Merry Christmas

To anyone lucky enough to read this.

Jobs

Jobs i've had in 2006:
Photo lab technician at Snappysnaps
Small press publisher (my 'zine)
Documentary photographer (Knotjustus)

Jobs i've applied for/had interview for/enquired about:
Bike courier
Photo lab technician, at two separate places
Documentary photographer, for commissions
Gallery staff, at every gallery public and private in leeds
Car photographer
Doing cleaning at a dry cleaners.
Book slave for waterstones
Librarian
Book slave at borders
Film still photographer
Fire alarm fitter

and the latest receptionist at a tattoo shop.

2006 has not been the best year of my life.

s.n.a.f.u

Recent songs on repeat:
Hot Water Music - Turnstile
Hot Water Music - Paper Thin
Hot Water Music - Radio

Recent Mood: Pissed Off

PaperThin Issue two "Once more with feeling" is now available thru me and should be in OK Comics and Travelling Man in Leeds by monday at the latest.
Enjoy.

Small delay

Typewriter
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

Issue two of the 'zine is in production stages right now. I wanted it ready by the beginning of the month but outside factors have caused delays. I have all the photos and just need to write whats needed, i've even (hopefully) bargined a deal for the photocopying so maybe this time next week i'll drop it.
All i seem to be doing these days is waiting around. Today is the third day i'm stuck in waiting for the electrical meter man to call. I'm not earning any money but i'm deffo spending it, its not got to the broke stage yet but i'm having to be more 'thrifty' than ever, not that hard for a yorkshire man i suppose.

New Career Path?

Mark II Golf GTi
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

As a digital camera wielding car photographer. Perhaps.

?

I walk up and down these stairs at least twice a day.



At first it was a chore but now its become normality. I am reminded how of an inconvenience they are every time someone new comes to the flat.
So does familiarity breed contempt or just acceptance?
For the first time in a long time i lost my temper on the phone talking to our landlord. Its become obvious that any mutual respect that ever existed has gone so now its time to shout.

The Easiest Person To Lose Contact With

is me. I promise to make more of an effort. A text, email or message can go a long way.

Walking To Do

Walking
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

- Went to York on thursday. Good to get out of Leeds. Would be a cool place to live.
- Might (fingers crossed) have a job really soon.
- Katherine starts a job on tuesday.
- Bike riding is faster than walking.

If i didn't have bad luck i'd have no luck at all

Thats right this week has been pretty shit but you don't want to read about that.
So, some good things happened too, including
- Finding out OK Comics had sold all my zines and that they wanted more.
- Issue 1 should also be up on www.littlepaperplanes.com really soon.
- Issue 2 is about to go into 'the making-of' stages.
- Finding my skeleton gloves just in time for halloween.
- Riding into town on my fixie.
Talking of bikes, i'm not sure what the student population of Leeds make of me as i pass them. I've seen the usual stares but also a lot of other cyclists having a good look and trying to figure out what i'm riding. On Tuesday i rode from Headingley to Crown Point and back, coming back up the hill infront of the Met i thought i was gonna puke. My lungs, throat and mouth were on fire and my legs were jelly. By the time i got home i could barely walk up the stairs to the flat. It felt amazing. Then yesterday went into town to hand a job application in and on the way back went so fast it was scary.
If anyone reading this has bought issue one of the zine then feedback would be greatly appreciated. You don't have to give your name and i won't reply if you don't want me too, i could just do with any suggestions or comments become issue two comes out in a month.
One last point if you ever buy a new oven don't go to Curry's. They take a week to deliver the thing and then when it finally turns up they refuse to carry the thing up the stairs to where you live. Even though thats what they're paid to do. Lazy fuckers.

*

*
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

Here she is, riding this bike feels awesome. Today i've been into Leeds and Headingley and back. Blasting past the stationary traffic is a weird feeling cause its easier to go faster and keep going than it is to stop and a few drivers were less than impressed at me weaving in and out near their precious cars. I'm slowly getting used to being strapped onto the pedals but have to say the best thing is the speed, i haven't got anywhere near top speed yet and already i'm over taking cars going thru 30mph speed cameras.

Other things in life are up and down as always. The roof on our building is leaking so we have damp patches on one wall growing by the day, Katherines driving is getting better every time she goes out, i'm getting more thanks but no thanks responces from jobs but at last we can access the internet from the flat. Sorry to whoever Leon is for leaching his internet connection.

