Mooove Over! Females Coming Through

Every child grows up dreaming about what will one day be their career. Some make it that far, but others do not. Little girls that want to be dairy farmers will sadly never achieve their dreams because this modern society continues to determine who will do what and when. Sexism remains ever dominant.

Recently I paid a visit to a local farm where I met a very lovely man who is clearly passionate about his work in the dairy industry. However, I found myself feeling most frustrated when he told me he was stuck in a “difficult position”. Despite, having four daughters and a two year old grandson, he proclaimed that, when he passes on, he will have nobody to take over the farm.

Personally, I cannot see anything that sets males from females apart in the industry and there is no reason a woman should be stopped from taking on such a role should it be what she desires; not only men are capable of running an effective business. We know it is not all numbers and paperwork but we are not scared of a bit of grafting. We are prepared to get our hands dirty if needs be and we will not be fussed about the state in which our clothes are at the end of the day. In fact, I would prefer the grafting – I have a phobia of math.

There is no reason that only men should be able to work in this environment. I know it sounds ridiculous, but cows are female. Perhaps that is why men do thing this way; they simply can’t get enough of the female attention. The fact that these females are cows is irrelevant to them. But let us be honest, we, as women, are not going to get all embarrassed about milking a cow. There is a chance a few of us might be grossed out at calving time but that happens with men too.

“Relief worker”, a position where people take over when others are sick, or there is just too much work, is also not a role I would appreciate to be given. Essentially, you are being told that, despite being obviously capable of the job, it is only the case when the top dogs are not. I would rather have no job on the farm than a relief role. After all, if it is such a man’s domain, and he is perfectly capable every other time, why is he not capable now? Why should he need a female’s help?

It seems that, within the dairy world, the tradition of the wife staying at home to cook and clean is still what is expected. Possibly, women are given the accounts to look after and occasionally allowed out of the kitchen and onto the farm as a “relief worker”.

Although I am not convinced it is just dairy production where this takes place, it is the most obvious and most recent I have myself had to bear witness too. However, as Australia’s Dr Cannold says “business is still a man’s world”; women clearly have a long way to go to prove society wrong.

One Day My Flash Will Kill Me...

So, yesterday I went back up to Hesters Way, my fifth visit. you'd think I was getting used to being there and stop being so scared. Well, no. Especially when I took my flash with me.. I thought I was going to die. But that turned out just to be my own paranoia. Silly me!

Unfortunately two of the shots I was hoping to get had gone, those shopping trolleys I was hoping for had been returned to Sainsbury's sadly. So all that time I spent in Tesco's car park practising my shopping trolley shots with the flash were pointless. I should probably apologise here to James who I dragged with me all that way - Sorry.

I do love the way the colours pop on this, they look so vibrant.

However, I do think I got some decent shots elsewhere with my flash instead, my favourite three being these:

This one is my absolute favourite from the shoot, the pink looks even brighter on the photo than it did in real life on the fence.

You might have already seen a very similar shot to this one, but I prefer this one. It was very difficult to get my flash to bring the green "Adam" out and this was the best I could do but I like it. I think it works rather well.

And again, I've posted a much further out shot of this tyre before now but I think this image really brings out the buts of grit and dirt from where the tyre has been sat for so long. 

So that was my adventure with flash. I didn't get any grief at all, which I was surprised about after my first visit when I got a lot of abuse. I must have just chosen a bad day then. 

The Annual Tea Dance

Oh goodness me, this was possibly the cutest, most lovely event I've ever been too never mind photographed. I had an absolute ball. And so did all the guests - it was great fun. The Mayor even popped along to show off his moves..

I was very impressed with the Mayor's dancing skills.

Some of the ladies dancing the afternoon away with students. This is one of my favourites from the afternoon even if it is a tad yellowy.

If I remember rightly, this was the barn dance. 

I don't remember which dance this was but these two were very much enjoying their dance. I really the depth of field on this too. 

A long shot of the table to the left. Above and Below the same with a serving of tea.

Picking out a lucky raffle winner..

Two of the happy RAG raffle winners, both with a nice bottle each ready for Christmas.

I know this isn't a very good photo technically but this student asked the gentleman to dance and it made me smile, and miss my Bingo crew back home as well. 

Now this pair were very into their dancing and I don't think they left the dance floor very often. I love the stance in this shot, even with the slight motion blur. 

I managed to sneak up to a high point somewhere (still not sure where..) and get a nice overview of the dance floor and the guests. 

Our VC also paid a visit to the Tea Dance, making the guest feel welcome as he and the SU President made a speech.

Another favourite of mine, I love the repetition in this image with the couple behind in a very similar pose.

One talented keyboard player.

This very happy couple asked me to take their photograph as they said they "couldn't remember the last time they had such fun dancing". Always a nice thing to hear. 

