Brian's Blog

Rathmell Dog Calendar 2012

high wood photography — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 11:45:36 +0000

Rathmell is the home of High Wood Photography. It is a village close to Settle in the Yorkshire Dales, and whilst we have over 100 inhabitants, it is a very well-spread community, with sheep farms and isolated groups of houses. Consequently we don’t get to meet each other very often, and the closure of the pub and post office means that the community “Reading Room” (that is, the village hall) has become the focal point of most of what happens in the village.

As always, the Reading Room committee has to come up with innovative ideas to raise the funds necessary to maintain the building, and this year they have decided to go into print, with a Village Calendar featuring not the inhabitants, nor the fabulous scenery, but the local dog population.

We have just over 40 dogs living in the village, a combination of working and gun dogs, as well as companion animals, and our local Graphic Designer Margaret Swift, will design the calendar pages, using photographs of all the dogs, and we volunteered to photograph them.

We started last week, and have spent around 7 days with a procession of pets appearing at the studio at half hour intervals.

Despite the reservations of many of the owners, it turned out superbly well, with all the dogs thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Dogs only lie, sit or stand, so to get differing poses for over 30 dogs was challenging to say the least. But a combination of biscuits, treats and squeaky toys had them all rising to the task.

When we finished yesterday we had produced pics of 36 of the local hounds and together with photos we have already taken of some of the residents, we have all of them, even our own Poppy, a 2 year old border collie, who is totally cameraphobic.

Margaret will now produce the calendar, and it will be on sale hopefully early November, and the profits from the sales will be split between the Reading Room and the local Air Ambulance fund.

Last, our own Poppy

Prize Draw Results

high wood photography — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 13:57:08 +0000

The Wedding Fayre and other show seasons are drawing to a close, and it’s time to announce the winners of our Show Prize Draws.

We have been inviting visitors to our stand to enter a draw for a full Portrait Session in our studio in Settle, and to choose a photo to be Block Mounted – a £200 value prize.

Rendezvous hotel, Skipton Wedding Fayre

From the 150 plus entries, there are two winners – the first from the Nelson “Bump & Beyond” show in July, and the second from the visitors to our wedding fayre stand at the Morecambe Football Stadium, the Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton, and the Mitton Fold Hotel, Whalley.

Bump & Beyond winner – Sarah Ashworth, of Nelson, Lancs, and

Wedding Fayres winner – Carmen Wilkinson, from Heysham

Both lucky winners have been notified, and we look forward to welcoming them and their families to our studio for their photography.

How about this for an unusual wedding cake?

For those that didn’t win, and for everyone else, there is still the opportunity to take advantage of our Special Offer of a full portrait session in the studio for half the regular price -

Take a look at our Pre-Christmas Portrait Offer (click here)

Trip to India – last stop, Marari Beach Resort

high wood photography — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:18:54 +0000

Marari Beach Resort is situated about 90 minutes south of Kochi, in Kerala, and after a night in Fort Kochi, we arrived ready to chill out for 5 days. We have stayed several times before, and have some good friends there, both with staff and returning guests, but we always look forward to catching up with a particularly good friend, Shibu, the resort Naturalist. We have been friends since our first trip to India four years ago, when we had a particularly “interesting” encounter together with a herd of wild elephants in Periyar Nature Reserve. Suffice to say it took me an hour to stop shaking after it, and I still have a very healthy respect for elephants. Photos of the encounter can be found at

http://www.pbase.com/brian99/image/92323802

and onwards if you are interested.

Since then we always try to get out with Shibu when we are in Kerala, and this time was no exception. He is an avid photographer, and the best wildlife ‘tog I have ever met. Unfortunately he is an expert on Indian reptiles, snakes in particular, so you can imagine his favourite subjects. As I am terrified of snakes – he and I normally agree to differ on this aspect of photography, but he sprung one on me when we arrived, and he introduced us to his new friend, a young rat snake. Non-venomous, but nonetheless it can inflict a nasty bite, but it was quite happy to be handled, and finally he persuaded me to hold the snake so he could photograph it before releasing it into an area less populated by humans.

Definitely a one-off, and I have no intention of repeating it.

Mararikulam village is on the edge of the Keralan Backwaters, a paradise for birds in particular, so we rented a boat for a morning and headed out onto the canals and Lagoons together. The scenery is fabulous, and kingfishers were lining up to be photographed, along with herons, kites and snake birds.

hard work being an owl

So much to photograph, so little time, and it seemed only a few hours before we had to pack – again, and head for the airport and our return flight to the UK. Back to reality, the snow, cold and lousy economy, but, hopefully, some business to pay for our next trip to India, as well as a few days in France later in spring.

