Jimmy’s, Blake, CD covers and Fireworks
Nov 6th, 2007 by John
Righto, hello everyone, hope you all had good fireworks displays if you went to any, the one here was rather spectacular and free (although a ‘minimum donation of £1 per person’ was ‘recommended’, cheeky so and so announcer). Boom, popper, fizzle.
Moving on, I had my group crit for my CD cover yesterday which went really well. I was happy with the amount of work I had done and pleased with my covers in comparison to everyone else’s. Some people had done almost no work whatsoever, which is a bit worrying since we were given our next projects as well: Book Covers! Seems like they’ve snuck a Graphic Design degree into a Photography one and called it an FdA! I don’t mind though, especially since I’ve designed book covers for people before. Although hopefully this time I’ll get it looking even more professional. The theme is ‘the seven deadly sins’. Seems a bit A-Levelish again, but I suppose there are only so many concepts to toy with… We’re ‘professional photographers’ not ‘artists’ after all; allegedly.
On a more exciting note, I had a photo of mine published in the ‘Cambridge Evening News’ last week :happy: . Yup, right in the paper next to an article, quite large too 
However, I am fuming, as they have not added credits to it. My name is not mentioned anywhere at all! And yet the photograph on the opposite page has the photographer’s name and phone number written in bold underneath. What do I get? Nothing! I clearly put my name in the email, and they even phoned me to confirm some details! Not only that but the article they wrote to accompany the image (shot at a farewell do for the manager of the homeless shelter ‘Jimmy’s', run in the basement of the church next door) was quite controversial, saying how the shelter had had all these brushes with the police and might be closed down and things. Hardly the right emphasis. So, whilst I’ve been published, its anonymous and the article is a bit pants. Tabloid journalism for the ultimate lose. I’ve emailed the newspaper in an irritated manner, but not yet received a reply. Not that I expect them to do anything about it really, but an apology or at least acknowledgement of my existence might be nice!
So ‘Shooting For Story’ is going well, not just from that, but from today’s shoot also at the university’s graduation ceremony. The proceedings themselves were incredibly boring! People didn’t even collect certificates, just had their name read out, walked across the stage, shook hands with the Vice Chancellor, and sat down again. But, that aside, I did get to mingle with all the important people from the university. Also each year we seem to award an ‘honorary doctorate’ or degree of something. Stephen Fry got one a while back. But guess who I got to meet at the graduation ceremony who was given one 
William Quentin Blake! That fellow who did all the illustrations in Roald Dahl’s books among his own work and other things. So that was quite awesome, it pays to get oneself involved in events it would seem! The unexpected always crops up, which is exactly what Quentin talked about in his acceptance speech. He looked very fetching in his robes… so here’s a photo of him just to prove I’m not fibbing! Hope everyone is well, looking forward to hearing from you all.
sorry about the article, but if it was itself a bit naff they may have thought that you didnt want your name associated with a rubbish writer. or maybe theyre incompetent. good to hear about the photographing honorary people and stuff, it all builds up to experience. nicely done!
Those fireworks look very pretty – quite a bit more spectacular than the little village display we went to here (although I enjoyed those muchly). :happy:
Your book cover project sounds interesting, I bet you could think of lots of good stuff to do for the seven deadly sins theme :3 Lucky you for meeting Quentin Blake too, is he a nice fellow? ^^
Silly Cambridge newspaper people! If they don’t reply you should keep pestering them until they at least apologise. Gah.
Toby: Arr thankee, although I’m going for the ‘incompetent’ thought in regards to the paper. Yup all good experience otherwise, thanks for the comment.
Soph: Bit stuck for ideas that aren’t nastily cliché for the project to be honest, I’m sure I’ll think of something. I’d like to include more space art somehow, but I’m not sure how! Quentin is indeed a nice chap, easy to talk to and obviously passionate about what he does. I might just let the newspaper thing drop, although you’re right, an apology would be nice.
:3
Way to go you! Quentin looks rather smashing in that almost regal pose! The fireworks also look fabulous. It miffs me somewhat slightly that people only sell them at this time of year.
Shame about the newspaper screwing up but it’s still an achievement you can be proud of.
I’m sure the ideas will come in their droves as soon as you’ve found a tiny bit of inspiration from somewhere..any of the 7 you’d particularly like to do?
Robyn: Thankee ^^ As for the 7, I’m not too sure yet. I’ve only just found out that there are many different kinds of Gluttony (for example) so I think I’m going to have to do a bit more research before deciding for sure.