Road Trip

Me and Katherine are off on a little trip today, down to Mansfield and back to hopefully pick up my new fixed gear bike. I've seen the before conversion photos but not the after shots yet so am looking forward to finally seeing the finished article and then get to ride the f**ker!
Ofcourse photos will be posted very soon on flickr.

Say something clever...

EmptySpace2
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

Issue Two of PaperThin zine will be called "Once more with feeling" and should be available late November.
I've been searching Flickr a lot recently (the host of the photos, like the one above, click to go to my page) and there's a hell of a lot of good, even great shit on there. Check it out.

Its really cold in out flat

Has anyone else out there noticed that people who try to be cool rarely are? Everyone is kinda cool in their own way except the people who put other down for not fitting their ideal of 'cool'.
I know at least one person reading this will think its sappy rubbish but shit like this is on my mind all the time and it fucks me over. A lot. With the influx of freshers into Leeds recently i've been forced to ask some questions, more often than not,
"What were they thinking when they thought wearing THAT would be a good idea?"
This pisses me off, not for reasons of fashion, but because i fall into the trap of judging others who aren't into the same shit as me. Now and again i have my reasons, i've overheard people shit-talking about me when i've had headphones in and they thought i couldn't hear and it hurts, even though they were stuck-up bitches.
It applies to everything eventually. Some people can't understand why others ride bikes, or choose to spend £50 getting shitfaced in a club every night or never eat meat. As for me, i'm pretty happy with who i am. I do wish somethings in my life were different, for instance. That i ate vegetables, i knew more people who'd be up for wasting hours in coffee shops, that i had a job, that i stood up for myself more and that i was good at writing. At least all those things could be achieved if i could be bothered so perhaps i better add 'wish i wasn't so lazy' to the list.
Life can get too serious sometimes and all i crave is simplicity. Give me a bike, a camera, my ipod and Katherine and i'd be happy.
So after all that i'm not sure if i'm cool or not. Its not going to bother me either way. Probably.

Paperthin Zine Issue 1 (front cover)

Paperthin Zine Issue 1 (front cover)
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

Five things

1. Why aren't clothes made pre-worn so they feel natural the first time you wear them?
2. Saltaire is actually a really nice place.
3. No matter how low expectations are rejections always hurt.
4. Why am i always interested in things that are the hardest to find. i.e try to find a 1970's era road bike instead of being happy with a new one.
5. Being sick in the night, makes you really tired the next morning.

Btw if anyone does know of a decent road bike kicking around please get in contact.

I'm actually a photographer

I have sold two zines! This is the first time anyone has exchanged money for my work. I have over a dozen still left for anyone interested, once their sold thats it...all gone.
I've also started as a photographer for an art project in Leeds. Its exactly the kind of thing i had visions of doing so just hope i don't let anyone down. The first session/shoot was on wednesday and that went well so keep an eye out for 'Knot Just Us' in the future.

Talking but not telling secrets

The zine is complete and ready for ya'll. For details email paperthin.ben@googlemail.com. There is a small charge of £1 but postage is free to anywhere in the world!

Stolen words are easier to write

"When people start to meditate or to work with any kind of spiritual discipline, they often think that somehow they're going to improve, which is a sort of subtle aggression against who they really are. ... But loving-kindness --- maitri --- toward ourselves doesn't mean getting rid of anything. Maitri means that we can still be crazy after all these years. We can still be angry after all these years. We can still be timid or jealous or full of feelings of unworthiness. The point is not to try to change ourselves. Meditation practice isn't about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better. It's about befriending who we are already. The ground of practice is you or me or whoever we are right now, just as we are. That's the ground, that's what we study, that's what we come to know with tremendous curiosity and interest." - Pem Chondron

I found this on the website www.makinghappy.com She quoted it from somewhere else and now i stole it. I like it and think it makes sense.
At the moment i'm having job interviews, filling in application forms for commissions, jobs and award schemes and still finding time to drink a gallon of coffee a day.
I've also started reading books again, like fiction books i mean. Currently i'm into one about the New York art scene. The last thing thats taking up my spare time is producing my zine that will drop in a couple of weeks at the lastest. It being the first and launch issue it will probably be free of charge to those who want one.



If anyone is reading this leave a comment, just saying the word "Brazil" thank you.

