A Wee Picture

The Glasgow Contemporary Art Fair has been given a new name and a new venue this year. Reveal Glasgow (formerly Glasgow Contemporary Art Fair) was exhibiting at the SEC in Glasgow. I was meeting David Gilliver photographer, who specialises in long-exposure photography, the art of painting with light, as well as macro photography. It always makes me a bit nervous photographing another photographer but he was great. We spent more time talking than doing the picture.  He brought along one of his miniature photographs of his art called ‘7up’. He was exhibiting it as part of a GSA collective.

Science Up Ladders

I am not a scientist, even thought at college we were supposed to understand physics and chemistry for use in photography developing negatives and prints and understanding how light bends through a lens. I do enjoy science based photography assignments , so was pleased to visit the MiAlgae plant in Stirlingshire. MiAlgae recycles the co-products from the Scotch whisky industry, like pot ale, as a feedstock to grow omega-3-rich microalgae, which can then be used as a nutritious fish feed and pet food ingredient. This manufacturing process aims to reduce global reliance on wild-caught fish (the traditional source of omega-3), reduce carbon emissions and prevent the loss of ocean ecosystems. So all sounds good to me and I like a dram. They had new bioreactor towers on site and my challenge was to get the staff and the new bioreactors in the same shot. Thank goodness for the ladders up the side of the bioreactors and nothing next door  so I could get back far enough to get a good shot.

Art With The Mad Hatter

A regular trip for me is to the Briggait in Glasgow for the Wasps’ Markets.  They have a Spring, Summer and Winter markets. Hosting ninety stalls the artists welcome visitors to support local artists and creative businesses. I photographed artist’s rep, Margaret Archbold, at the category A-listed Briggait built in 1873, as she took a break from her stall to have a read at her 1897 copy of Alice In Wonderland dressed as the Mad Hatter.

Wedding Fever

I do not usually photograph weddings. Too much stress for me on the big day and as a press an PR photographer I usually leave it to the experts. However I am sometimes asked and take a deep breath deeply and say yes. My friends, who live nearby, were getting married at Knockraich Farm in Fintry. It is the same location as the Courtyard Cafe where we go for coffee and at the age of 57 I discovered chutney. I did a feature on the farm years ago for The Herald where they have their own eggs, their own milk , make their one honey amongst other things. The wedding was in the old barn and the reception was in the old Tin Shed and the ceremony was in an old pig old barn. You may now be recoiling in horror, but this was one of the loveliest venues I have ever been in. It was superb. It was beautifully decked out with flowers and lots of lovely natural light.