The Photographer’s Playbook

Jason Fulford, Gregory Halpern. Aperture. (440p) ISBN: 9781597112475
The Photographer's Playbook

The Photographer’s Playbook

Another book that had been languishing on my TBR shelves of shame for at least 3 years, I bought it at the Tate on a pre-covid trip to London.

I finally decided as part of my return to photography and art that it would be a fun read…

It was, but in a completely different way than I was initially thinking, it was almost as though I was back at university the amount of notes and tabs that I’ve put into the book to return to later, it also gave so many ideas for further reading, and kindled that feeling of excitement that I first had when I started out taking photographs.

This is a catalogue of ideas, assignments, and exercises that range from the practical to the zen from some of the worlds leading photography educators and thinkers.

Some of them are to make you think about the mechanics of the process, some more about the philosophy of image making and your place in it.

I loved all of them, though some made my brain itch.

This initial read through was just that, an initial exploration of the thoughts that were being shared by the contributors. This playbook need constantly revisiting and each exercise needs time, but the book is worth all the more for it. I can see this book becoming a core companion to my future photography practice.

The best thing? I’ll have to buy a new notebook to companion my work from here.


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14 Golden and Autumnal picture books

Autumn Leaves

Autumn Leaves

I love this time of year, I love that definite signing of the changes of the seasons.

I do love Spring as well, that freshness, that boundless potential, all that growth…

But I’m a real September baby!

Over on Twitter a year back I asked people for their recommendations for beautiful autumnal picture books and got a great response and have added them to the list I had in mind.

Please let me know if I’ve missed your favourite!

Storm

Storm

Storm by Sam Usher was the first book that came to mind for me and was also shared by a few others over on Twitter, the cover is just beautiful as is the interior.

‘It’s blowing up a storm, and a boy and his grandad decide it’s the perfect weather for kite-flying. There’s just one problem – first they have to find the kite. Their search brings up lots of wonderful memories of previous adventures together, but when they finally make it outside, their adventure really takes off!’

Publisher: Templar Publishing
ISBN: 9781787412422

The Very Helpful Hedgehog

The Very Helpful Hedgehog

The Very Helpful Hedgehog by Rosie Wellesley caught my eye as the pile of apples was so inviting and the hedgehog so cute.

A sweet tale of friendship and learning to help one another, set in the beautiful countryside

Isaac is a hedgehog who has only ever been alone – and that is the way he likes it. One day an apple falls from a tree and sticks onto the spines on his back. He wiggles and jiggles, but he cannot get it off. As he struggles to remove the apple, help comes in the unexpected form of a donkey who cannot reach the apples which fall outside of his paddock.

Isaac learns that it is better to have a friend and to be helpful than to be on your own all of the time.

Publisher: Pavilion Books
ISBN: 9781843651987

Leaf Man

Leaf Man

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert with the cover and illustrations made from real leaves and autumn bits this is a visually arresting cover.

Autumn has come, the wind is gusting, and Leaf Man is on the move. Is he drifting east, over the marsh and ducks and geese? Or is he heading west, above the orchards, prairie meadows, and spotted cows? No one’s quite sure, but this much is certain: A Leaf Man’s got to go where the wind blows.

With illustrations made from actual fall leaves and die-cut pages on every spread that reveal gorgeous landscape vistas, here is a playful, whimsical, and evocative book that celebrates the natural world and the rich imaginative life of children.

Publisher: Harcourt Children’s Books
ISBN: 9780152053048

City Moon

City Moon

City Moon by Rachel Cole, illustrated by Blanca Gómez a beautifully illustrated book about the shortening days and bedtimes.

A little boy and his mother take a nighttime walk to search for the moon in this gentle, keenly observed bedtime book that’s sure to appeal to fans of Kevin Henkes’s Kitten’s First Full Moon and young children who find the moon fascinating.

Soothing text and hip, coloruful collage style illustrations create a nighttime story that follows a little boy and his Mama as they walk around their neighbourhood looking for the moon. As the elusive moon plays peek-a-boo behind buildings and clouds, the little boy asks simple questions about it, and his Mama patiently answers every one. When finally the moon appears–bright and white and round and glowing–the mama and her boy stop and wait for it to disappear again. The moonlit walk continues until the boy yawns and Mama lifts him into her arms and whispers, -it is time for bed.-

Publisher: Random House USA Inc
ISBN: 9780553497076

Fox

Fox

Fox by Isabel Thomas, illustrated by Daniel Egneus, now for one that isn’t released yet (1st October 2020) but looks and sounds intriguing.