Trip to India – 6, Jaisalmer 2

high wood photography — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:39:09 +0000

Our final full day in Rajasthan was spent sightseeing around Jaisalmer. After the excitement of the previous day, walking around the town was a good finale to our visit.

jaisalmer street

There is, of course, the inevitable fort, and that, and the town is built of yellow sandstone, so the city is known as – “the Golden City” ( bet you didn’t guess that, did you?). It has the appearance of being poorer than the other cities we visited, but tourism is now rivalling the army as revenue generator, and the touts are there in force.

It also has a number of very extensive houses – called Havelis, which were the residences of the merchants who made vast fortunes during the period when Jaisalmer was in the centre of India, rather than out on the periphery as now, most doubling as the usual tourist shops our guides are so fond of. There is also the only Marijuana shop I have ever seen – called Bhang.

get yer Marijuana here!

A final trip was arranged by our guide to end the day, a camel ride into the desert to watch the sun set. Unlike most of India, camels rather than elephants are the main animals of burden,

desert transport

North West Rajasthan is desert, and elephants don’t do too well in the sand. Camels are all around, for riding, carrying and pulling carts. There are herds running almost wild, and they are certainly not to be argued with, although probably better natured than the average North African variety.

camels on the loose

We drove even further into the desert to meet with our camels and owners, then, once we were mounted,

camel ride to watch the sunset

we set off into the dunes, surrounded by square miles of scrub and sand. After about 45 minutes riding, and not seeing another soul, the guides indicated another 5 minutes and then we would stop to watch the sun go down.

We rode up the last dune, then stopped dead! It was like something from a Monty Python sketch. There were hundreds, if not thousands of people in the desert ready to watch the sunset, along with camels, camel carts, buggies, and of course the usual merchants selling anything from pearls (real ones, honest!) to Coke.

the "deserted" desert - not

where did everyone come from?

I have absolutely no idea where they had all come from. The majority were Indian rather than Western tourists, and we joined them and waited for what was a very spectacular sunset.

sunset - and very spectacular it was

We all then got back onto our camels, carts etc, and just as quickly, everyone disappeared to whence they had come.

We returned to our hotel for dinner, and then departed back to Jodhpur the next morning to catch the flight to Delhi, before travelling South to Kerala for a final week of sun, sea and sand, not to mention wildlife in the Kerala Backwaters.

Trip to India – 5, Jaisalmer and an Indian Wedding

high wood photography — Tue, 31 May 2011 16:26:15 +0000

Our last visit in Rajasthan was to Jaisalmer. Located in the desert, in the north west of Rajasthan, almost on the Pakistan/India border, it is definitely “back o’beyond”, but it is a strategic base for the Indian Border Security Force, and there is a good quality road to it, built so that the Military can get there quickly. Also, there is a distinct lack of traffic, as the road doesn’t go anywhere else, so the normal Indian road conditions don’t apply, except for the convoys of tanks and very big field guns travelling to and from Jaisalmer bases.

We were booked originally into a tented hotel in the desert, but as the night time temperature falls to about -5 during January and February, we decided this was a bit extreme, so we transferred to a new hotel about 30k the other side of town, toward the border. After passing through town and the army bases, we drove further into the desert, and we rapidly became the only traffic on the road – a very strange feeling in India.

It was then our driver told us that of the 200 guests at the hotel, we were the only guests not invited to the wedding! (“What wedding?”, we asked) He was very surprised by our reaction obviously expecting a complaint, but as wedding photographers, we couldn’t wait, we couldn’t turn down a chance to see a real Indian wedding, and how Indian pro photographers worked.

suryagarh hotel, jaisalmer

We had a great room, and were immediately invited to the wedding by the family of the bride, who were staying there. The couple were originally from Rajasthan, but now lived in Mumbai. They had flown 300 guests, a team of 12 photographers/videographers, wedding co-coordinators, entertainers, etc etc on 2 charter flights, and we came into it in the middle of the second day.

groom arriving

groom's transport - to go all of 150m to the start of the procession

the band ready to lead the procession - complete with mobile amps

the groom on horseback, ready to start the procession

I think I would prefer to walk

dancing girls to lead the bridegroom's family

en route around the hotel

We had a great time, I spent most of it with the photographers, comparing techniques, and customer requirements – and costs! The only downside was that I had to wear a turban, again! Lots of great photos, a really enjoyable time with very friendly and hospitable guests, and some good contacts if anyone wants a wedding photographed in Mumbai.

smile please!

