Doug Kennedy Photography Bulletin, November 2017

Dear Friends,

This is my photography bulletin which I am sending to contacts who have shown or may have an interest in my photography, books and cards. If you do not wish to receive any more of these (they will be sent out 3 or 4 times a year) then please reply with the words, ‘Stop bulletin’ or similar and I will remove your email address from the list.

The autumn started for us with a trip to Andalucia under blue September skies during which we stayed in a hilltop town called Veja de la Frontera. I found this to be the loveliest we have stayed in, with its white buildings along narrow cobbled streets rising to the church it was full of atmosphere and perfect for a few days of total relaxation. Photography was therefore not the priority, and in addition I was still taking care of my wife, Lindsey, who broke her ankle in June and still needed lots of TLC. For the same reason, I did no photographic trips during the summer, and my first was in October to the southern-most part of the Pennines; the Derbyshire Peak District.

The view from Stannage Edge above Hathersage with people bouldering.

This trip was research for the new book I’m writing whose working title is Pennine Wildlife Habitats. This time I have a co-author, the wildlife advocate, expert and photographer Tim Melling (https://www.flickr.com/photos/timmelling/ ). Tim lives and works in the Yorkshire Pennines and has an encyclopedic knowledge of the natural world. The book will describe the wildlife in the various habitats provided by the so-called ‘backbone of England’ and how the components all link together. It will be a larger work than my photo-books with more text so will be taking up a lot of  my time this winter.

My next excursion was an abortive trip to Yorkshire when wet, windy weather, which had not been forecast, descended on the Pennines, cloaking them in mist and rain. I admire photographers who are willing to battle with the weather to get dramatic images, but I had a cold and didn’t feel strong enough.

I am building a library of images of Wales and so combined a photo-trip to Llandudno and the Great Orme with a meeting with my web developer. There are spectacular views from the Orme’s limestone cliffs which project into the Irish Sea, taking the full force of the wind and waves whilst protecting the Llandudno and Conwy Bay. In the springtime, its grassy slopes are known for rare wildflowers and butterflies, but on that cool November day it was the landscapes that took precedence.

. Goats on the Great Orme, who keep the vegetation down so that wild flowers can grow & scrub doesn’t take over.

The meeting with my web developer was also fruitful and resulted in a partial redesign of my web site. Work is still in progress, but the site is a lot cleaner and, hopefully, displays my work better, so please do have a look at www.doug-kennedy.com.  The site offers:

  • Photographic images: I can produce pictures in any configuration to order.
  • Books, including Yorkshire, Norfolk, North Downs (Kent and Surrey Hills), Chilterns and An English Village Idyll.
  • Photo-shoots: I am still collecting 5-star reviews for every one I do! Do call for a quote.
  • Greetings cards: lots of new designs available, and very good value for money.

My images are now being displayed on quite a number of web sites and business or charity publications in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, where it’s great to see them being of wider use, especially in support of our environment. I am hoping to spread the net wider as these are seen and word gets out.

Where else to see and buy my work in the lead-up to Christmas:

I will be taking part in Art On The Street in Maidenhead on December 2nd, showing pictures and cards.

A new farm shop is opening on December 2nd at Starveall Farm (off the A418 between Cuddington and Stone) where, in addition to the superb turkeys and farm produce, my books, cards and some pictures will be on sale. I have watched the herd of bronze turkeys in their big paddock looking very happy, and have cooked them for Christmas lunch for the past few years – always excellent.

My books and some pictures are also on display at Bradmoor Farm Shop in Haddenham as well as in book shops.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas,

Doug

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