Janet Beech and I had a portrait session with our local Macclesfield MP, David Rutley, to capture a few shots that were classic Bollington. Unfortunately the weather was cold and raining, so the planned run up to White Nancy was put aside for the back-up plan: Macclesfield Canal and the Clarence Mill. The rain by some miracle had stopped moments before we started. I got the B&W shots that I wanted plus a few more, which you can view in my Flickr set.

David was very friendly, and we chatted about community programs like the Bollington Festival Photography group, which Janet leads. I love this photo that Janet captured:

You can view more photos of David Rutley taken by Janet Beech at the gallery on Flickr. We’re grateful David was such a good sport and took the time to visit us on such a rainy day!

It was really nice to be asked to photograph Nick & Kate’s wedding. Meeting their family and friends (and seeing some old colleagues of mine) was a pleasure: everyone was so lively and interactive. The kids made the most of the beautiful day and the garden, the food was well-prepared by the Wizard (though perhaps not enough of it!), and the bride, Kate, looked completely gorgeous, which, if you know Kate, you know is not that hard for her! I aimed to capture things ‘as they happened’ as well as a few small details and a few key portraits. I am definitely pleased with the end results, even though I know I will always feel like there is room to improve.

It’s the first time I really photographed with B&W processing in mind, which was challenging, as I love colour and subtle tones so much. I know Nick is interested in doing some processing, so I hope he shares what he’s done with my photos! It reminds me of my wedding, when I processed the photos that a friend took for us. =) I hope Nick finds it as fun as I did. There are some really special moments in there. You can view more on Flickr or click on any photo below.

So often, we find ourselves in a rat race.. desperately seeking that better life, better tool, better day …any magical wand to move us to the level we really want to be. But before reaching for that new lens, considering using what you’ve got already.

Sometimes I wonder, looking back on my photographs, if I wasn’t better without the choices. Without the quality.

Or maybe the light is just better in the USA after all.

I’ve been grieving since I was 10 years old, filled with nostalgic dreams, perfecting my ability to shut everything, all of you, all of me out. Not a single label in the dictionary can stick to me. I guess you hated that, and maybe you hate me, too, for being so unwilling, so frustratingly non-present. I’m sure I was valued. I’m sure I did something wonderful, meaningful, and right for you, but all I can see is DISAPPOINTMENT in your eyes, so I file you away through my old-fashioned Dewey Decimal system in the overflowing ‘D’ section.

D for Disquieted
D for Dissatisfied
D for Deserted

Most people, they know how to surround themselves with compliments and accolades, but in the same way I forget to care about you, I forget to care about them. I forget there are other ways to heal than by myself. I forget there are people who might want a say in whether I stay or I go.

D for Depressed
D for Delirious
D for Death

There is a phenomena, on waking, in which you feel like you are dying. Most people are afraid of dying, but I can’t be afraid. I die all the time, in that breathless fragile step from the night into the day, and so I never get a chance to start over. It’s already ended. I’m thinking: “Why am I still here?”

You are still asleep.

Reassurance is, apparently, all that is required. It comes in a quick-release capsule, swallowed with 25 tweets telling you how awesome you are.

D for Disappearing

I suppose it’s my mistake. I’m the one that let go. I’m always the one letting go.

Visit the no ego flickr pool to view more photographs from the day, as well as photographs featured in the exhibition!

The ‘no ego’ exhibition opened today at the Bollington Arts Centre, and we had a brilliant crowd heaving in and out of the place! I enjoyed meeting and chatting with people (though I hid behind the bar for much of it, just watching!). One comment in particular sums up the afternoon: “All exhibitions should be like this.” By posting their own ideas about the curated groupings, viewers engage with each photograph in a deeper way than just walking around a gallery in silence ‘observing’ the work. Even those who aren’t the sort couldn’t resist pitching their own idea. The opening was lively, as people connected their own stories and memories to the groups.

Some comments on twitter so far:

Really enjoyed the ‘no ego’ exhibition. Thanks Ladies!

The No Ego Exhibition is special. An interesting concept, well executed. Oh, and the food was smashing.

The walls are already covered with post-it notes of ideas and questions. I took photographs and will share more once my feet have had a rest!

Visitors and artists will get a chance to try their hands at curating, as a new photography exhibition at the Bollington Arts Centre in Macclesfield explores an alternative exhibition concept under the programmatic title “no ego”.

The new concept seeks to overcome the usual ego-filled nature of an exhibition, where artist and gallerist display the “best” pieces. “no ego” is aimed at people who would not normally visit an art photography exhibition – it invites the audience to participate, have their say and be part of the process.

Katherine Elizabeth Lewis, Kate McLean and Ewa James, the three photographers whose work will be on display, will share the results of 12 months of collaboration, demonstrating their own unique approach towards mounting an accessible exhibition.

They have selected and grouped each others work into mini-collections containing just 4 photographs. Viewers are invited to share their own ideas of what links each grouping: a word, a mood, a place. There are no right answers.

Ewa James, who wears a suit doing business in advertising by day and plays with toy cameras by night, says: “No Ego is about letting control go — to allow others decide about your work, in public. At the start I thought it would be all fun but preparation for this exhibition has been constantly about confronting your own ego. It almost feels the exhibition itself is the ‘easy bit’. Now we want to hear what others have got to say.”

Kate McLean, graphic designer and photographer of local (nearly-naked) men adds: “We all have our own identity, it is what makes us. Individuality is important to everyone: attempting to let go of that is both difficult and refreshing, a bit like spring-cleaning really. Please come and see what we have chosen for “no ego”, and add something of your own to it… let’s see where it goes.”

Fighting in-patient falls by day and hand-sewing fleece bunnies by night, Katherine Elizabeth Lewis says: “The ego: thoughtful, evaluative. It is the self in expression, the foundation of meaning, and it frames everything we produce, from the sleepy hello in the morning to each whispered good night. Can we achieve ‘no ego’ alone? Can we do it collectively?”

The exhibition will open for a private viewing with the photographers on 7 March 2010 and then run until 11 April 2010. Entry is free.

Read more on the website: http://noegoexhibition.wordpress.com

For more about the individual photographers see:
http://www.ewajames.com
http://www.katemcleandesign.com
http://www.eastofnorth.com

Bollington Arts Centre
Wellington Road, Bollington, Macclesfield, SK10 5JR

Open Sundays from 2 pm to 4 pm and during other Arts Centre events
Free admission

Still doing work on the website — testing blogging functionality from Flickr! The answer is: it doesn’t work perfectly with my new layout. =) I’m sorry I’ve not had much focus on posting or uploading new photographs, other than these few fun manipulations for the Pop Art White Nancy contest over on www.bollingtonphotos.com, but I’m very busy preparing for the ‘no ego’ photography exhibition with Kate McLean and Ewa James that is opening next weekend on top of all the overtime to prepare for some big events for the job that pays my dinner. Catch me later in March, when I’m catching my breath.

Don’t forget to post your own entries for the Pop Art White Nancy competition before March 1st!!