hyde Park Picture House to a full audience - in fact the queues were so big outside they had to delay the start by 30 mins to get everyone seated...

Further information about the film can be found at - The Age of Stupid
Other informative sites to find out more about what can be done...
Friends of the Earth
Stop Climate Chaos

Radio Aire's Cash for Kids Charity Golf Day

One of the things I love most about my job is that every week is so diverse. I always love the opportunity to try something new and so was delighted to be asked by the station's fundraising manager Ros Raine to photograph Radio Aire's Charity Golf Day at Oulton Hall in aid of Cash for Kids. I know very little about golf but had an amazing time covering the stirling play by all the teams involved. A particular highlight was speeding around the huge course with Ros on a golf buggy capturing action shots. The Radio Aire team had the brilliant Tom O'Connor playing with them. The weather was absolutely glorious and it was again such a treat to be out and about with the sun on my face...

Twisted Willow - beautiful flowers

I'm delighted to be working with the very talented and lovely Joanna from Twisted Willow Floristry at the moment. Her work is absolutely stunning and these portfolio shots were taken at Denton Hall near Ilkley. Joanna was exhibiting at the wedding fair there on Sunday so I took the opportunity to join her at the end of the day to capture her display pieces. The lighting was really lovely on Sunday and it was such a treat to feel sun on my back whilst out taking pictures!

Getaway Girls Director's Report

Getaway Girls is a fantastic charity based in Harehills in Leeds. They provide self development and informal educational opportunities with the aim of engaging the city's most disadvantaged young women and encouraging them to make positive life choices.

I've worked closely with the team there for a couple of years and so was delighted to be involved again in creating some images for their Director's Report.

Back from the mountains!

Sorry for the recent blog silence but I'm just back from a fab week's skiing in Tignes in France. Had an amazing time with the best snow I've seen for years. Conditions were definitely easier at times for the borders who were in powder heaven but still fun for us old school skiers! As well as all of the snow fall we had some perfect blue skies which for me is what it's all about - deck chair in the sun with an unbeatable view of the mountains enjoyed with an epic sized chocolat chaud with cream a plenty! As is often the case on holiday I only had my little Lumix compact with me but still had some photo fun - Jonny will probably kill me for adding in the arty beard shot but never mind !