In the frost-covered forest of early spring, fox is on a mission to find food for her three cubs. As they grow, she teaches them how to survive in the wild. Until one day, fox dies. Her body goes back to earth and grass and air, nourishing the world around her and bringing the forest to life. Death is not just an end, it’s also a beginning.

Fox: A Circle of Life Story answers the big scientific question: What happens when we die? Bringing together an evocative non-fiction narrative with breath-taking illustrations, this book will help parents and children to talk about life and death. It introduces the scientific concept that death leads to new life, and that this way of understanding the world is no less beautiful and awe-inspiring than traditional stories. Fox: A Circle of Life Story unites story and science to explain this big concept to children who have lost a pet or a loved one, or who simply are curious about death and what happens after we die.

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
ISBN: 9781526600776

Leaves

Leaves

Leaves by David Ezra Stein, I just loved the look of this board book, so cute and bears are always a winner.

This simple, charming story of a young bear’s first autumn is perfectly suited to board book format. Bear is surprised when the leaves start falling off the trees, but when he tries to reattach them, it doesn’t work. Eventually, he gets sleepy, and burrows into the fallen leaves for a long nap. When he wakes up, it’s spring-and there are suddenly brand-new leaves all around, seeming to welcome him.

With its childlike main character and graceful illustrations, Leaves is a great way to teach the youngest children about the changing seasons.

Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
ISBN: 9780399254970

Tumshie

Tumshie

Tumshie by Mark Mechan it was bloody hard work I can tell you.

Tumshie is the Halloween story of a dad and son making old fashioned Halloween lanterns and a costume together.

The story is set today in Scotland, and it’s inspired by how a Scottish Halloween used to be celebrated.

Back when Halloween meant ‘guising’ (today that is trick or treating) and ‘dooking for apples’ (bobbing for apples) and carving out a tumshie (Scots for turnip) was a rite of passage for Scottish children who needed the strength of an ox and the stubbornness of a donkey.

Publisher: The Gresham Publishing Co. Ltd
ISBN: 9781849345323

Autumn Story

Autumn Story

Autumn Story by Jill Barklem is an old favourite, part of the Brambley Hedge series.

Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the miniature world of the mice of Brambly Hedge!

Bad weather is on the way and the autumn stores are still not gathered in!

Quickly, all the mice of Brambly Hedge set to work to finish the harvesting before the rain begins. Primrose, Lord Woodmouse’s daughter, meant to help, but somehow she daydreamed her way over the cornfield and into the Chestnut Woods, and before she knew it, she was lost. The sun went down, the wind rose and it began to rain. Primrose was all alone in the dark and she was frightened.

Poor Primrose, would she find her way home again?

Also look out for Summer Story, Spring Story and Winter Story!

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 9780001837393

The Golden Acorn

The Golden Acorn

The Golden Acorn by Katy Hudson, looks playful and fun with great illustrations.

Whoosh! Squirrel takes off at full speed through the autumn leaves. But slam on the brakes, because this year The Golden Nut Hunt race is a team event. Squirrel reluctantly enlists her friends and is not impressed. Will Squirrel’s competitive spirit take over or will she learn how to be a team player?

Best-selling author Katy Hudson (Too Many Carrots and A Loud Winter’s Nap) proves that winning isn’t everything in this energetic picture book about friendship, teamwork and forgiveness – and that those are things to go nuts about!

Publisher: Capstone Global Library Ltd
ISBN: 9781474778060

The Squirrels Who Squabbled

The Squirrels Who Squabbled

The Squirrels Who Squabbled by Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field is a firm favourite when we could do storytime, wonderful illustrations and a fun story.

Two greedy squirrels learn to share in the third hilarious rhyming adventure from the bestselling creators of The Lion Inside and The Koala Who Could.

