Tom Walker, Artist

"A little goes a long way" was Tom's response to my question regarding who many pastels he uses in a year!

As my project photographing land-based businesses continues, every now and again there are interesting spin-offs. The artist Tom Walker is one such spin-off. Whilst photographing Monday Group, a gentlemen appeared who I immediately thought, "I need to photograph this man".

Tom Walker in his Sussex Studio

I spoke with a local contact who made the introduction and these images are the result of our first meeting - Tom is a thoughtful man who loves the countryside and is passionate about snooker. In 2009 he completed a series of works inspired by his love of snooker "Snooker, In The Frame" which can be seen at his website along with BBC interviews with Tom at the Snooker World Championships from 2007-2009.

Tom, thank you for your time, it's certainly a privilege to photograph you.

For anyone interested in how I lit these images, please visit my lighting blog Pack's Hacks.

Poppies in Bloom in November

On my way back to the studio from Brighton earlier today and surprised to see poppies peeping through the stubble on the west side of Beacon Road near Falmer. All I had with me was my trusty Fujifilm X30 snap cam & my iPhone for the background atmos track.

There will be many who have lost friends and loved ones in conflicts and wars over the years - We Will Remember Them.

Wooing Tree NZ Otago Winemaker Visits Sussex

Steve Farquharson in the winery at Plumpton College

Steve Farquharson from Wooing Tree Vineyard recently visited the Wine Centre at Plumpton College for a tasting during his trip to Europe selling his fine wines from the Central Otago Region in the New Zealand South Island - strangely the trip coincided with the Rugby World Cup - no wonder he has something to smile about with the All Blacks beating the Wallabies in the final at Twickenham on 31 October 2105.

Steve graduated with a viticulture, winemaking, the wine trade and WSET Diploma in Wine from Plumpton College in the early 2004 after deciding that a career in IT support for a bank call centre wasn't for him. Wooing Tree is a true family business with Steve and his wife Jane who own the business and his sister Jane looking after the cellar door and brother-in-law Geoff the vineyard.

Wooing Tree wines are available in UK (link above). Read more about the Wooing Tree story on their website www.wooingtree.co.nz

Out and about in Sussex - Autumn Fog

Whilst the dense fog maybe causing travel troubles, it certainly makes beautiful Sussex landscapes - a quick frame from beside the road close to Ditchling Beacon on the South Downs Way.