"Feet".Some more images from my "Feet" project. Yes...l know l notice and record the stangest things. This is often said about me. BUT that is what makes life interesting! Open your eyes to whats all around you and see what happens. These images come from Barcelona, Paris, Rome and all over the U.K.

"Feet" These are a few of the feet/shoes from my project "Feet". Have you noticed that shoes differ greatly from country to country? Last summer l was in Barcelona and l couldn't get over how bright,unusual and different foot wear was there compared to Britain. Then later in Paris (name dropper!) l noticed again how different their footwear was to either Barcelona or London. Next time you are out on the streets(!) look!!!It is interesting...Honest!

CCTV images. I have posted some images from the project CCTV "No Consent" on other sites on the Web and got some really super comments back. It is great when other photographers and artists from around the world rate your work...especially when your mother doesn't understand them and sees no point in your art and your tutors think they aren't strong enough!!! Gives you courage to carry on. That is the thought for today! Ha!

I have just started a new project I am recording people who come and talk to me...without me inviting the conversation. I then record the conversation. I also take an image but not of their face. I am looking into privicy laws but seeing how far l can push my art!! Bit scarry BUT l got a really great crit at college today..so degree show here l come!

CCTV camera's discuss!
The sun is shinning and it's snowing! Very Weird. I have been back in the U.K for about 7 1/2 years (can't be that long!!) and l still haven't got used to the weather. I don't honestly remember it being so changeable or maybe l'm having a "senior moment" as my children say!
Anyway, back to the CCTV camera's. Had a response back from a man in Canada who said they don't have them. Just think...some where you aren't under the camera all the time! If anyone is reading this out in the big wide world and you have NO CCTV camera's... let me know. Also send me any images you have if funny or just weird.
Since starting this project l have been looking at CCTV camera's, as you do, and didn't realise how many makes and models there are! What an exciting life l lead!
Must admit, no matter that l am being watched and being the watcher at the same time (if you see what l mean?), the "Smile" notice with the CCTV camera on this double decker bus,(one of the images on today's blog) always makes me smile. Clever people these Bus Companies.
Well art work calling, also husband due home in an hour or so, no housework or ironing done...and l don't know what we are having for supper.Better go and act like a wife/housewife...how does one do that?

Taking images again!
I was asked yesturday if l was still taking images out on the street? I have just started this project up again and intend to start to put it on the web! that's a challenge in it's self. How to make my own web site?! Any advice out there? My tutors at art college think the project is finished...l don't agree.
The images into days blog, are from the first series and show just how red stands out in your images. These images were not cropped or altered in Photoshop.
I know a lot of people l talk to think that what l am doing is scarry and are worried l might be attacked. I know there is a chance of that but the two occasions that it has started to happen, l have calmed them down. (In fact had them discussing my project). I know there may be a time when talking isn't enough..but you can't live and work in fear all the time! Deal with it when it happens. And as l lived in places such as Papua New Guinea, l think (!) l am pretty street wise and aware of putting my self in deliberate danger.
Work is calling. Have a good day and talk to you later.
Oh! Happy Pancake Day.

There is no particular reason for this next selection of images except...l like them.They were all taken on Putney High Street. The lady with the head scarf was one of the first images l took on 31st January 2005. The guy with the glasses l often see and he appears quite a few times in my images. His image was taken on 22nd March 2005. Lastly, the lady with the wonderful hat was caught on camera on 2nd Febuary 2005.Actually just after l took that image l was approached by a man in his 60's,well dressed and English. Very seriously he asked me " Was l taking pictures for the Arabs, was l a terrorist... if not l must be spy as l was always hanging around with a camera and did the police know about me?" I tried to explain what l was doing but he just laughted and said, "As if you'd tell me the truth anyway!". And went on his merry way. The joys of being a photographer on the streets! I love it.