I really did enjoy my afternoon at the Tea Dance, I don't even know what else to say. I took so many photos, but these are my favourites. 

Now this afternoon, well I have to head back up to Hesters Way and shoot some more for my stories. Last minute I know, but I'm looking forward to shooting with flash - something I've put off before now due to lack of experience and unsurity (if that's even a word) or the reaction I'll get. Flash can seem intrusive.

Another Quicky

I'm coming to the end of the Photojournalist project I've been working on so starting to edit my final images. Admittedly I still have one shoot I need to do but that's all planned.

I showed you one edit yesterday, of the sign. Today I have some trees for you.

The original.

The edited version.

I've made the crop much tighter on this image as I think it looks quite sparce in the frame otherwise and I've given the reds a push to make the leaves more vibrant. I much prefer the second version of the image. 

This afternoon I'm off to the University's annual Tea Dance, photographing for Space again. I'm really rather excited. 

Hesters Way, Take Two/Three

Do you remember my first shoot at Hesters Way? The one that went a bit wrong and was really rubbish? No, well you should see it here. I've been back twice since then, one of those times I didn't have my laptop so you'll just have to have two updates at once about this project.

#1

The depth of field on this image makes the patch of grass in the background seem very large and empty.

Slightly underexposed but that's why I like this one as it starts to look over the estate. 

Gunna take my flashgun back with me to get this shot again, make the colours "pop".

If I slightly crop in to this shot I think it will be better as I'll make it more symmetrical.

This photo isn't very good but I have to go back and take my flash gun with me to get a photo of the trolleys a bit closer up.

#2

You can't really see it in this photo but in the top left windows of this house there is a line of knitted dolls. I used to have a clown made just like these. 

It's wonky but I like it and with a little straightening I think it will be fine. 

I really like the way the sign stands out here without the use of flash because of the white line surrounding it.

How warm and autumny do these trees make this shot? I think the colours are lovely. 

Now I just have to find time to go back with my flashgun.. and a bodyguard.

Flat 47

In case you haven't already heard I've started to do a documentary, one I can work on in my spare time. Title, "Flat 47".

I want it to be a black and white documentary, and whilst I've started it on digital a few shots here and there could end up being done in film. Maybe. I can't decide yet. Probably not due to expense though.

Anyway, I started some shooting for it this weekend...

Thursday 8th November.

This was my most successful shot of the night and I'm still not overly fond of it. However it does demonstrate the style I was originally out aiming for. I've since sacked off the square format. 

Saturday 10th November.

I believe this collection of bottles (and cans) has been growing since the start of term and I haven't even captured it all yet.

Family shot? I like this shot. Turns out once you get the hang of a Metz Flashgun they can be quite useful. I'm still practising though.

Something was funny. 

Now this shot would be easy to turn in to a Square format image which I intend to do at a later date. However it isn't one I want to turn Black and White because I love the burst of colour in it. 

Another group image, it's just a shame one person wasn't paying attention.

This project is definitely going to be a long one as it keeps going. And I think it's definitely going to take a while before my camera becomes ignorable. I mean ...

Clearly not appreciated! Sadly the photo didn't turn out or this would be quite a mugshot.

Just A Quick One

Don't get too excited there isn't particularly much content in this one.

I've been really busy the past few days with family visiting and shooting and conferencing up in Manchester, I've not had any spare time to do blogging. I took a few photos in Tewkesbury Abbey at the weekend, this one being my favourite...

It looks really misty inside from the incense had been burnt. It was a very pretty abbey and very interesting to walk around. 

Then I shot off to Manchester for Welfare Zone Conference where I didn't get many good pictures at all, apart from this one of a glass..

I only like this for the shallow depth of field it has. 

But after the conference as I headed in to the city centre I did see this very talented man and his dog playing some very good music in the street. Doing a bit of busking.

I loved his set-up keeping dry from the miserable weather, and the dog who was just chilling with him as he played his music. 

Today I have to take some work to the Darkroom in town to be printed for my lesson on monday and then I'm going to be heading up to Hesters Way to shoot some environment shots for my project. I'm hoping the weather will stay dry for me. So far it is. 

Stow Horse Fair

Yesterday was a busy day, I was out at Stow shooting the horse fair there. We had a 2 pm deadline as the tutors had partnered us all up with the Gloucestershire Echo - imagine how manic the uploads were! But it was all good fun, I really enjoyed it.

Riding through the crowds.

Michael Johnson selling slingshot and walking sticks.

Kate Friend enjoying the day.

The RSPCA had officers present on site all day.

Ready for auction.

Just a quick ride round the field. 

You can see one side of the field in the background here - that's how big it was.

As you can see the weather wasn't particularly great, it was miserable for the most part and it took a while to get used to being on the mud in boots that had minimal grip and you should see the state of them now. They are gross.