5/366: Hoodie...

5/366: Hoodie..., a photo by Way Ahead Photography on Flickr.

Today was back to school and back to work day. It felt rotten saying bye to my kids after such a fantastic Christmas break, but that's reality.

Started work in earnest today on the new Way Ahead Photography website. The new version will be far more "professional looking" - I am very keen that it should be fed by and tie into the various social sites that I use to promote my work, also it will be far more iPad/iPhone friendly. After all - most of the creative people I mingle with have one or both!

This return to web design after several years of freedom proved quite frustrating at first - once again CSS proved inconsistent, flawed and sometimes downright silly. After a while though I found myself back in my old world, and quite enjoying myself!

3/366: Me and coffee

3/366: Never Look A Gift Horse..., a photo by Way Ahead Photography on Flickr.

Well what can I say. 15 years as an IT guy, 4 years as a photographer - of COURSE I love coffee.

A couple of years ago, my wife, well known for her cunning and guile bought me an amazing coffee machine for my birthday. There was just one catch. It needed a kitchen to be installed in... so naturally I agreed without any fuss to buying a new kitchen.

Yes - she is THAT cunning! :)

Anyway the coffee machine remains one of my very fave things, I feel very lucky to have it. Especially at about 6.45 most weekdays, when I stagger downstairs, drop a mug under it and hit a button.... aaaaaaah COFFEEEEE! :)

Today's photo is courtesy of a chum on Instagram who claimed that day 1's photo lacked enthusiasm, and that I needed to dose up on caffeine before day 3. In fact, I've dosed up FOR my day 3 shot. So there :)

2/366 "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize..."

2/366 "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize...", a photo by Way Ahead Photography on Flickr.

(Quoted from the Book of Philippians)

This is my watch. I just got my watch back from my wife - I lent her it for a few months because her watch broke. But she got a new one for Christmas, which pleased me no end :)

I am very proud of my watch because it is very symbolic of a great success.

Last year I set some goals at the start of 2011. One of these was to meet one of my photography heroes, Rankin. And I did. This watch, one from a very limited edition, was a gift from Rankin and Swatch, given to all those who attended the opening of his fantastic Eyescapes exhibition in London. At the exhibition I met him, talked to him and was very much inspired in many ways. He was a great guy! And I even got to take his photo - which was quite a moment!

So - yay! I did it! In fact I met ALL my goal targets last year. Well done me! But... what now?

It would be very easy to relax, feel smug, and keep harping on about past successes. Humans are very good at it. But the downside is that this can knock us off target, it can slow us up, or even kill our progress.

Ironically past achievements mean very little. They are in the past. They don't exist any more. They amount, to very little more than nothing... except good memories.

The only thing to do is press on, something I am setting as a massive goal for 2012...

366 Days! 1/366 - here I go again...

366 Days! 1/366 - here I go again..., a photo by Way Ahead Photography on Flickr.

Well last year's 365 fell apart somewhat. I got about 180 days or so in, roughly halfway and hit the wall.

A wiser man would probably quit at this point. But I'm very stubborn...

Not only that I have a feeling 2012 is going to be another very significant year, so I want to document it as well as I can. Aaaaand - I might even try and do my blog alongside so people have something nice to read.

But no promises mind. I can be pretty unreliable at the best of times :)

Wishing you all a fantastic 2012.

Why I Choose To Wear My Poppy With Pride

Thanks, a photo by Way Ahead Photography on Flickr.

For many years now remembering Armistice Day has been under attack from many sides.

Some people don't like it because they believe it glorifies war. If they can explain to me how remembering one of the most pointless and futile wars ever fought on this earth, and the countless number of men and women who have died then and since, every time just so somebody can stick a flag in a bit of ground or gain a few oil refineries, how THIS glorifies war, then I might conceed their point.

There are those who have made the poppy a political battlefront, who campaign for our RIGHTS to wear poppies, who pick a fight with a faceless man, who actually doesn't really seem to give a toss about a little red flower worn once a year. Meanwhile the press stir and muck rake, provoking people to say and post some truly stupid things...

Suddenly the poppy is less about a sad, solemn remembrance, it becomes about the individual validating their OWN lives, as if in some way it makes them as significant as those who died in those muddy fields just across the water, many years ago.

It really does not.

Me? I wear mine because I am a grandson, a son, and a father. And these simple facts mean that in the past, war has affected my family, in the present, it shapes the world I live in. And God forbid, in the future, my son, or his sons, might find themselves sitting on a frontline, afraid of dying, feeling alone and scared, whilst those that love him most, sit at home waiting for terrible news to come.

