[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 19 August 2022].
The last of my Gazania photographs from St Kilda Cemetery from my visit in 2007.
priory country park
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 18 August 2022].
In 2018, on a drizzly November day, I met my friend, Khanisa, for a walk and a late pub lunch in Bedford.
We wandered along the River Great Ouse out to Priory Country Park and back, despite the rain.
I didn't manage to get out and about as much as I'd have liked while cat-sitting in Cotton End last week, though I did attempt something of a photo walk one day.
And I did catch up with Khanisa for an afternoon for a long overdue face-to-face chat.
So, I thought I'd edit and share some photos from our walk that day in 2018.
faithful unto death
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 16 August 2022].
While reviewing images to edit for what should have been the past week's #SepulchralSunday post, I decided I wanted to create a new curated series called last words. Photographs from my sepulchre series that focus closely on poignant inscriptions on graves.
This capture and another I took at St Kilda Cemetery in 2007 caught my eye and inspired the idea.
Strangely, I had already edited this particular photograph. Notably, the day before my birthday in 2018.
However, I can't see where I've previously published it online or otherwise, and I don't know why exactly I edited it that day.
As I can't locate where I might have published it, I have to believe I never shared it before, so I stuck with my choice for the first post from this new curated series.
I hope you enjoy this new series as I share them over the coming weeks mixed in with my other series: late bloomers, stained glass and, as we approach Christmas again, season's grievings.
striped treasures
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 16 August 2022].
More Gazania from the St Kilda Cemetery.
suffer little children
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 7 August 2022].
self-portrait* in blue
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 7 August 2022].
I had two other prompts already written down to try with Midjourney AI before deciding it would be remiss not to try something (in theory) more personal.
I was curious how much - if at all - the AI was trawling the internet for references.
I'd seen people entering 'in the style of [artist name]', and I'd obviously used 'art deco' in my previous prompt.
So, my mischievous side came out and for my third and final prompt before my trial ran out, I entered 'bronwen hyde, self-portrait, blue'.
The initial four options and the second four options Midjourney gave me can be seen in the second image.
I wavered a little between the image I chose and the top right and bottom left options in the first four. The second set of four didn't appeal to me as much stylistically.
In the end, as I had only a few variations and upscale "turns" left, I worked just with the top left image from the first four options. This was my final result before my trial ended.
Clearly, it's not me, but I feel like some options remind me of Cindy Sherman and maybe Sigourney Weaver. So it is interesting to think about how Midjourney learns and what it picks up as sources.
I'll probably sign up for a subscription for a month to play with the tool more and see whether it's something I find helpful as a part of my art practice.
But either way, it was an engaging and intriguing way to spend a couple of hours on a Friday evening.
art deco annie
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 6 August 2022].
The second prompt I gave Midjourney AI was 'art deco, portrait, night, lamp'.
This image was my favourite result, though I have to admit I didn't play too much with creating variations for this. I felt with a few tweaks, it came up well.
I did get the AI to give me an alternative set of options before I received a notification that I had a limited number of free images left to create.
In the second image (left to right), you can see the original four options Midjourney generated for my prompt. And then the second four options.
death in the afternoon
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 6 August 2022].
Yesterday afternoon, scrolling through my feed on Facebook, I saw some artwork by a fellow photographic artist I follow, Rebecca Tolk, and was intrigued by it. Especially when she mentioned the work was created using artificial intelligence.
Although the work looked amazing, my initial thinking was similar to what I soon found out was Rebecca's initial question: "How is this her art?"
Wanting to understand more, I watched the replay of a Facebook Live video she made. Rebecca explains how she sees this tool fitting into her practice and how she has seen others use it in their practice.
If you have the time, it's well worth a watch to understand the 'why', and it gives a sense of how I could potentially see it fitting into my practice too.
For example:
To create elements for inclusion in mixed media artworks without having to go out and photograph each of them (especially if they're not easily accessible for me).
To create elements for my digital collages.
To inspire and draft out ideas for photographs or collages.
To storyboard potential short films I'd like to make, especially to give a sense of mood and atmosphere. This would be particularly helpful as my illustration skills are still quite rudimentary.
And, obviously, there's the option to use it in the most straightforward way to create art in and of itself. Though I think I would have to become more familiar with how it works and how to "work it" to consider it more "my artwork" than the AI's.
So, I took some time yesterday afternoon to experiment with a free trial of Midjourney AI to see what I thought.
As Rebecca points out in her video, your free trial images and variations don't take long to exhaust. And working in a massive group chat with so many other people can be overwhelming. Though also inspiring to see what other people are using as prompts and how they are using Midjourney.
It can be hard to track your results, and I'm not entirely sure I found all my variations as I was still learning to use the tools. If I decide to sign up for a limited subscription, I believe you get your own workspace. That will make it easier and cleaner to focus on what I'm doing and learn more about how to use it.
