A Photo a Day 2020 #4

Bolt Grey

Man-made and natural shades of grey with the green coating of moss.

A Photo a Day 2020 #3

Haggard Grey

The purplish-grey of my under eye circles are something I try to cover up. But sadly, you cannot cover up the aging process completely (and why should we anyway?)

I was always fascinated by eyes as a young person and art student, always studying and drawing eyes. Even now, they are one of the first things I notice when meeting people. 

A Photo a Day 2020 #2

Signage Grey

Despite walking past this on a daily basis, I never noticed this before starting this project. 

A Photo a Day 2020 #1

New Year's Grey

The theme for January is: Shades of Grey. Every photo posted this month will primarily focus on documenting variants of grey. Incidentally, grey is one of my favourite shades. It is cool, modest, classy and subdued. Whilst some may associate it with age, stagnation, bleakness, I think it is rather beautiful.

The grey sky overhead with a little light, taken at about midday. 

A Photo a Day 2020: The challenge begins!

Back in 2017, I set myself the challenge to post a photo on my blog every day. It took discipline, but it was really good fun.  I am back, three years later and I am going to attempt to do the challenge again...

Here are the 2020 rules:

• I will post one photo every day on this blog (some photos to be posted on Instagram too, but this will be the main place I log my work)
• There will be a theme each month- January's theme is 'Shades of Grey' 
• I can edit photos (brightness/ contrast etc.), but not edit colours (when the theme is colour-based)
• I can't shoot in black and white in order to achieve grey tones for this month
• All photos will be named
• All photos will be taken by me using my Sony A5000 Compact system camera

I welcome any feedback or ideas!

Black & White Photos at the Tate Modern

The Tate Modern has been one of my favourite places to visit in London since I was an art student as a teen. I used to frequent this gallery, often alone, when a university student on the South coast; it was a welcome solace from day to day life. Even the architecture of the place is very grounding and soothing: it is large, industrial and spacious. The collection inside is often weird and always fascinating with something new of interest to see on every visit. 

Taking Photos at the London Design Museum #1

Coincidentally Kubrik-esque in its symmetry, I took this on the way to Kensington where there is currently a Stanley Kubrik exhibition on display. Sadly, we didn't book tickets in time, but we will return!

Here is a taster of the exhibition from the lobby:

Getting Back into Photography

2017 was the year I really got into photography. Since then, I have still had a love for taking photos, but my 'Triptych a week' project came to an abrupt end only a few weeks into 2018- life took over. 

How to Maintain Ash Blonde Hair

I'm a brunette who started to go blonde last Summer and haven't looked back yet. I love my natural brown hair, but I wanted to try something new and have found being an ashy shade of blonde suits my colouring quite well after admiring it on others with similar a similar skin tone to me.

My original salon experience to add highlights was a disaster. Despite having gone lighter before with no issues, the bayalage I had done was not the greatest and the warm tones in my natural, un-dyed hair just didn't lift, even with a cool toner applied. I appreciate that going blonde is a process, but I was surprised how far from my goal colour I was due to my previous experience with bleaching.

Not one to give up, about eight weeks later I tried another salon and was really happy with the results. I used Olaplex as part of both my colours which stops the bleach damaging your hair as much. With fine hair like mine, I didn't want to take any risks of my hair breaking off which it no doubt would without the Olaplex. My new colour had some lowlights with an ashy blonde to create some texture to the colour. 

I've been getting highlights every three to four months since last Autumn and I'm really pleased with my current colour- most recently done by the lovely Emma at Kate Preston salon in Fareham. 

See my blonde evolution below and read on for how I try to maintain my colour at home.

Post-Summer/ Autumn Skincare Favourites

As the hot weather dwindles and there is the suggestion of colder spells ahead, I felt inspired to share some of my favourite Autumn/ Fall skincare products. I'm a strong believer in learning to 'read' your skin when choosing products or routines. Many of us are left with areas of pigmentation post-sun and perhaps drier skin types need a bit of nurturing as the temperature changes. These products help to brighten and nourish my drier, freckly complexion and make me feel ready to face those beautiful, chilly September days.