Greedy squirrels Cyril and Bruce both have their sights on a very special prize: THE VERY LAST NUT OF THE SEASON! As the nut bounces crazily though the forest, the squirrels race after it, between the trees, over boulders, down the river and – ARGH! – right to the edge of a waterfall! Working together might be the only way to save themselves now …

A laugh-out-loud tale about friendship and sharing from the award-winning creators of The Lion Inside and The Koala Who Could. Perfect for competitive friends and sibling rivals!

Publisher: Hachette Children’s Group
ISBN: 9781408340479

Sweep

Sweep

Sweep by Louise Greig, illustrated by Julia Sarda, such a wonderfully energetic cover alone makes this a book I want to have.

An uplifting story about confronting big emotions from the author of The Night Box, stunningly illustrated by Julia Sarda.

Ed’s bad mood begins as something really small, hardly a thing at all.
But before long it grows, gathers pace, and spreads through the whole town.
Can Ed sweep his troubles away?

A wonderful bedtime story for children aged 3 years and up, perfect for helping children learn to recognise and deal with big emotions.

Publisher: Egmont UK Ltd
ISBN: 9781405283779

The Leaf Thief

The Leaf Thief

The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming, illustrated by Nicola Slater has just the cutest cover I’ve seen in a long time.

A brilliantly funny picture book about seasons, written by Alice Hemming and illustrated by Nicola Slater. Squirrel is so cross. Yesterday there were loads of beautiful leaves on his tree, but today?

Today some are missing and Squirrel is convinced that someone has stolen them… there’s a leaf thief on the loose! Join Squirrel on a mission to find the culprit, and meet so many fun animals on the way, while you find out how the world takes on different colours as the months pass by.

A laugh-out-loud book about the changing seasons, with extra information in the back for especially curious minds Perfect as a companion reader to children learning about seasons in school A brilliant picture book that explores feelings, moods and times where we feel out of control

Publisher: Scholastic
ISBN: 9781407191447

Little Goose's Autumn

Little Goose’s Autumn

Little Goose’s Autumn by Elli Woollard, illustrated by Briony May Smith, just been published and looks to be one I would love to use in an autumn-themed storytime.

Little Goose’s Autumn is a second stunning story from an exciting picture book pairing and the uplifting tale of a lively young goose finding her place in the world.

As summer fades to autumn, a lively young goose feels a change in the air and senses she has something important to do – but what? The beavers are chopping wood, the squirrels are storing nuts in the ground and the bears are busy building a den. The plucky little goose tries to join in, but without great success. She realizes her wings weren’t built for chopping wood, or burying food, or building a den, but they were built for something magnificent – they were built for flight . . .

A beautiful, lyrical and hopeful story about finding your wings and your place in the world. Written by star picture book author, Elli Woollard with wonderful illustrations by rising talent, Briony May Smith, whose artwork brings an autumnal landscape of mountains and forests to life with truly breathtaking beauty.

Publisher: Pan Macmillan
ISBN: 9781509807970

After the Storm

After the Storm

After the Storm by Nick Butterworth, and let’s finish on a great addition to one of the most popular series of picture books around.

Celebrate thirty years of Percy the Park Keeper and his animal friends with this funny story in the classic series from award-winning author and illustrator Nick Butterworth!

A storm is raging outside and Percy the park keeper is having a sleepless night. When he gets up the following morning, Percy finds that the old oak tree has been blown down. It is a disaster for his animal friends who live there, but Percy is soon devising a plan to help his little friends find new homes.

Includes a fabulous, surprise fold-out poster!

More than 9 million Percy the Park Keeper books sold, worldwide!

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 9780007155156


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L. N. Hunter – Author Q&A

L.N. Hunter

L.N. Hunter

My debut novel, The Feather and the Lamp, is a comic fantasy which should appeal to Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams fans. It’s the tale of Imperceptibility Happenstance who gets caught up in a series of escapades when she picks up a magic lamp. Published by Three Ravens Publishing.

L.N. Hunter’s comic fantasy novel, The Feather and the Lamp, sits alongside works in anthologies such as War (which also turns up in Best of British Science Fiction 2022) and Trickster’s Treats 3 as well as Short Édition’s Short Circuit and the Horrifying Tales of Wonder podcast. There have also been papers in the IEEE Transactions on Neural Networks, which are probably somewhat less relevant and definitely less fun. When not writing, L.N. unwinds in a disorganised home in rural Cambridgeshire, UK, along with two cats and a soulmate.