Is flatland 'extreme' in any sense of the word?

demo001
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

b


Yesterday Phil Dolan and Jason Forde from London did a Bmx flatland demo outside the Royal Armouries in Leeds, MC'ed by Vince aka Mr Mouth. The floor on which they had to ride was shocking but the riding was amazing. I've never been so inspired to ride but wouldn't you know it after all the beautiful weather its raining today.
Using my girls digital camera i shot loads and have uploaded 20 on to my flickr account.

Landlords are more evil than accountants

Its been two weeks of crazyness since my last post.
Last week one of my Grandmas passed away. Life has been completely upside down since and i'm still not sure i'm back to normal yet.
Moving in has had its fair share of problems including the bank paying my rent twice, landlords lying to us every time we talk with them, some of the flat being incredibly dirty when we moved in and being threatened with legal action because the previous tenents decided not to pay their bills. Most of that thankfully has been resolved and we've even been promised that the painter is starting work tomorrow.
As some of you may understand i haven't felt like taking many photos recently. I had a portfolio review at Pavilion in Leeds and got some positive advice. As soon as i get a paycheck coming in on a regular basis i'm planning on setting up a temp darkroom in our tiny bathroom to see if i can get some prints produced.
There will be some more photos soon.
Probably.

As the flashes blinded us in the photobooth

Ok then, i've only got a couple more days of home based internet access left and then i'll probably be reliant on the library in Headingley. At the moment i'm up to my ears in half-packed cardboard boxes and lists scrawled on every bit of available paper. I'm not taking all my stuff with me, seeing how we'll be living locally, my old room is being used as storage for a lot of crap that has been decided as not important enough to carry up six flights of stairs. However i still have more than i thought i would and combined with Katherines stuff its gonna be a tight squeeze in our flat.
This blog will still be updated, maybe even more regularly than recently. LIving with the internet means it gets used more than i realise. All i actually need it for is to access emails and one or two other sites but i always spend hours on the computer at a time. Its about time i started living in the real world! Like i stated previously there is a website in the pipeline but don't hold your breath. A lot of images i take will find their way on to flickr, even if some people think its slightly unprofessional to put them up. I prefer to think of it as a 'warts and all' view of my work. I'm a modest person but consider myself pretty good with a camera, sometimes it takes a lot of duff ones to get a gud'un so why not show everything and let the audience decide?
In the last couple of days i've visited a couple of exhibitions. Some of the images have been great but again i've seen some shocking artist's statements that have ruined a series/piece of work. It seems like the next generation of photographers would rather explain their work in words than let the images talk for themselves.
Last night Katherine, Vicky, her brother and me went to see Death Cab for Cutie play at Leeds Uni. The show was awesome and they sounded great but its a complete sweatbox in that joint. It almost detraacts from the music because you get that uncomfortable its hard to concentrate.
After finishing a SnappySnaps earlier in the month, i still haven't found a new job. I'm trying to put in some effort so maybe i could earn some money thru photography. The best case scenario would be a few comissions a year with a quiet part-time job so i still have a regular income.
This is the last update before we move on saturday so if anyone fancies lending a hand it'll be much appreciated.

Payphones & Haircuts

A website is in the pipeline.

Who will join me?

So i've had an idea. I'm going to start a new organisation and it will be called "The Lonely Arts Club"
It basically stems from a lot of the time when i'm involved in creative activities i'm usually alone but often have moments where i'd love there to be someone else doing the same thing who i could bounce ideas off etc. I'm sure there are others who feel the same way. Members would be invited to a weekly meet up, most likely in a coffee serving establisment, where everyone can meet and greet and arrange collaberations, one to one times and basically get to know a few more people who think the same way.
Reading this back it sounds like some hermit artist swinger group!
My reason for all this is Katherine is still down at home and i've been making flyers and creating a few bits and pieces all afternoon and all i've wanted to do i show her what i've been doing and shit.

