The Legend of Quacksplat

Catch Up

Hello to my loyal reader(s). I know it's been a while and I did say I would keep in touch. Sorry.

It's been a whirlwind few months as I have settled down into academic life. First module is complete and handed in and I have a few days off before we start the portrait module next week.

I was very proud of my photographs on display at hand it and the critique session went well for me. The one area in which I thought I'd have problem with was the academic writing but the essays I've done so far I have enjoyed and got good marks for which was a fantastic feeling.

I think what I'm trying to say is that is all gone well for me and I'm enjoying myself so much. I've never felt so confident in my own abilities and can't wait to go back to work next week.

I'll post the images when I get a chance to scan them, first module was in the darkroom :-)

Two weeks down

The end of my second week at University and I think it's time for a quick update. I'm beginning to settle into academic life and it's very different from the corporate environment I was so used to, I'm so far outside my comfort zone that it's a small dot on the horizon.

I've met some great people and new friendships are starting, groups are forming and I find myself spending my time with the other mature students. Not through choice I hasten to add, it just seems to be the way of things.

I have learned so much already and lots of what I already knew has been put into new context. I have a huge amount of respect for my year lecturer his depth of knowledge is breathtaking and his passion for photography comes through in everything he tries to teach you.

There have been a few disappointments. The building work carried out over the summer has overrun so we don't have our new darkrooms and studios yet, so our first couple of shoots for our assignments have had to be processed at Jessops. Some clown in the administration has also decided that there won't be and a refectory or cafe area in the refurbished blocks. These minor things can't detract from the fact that I'm having so much fun. I'm enjoying meeting new people, enjoying learning new things and enjoying my new life.

4765 days later.......

Or approximately 13 years 17 days after I started my job at the Press I walked out of the door. More accurately I stumbled across the car park away from the social club where I had spent a few pleasant hours saying goodbye to my friends and having the odd drink or two.

I'm going to miss the members of my team so much. I can't quite believe I'm not going to be seeing them each day and the enormity of the change in my life is beginning to sink in. I'll miss the bad jokes, the banter and the esprit de corps but most of all I'll miss my friends. All I can say is thank you for the years we have been together and YES I will keep in touch.

The next few days are going to be very busy as I prepare for my new life at university. I have to finish off converting the junk room to a study and there are a lot of arrangements still to make. I know there will be some very hard times ahead for me but I know the skills and and professional attitude I have learned will always be there to fall back upon. I also have to remember to take photographs for me, to love the work I'm producing and to keep the faith.

Sleep

Late nights and early mornings have been a feature of my life for a number or years now. Often when I go to bed and it takes me time to settle. When I wake in the morning I tend to get straight up and get on with things.

Well that used to be the way of things. Since I handed in my notice I have remembered how to sleep. Now I find myself wanting to go to bed and have re-discovered the joy of a weekend lie in. Somewhere I've taken my finger off the fast forward button and it feels great.

Points of Departure

It has been a long time coming but I'm finally on my way. I've blogged in the past about my need to escape from a job I feel I have become trapped in, with no real rewards or way forward. It's never been about the people, I have a wonderful group of people around me. It's about driving at 100 mph around the same old one way system looking to an exit ramp.

I spotted an advert a few years ago for a BA (hons) course in photography and I've had my little fantasy about giving up the day job and going off to Uni. Well now thanks to some arm twisting from the boys at BURPS and the support of my loving other half I've gone and done it.

I've applied for and got my place and due to other events I've got the money to see me through the course. My life is about to change in ways I don't even know about yet. 

I'm terrified and elated. I have no idea where my off ramp will take me but it's not about the destination at the moment, it's about the journey and how well I travel.

A weekend kept in the dark

I think this weekend might have been quite sunny. I don't know as I spent most of the daylight hours in a dark village hall just outside Ipswich.

It was judging weekend for the 2nd Beyond Group Nationl digital photography exhibition. I was part of the technical team running the computers. Over 3500 images were entered and had about a 1 in 6 chance of being accepted.

I don't know if any of my own images got in, I didn't score well so it depends on where the cut is made. So in one sense I'm still in the dark.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

I see you

Captured during my trip to Oxford

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Highland Cow

Taken last summer and rediscovered lerking in my photo collection.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

The Silver Harvest

Taken at my favorite photo spot, Aldeburgh Beach.

The Train Now Arriving

I have been waiting for the results of the new GDPU exhibition. I sent off and entry of 4 colour and & mono images. I finally decided to check their website for the results. Glad I did. 1 Colour digital image accepted, 2 Mono digital images accepted + 1 ribbon for "the train now arriving" (my first BPE ribbon).

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]