Beard Stroking
And not just for men… feel free to stroke your chin. If there is one thing I aim for every day it is to treat everyone equally, especially being in a house with three wonderful ladies, it is a must! Although I did get called a man baby today after I gave my head a rather close shave. Much to the delight and laughter of the rest of the family! Maybe I should have called this post Man Baby! Now, not spilling tears or spitting my dummy out, but of late I do feel the need to throw a tantrum, to kick off with the world. Has anyone noticed the place is on fire, trees are burning and well, it appears a lot of people have barely noticed. I mean WTF, the illusion of truth is not to be believed. Anyways, before I slip down the road of shouty man shaking fists at the world, it is good to know I am not alone and many of you here and over on Substack see the world as it is. I will stop, stop man baby stop!
So what's this week's Field Notes? Well, it's about photography and that's hard of late considering what's happening above, and I don't mean being called a man baby. I mean with everything that's going on, photography and creativity feel trivial, indulgent, and I'm a bad person for even thinking about using my camera or being an "influencer," according to my youngest, that's what I am now. That all feels part of the problem, BUT I'M NOT, I exclaim. Shit, I'm back here again. See, look, stuck in a loop. I start to do something creative and before you know it, guilt and a heavy heart creep in. The man that shall not be named also seems to have his own social media platform. It's called Threads, and I shudder at the thought of going on the damn platform. Every slide of the interface brings an orange smear of wig and overtanned, corrupted buffoonery, if there is such a word. To carry on with what I want to do has been surreal and at times pointless, until I read a comment, speak to a friend, share a day with the cameras on a hill, then it's clear! Crystal clear, without these moments Lord Voldonald and the billionaire bellends put upon us. So that's what I am going to talk about… yeah, it took me long enough but I needed to clear the bonce, head, mind, you get me.
Last week I had the privilege of heading up a hill with friends on Wednesday! I know, a midweek photo extravaganza, and of course there was cake involved. So a big thanks to Jen, Andy and Will for what I can only describe as a grand day out, laughter, creativity and no guilt… oh, maybe one or two images below. I had been checking the forecast and looking for signs of heather online, yup, heather in early August! WOW, was there? WOW, yes there was… lots of it, and even though I feel there is a lot more to come, what is already showing is bright, colourful and beautiful. It was a joy to be up on a hill getting soaked, getting blown around by passing whirls of wind and cloud. I've missed this so so much. I don't think I got the portfolio shots and it didn't matter. What matters is understanding we all stand together in times of worry and uncertainty. We have to carry on, we have to remain functioning and excited by nature, by clouds, sunlight and the chance to photograph the landscape dancing in delight. The display of light on the land and clouds crashing raises the beating heart. It engulfs the senses, excitement, smiles and laughter building to a moment sealed in time.
Go and make your time, go remove the guilt, bring a smile, shout good morning to the skies and breathe, breathe in the air… words so immense and wonderful just hearing them spoken is incredibly mind opening! Breathe / Pink Floyd. Go give it a listen.
Breathe, breathe in the air
Don't be afraid to care
Leave but don't leave me
Look around and choose your own ground
For long you live and high you fly
And smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry
And all you touch and all you see
Is all your life will ever be
A click on each image below to see them properly. Thank you for reading this weeks Field Notes.