Peep Show

Peep Show
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

My girls' gone back down south for a few days, so i'm left living the life of a misunderstood/solo/tortured artist. Tonight i've cut out thirty prints that i'm making into flyers and am about to try and finish them off with some text. I'm also up for some experimentation so gonna try a few portraits and try to push a colour film. The portraits i'm going for are quite personal and are of a close family member, they might remain secret but if they ever become public it'll be here first.
The Black Dogs book launch was very interesting last week, cheap drink and bring your own food. Alongside some pretty experimental music from girls in their knickers and capes! Then on the friday night we went to Vicky's degree show. It was a reflection on where photography is going recently, Vicky's were the only black and white prints in the exhibition and most of the colour work was digital. Another little thing that came to my attention was a few of the artists statements detracted value of the work. Its hard to explain but most of them explained the work too much. I've always been a fan of knowing what the photographer was thinking when taking the shots but i guess if the idea isn't that great in the first place then deconstructing it isn't going to do any favours.
I thought i had a lot to write but i'm struggling. I've been listening to too much Bright Eyes recently, music best described as 'death bed theme tunes' good just a bit sad.

:(

Its been a bit of a sad day today. It was summed up by something that happened this morning. A couple of months ago the son of a local farmer commited suicide. A few times since then a black and white border collie dog has turned up at our house, as happened this morning. Jess (name of the dog) was John's and since his death it walks around local farms looking for him. This morning it just laid at our front door and although its a beautiful dog, you can see the saddness in its eyes. I haven't been able to get it out of my mind all day.

I've got a book launch and an exhibition to see in the next couple of days so hopefully i'll keep myself busy.

I take photos with myself in to prove I still exist

Me
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

I'm finally taking photographs again, not very interesting ones but still.

I've got a couple of projects starting but everythings mainly just coating up to when i move out of my parental home at the end of the month.

Last day

It was my last day of work ...for a while. The last six months have deffo taught me a few things but when you take the rough with the smooth it wasn't that bad. I mean at least nobody got killed.
So with all this new found free time i'll be sure to take lots and lots of photographs, i promise.

*

I'm not sure this blog is filling the purpose i had in mind when i started it. There are increasingly less photos being posted and more diary entry type posts. I'll be the first to admit that PaperThin has been a bit quiet but i've had a few new ideas recently and feel some motivation creeping back into me. So if you'll keep reading i'll keep writing (And hopefully post more photos)

And to finish, Top 5 things i've learnt in the last 48 hours:

*Everyone in the world does drugs...i mean we're all addicted to something aren't we?
*You shouldn't do bad shit to your own family.
*Family Guy season 4 is the best yet.
*I have too much hair. (Not talking Bon Jovi long just annoyingly wayward)
*Summers on the way, cause my hayfever is starting to play up.

Boys will be boys

Its the first time in a while i've had chance to update...on tuesday Katherine and I signed for a flat in Headingley. Its a big step but one that feels right and i have no doubts about it. Then wednesday after work we met Pete and somehow get ourselves involved in a pub quiz. Surprising we didn't win but it was fun none the less.
As thursday turned out to be pretty dry i met Mark at route two for some riding. Didn't really ride full blast, mainly just catching up cause it'd been ages since i last saw him. Today i put my new bars on my bike (Beringer Lt's, wide as fuck) and me and Rob tried to ride but got blagged by gypos at route two.
So thats all and i didn't even take any photos.

This isn't it

Morning walk
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

I printed a few things at Silvertone today, including this half frame shot.

There's only so much you can do without modern firearms

I'm 22 years old today. I'm ipod equipped again and have a brand new pair of red slip-offs!

Yesterday i handed in my notice at work too.

I'm gonna do sweet fuck all for the rest of the day.

Bye.

I am prepared for wonderful things to happen

My life has been so eventful recently its left me with less than no time to tell the internet world about it. Events such as taking just one single photo in the last 2 weeks, the incredible journey from Hyde park to work and back at least half a dozen times a week and writing a short Broadway musical are only the start. Truthfully though safari keeps being a jerk off and not letting me access the site.
I think i'm shooting some photos at my first wedding this weekend, going for the candid black and white portrait shit, mainly cause my family are a nightmare to try and organise. Leave that one to the professional.
I actually have left the house recently to go take in some movies. "Crazy" and "The Squid and The Whale". Crazy was very good, +10 points for being in french and having subtitles. My favourite by far was The squid and the whale, it had Jeff Bridges in and was produced by Wes Anderson (Life Aquatic etc..) The humour was right up my street, very dry and sarcastic. It also contains an amazing beard, a really young kid swearing really fucking harshly and its set in New York.
It probably won't be as long before the next update. Probably.