But these are two variations from the prompt 'death in the afternoon' that I created yesterday afternoon.
The first image was actually my second option and variation, but it was the one I liked more. The branch coming out of nowhere is the sort of thing I would edit out as it's obviously a bit of a glitch in the AI. In the preview, it looked like it might be the blade of a sickle.
The third image shows (from left to right):
The initial selection of four AI-rendered images Midjourney presented me with, of which I selected the top left.
The variations it created from that image when I triggered it, of which I selected the bottom right.
An alternative set of four AI-rendered images Midjourney presented when I requested a redo. I didn't get to work with these as I didn't see them initially, and I used up the rest of my free trial working on two other prompts.
I definitely don't see AI art replacing my existing practice. But I can see how it might enhance my work and/or be another tool or medium for me to create art.
I'll share the other two images I created yesterday later in the day, but I'd be curious to know your thoughts.
golden treasures
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 6 August 2022].
More Gazania captured in St Kilda Cemetery in 2007.
...and a shed in the back
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 6 August 2022].
I took these photos in October last year when I was in Minera, Wales, cat-sitting Meg and Mog for friends.
In a few days, I'll be cat-sitting Meg and Mog again, but it will be in a village a short distance south of Bedford.
When I went to Minera, it was because Meg and Mog's mothers were house-hunting for a new home within a more manageable commuting distance from London. They had previously been neighbours living at the other end of my street.
I'm hoping to head back to north Wales sometime this summer. But with my health issues making travel nerve-wracking at the moment, Cotton End will be a chance to test the waters, the effectiveness of my new meds and, hopefully, get my mojo back.
Cotton End is a shorter journey from my home than Bromley, where I stayed last weekend to cat-sit Sammy, Lily and Poppy. While I was there, I chose not to venture out much. Literally, two supermarket runs less than ten minutes walk from the house.
Unfortunately, the mercury is set to soar this coming week. That will make going out less appealing for me. But I hope to get out at least a little with my camera.
If possible, I'll also meet up with a friend and her mother who live in Bedford. But it will depend on their schedule and health.
untitled #2
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 4 August 2022].
hidden treasures
viloplats
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 28 July 2022].
The latest product from Ikea*: a flat-packed, self-assembly grave.
*Obviously, this is satire.
storksbills in the cemetery
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 27 July 2022].
Hello, my lovelies.
It's been far too quiet around these parts. For that, I offer my sincerest apologies.
I've been trying to get back on track, but I've been thrown a little off-kilter the past few weeks. And, in some respects, the past few months.
My last post here was pre-scheduled. Which was handy, given I was sequestered (willingly!) in a friend's flat with her kitteh, Mia, and the slowest iMac known to woman (the last bit, not willingly!).
Unfortunately, that weekend also marked the beginning of a heatwave here in London.
Had I been home, the temperatures would have been higher than I'd have liked but manageable. However, in a first-floor flat with a curious kitteh, the windows could only be opened a small amount. When Mia wasn't hiding from the heat in a drawer under the bed, she was perched on the window openings cooling her tush.
Consequently, I spent most of the weekend lounging under a 10cm fan and keeping Mia company in her hatred of the heat.
The sun's emanations were too much for me to endure to see through my plan to visit some distinctive housing in the nearby neighbourhoods. Or to visit the Brockley and Ladywell Cemetery, as I had planned. Next time, Gadget, next time.
A busy but part-time week of work followed 'hot' on the heels of that.
I managed to sneak in some socialising outside my flat on Friday despite my ongoing health issues. Followed by a weekend of socialising inside my flat and hiding as much as possible from the heat.
The hottest day on record in the UK and the day preceding it blew out any plans I had for productivity outside my day job the following week.
It took most of the week to get my bedroom back down below 30 degrees, even at night. When it finally cooled almost enough, I celebrated by creating a Spotify playlist.
Health issues scuppered plans to walk the remaining section of the New River between Harringay Green Lanes Overground Station and Manor House/Finsbury Park with Scott and our cameras last Friday. At least we managed a pleasant afternoon of beers, ciders and conversation in place of that (with a detour to my GP's office).
On the positive side, at least I found out that day that the fatigue I've been feeling the past month or so wasn't just my imagination and or me being lazy. I'm vitamin D deficient and have low levels of vitamin B12 again. The former is being managed with some heavy-duty supplements. The latter requires retesting in six weeks. If still low, it will mean injections as I had back in 2007. Between now and then, I need to see if I can improve things from a dietary perspective to pump them back up a bit.
My other ongoing health issue hasn't been 100% diagnosed yet. I've been referred for further testing, but I have a new medication I started yesterday. That will hopefully manage the issues and get me back to photo walks and day trips soon enough. Fingers crossed.
Though, between dreams about the medication and my new bite guard, I've not had the best sleep the past few nights!