I wear a poppy because I identify with my fellow man; I am sad that so many brilliant men died for NOTHING, whilst simultaneously appreciating in a way words cannot express that these same men BELIEVED they were giving their lives for a greater world, and were willing to do so - and perhaps ultimately and most selfishly, because I realise that there but for the Grace of God, go I, and those I love most.

Perhaps that's why people are really so opposed to this small symbol - because it reminds us all that life is cruel, and that death, in some shape or form is inevitable. And possibly a very untimely and unpleasant one...

But that's no excuse not to wear a small red flower once a year, and say thank you, we will remember.

Designer Profile: Amy Jean Moore

Amy Jean Moore is a 23 year old fashion and costume designer based in Kent. She graduated in 2009 with a First in fashion design from Brighton University with a gala winning catwalk collection at graduate fashion week.

Since then Amy has progressed into both the world of fashion, starting her own alterations and repairs business, as well as in the world of costume, where she has not only got to work on the costumes for the current Pirates of the Caribbean movie, but has also progressed to doing costume design for established theatres, after only a year in the industry.

She is currently moving into starting her own Fashion brand under the name the "Wardrobe assistant", the first samples of which you can see in this photo-shoot!

What made you want to get into fashion design?

I love the process of bringing a character to life through the clothing, looking at traditional techniques and skills from history. With my designs and approach to fashion, I want to bring some permanency. I really believe that people should buy less and keep things longer and this is how I approach my designs. I aim for timeless pieces heavily inspired by history that are simple, classic, well made and will age beautifully.

What's the hardest part about being a designer?

You have to have true grit and determination to keep picking yourself up after rejections, as well as managing the stark contrast between the times when there is not a lot of work, and when there is tonnes, working around the clock.

What's the best thing about it?

There is so much, it can be an immensely rewarding job! Most importantly the people you meet, I have met so many inspirational characters that are a pleasure to collaborate with, each time producing something unique.

But for the work itself is the opportunity to constantly learn, not only new sewing techniques but also to research various aspects of history and traditions in depth.

What does an average day entail for you?

Every day varies wildly, as a designer you have to be incredibly flexible, have the ability to do lots of different jobs and travel all over the place. Some days will be spent purely sewing but the next I might be doing invoices and accounts, at museums researching, having meetings in London... or on a shoot in an iron foundry!!!!

What's the most memorable assignment you've had?

So far I would have to say it was working on a Christmas production in a theatre of Toad of Toad Hall. I love working on costumes for theatre as it really gives you the opportunity to be really creative and a bit wild! For this production I had to make a rabbit disguise for an actor that was playing a fox, made dozens of ears and rabbit noses, big flouncy dresses with layers of petticoats and much much more. I literally got lost in the attic of the wardrobe department in piles of fur and breaches!

Who or what really inspires you?

I am really inspired by British history, not only from fashions of history but also the culture from folklore and craft to the cottage industry, which is how I approach business. I think something like fashion should be small and personal, we can use it to support other local interdependent businesses. For my next project I am looking at traditional dying techniques such as woad and the history that surrounds it, considering characters like Boadicea and the Iceni tribe.

What advice do you have for those looking to take up fashion design?

1. Smile and the world smiles with you. It is desperately important to be a pleasure to work with, make friends and contacts and you will be remembered and recommended and this will only lead to more jobs (and some wonderful friends)

2.Keep positive! you should only approach a career like Fashion design if it is your dream because there will be times when you are very poor, very tired and down hearted....... but keep going, try a different angle.

3. Work for free whilst you can afford it (in both time and money). Whether you studied fashion at university or not, everyone starts at the bottom probably working for free. There are very few paid graduate positions within fashion, it's all about experience, even if you want to start your own label. You will learn what the industry is really like, and techniques and skills that are integral for working practice, and most importantly the opportunity to explore different areas of the industry that will help you develop your own work as well as doing other jobs that may well suit you more.

Karena and Rankin...

Karena and Rankin..., a photo by Way Ahead Photography on Flickr.

There is something even better than realising your dreams. Watching your friends achieve those, and in some small way, being involved in that.

Last night I had the privilage and honour of attending the launch of the new Swatch range, designed by photography genius, Rankin. It was help at his Annroy Studio, London, and was quite simply, a fantastic party, and an amazing night out. I loved every single second of it.

But more importantly I got to see my friend pictured here with Rankin, at a point where she can definitely feel that all her hard work and dedication, in the face of all the hardship, critisism and downright rubbish that life throws at us all, has finally paid off. She is destined for greatness...

And I got a free watch :D