Feels like yesterday

Lambrini Jam_2
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

Last years Lambrini Jam was a blast hopefully this years won't be bad either.

I've been getting pretty into this website www.fecalface.com They all look like cool people, do cool stuff and of course they live (mostly) in San Francisco. Also i've been trying to come up with a few projects or themes to take photos on but not had that lightening bolt of inspiration yet.

A little one

Its been a pretty cool day today. Had lunch at Slips Deli, took a walk in the park and spent the whole day with Katherine. Didn't take any photos though. I've got work for the next two days, hopefully my bike will be up and running by then too and i can get out and enjoy more of the sunshine thats been making an appearance.

My bad luck is getting worse

Unfortunately my run of misfortune continues. First of all my ipod has more or less died. I've tried everything i know...been on the website...trawled the help forums but no success. I even went to the Apple shop in Leeds but as soon as they realised i didn't buy it from them, they clamed up. In fact i almost satisfied my lastest urge to punch someone but stopped short. While in town i bought the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs record on vinyl in an effort to make the journey less of a waste.
Seeing how the weather had been so nice i decided to have a quick solo riding session down at route 2 this afternoon. Just when i thought it couldn't get any worse i had one of the most surprising incidents that can happen on a bmx...my chain snapped just as i started to pedal hard. Basically i ended up in a heap on top of my bike totally unaware of what had happened but with amazing pains brewing in both my legs. All of which has left me with some kind of permanent dead right leg and a left knee thats swollen up so it ressembles a tennis ball.
I don't know what can happen next except a long day at work to look forward to tomorrow.

On a cheerier note everyone should go to www.assblasters.org and read what Brian Tunney has to say. He's definitely one guy one's got his head screwed on right.

The joy of work

The Evens_9
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

I scanned my negatives to cd at work today. I've uploaded quite a few to Flickr but i can't wait to hand print some of them.
I also got a new record player today. Its an automatic so at the press of a button it does it all for you, which makes a change from me sprinting to stop and swap sides every 5 minutes.

While the Kat's away the mouse will play

Today i managed to visit Silvertone and finally get the roll from The Evens gig developed as well as the two rolls i shot in Dublin. Hopefully next week i'll get the chance to print some.
As the title suggests Katherine is away for a few days in Brighton with her good friend Lisa. Naturally i'm jealous as hell because i'm at work for the next two days. I've had some mixed fortune in the past few days. First of all my record player broke, i took it back to Argos where the woman behind the counter said i could only get a refund in Argos vouchers but she made a mistake and i ended up walking away with cash. I had also bought a pair of jeans on ebay but when they arrived they were extreme sniper's nightmare size. Basically the label said 32" waist but when i measured them it was barely 30". I casually mentioned this to the seller and got a rude and ignorant reply. Looks like i'll be selling them on myself.
It was only the possible threat of negative feedback that stopped me launching my own attack. Thats my excuse and i'm sticking to it. Sometimes i feel like i'm too nice or don't speak up enough when i should but some random on ebay may not be the best place to start. I wouldn't mind punching someone soon, i'd even take a few myself for the effort. This is not an open invitation to any meathead for a fight by the way.

What you saying?

I could get used to the quiet life if i was allowed. All i've done this weekend is chill out. I've been riding a couple of times but just solo and mostly just messing around, been on a bit of a drive today but thats all. I suppose it makes for pretty boring reading but i just write this, i rarely bother to read it much.

Titles are over-rated

"What happened to your dreams and aspirations blood? Now the highlight of your day is masterbation blood"

I'm not the world's biggest hip hop fan but do yourself a favour and listen to Plan B 'Missing Links'. It still surprises me when i find new music that i love. In the day and age of the Ipod sometimes it feels like you have all the music thats been made. It still gives me hope.

For the past few days i've been fucking sick as a dog. The bad shit started to happen on thursday morning when i got up for work and dropped my phone in the toilet. This was followed by a day of hard work feeling like shit. On friday i called in sick and went to see the doctor but all she did was make me give a piss sample and told me there is no cure for the flu! It never really got any better..aches, shakes, a crazy fever and bad cough and sore throat.
All which has left me sat here in two jumpers and a coat as well as two room heaters but still i'm cold.

Finally finished the roll in my Pen EE, a couple will be posted when i feel up to scanning.

Why do i chase when all i want is near?