This is the first night I've managed to keep being creative after midnight for weeks. For someone who's a night owl and for whom this time is usually my most productive time, that has been beyond frustrating. I suspect this is because I took a long lunch today to nap for an hour and a half.
I hope to share more posts later in the day. And schedule new work for the weekend as I'll be away from home cat-sitting Lily, Sammy and Poppy from Thursday evening to Monday evening.
I'm also still working on my chapbook and other creative things. They're just taking far longer than I would have liked.
Thank you for your patience through all this.
edward-howard howard-gibbon
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 10 July 2022].
The final resting place of a Norroy King of Arms.
death and roses
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 8 July 2022].
saint richard
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 5 July 2022].
As soon as I saw this fellow on the grounds of Chichester Cathedral back in September last year, I was immediately reminded of Nosferatu.
You know, ignoring the fact he was out and about in sunlight bright enough to create lens flare...
But I only read up on him as I edited these photographs, and he's quite an interesting fellow.
Here are some of the tidbits from the Wikipedia entry on Saint Richard of Chichester that caught my eye:
He's often depicted as a bishop with a chalice on its side at his feet because he once dropped the chalice during a Mass and nothing spilled from it. That's my kind of guy: no "alcohol abuse" (i.e. spilling wine)! Okay, okay, so he also doesn't spill "blood", so he's still my kind of guy.
However, he had a statute that the wine should be mixed with water. That could constitute alcohol abuse in some circles.
He also had a statute that practices such as gambling at baptisms and marriages is strictly forbidden. I guess that statute rules out the possibility of a wager on how long the marriage would last or who the baptised's father was.
Another of his statutes was that the clergy were not allowed to wear their hair long or have romantic entanglements. Spoilsport.
He kept his diet simple and rigorously excluded animal flesh; having been a vegetarian since his days at Oxford. He was well ahead of his time. This dude died in 1253.
After dedicating St Edmund's Chapel at Dover, he died aged 56 at the Maison Dieu, Dover at midnight on 3 April 1253, where the Pope had ordered him to preach a crusade. His internal organs were removed and placed in that chapel's altar. That's an odd choice of donation to the collection plate, but sure...
Other items in the entry indicate he was fair and reasonable in some instances:
The townsmen of Lewes violated the right of sanctuary by seizing a criminal in church and lynching him, and Richard made them exhume the body and give it a proper burial in consecrated ground.
But he was still very much of his time:
It was decreed that married clergy should be deprived of their benefices; their concubines were to be denied the privileges of the church during their lives and also after death; they were pronounced incapable of inheriting any property from their husbands, and any such bequests would be donated for the upkeep of the cathedral.
It seems his popularity has continued, with Sussex Day being recognised annually on 16 June since 2007.
between the trees
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 4 July 2022].
let's take this offline
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 3 July 2022].
Meeting people online is always interesting.
It can be the best place to meet people and, simultaneously, the worst. And, sometimes, it's just average.
I met some of my closest and most valued friends through social media before it was called that. Some of my lovers who have since become good friends I also met that way.
I've always seen it as an equally valid way of meeting people, like dancing with and talking to someone at a club or a bar. Meeting them at a gig or meeting them through a friend. Just that you can have a more involved conversation without shouting into each other's ears…
Dating apps are no different, though the intent is generally more overt.
I mean, I always went into meeting anyone from Friendster or Myspace with the view of meeting them as friends. Even if it ended up that we became more than that.
If you go into meeting people through dating apps with that same thinking, I think you're seen as disingenuous.
I'd rarely claim I was "in a relationship" with someone I met in a club less than two months after we met but starting from friendship seems "the wrong way of using a dating app" to some.
There are potentially many "wrong ways" to use a dating app. Finding clients. Finding Instagram followers. But, to be honest, even none of those are "wrong", in my view.
The only thing "wrong" is being dishonest with yourself and others about why you're using the app.
I currently have multiple professional and personal interactions with people I've met through dating apps across the spectrum of "why".
I know why I'm on those apps, but I'm open to why others are and don't impose my reasons on them. I just choose which connections I make.
And, worst-case scenario: I make some new friends along the way to finding a life partner, or I spend time (virtually or in-person) with someone that might not be a good match.
Do I honestly think I'll find a life partner on a dating app?
I'm sure I'll tell you if I do.
The self-portrait accompanying this post is a newly-edited outtake from day 104 of my 365 days project completed in 2007/08, addiction.
old man's beard
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 3 July 2022].
As with Ochna serrulata, this is another sneaky "floral but not floral" tribute.
These are technically the fruits of the shrub, Old man's beard, or Clematis vitalba. But, they grow out of the inflorescence and sepals of the plant to create infructescence.
And they caught the light so beautifully when I photographed them in Chichester last September, so I'm including them in my series.