L.N. Hunter can be found at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/L.N.Hunter.writer
Bibliography: linktr.ee/l.n.hunter

Tell me what inspired you to write your (debut) novel?

While trying out some comedy styles, I wrote a short story about a magic lamp where wishes were maliciously interpreted (hey, no one said I had to be original). Someone commented that they’d like to see more of Imperceptibility’s adventures – while the roots of the book where in that story, I think that one comment was the real trigger for the novel.

A lot of random comic ideas turn up in the book, almost all inspired by something in the real world, but I can’t explain any of them without giving away spoilers!

What came first the characters or the world?

When I started the short story, all I knew was there was going to be a tricksy genie and a loquacious dragon, and my main character had her name. However, after that, the world came together more quickly than the characters fleshed themslves out.

How hard was it to get your first (debut) book published?

Harder, and more painful, than writing it. Even harder, though, is getting it noticed, especially with my allergy to social media.

How long did it take to write?

It took about a year of occasional evenings to complete the first rather scrappy draft, then a couple more years of evenings and weekends of beating it into shape before I started to look for agents.

Do you have a writing playlist? If so do you want to share it?

I find music just too distracting to work with.

How many publishers turned you down?

All of them bar one…

I began by schlepping The Feather and the Lamp around agents, a few at a time, up until I reached somewhere in the region of sixty. The majority of them ghosted me, but the few that replied were rejections. About a year into that process, I started to look at independent publishers too, again a few at a time; and as before, most ghosted me, and all of the replies I did get were rejections, until two requests for the full manuscript came in within a week of each other. Three Ravens Publishing were more enthusiastic and engaged than the other, so here I am.

What kind of reactions have you had to your book?

All favourable, but that probably means I haven’t got enough people looking at it yet!

The Feather and the Lamp

The Feather and the Lamp

What’s the favourite reaction you’ve had to your book?

I particularly liked ‘The Feather and the Lamp is an absolute joy to read and packed to the gills with belly laughs, subtle barbs, and the occasional guffaw throughout this tale of wonder and accidental adventure.’

What can you tell us about your next book?

Imperceptibility’s adventures continue – this time into space. (Who says fantasy books can’t have spaceships?)

Do you take notice of online reviews?

Oh, if only I had enough reviews to bother paying much attention.

Would you ever consider writing outside your current genre?

I don’t think I know what my genre is. The Feather and the Lamp is comic fantasy, but my short stories are a mix of horror, sci-fi and fantasy, sometimes with a sprinkling of thriller or humour. I’ve got a half-baked techno-thriller novel and a middle-grade comic horror waiting to be finished, and a bunch of other genre mixes waiting to be started.

What did you do before (or still do) you became a writer?

I spent many years as a software engineer before realising that writing for humans is much more fun than for computers. The software I write affects more people than my fiction, for sure, but I’m working on changing that.

Which author(s) inspire you?

Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams are at the top of my list. I rediscovered a pile of Tom Sharpe books recently, and think that he’s been an subconscious influence too, treating his characters badly in so many ridiculously over the top situations.

Which genres do you read yourself?

I used to tuck myself away with a fat fantasy book, but these days it tends to be something shorter and quick to read, but a mix of genres: speculative mainly, but also the occasional thriller. I’m keen on comic books (or ‘graphic novels’ for the pretentious among us) too, though more of the independents than the Marvels and DCs of the world.

What is your biggest motivator?

I would say money, except that my writing hasn’t had much of an impact on my finances, at least not in the direction I want it to. In lieu of that, the buzz of a positive review or having a short story accepted somewhere.

What will always distract you?

Life, the universe and everything.

How much (if any) say do you have in your book covers?

Three Ravens is very flexible, and in fact, I brought this cover with me.

Were you a big reader as a child?

Not until I was maybe eleven or twelve. Even then, it was probably more comic book than novels.

What were your favourite childhood books?

Nothing springs to mind.

Do you have a favourite bookshop? If so, which?

I think I’ve moved around too much to form an attachment to any, and on the internet, they all look the same (sorry).