Some colour shots from Dublin are up on my Flickr page for your viewing pleasure.

Airport
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

Films currently in cameras:
1 35mm colour in OM10
1 35mm colour in Pen EE

Films awaiting dev:
1 35mm Tmax 400 (uprated to 1600) from The Evens show
2 120 Tmax 400 from Dublin taken on Holga

Bubblin' in Dublin

The week in Dublin came to an end last night with a traditionally delayed RyanAir flight. Its felt amazing to have a week off. We spent our days walking around all the different areas of the city centre and our nights at a show or at a restaurant.
Henry Rollins was exactly how i thought he would be. Just hearing him speak was motivation. He's had some crazy experiences like traveling solo across Russia just because he had a free week and becoming a terrorist suspect in Australia for reading a book. Redneck Manifesto were intense to say the least. Their set lasted almost two hours and they ran through all the best songs from all albums.
One thing about Irish crowds were the amount they drank. It seemed like no-one ever sat still for more than two minutes. Plus with the smoking ban there was a constant stream of smokers coming to and from the door. I had one pint of the black stuff in a quiet pub but didn't really fancy another.
Got through a few rolls of film ofcourse and should be some posted later in the week.
Also while i was away got a bargain of a half frame camera from ebay so as soon as i put a film thru it i'll report back.

I'm probably addicted to fruit cake

Last night i met Ian Mackaye. I shook his hand (twice) and mumbled a few words. I've respected and looked up to him for a while, he was everything i thought he would be, i guess you could call him one of my hero's.
To cut a long story short me and Katherine went to see The Evens play in Leeds last night. The show was in a church and we were all sat on the pews with the band at the front. It was an amazing performance and atmosphere. It made a change to be sat down and not have to worry about being crushed by a drunk crowd or have some meathead blow smoke in your face but the intensity of the music meant everyone was still buzzing at the end.

I'm off to Dublin on Monday for a few days. While we're over there i'm off to see Henry Rollins and then to end the week me and Katherine are off to see Redneck Manifesto, which should be a cracking night. There won't be any updates for a week or so but expect plenty of snaps when i come back.

Oversmith

Oversmith
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

Proof if any is needed that camo pants should not be worn because you never know when some idiot will have his camera with him.

Did you know that.....

Did you know that.....
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

One of the shots i got on a stroll around Dean Clough Mills a couple of weeks ago. Click to see more.

Cut self not

The gig on saturday was amazing. The second support band came on and the these were the first words the singer said,
"Hey, we're Murder by Death from Indiana and we sing songs about the devil, drinking whiskey and cowboys."
At which point they're already won me over, they're set was over too fast and full of energy.
After that it was Against Me. It got very crammed near the front and the stage diving started from the first song. They didn't play as much from they're lastest album as i'd expected but it was one amazing song after another. I almost lost my voice from singing along and ofcourse got a stiff neck from all the head nodding!

Against Me!_1
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

As predicted i finished the roll in my T5 and this is one of my favourite shots on it. This one was taken in a coffee shop in Windsor when we were escaping the cold. Click the image to see others and a few more from the gig too.

Coffeeshop
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

Your not saying anything we haven't heard before...

Seeing how its the Against Me! gig tomorrow i'm listening to 'Searching for a former clarity' almost on full volume, that is when my speakers make up their mind to work.
Its a pretty routine friday night, which over the past few weeks involves sitting infront of a computer at home, alone, listening to music to avoid television and feeling completely wrecked after work. I swear if i did nine hours manual labour i'd be less tired it must be the act of forcing myself to be nice to customers that wears me down. I complain but there are advantages...i still have something to do with photography and i get to see other peoples photographs, which most of the time are shit but i deffo get my fair share of "interesting" shots.
I wish i enjoyed going out at night more. Maybe i over did it a little back in the day. A lot of times when i'm out it just seems like the only thing going on is everyone trying to out-do each other with stories of shitness. I'm as guilty as the next when i have a drink. The latter being pretty rare these days. I'm not gonna label myself as straight edge cause i'm sick of having to have a name or fit into a catorgrey just because you have a certain opinion. Plus tomorrow night you get £1 bottle at the gig and i'll be drinking it...might as well but it'll probably be my only drink of the night.
Its a weird time at the moment, kinda like i'm losing touch. Everyone's busy living their own life and time is flying. I don't activately fight the situation either..mix tiredness and laziness together and not much is gonna happen.

