30 DAYS to 30

I am 30 years old at the end of this month. I wouldn't say I was too bothered about getting to 30 but it does hit home how fast life flies past! I think its time to really focus and get that further list of achievements nailed. First on the list... up my game on the blues harp?

WINN HILL

The summit in the distance

My folks popped up to the Peaks for a couple of nights to say hi, after a long working session I decided to have a morning off and do a short hike with them, un-prepared and setup for a flat walk along Ladybower reservoir I was certainly not prepared for a hike to one of the highest points in the Peak District.

It was kind of one of them things that just happened, started off and just kept going. Amazing views and fine weather, it was a great day!

Come on slow coach!

Never far from his camera

A few more steps to the summit

What goes up must come down

Achieving 1500ft in a pair of pumps and with only minor mess - 9/10 for mud dodging

Ha ha, love that pose

Beautiful tall trees

Looking out over the Hope Valley to Mam Tor in the distance. 

NEW FLY FISHING BROCHURE

The new Wychwood Fly Fishing Brochure dropped on my mat this afternoon. A fine looking brochure filled with my location photography from New York State and the Peak District National Park, a huge and exciting range of new products from Paul Richardson, artwork from Charles Jardine and a sharp design from the Wychwood graphic designers. A fine example of skills and efforts to accomplish this awesome new brochure. Check out www.wychwood-game.co.uk to grab a copy.

Lets see what images I can rustle up this season for Wychwood!

THEN AND NOW

Keeping a watchful eye on my Dad's photography skills from a good vantage point.

A picture shot of us in 2012, roughly 28 years later!

My Dad recently showed me this photograph of us both from when I was a mere ankle biter.

I wanted to upload it and share an early influence of the outdoors and photography adventures.

Did my Dad set my fashion sense also? (See 7 pics down on the blog), nice shirt!

COUNTRY COTTAGE

Just returned from a great couple of nights stay in a gorgeous old country cottage near Kirkby Stephen in Cumbria.

A true country cottage in a remote countryside location and fully equipped with all the essential country cottage features, including open log fire, wood store and axe, exposed beam structure, charming old furniture, plenty of surrounding mud and a whopping 9Ibs trophy catch rainbow trout sitting pride of place!

Weather was mixed ranging from the usual wind and rain of our Winters, was pleasantly surprised to awake to an early blanket of snow on Saturday morning accompanied by a high pressure that created a ghostly still, zero wind atmosphere that resulted in a morning of exploring around the local area.

With the true character of the building I could not resist taking some great pictures of the cottage and also shot some brilliant strobist shots within the wood store that I knew would look great when lit with a simple wireless off camera strobe and diffuser.

I will let the following images share the look of this wonderful retreat better than I can explain them, a big thank you must go to the member of Anne's family who kindly let us stay in the cottage, so thank you very much!

www.clockworkcloud.com

I could not resist a contemplating self portrait pose of myself with the coolest churchwarden smokers pipe that was sat on the side.

9Ib Monster rainbow!

TIME FLIES - A NEW YEAR

Ok, so my New Year's resolution was to keep on top of my blog. With less than 30 minutes left before the start of February I guess I got off to a bad start! January has been pretty much wet and windy, with a brief spell of warm weather (for the time of year) and ending with a huge dump of snow leaving the UK stressed and at a stand still! The snow has now gone and it seems to be gale force winds with the odd thunderstorm thrown in to end January 2013.

I have managed to get a good start on my time lapse project that will be running throughout 2013 (see image below) and I am dreaming of Spring sunshine so I can get some proper motorbike touring in the bag. Roll on Spring!

Note to self: must keep blog up to date from now on.

Love the 5D (MKII)

At last I have got my hands on a 5D (MKII) (Plus lots of other amazing kit) and I am loving the results!

What can I say, this new equipment is really bringing a new dimension to my creative work. Two weeks until we go to New York State to give it a real test run!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Big Birthday for my Dad. The folks spending a couple of days with me in the Peaks.

FIRST SHOW REEL

I have released my first show reel!

Take a look at:

http://vimeo.com/36269497

First Meet - Peak Photo Group

Today was the first meet of the Peak Photo Group that I have organised. Very windy but a good day. This was the comment I left about the day...

A very windy day but a successful meet. Nice to meet the folks who attended, a very friendly bunch. The weather provided some dramatic lighting and we all managed to get some good pics and learn a few things. Good food as well! Until next time................

White Diamond

Watch here, please read the info to understand the concept! http://vimeo.com/35431404

"This is a short film with a bit of a twist. A good friend approached me with the news he was planning to propose to his girlfriend. He carried on to tell me that he was hiring a screen in The Electric Cinema Birmingham, where they would be watching a film (a Birthday gift to her) and asked if I would help him create a cool short piece to display at the end of the movie for the build-up to him then proposing.

We wanted him to star in the short film but wanted to try and keep his identity masked until the end, to create an element of surprise. The Idea of the film was to show the process of what he had done to get to the stage of asking the question, i.e asking her Dad for permission and obtaining the ring, to the ending with him preparing himself for the big question and finally the reveal (which was shot within the exact location to where they were sitting at the time of watching the film!) To add some drama and to make it interesting, we incorporated a vintage theme with a twist of artistic license and as it was being played on the big screen, used some big cinema music. With a simple budget, a lot of laughs and a little time, this is what we created.

Did she say yes? Thankfully she did! So congratulations and all the best to them both for the future!

Created by me:
Andy Childs www.clockworkcloud.com

Featured:
Electric Cinema Birmingham: http://www.theelectric.co.uk/

Music:
Setting Sails - Orchestral Filmmusic Collection by Marc Teichert
http://www.jamendo.com/en/album/67944

Gone With The Wind - Filmmusik by Weighless http://www.jamendo.com/en/album/45867

(Note: Seems to be a lot of whiskey drinking, beer drinking and then driving going on in the film - Dutch courage, remember it is only a film, we didn't and don't condone it either!!)"

New York, New York (State)

An exciting commission in New York has been confirmed for Late April. That is all I will say on the subject for the moment, but it's going to be an awesome trip!

The Peak Photo Group

I have setup The Peak Photo Group on the Meetup website. Designed for social networking, and to build skill sets from beginners to advanced. The Peak District National Park is an amazing place to create art and meet new people with a passion for photography and the outdoors.

http://www.meetup.com/THE-PEAK-PHOTO-GROUP/

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wishing you all an adventurous, exciting and prosperous 2012.

These are my first pics of 2012, intense weather over the Peak District National Park results in some beautiful and moody captures.