As l was saying, before l had to stop for the phone! People's reactions to the camera are weird. You can see from some of the images that the person has realised they are being caught on camera and smile at me. I wonder what is going on their heads? Actually the people in the above images all spoke to me and seemed quite happy with the idea of my project. They didn't like the idea of CCTV cameras. Funny really when you think all the difference between us is they can see and speak to me! Would that make a big diffence to you? That is if anyone is reading this??????
I suppose that brings me to the question..Why am l writing this if l don't know if anyone is reading it? I started this Blog to try and sort my mind out about this project. An electronic work book or journal l suppose. Most artists use a sketch book or /and write their ideas down. Being dyslexic l find writing by hand difficult and very tiring. The computor fits the bill! Also l think l would like some feed back from people other than my tutors!!! being a mature student can be quite tiring, especially if you are strong minded like me!!!!!
Well it is after midnight and am busy tomorrow..Goodnight world.

The guy in the blue shirt thought it was fun to stand in front of my camera and annoy me. He kept smiling and laughing with his companion. What he didn't realise was l wasn't annoyed. This just added to my project. I wonder if he does this in front of CCTV cameras? I doubht, as he can't see the face behind the camera, he properbly doesn't think about them!

It is also amazed me how many people stand right in front of the tripod and then start a conversation on their mobiles. Inevitably as soon as they have finished we say, "Oh! sorry didn't see you there" and smile! Weird.

Don't you just love Gaudi and Barcelona? Wow! what colours.

Happy Saturday!
As you can see from these three images, some people just can't wait to get into the frame! I can honestly say l don't know any of these people. I wonder how they would feel knowing that their faces were on the internet? They weren' bothered by my camera or the thought of CCTV cameras...so maybe the thought of being on the net doesn't worry them either?!
And on that note, l will wish you all a goodnight. I have spent the day visiting Galleries in Bethnal Green and central london and l am shattered. Talk more tomorrow!

Hi again,
Been busy for the last couple of days. I'm an Outreach Art and Crafts Tutor, and we have college inspection coming up...SO much paper work! What with that and college...no peace for the wicked...or so they say!
I love images were you only see a section of the face. Makes me wonder if they were just checking me out, accidently showing me their face or just playing with me? What do you as the viewer (if anyone is actually reading this Blog!!!) think. Would love some feed back on these images.
The entry for my daily Log on Febuary 15th 2005 deals with Trafalgar Square and The London Eye area. Thought l test out tourist areas today to see if people act any differently from Putney.
The first thing that happened was l was approached by a man who couldn't understand why l was taking pictures of people. "When you come to the Square you are meant to take pictures of pigeons!!!" I explain what l was doing and his reply was..." You are very weird, people come to Trafalgar Square to take pictures of pigeons, you really are very weird" and went off muttering to himself. Takes all sorts.
The Square is quite difficult to take pictures in because people move out of your way. The reason being they think l am there to take images of tourist things like the lions or the fountains. Boring!.
From the Square l ventured towards The London Eye. As soon as l started taking photographs with my camera on a tripod, two burley security guards approached me and "No photographs" was shouted at me. There was no reasoning with them, so l moved!The area that the wheel is built on is called The Queen's walk and there is a Private Land Rule covering the use of tripods in this area. Weird or what. I suppose they don't want people selling images of the wheel, so they loose money.
Back soon. Paper work is calling.

As you can see from these pictures, there are many ways to avoid having your picture taken other than moving away!
I was very surprised to find how many people just stood their ground and stared right back at me or just turned away. Very few people moved or totally ignored me. There l am, stand in the street, camera on a tripod and you would never guess the number of times people stood right in front of it and then sayed "Sorrry. Didn't see you"!
At one point l decided perhaps l blended into the background too much and so people were not noticing me or the tripod. SOO...dressed in bright yellow coat, bright orange and red scarf, pink boots...the lot! Did it make any difference...NO!
Over the first few weeks l went out almost every day for at least 3 hours. Wind, rain and cold...why did l begin this project in January? Dumb!!!
People did start to approach me and ask what l was doing. Most people thought it was an interesting idea. I had the usual drunks or weirdos that wanted to know if l was a spy, was l planning to launch weapons of mass destrution, was l planning to lauch a rocket into space and so on. Several people, normally elderly, asked if l was doing a "Bus survey" as the traffic in the high street was so bad? Fun times were had by all.

Changing the subject for a second. It has been pointed out to me that l have spelt "Whitewhitch" wrongly. Well... yes l have but it is a family joke about my spelling and l am also dyslexic. It was only after the name had been excepted that my husband pointed out the spelling mistake. I lke it because like me..its a little different and very quirky!