Earlier this week I got to see copies of 2 local magazines that I contributed images to.  They can be seen here. I was really impressed with the regeneration magazine as there are 5 images in there.  The magazine is aimed at potential investors to the city.  My brief was to produce positive images that reflected the re-use or incorporation of the old architecture into the new.  I enjoyed this project as it is something quite close to my heart that I am interested in very much.  I think my favourite image in there is one of the Impressions Gallery as it's a full page portrait shot.  On a side note, I recently saw an ex-colleague who was in a "graphics" class and he told me they were looking at images online and discussing them....and he then realised he recognised my name....it was my Slash image from the 2007 Download Festival, an odd coincidence.  Mind you, it has had over 8000 views I think on flickr so it may be quite high in the search engine results....

Today I had a pleasant chat on air with Karol Wysznnski of BCB Radio. All the staff were very friendly and was made to feel at home. Tom and Dom were researching. I drank some tea.  After I went to see Asadour Guzelian's show on the 4th floor of Salts Mill. There are some really great shots in there documenting events from the 80s and 90s. There's a fantastically genuine and warm snap of the late leader of the Labour Party John Smith amongst other great shots. I'd definitely recommend a visit before it ends on Sunday 19th. They are currently being exhibited in one of the longest spaces I have ever seen which is normally closed to the public.

I just received a very pleasant invite to be interviewed tomorrow on BCB Radio at around 11:45am discussing my work, the Saltaire Arts Trail and who knows what else. I'm rather excited as this is my first interview at a studio in a radio station so I'm looking forward to seeing behind the scenes of radio shows and the inner workings.  And all the gadgets, microphones and lights of course.

I recently came across a website that had used an image of mine without requesting, permission or even a credit, nevermind a link to the original on flickr. Recently I also learnt about a fantastic online tool called Tineye that searches the web for your images. So, I tried the said image because I knew it had been used in one place without consent. The result was that it found that one and a parallel site, so there are 2 websites that have just taken the image with no questions asked. When I first came across the image on the first website I posted a comment on the site explaining who I was and for them to get in touch. The comment was never posted and I have heard nothing from them and they have persisted in using the image without my consent.

Last weekend I originally thought I was going to prepare some more prints for my portfolio box for the coming weekend but I'm having second thoughts now.  I'm now thinking that getting more on here may be better and less time consuming.  The box already has lots in there and can take a while to get through so hopefully soon I'll replace with some newer work.  Had a very kind invitation to be interviewed on BCB Radio so that should be interesting.

The first weekend has finished.  There was quite a lot of traffic but I think next week will be much busier as all the other activities to do with the festival are happening and also there are only 6 open houses this year.  Also in my house there is painter David Starley, sculptress Jo Lee and textile artist Dionne Swift.  They all produce wonderful work.  It's been very interesting getting to know them and their work.  I may produce some new prints for the portfolio box.

This year's Saltaire Arts Trail takes place on the 11th, 12th 18th and 19th of September.  It will be the last time it is run in conjunction with the Saltaire Festival.  There is a restricted number of open houses and I have been invited to exhibit at 75 Albert Road.  I'm planning on showing some new work from the past year.

If you're in Leeds and you fancy a cocktail, awesome vistas with some photography thrown in please visit my current exhibition at the City Inn Hotel in Leeds.  This is the result of a residency I undertook there in March 2010.  There are 23 large format photographs in 5 different locations throughout the hotel; the foyer, the cafe, the restaurant, the 1st meeting area and in the top floor bar.  I would highly recommend it as a place to dine, drink and stay.  The staff are professional and friendly and with the Skylounge on the 13th floor there are some amazing views over south Leeds and the train station.