I brief walk yesterday in the rain and strong winds. I had to get out of the flat for some fresh air and away from the computer screen.

In addition to finding some wild garlic - which I did'’t get to use in a photo before eating - a gnarly, twisted twig fell into my path which I knew would make for a good subject. It seems I am building up a little series of flower/foliage images… I rather like the simplicity and delicacy of this image. I’ve gone for a 4x5 crop rather than my usual square format as I felt the extra space was around the subject was required.

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One of my own ‘criticisms’ is that my images verge on the dark, moody end of the scale. It’s just me I guess… an inherent style, that my eye just prefers. I marvel at those who produce images that are light and airy. Just scrolling through my Instagram feed highlights plenty of fantastic photographers and image-makers that seem to manage this lighter, softer style with little effort.

Having just purchased a Gerbera for a little gift to my sister when I visit later this week, I thought I would at least try and get an image in a lighter style. This is the result…

For a change, I turned the camera to some fresh flowers. Three bunches for £3 brought mid-week; by the weekend in full bloom. Narcissus have been suggested a couple of times over the last few weeks by a member of the family to add variety to the Kitchen Scales series. I fully intended to put them on one of the eight(!) vintage scales I have now accumulated. But I just couldn’t get a pleasing arrangement.

In keeping with the Kitchen Scales series, it is a simple setup, just flowers in a pot. But I rather like its simplicity, I have uploaded the photo to Etsy… For this image, I have set a print limit of just 20.

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What does a photographer do to say thanks when given cake? Take a photo and hand over a print!

In this case it was two cakes within a week. One family, two cakes. First was a delicious marbled Walnut Cake, followed, a few days later by a light but moist and perfectly Iced Lemon cake. I hope both the young bakers enjoy the prints as much I enjoyed the cake! Thank you to both.

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Walnut Cake

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Iced Lemon Cake

The Washingline Project Gallery has just been updated with three more images. I’m rather amazed at the positive reactions to these; “innovative and unusual” was one comment. Such comments spur one on to continue. The actual aim is to put these forward as a distinctions panel for the RPS; although this means I am only halfway through producing the required number of images with a few spares.

I rather enjoy the whimsey in producing these - the butterfly on the pastry, the lighter than light macarons requiring the line to be propped up by a stick, and the pappardelle pasta blowing in the wind. Both the stick and a butterfly will be used in future images I think.

But it’s not just an alternative way to display and photograph food. The Fish Fingers and Chip is a take on the isolation we are currently enduring for example. (Although, if I am honest, this is the only one with an intentional ‘message’, whatever people read into the others).

The three latest additions are Prawn Toasts, Pork and Lemon Pelpettine with Pappardelle Pasta and Macarons.

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Delighted to have been placed third in my category last night at the Pink Lady awards, specifically in the Errazuriz Wine Photographer of the Year - Produce section. The virus meant the usual event in London, which I love attending each year, didn’t go ahead and, sadly, the live sessions on Facebook and elsewhere seemed to suffer technical issues. But I was there in spirit.

The full gallery of winners is available to view on via https://www.pinkladyfoodphotographeroftheyear.com/finalists-gallery-2020/

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Errazuriz Wine Photographer of the Year - Produce 3rd Place

Delighted that one of my submissions to the Pink lAdy Photography Competition has been shortlisted. The Wine and Cheese image below is listed in the Errazuriz Wine Photographer of the Year - Produce category. The winning images will be announced at the virtual awards ceremony on Tuesday 28 April.

Funny really that this image was entered just to fill the available spaces per entry; I personally don’t think it was the strongest image submitted but still delighted to have made the finalists.

Cheese and Wine Old Masters Style