one of the videographers

photography control desk, and some idiot in a turban

the bride and her bridesmaids waiting for the groom

the groom & his siblings

part of the ceremony

the groom with the priest

Trip to India – 4, Jodhpur

high wood photography — Fri, 27 May 2011 13:37:27 +0000

Jodhpur has probably the most impressive palace/fortress in Rajasthan, called Mehrangarh, perched on the top of an enormous outcrop, with stunning views of the town and countryside. Hell of a climb up, but the view is worth it.

mehrangarh - jodhpur

The surrounding town has the majority of houses painted blue, which gives it a blue haze, but on the ground it is a typical northern Indian town, especially around the clock tower and markets.

jodhpur town from the palace wall

Of course, our guide “knew a shop which was worth a visit” (as always), but this time it was worth it simply from a tourist point of view. 8 floors of textiles piled high, and the biggest fire trap I have ever seen. One wooden staircase climbed through all 8 wooden floors, with a narrow path running between the piles of merchandise. They were also probably the best salesmen we came across in India, which anyone who has been there will realise, is praise indeed.

can I sell you a teatowel?

They served limitless tea while they threw garments, curtains, throws and anything else they could get their hands on across the floor, all the time offering them in about 6 different currencies, so after about an hour we left with Pashmena shawls, blouses and I’m not quite sure what else, adding to our excess baggage load for the next flight. We’re not an easy touch, honest!

Again, though, the highlight of the visit was the hotel we were staying in. The Umaid Palace Hotel is on a hill outside the old town, and is a modern construction, but highly impressive nonetheless.

umaid bhawan palace & hotel (maharaja's bit at far end)

It is also the Maharaja’s current palace. It’s like having a B & B attached to Buckingham Palace, one end of the building is now a Taj hotel, with a museum and the Maharaja’s pad at the other.

hotel gardens and swimming pool

Never stayed with Royalty before, and apparently the man himself was at home while we were there. Didn’t invite us round for coffee, though, but I did get to see his vintage car collection.

mehrangarh from the hotel gardens

Next day, of course, we were on the road again, this time another 6 hour drive to our last destination, Jaisalmer.

field irrigation using 2 bullock power pump

Trip to India – 3, Udaipur

high wood photography — Wed, 25 May 2011 14:56:55 +0000

Continuing our annual holiday trip to India, after a short internal flight, complete with 10kg excess baggage (see previous post!) we were picked up from Udaipur airport and driven about 50km into the hills surrounding the town to our hotel. The Devigarh Resort is a renovated palace and attached village, with fabulous views over the surrounding countryside,

View from hotel window - 6:30am

amazing rooms,

part of our hotel room

and a Michelin standard restaurant, which is just as well because the next restaurant is about 40km away!

A day trip to Udaipur was next on the itinerary, and it is certainly a beautiful place, the palace again spectacular, the lake shimmering and the islands suitably impressive.

City Palace, Udaipur

Unfortunately, we were now getting “palaced out”, and having difficulty remembering where we were. Good job I took lots of photos, then. We can look back and remember at least some of it.

Lake Pichola - Udaipur

local laundromat

Our hotel became a haven from the frantic Indian life which was dragging us along with it – a bit different to the Yorkshire Dales, our usual habitat. In the evening, a couple of beers and some great food brought us back up to sanity, and after a good night’s sleep, onto the next destination – a 6 hour drive to Jodhpur, almost reason enough to start taking Valium, and that’s with a superb driver.

view of Udaipur from the City Palace ramparts

OK, the road is a 4 lane dual carriageway, but the road “rules” are like no others I have experienced anywhere in the world (I’m assuming there are some!). Cars drive in the outside lane, to avoid the plethora of mopeds, tuk-tuks, bullock carts and tractors using the inside lane - except when there is a 10 tonne truck coming the other way – on your side of the carriageway – in the outside lane, when you pull over to the inside – except, though when there is another truck overtaking the truck coming towards you in your inside (their “outside”) lane, when you get off the road as quickly as possible.

After a while you cease to care – shut your eyes, and trust in whatever god you believe in. The amazing thing is that Indian drivers almost never lose their cool, keep going under all circumstances, and get there. How there aren’t millions killed every year is simply down to the skill of the drivers and, of course, the speed everyone can drive at.

India Trip – Agra and Jaipur

high wood photography — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:16:23 +0000

I have always found photography in India very challenging. In fact, I have decided you can’t photograph “India” – only the constituent parts. Walking out of the airport in Delhi, for example, is an assault on all the senses, the light is always brighter than here, the colours dazzling, the sounds deafening, the traffic horrendous and of course the smells!!! A photograph only gives a faded image of the light, and the rest goes missing, so you don’t get the full picture. It’s a constant challenge, and one I don’t always succeed at.

