Frank Quitely in SciFi Now Magazine

A quick update on my last post to say that my headshot of Frank Quitely (comic book artist), taken back in October 2012 at the awesome Dundee Comics Day, has been published in this months SciFi Now magazine as a 2 page spread (part of a 4 page interview by Laura Sneddon).

Issue 76 is on sale now so run out and pick a copy up before they all sell out ;)

More details on the shot (which we got in about 3 minutes and 4 or 5 frames – busy man at a busy event!) and a better look at the shot itself to come once next months issue is out… I also have to apologize for the lack of updates on the blog over the past couple of months, I’ve been super busy and things are only just starting to settle down (kind of!). I’m considering re-organizing things in the gallery and want to get some new work online but as always, so much to do and so little time!

Dundee Comics Day 2012

Dundee Comics Day once again welcomed a stellar line-up of top industry talent, this year celebrating the comics of award-winning Scottish writer Grant Morrison (MBE). Guests included Grant Morrison, Dave Gibbons, Frank Quitely, Cameron Stewart, Frazer Irving, Rian Hughes and Peter Doherty. I’ve been lucky enough to cover a number of really interesting and entertaining comics events at the University of Dundee over the past year and this year’s Dundee Comics Day was no exception.

[Dundee Comics Day Photo Gallery]
[University of Dundee: Dundee Comics Day Information]

I have to admit that I’m not the greatest comics expert in the world but I always enjoy listening to the guests at these events who are very willing to share their experience  of working in the industry, working with each other and explaining how they go about creating their work.

As a photographer I quite often find some of the more technical discussion very interesting (an off-shoot from the round-table discussion about working in the digital age with RGB for digital display vs CYMK for printing was fascinating) and I would challenge anyone to listen to this group of people and not find something to engage them. This is perhaps best reflected by the audience at the event, from seasoned comics professionals to aspiring artists and writers, fans both young and old.

The turnout this year was fantastic with so much on that the event had to be split over two days, with Dave Gibbons appearing on the Saturday followed by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely, Cameron Stewart, Frazer Irving, Rian Hughes and Peter Doherty on Sunday (not to mention a screening of the documentary Grant Morrison: Talking with Gods at the DCA on Friday night). One of my favourite moments on the second day had to have been at the beginning of the round-table discussion when upon realising there was in fact no round table, a round plastic drinking cup was turned upside down as a substitute.

I’ve been to quite a few comic events over the past year or so and out of all of them I think the Dundee Comics Day offers something really unique. Despite the big names in attendance there are no big egos and there is a much more intimate feeling, with the creators really engaging with fans in a way that just isn’t possible at some of the other larger events I’ve been to. A massive thanks to all the creators and organisers for putting together such a great event (and a special thank you to Frank Quitely who very graciously agreed to pose for a portrait/headshot for an upcoming piece of work – which I will blog about in greater detail once I can).

Make sure and check out the full photo gallery for more photos from the day(s)!

Hamish McHamish of St Andrews

Hamish McHamish is a truly remarkable cat. He has roamed around the heart of the world-famous town of St Andrews for the last 13 years, adored by locals, students and tourists from all over the world and now has more than 2,500 Facebook friends.

Today was the official launch of the new book Hamish McHamish of St Andrews by Susan McMullan. The launch, held at Waterstones St Andrews, was a huge success with queues out the shop door and the book knocking Sam Torrance and JK Rowling off the number one local best-seller spot. Hamish is somewhat of a local celebrity in St Andrews but the launch of the book has seen him thrown into the limelight across the country with stories appearing in the Daily Record, The Herald and even appearing on STV News.

I dropped into Waterstones in St Andrews during the launch to get some photos of the launch and signing by Susan McMullan, you can check out the photos over in the gallery.

Judge Dredd Original Art Exhibition

The latest exhibition created by Museum Services in association with the Scottish Centre for Comics Studies at the School of Humanities, University of Dundee, features original artwork celebrating one of the most iconic British comics characters, Judge Dredd. The pieces on show come from the University’s own growing collection of comics artwork as well as exclusive works on loan from artists and private collectors. Many of the works on show are by Duncan of Jordanstone graduate Colin MacNeil, who has become established as one of the most popular Dredd artists. Other artists featured include Henry Flint, Mike Collins, Will Simpson and Dean Ormston.

I was lucky enough to attend the opening of the Judge Dredd original art exhibition at the University of Dundee to cover the event and hear discussion from Cam Kennedy, Colin MacNeil and Al Ewing about their experiences working on Dredd and some of their thoughts on the new film. This was followed by a signing at the Dundee centre for Contemporary Arts and a special showing of the new film in the DCA and a panel Q&A afterwards.

Without giving anything away, the new film is awesome and despite going in cursing the fact it was in 3D I came out praising how well it had been done. The event was a huge success (standing room only!) and I had a great time capturing it. Check out the exhibitions page on the University website for details, some of the artwork is fantastic.

You can see the photos from the exhibition launch and a few from the signing in the on-line gallery.

Towards Cellardyke

A view from Anstruther harbour wall looking out towards Cellardyke. Taken towards the end of the afternoon you can see the change in the weather rolling in from the sea towards the village of Cellardyke in Fife. We get some really dramatic weather here on the east coast of Scotland, it’s just a shame it’s usually wind and rain! You can order a print from my gallery.

The photo from my last update of Anstruther Harbour lighthouse is what you would see if you turned around whilst looking just to the right is the view out across to the Isle of May.