This kinda isn't the reason i started writing one of these blogs, so if anyone looking at this is wondering where the photography's at...click the photos and it links to my Flickr Page which is wall to wall imagery.
And on that note hopefully i'll finish the roll in my T5 at the gig and get the roll of slide film i have dev'ed next week, so i'll have some fresh shit to post.

Downside Whip (Thingy)

Downside Whip (Thingy)
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

Well what a day. Spent most of the day at Silvertone where i produced this print for the Sandy Carson photography competition and a few others for my portfolio. Having a stint in the darkroom made me realise i'd become a little rusty but i was flying again after an hour. I can't thank Ian enough really and anyone reading this that needs some quality prints knocking out should check out the link on the right hand side of this page.
Tomorrow is Katherine's and mine one year anniversary. Doesn't time fly...only feels like yesterday i was single and out on the town every night.

One of those days when its a minute away from snowing

Sorry for using an American Beauty quote but it sums up the weekend perfectly. Saturday morning was spent at Dean Clough Mills, the book fair was packed and buzzing. Vicky and her family were in attendence, very grateful for letting me join you for coffee btw. After a couple of laps of the fair and picking up all the flyers going i walked around outside taking shots of people unawares and then left.

Cute snowman
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

On Sunday we woke up to snow, that kept going, and going....so much so that i couldn't resist running out and building snowmen. In the end i had a cute and an evil one, see the shot above and the rest i took on my Flickr page.

Do artists use business cards?

Below is a little thing i made so i can give people my contact details. The first occasion they shall be in use is at Dean Clough Gallery on saturday at the Artist's Book Fair.
Its unbelievable how much i'd kill for a darkroom of my own right now. I want to experiment and spend hours practicing all the different techniques that i read about but at the moment i'm limited to an hour here and there at college when its not too busy. However, Ian at Silvertone is letting me do a couple of prints next week for a competition, which i'm really grateful for, but still i'm always aware that i'm probably in the way a little.

contact details
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

Back to work tomorrow for another couple of days and then the weekend. If anyone knows anywhere in Leeds that serves free refill coffee or even better an American theme diner please let me know.

For the love of crumb cake

Snow in March
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

the elderly rock my world

Its been a busy last few days. We went to 'Focus On Imaging 2006' on Monday at the NEC. It was pretty lame cause there was only three booths that had anything to do with black and white. The best bit was a toning demo at the Ilford stand and had a bit of banter with the guy printing but other than that it was like monochrome didn't exist. Most of the show dealt with penis-extension telephoto lenses and how to buy a DSLR with more megapixels than you need.
After that we stayed at Katherine's house for a couple of days and then today i've had a solo four hour drive up the M1 so i can go to work tomorrow.
In other news been running a film thru the T5 and trying to get some people shots. Any gud un's will be up on my Flickr thingy when i finish the film.
And in complete random news did you know Andy Kaufman died on the same day that i was born. And neither of us are related to Charlie Kaufman btw.

Tomato soup and toast

Together
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

Sometimes this world confuses the hell out of me. Some days leave me feeling like i need to escape and walk on a empty beach with the one i love.
I have a renewed urge to learn about photography. At the moment working in an environment of holiday and baby snaps is drowning my creactive motivation. I wish i could be an apprentice to some old guy who's been hand printing for years and learn from his experience and get more darkroom time myself but till then you'll find me wearing white cotton gloves and trying to be nice to customers.

BrianTunney

I've always been a bit of a fan of Brian Tunney, so i was pretty pleased to see him at last years Lambrini Jam. While watching the high hop contest i realised he was sat next to me. Being too shy to talk to him i took this shot instead, i don't think he even realised.
Of course moments later Katherine slipped coming down the driveway and bumped her head, which has nothing to do with this photo at all.

BrianTunney
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

Top 5

My Top 5 reasons for starting a blog:

1. To represent the work of PaperThin on the information super highway.
2. It seemed easier than building a website.
3. Something to show people in 'the industry'.
4. Its what all the cool kids were doing.
5. Its free.

More photos soon.

A quick one to get started

RickyFeather_whip
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

Taken at the end of last summer, Its been ages since I took some riding shots...efforts must be doubled.

This could be the start of something beautiful

Or it could be something which crashes and burns. Hang around and see for yourself.