What books can you not resist buying?

While he was alive and churning them out, I’d buy every Terry Pratchett as soon as they came out (and then plant myself in a comfy chair and read them in one sitting). Similar with Bill Watterson (of Calvin and Hobbes) – it’ll be interesting to see what The Mysteries turns out to be…

Do you have any rituals when writing?

At least a hour’s worth of procrastinating before I start – I really need to improve that.

How many books are in your own physical TBR pile?

Only about three new ones and half a dozen Tom Sharpes – it’s all electronic these days, and that pile is too high. While paper is nicer, digital is so much more convenient.

What is your current or latest read?

I’m currently working my way through the Tom Sharpes I found: The Wilt Alternative at the moment.

Any books that you’re looking forward to in the next 12 months?

At the moment, nothing really grabs me. I’m intrigued by the new Watterson, but not to the same extent as I was about upcoming Discworld novels.

Any plans or projects in the near future you can tell us about?

There’s the sequel to The Feather and the Lamp that I’ve already mentioned, and I intend to keep working on short stories.

Any events in the near future?

World Con is coming to Glasgow next year – close enough geographically that I can’t really not go…

and finally, what inspired you to write the genre you do?

I think my answer here is a mix of ‘see above’ and ‘I don’t know.’


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Essence of the North

What is the “Essence of the North?”
Curlew
That is what is being asked by The Northerner Blog in the Guardian today. They are asking for contributors to post an image that captures the essence of the North.

Whose North? There is always the chocolate box image of Dales and Moors, unbroken wilderness, apart from James Herriot careening across them in his old car. Hills and lakes, unspoilt beaches and little stone villages shimmering in the sunset.

Alleys

There is the Christian North, the North of Cathedrals, Saints and Holy Islands. Pilgrimages across the land, fleeing from Viking pillagers, writing works of illuminated art and deciding the way forward for the catholic church.

Or there is the smashed North, the North of Thatcher’s cruelty and industrial decline. A once proud heritage of steel and chemical works, pit villages, ship building and union activity. The Jarrow marchers and Quaker sensibilities. The first locomotives and the crucible of Britain’s industrial revolution.

Book of Kells

The North I know is an area where people live in great diversity and try to get on with their lives, but has time to commission some of the best public art in the country and has made a feature of regeneration through art projects such as The Sage, The Baltic, Temenos, Hepworth Gallery and The Angel of the North. This large scale development mixes well with the industrial heritage of the area and sits well, all of the above is the North I know and to try and distill an essence is not really needed, just celebrate it all, in images, words and imagination.

originally published 9/7/12 on Tumblr


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Deep

Stephen Hogtun. Bloomsbury Publishing. (32p) ISBN: 9781526610683
Deep

Deep

After reading The Station Cat last year I was happy to see that Stephen Hogtun had a new picture book coming out.

Another beautifully illustrated picture book from Stephen, Deep follows the story of a mother whale and calf from birth the when the calf becomes independent.

Largely a metaphor for coping with life with the help of others and supporting others to become independent and still loving when they are gone, it isn’t cloying and the story works well.

The palette used to explore the story is a very blue palette, with shades of green thrown in, but when there are difficulties the palette does change to be slightly darker.

The pictures are beautiful and move you through the story with a lot of movement which supports the story well.


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Make a Zine!

Joe Biel, Bill Brent. Microcosm Publishing. (160p) ISBN: 9781621067337
Make a Zine!

Make a Zine!

Picked this up a while ago as I’m fascinated by the process of making your own books from scratch.

This isn’t quite what I was thinking it was going to be which was more of a manual on making the physical object.

Which is fine as I have several books like that already and this was different, this was about the other bits of making a zine.

And it was eye-opening, the energy it takes to make a zine that goes beyond your own bedroom/workspace is fascinating, the determination and knowledge was much more than I thought it would have to be.

Joe dips into various aspects of the development of a zine from start to finish whilst also dipping into the history of zine making.

We take a journey through various subjects such as copyright, organisation structure, communities, distribution, and more. Each subject could have so much more written about it but Joe gets across a lot of information in such a small space and does it well and with passion.

Informative and fun with lots of rabbit holes to go down, really enjoyed this!


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