I am not there

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die.

Mary Elizabeth Frye - 1932

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...

Perhaps a little early, but I've been humming that tune mindlessly for a couple of weeks now whilst editing this little photofilm I produced with my Mike (it's amazing how catchy Christmas songs can be). We decided to do this quick one as it seemed like a really nice festive story. Rather than sending a link round for people to view online, on Wednesday evening we bundled up the projector and and a lap top and headed over to Chepstow to show everyone from the singing group. We all crammed into a small room with a glass of wine and some cake to view it - a really nice way to share the work and a lovely evening. I can definitely recommend marmalade cake if you've never tried it!

New photofilm - Blackdown Yurts

I want to share my first commercial photofilm produced for Blackdown Yurts in Devon. It seems a long time ago that myself and Mike headed down to the Blackdown Hills in the sunny (ish) days of last August to gather the material to make this. This beautiful location is where The Hinterlands workshop will be held in May with training by duckrabbit.

This photofilm was challenging to make as it involves several different voices and noises, needing some serious editing to make it work. As always it's hard finishing a piece off and I think there are parts that could be better, but it's also important to have an end. After seeing and hearing it about a hundred times, scrutinising every tiny detail you become too close to it to see it impartially. It would be lovely to have any feedback, so if you have a spare minute please write me a comment. Thanks ;-).

After the swim

The Hinterlands workshop

So it started with an little idea, what if there was a really great workshop in the heart of the Devon hills where photographers could get together, do some photofilm training with duckrabbit, drink some lovely scrumpy and meet loads of other like minded people all under one big starry sky? Well now there is...

Take a look at The Hinterlands workshop to read more...roll on May.

A treat for the ears

I've just spent several days at the Wye Valley Chamber Music Festival - a ten day long retreat for world-class classical musicians to practice their music, perform to the local community, drink wine and eat delicious food.

The musician stay at Treowan House in Monmouthshire for the duration of the festival. The house is an amazingly atmospheric place which seems the perfect venue for music to be played in every available room. Protected from the January winds outside, the musicians practice their instruments together and later perform music at intimate concerts. It's also a place where they can relax from their hectic schedules, see their families and catch up with one another each year.

Having been invited back for the second time I decided to use this opportunity to experiment and make a photofilm. It seemed the perfect situation to combine audio, music and images. I hope to post the results sometime in the near future. Not really knowing Bartók from Beethoven didn't really seem to matter, and the musicians were very nice about my lack of knowledge. Photographing to music being played on hundred year old violins was amazing and having the privilege to hear it in such a unique way was a really wonderful introduction to chamber music.

Beth #2

It's been a busy Christmas time but I am happy we are now in 2011. Somehow things seem fresher again, even though it's grey and drizzly outside and I miss the snow. Here is another image of Beth Rowley I took at the beginning of the last cold snap.