Raves & Rants . . from Penzance

As ever it's been a while since I posted here, so 'Hello!' and thanks for checking back. There has been busyness in the photo world with a variety of local shoots. Artist of the Month shoots for Cornwall Today magazine always provide interesting people, frequently with amazing art works, and I feel privileged to be able to photograph this aspect of the creative Cornish life.  Mary Mabbutt, Cornwall Today, May 2014 Rachael Kantaris, Cornwall Today, June 2014 I usually shoot quite a few pictures when we (writer Alex Wade and I) visit the artists, of which sometimes only three will make it on to the printed page, so it's great for the other images get an outing too. You can now find the rest of the shoot in the magazine's new Artists Gallery . So much for culture, for God's sake tell us about the extreme sports! I hear you cry. Well the surfing end of the extreme sports spectrum is alive and well in Cornwall, with Spring time blue swells aplenty thu...

Yesterday was a fantastic day down here in Cornwall, the second sunny one after a massive storm that smashed sections of Penzance promenade, the Jubilee Pool and Newlyn Green. On Sunday the promenade was almost as crowded as on Pirate Day with locals and visitors alike inspecting the damage to the prom and pool.  A sort of Dunkirk spirit pervaded the atmosphere. Waves in the 'ride-able' size now  At Sennen it was the same story, the cove filled with half-term holiday makers strolling in the sun, having a look at what all the fuss was about in the national press when '200ft Waves' were reported crashing into the cliffs at Sennen.  Today there were decent surf-able waves, the sunshine making Sennen look more like its normal inspiring self. Apart from the sand, that is. The bed rock of a beach There is a distinct lack of sand on the beach at the moment, the giant scouring swells of the last weeks having shifted it out into the bay, an oceanic action repeat...

An unusal sight on any beach really, the gathered forces of the King's Troop at full gallop bearing down on you. Though partially posted in Afghanistan, the troop are more often seen firing Royal salutes on state occassions, under the leadership of Captain Max Channery. These were shot earlier in the summer for the national newspapers while the horses were 'holidaying' in Cornwall.  Luckily the surf was only mediocre, so it was easy to concentrate. In other news, this blog has heard that it is not fulfilling all of the functions claimed in the title.  Plenty of photos and surfing, we're told, but not enough moaning. To redress the balance, perhaps Blogger itself should be the subject of some moaning..... I've been trying to post these photos now for about ten days, but the recent 'updated' and revamped blogging software has been consistently refusing to allow it. Stumped, with all 'Help' emails routinely ignored, thousa...

.....why we live here. Sat, as usual, at the computer screen the other day, cursing the lack of surf and an urgent assignment of bulk photo editing requiring attention, the briefest glimpse of blue outside inspired me to immediately re-prioritise and head out the cliffs with the camera.  A short walk, clear skies and fresh air, and this viewpoint quickly put a different slant on the day. Surely one of the best views in the country ? Return to Ocean-Image.com

A company is planning to widen the lighthouse pier in Penzance, to build a small passenger terminal and aid freight handling for the Scillonian ferry. However, to accomplish the build of what will be essentially a lorry turning area, will involve concreting over a beach, rockpools and other marine habitats on the promenade in Penzance. Apart from the obvious eyesore, the whole project is totally unnecessary, as alternative, more environmentally friendly options for improvement are readily available. (And with greater savings to the public purse). Check the details out here http://www.friendsofpzharbour.org/ I've written in to the local paper, the Cornishman ::: Dear Sir RE: Scilly link development in Penzance (Cornishman recent issues) It is appalling to think that concreting over a vast swathe of rocks and the secluded beach near Battery Rocks is the best way of ‘securing’ the Scillies link. The rock pools and pebble beach there have long been family areas, perfect for youngsters ...