taken on my iphone using the plastic bullet app

taken on my iphone using the plastic bullet app

taken on my iphone using the hipstamatic app

taken on my iphone using the plastic bullet app

I read a great article on the Photoworks San Francisco blog recently. The author discusses the increasing use of iphone apps including Hipstamatic which filters an average camera phone photo turn into a pastiche of a holga, diana, any number of hip camera film effects. I totally empathise with his feelings and comments as I too feel conflicted about the medium.

Partly, hands up, I know I'm being a snob. I've worked extensively with camera film, and effects including light leaks/flare/polaroid borders/pinhole and toy camera over the last ten years. It informed a large part of my illustration style and it wasn't always the easiest process to work with. To suddenly see the effects available at the touch of a button is partly amazing and partly infuriating.

Some of the comments in the follow up to the article are eloquent; "photography is about the journey not just the end result. If they come out with cool pictures and learned nothing on the journey then they have gained much less." and in a similar vein: "I guess it comes down to that old chestnut, is art created without intention as valid as art created with intention."

But, maybe more importantly, the conflicting argument that film shouldn't be revered just because it's film: "I feel that a far worse trend, is glorifying toy camera photo’s just for the sake that they are shot on film. Just because you leave your negative frame on your photo, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good."

Recently I bought an iphone and started using hipstamatic. To be honest, it didn't do a huge amount for me to begin with, but then I found plastic bullet and I love this app. The interface is much simpler and it has a lovely element of surprise in that you have the choice of four different processed images, and if you don't like any of those it develops a fresh set for you.

I think it's time I got over myself and embraced the medium. What are your thoughts?

My new Red Ruby Rose gift boxes arrived today, yippee! Clutches will now arrive individually in one of these beauties, although I have had to tweak the postage up a little for international buyers as they're 100 grams heavier than my previous packaging.
They are bespoke printed with the Red Ruby Rose logo on the lid in foil inlay, and the heavyweight board is lined with a cream buckram paper which has a lovely textured finish.
I honestly didn't think I'd get quite so excited about a simple box, which suggests I need to get out more.

Why does autumn always come as a surprise? The transition into shorter and colder days and nights feels like a bit of a shock. It's not that I dislike September - it's just the sinking feeling that summer has gone.

However, it's not all gloom. This year the garden has been fruitful. The old apple tree is groaning under the weight of fruit - so much so that I wish I'd thinned the crop earlier in the year as the poor old dear looks fit to drop. Even the ancient pear tree has a bounty of curvy beauties. In the veg plot the sweetcorn is just ready to pick now and the french beans that I neglected to pick earlier in the summer have ripened into deep purple beans that are turning out to be yummy in soups and stews.

The toadstools above were growing in the lawn the other week and I'm fascinated by their inky frilly gills. They are Blackening Waxcaps and they start turning blue after being picked, turning black eventually. Apparently edible but not something I'd personally relish eating.

As for Red Ruby Rose, I've been preparing a brand new collection of printed silk scarves, all featuring my own textile/collage/photographic prints. I'm both excited and nervous about this new line. They should be in the shop by the end of the month and I'll be exploring wholesale for the first time too. Also arriving are new bespoke printed gift boxes, for both the clutches and the scarves. The sample arrived last week and looks amazing so I can't wait to get these photographed and listed, as they'll be the finishing touch for Christmas gifts.