From Delhi it was a 5 hour drive to Agra – register at the hotel – the Oberoi Amarvilas, a visit to the Agra Fort,

Hotel grounds

and, of course early morning the next day, to the Taj Mahal (it really is as beautiful as people say, pity about the 20,000 tourists climbing all over it, but you can’t have everything).

Hotel swimming pool in the evening

The actual site of the Taj is very closely secured, and it is possible to wander around without being bothered by the multitude of “entrepreneurs” (ie, touts) that chase you outside. There, you are on your own!

guess where?

even with 20,000 visitors there was still acres of space

the view from our hotel room balcony!

By this time we were getting acclimatised, mainly to the traffic, and could actually look out of the car window without gripping the seat in front, or just closing our eyes, so the 4 hour journey to Jaipur became something of a pleasure, lots to see, and experience, and to photograph.

Jaipur featured its own fort (the Amber Fort, complete with elephant shuttles) and palace, as well as an astronomical centre built in the early 18th Century – where there is a sundial which is accurate to 20 seconds!

Amber Fort

inside the fort, complete with elephant shuttle service from town

"palace of winds" in jaipur

Due to flight changes, we had a morning free to wander around – which my wife interpreted as “shopping time”, so a quick tuk-tuk ride into town, and trophies included earrings and bracelets, carpets and pashmena shawls.

jaipur town centre

general store in jaipur

Our already heavy luggage took another dangerous lurch towards the excess baggage level, something which was going to become very apparent the next day when we took an internal flight to start the second part of our trip, in Udaipur.

Taj Rambagh Hotel

The hotel, the amazing Taj Rambagh Palace, even had a train parked in the grounds, now posing as one of the restaurants

our room in the taj rambagh

one of the hotel's restaurant and bar

a quick lunch before departing for the airport

Annual Holiday January 2011 – Trip to India

high wood photography — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:52:07 +0000

Like many wedding photographers, we take our main holiday in the winter, when there are few weddings. The upside is that not many other people take holidays at the same time, so the choice is great, flights are cheaper and hotels not so full. Of course, the downside is that it isn’t quite the same, sitting on a beach in January, not to mention a bit of a risk for the health – frostbite and all that.

So we need a bit of lateral thinking, not to mention much longer flights, and so for this year we chose to visit Rajasthan, in northern India. A flight to Delhi arrived early morning, and brought the first surprise – it was bl***y cold – around 4 deg. We were shivering in shirtsleeves, while all the locals had overcoats, hats & gloves on. Most unusual, but at least it had driven the fog away!

Humayun's Tomb, Delhi

However, it did get much better, the daytime temperature rose to around 20 deg, ideal for sight-seeing, and we tried to cram as much as we could into the 14 day trip.

Getting anywhere in India is an adventure, the roads are usually crowded, with a poor surface, drivers have a novel idea about roadcraft, and even which side of the road they should drive on and the elephants, camels & cows don’t even have to pass a driving test, so at least they have an excuse! A 100 mile journey usually takes about 4 hours so trips need careful planning, and a good driver.

The first part of the trip was around the “Golden Triangle”, – Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. We spent a couple of days in Old & New Delhi, touring Old Delhi on the back of a bicycle rickshaw. Not through choice, it’s the only transport that can get down the narrow streets, and both passenger and commercial versions fight for the roadspace, at the same time as shoppers, shopkeepers and everyone else.

Old Delhi

Old Delhi - complete with power lines overhead

Cycle Rickshaw

Sikh Temple

We visited mosques, temples and churches, not to mention the Presidential Palace (from the outside), Hyaman’s Tomb, and a particular highlight, a Sikh Temple.

Sikh Temple Kitchen

Temple Kitchen Manager - responsible for feeding 2500 every day

Our hotel, the Imperial, invited us to the celebration of a Sikh festival, which featured a bonfire in the grounds, a drum band, dancing and a superb buffet. The only downside was that I had to wear a turban.

Imperial Hotel

Blending In?

Imperial Hotel Cafe

………To Be Continued

Busman’s Holiday

high wood photography — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:02:54 +0000

What should have been a busy weekend of portrait sessions rapidly became a weekend off, thanks to the weather.

A heavy snowfall coupled with the local council’s ban on the farmer gritting the access roads meant that it was almost impossible for clients to get here, and they all decided that whilst a photo session would be fun, it wasn’t worth risking an accident to get one.

snow in the sun

So, once the snow had slowed, it was on with the boots, and out for a walk with the dog – our 12 month old border collie, Poppy.

Pen y Ghent - the view from our kitchen door

Of course, the camera came too, and the pristine snow, a collection of bemused sheep and, of course, Poppy all became subjects for a few images.

Poppy

What’s more, none of them were camera shy, so it was easy.

sun & snow

I hope you like them.

our neighbours

more neighbours

end of the road