Walking with a Leica

I carry my Leica D-Lux 4 with me because I am a photographer and I just cannot bring myself to rely on my sturdy iPhone for anything more than a fanciful snap (other than sending my emails, browsing the web, keeping my diary and just about organising my life). Times are changing and perhaps one day the unification of the technologies will sit comfortably with my photographic practice but for now I will continue to carry about what has since the dawn of documentary photography been the photographers most trusty tool, the leica.


I have been in three distinctly different towns / cities in the last couple of weeks and just thought I would share what I saw whilst there in three simple photographs. Doncaster, Wilmslow and Stockport.

My Mum

This February my Mum has reached the grand age of 60. I was asked by my Mum to create a piece of photographic artwork for her.

Having spent endless nights trying to create a working brief for myself I finally settled on an idea. Much of my personal photography is based around the detail within a landscape or in trying to portray something deeper, more engrained in time.

Raised in Ancoats I felt that this location was my starting point. Somewhat by chance I parked the van and found my photograph

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Our parents give us life and show us life. Throughout my childhood and formative years i felt privileged with my upbringing. Born and raised in the beauty of the Peak District and Derbyshire Countryside my parents provided the encouragement and support to make decisions.

I have been taught it is important to be yourself, to remember your roots and feel your history. I have been shown that strength comes from within ourselves and that no obstacle is too great that it cannot be overcome.

Manor House Stables - gotta love horses

Last Thursday I visited Manor House Stables, the racing yard of trainer Tom Dascombe. Andy Jackson, Head Lad, gave me a tour and educational introduction to the highly competitive world of professional horse racing.

At 645am I arrived at my sat nav destination. I had been invited along by Tom to demonstrate my work and get an insight into the working of the yard.

Reading about Manor House Stables it soon becomes apparent that it is a highly professional and well invested operation. Boasting a new state of the art aqua complex, all-weather Safetrack gallops and a sports science team of their own the traditional horseman's methods of training are being combined with cutting edge medical and technological advancements. Have a look on the Manor House website www.manorhousestables.com and follow Tom's blog http://www.manorhousestables.com/mhsnews/ or twitter http://twitter.com/TomDascombe to discover more about just how advanced this operation is.

Much of my work with horses is done on livery yards with the horse and owner engaging with one another and their home environment. I look to describe the relationship and portrait the character. At Manor House as a guest and without a working brief I wanted to try understand the mechanisms behind the success that this racing yard has had.

My expectations were far removed from the austere regimental conveyor belt i had conjured.

I found Manor House to be one of the most welcoming and friendly yards I have visited. The horses trained at Manor House are high calibre thoroughbreds given the best facilities and medical care money can buy. And yet money can't buy love.

I cannot comment on the detail to making Manor House a success as I do not have the knowledge of racing, training and business. I do know that the best care a horse can receive is when it is loved and has a strong relationship with its owner. On a chilly January day the bright smiles of horse and rider trotted on by. "You gotta love horses to work in this game" said Andy Jackson.

Chapman Family

The family
I really like the pride and love on show from Mum and Dad in this photo


On the go
It's the cheeky grin and short legs that get me in this photo


Up close and contemplative
What is going on with all these flashing lights and funny noises

stockport

An example of some of the things wrong with our culture and society...

Amon Rashidi visits Manchester

Last night, Sunday 30th October, Amon Rashidi spoke at the West Indian Centre, Carmoor Rd, Longsight.

A fascinating and impassioned view on tackling gang culture through the sharing of ideas and media. The central theme of family responsibility and community rang true with an Americanisation of David Cameron's Big Idea.


Amon Rashidi

interesting animals

So what do i see when im wandering around the streets...

Well i was driving through Cheadle the other day and stopping traffic in front of me was this lovely coloured cob. Everything was ok until he tried to enter the new Tesco Express...

I was at the Pink Dog Show a month or so back. Just found this lovely shot in my archive. It was the only photograph i took on the day but this dog I felt needing photographing as he looked a little bit tough for the occassion.