Salt prints

My salt prints have not been quite so successful so far. Initially they are beautiful but after 'fixing' in water they fog very quickly. I have ordered some hypo (sodium thiosulphate) and will try fixing in that instead. I'm pretty paranoid about working with all these chemicals. I kit myself out with a face mask, gloves and apron and look like a surgeon, but better safe than sorry eh?

experiments

I have spent a most satisfying few days experimenting with alternative processes. My first attempts were with cyanotype using Dr Mike Ware's new formula. This image was simply fixed with water but I later discovered that fixing with a citric acid solution first clears the yellow completely from the print. However, I love the feel of this despite the yellow. The other yellow marks come from water splashes before I put the neg out in the sun - I quite like them.

new from old

We have had 3 old school work benches hanging round our house for a couple of years now, and I've always sworn that I would do something with them. Well, now I have. Yesterday I took the tops to a local joinery and had them chopped into 9 10x10" blocks. They were also planed to leave a smooth surface and I have to say, they look wonderful. It is apparently Iroko wood and the grain is gorgeous. My plan is to mount photos on them to sell at a local selling show - Box of Delights - in November. I hope I can do them justice.

raspberries

Mmmmm, Raspberries. I have discovered Pick Your Own fruit farms this summer. They're the perfect combination for me: none of the work, all the satisfaction of picking for yourself and half the price of the supermarket. Oh, and delicious...

Something to remember: just picking the ripe raspberries means that you have to eat them all at the same time.

Jon has gone to Rome on a school trip for 9 days. He left this afternoon and I miss him already. Unfortunately I think he also took both our mobile chargers with him, so I'm fighting a desire to be cross with him.
One of the things that I do when Jon takes this trip every year, is rent all the movies I know he won't want to watch and spend the week indulging my film preferences. I have just finished watching "Be Kind Rewind" and absolutely loved it. I also have Atonement (loved the book) Elizabethtown (the wild card) and The Motorcycle Diaries. We'll see...

Something to remember: It's only a week and I've got loads of great films to watch

For those who care...

I have just spent a wonderful evening with a whole host of great people, selling my images and raising money for breast cancer care. It was organised by the amazingly talented Vicky, who loves to bring artists together and help them show and sell their work. Not only was it a successful night for me personally but we also raised loads of money. So hoorah!

Something to remember: Lots of people care

the end of the meal

I've stopped feeling sorry for myself now and I intend to continue to take pictures that I love.

Something to remember: An afternoon spent with friends