Spread the good word ..

I did something yesterday that I haven't done for a long, long time. I took a photograph for the Manchester Evening News! Ok, it was only a self-portrait but it is for publication so that counts, doesn't it? The paper's doing a piece on my Joy Division exhibition at Charles Roe House and so, rather than have them schlepp a photographer down to Macclesfield, I volunteered to do the shots myself. It only took 378 attempts!..

There's other good news on the Joy Division front. The shots I took at Peter Hook's 'So this is Permanence' gig last month are going on Limited Edition sale. It's been agreed that the three photographers who covered the gig can now offer a selection of prints for sale until December 31st. I've edited my work down to around 20 images - I say around as I'm awaiting final approval - but, once I get the nod, I'll get that link up and running all over those other kinds of media!
Gotta spread the word, eh?..

The Hook Line ..

And so the mystery is solved! I was back working with Hooky yesterday evening - that's Peter Hook of Joy Division fame to the two of you out there that haven't heard of him - and I took along my copy of his book to get it signed. I'd bought it as soon as it came out and hoped I might be mentioned as I feel my little set of pictures of the band do have their place in the history of the group. Well, I am mentioned in the book, but I'm mentioned as - get this - "a very young Martin Ocomin" .. !! Ocomin? Oh, come on! Where the hell did Ocomin come from? Well, I asked him last night. "Eh?" .. he said "Who? What?..." Turns out .. it's a typo! Plain and simple as that! Seems there's apparently at least one line of text missing from the O at the beginning of my surname to where Hooky goes on about "kicking me up the arse and telling me to piss off!!" (One of my claims to fame but answers on a postcard, please, as to what that line might say!) So, anyway, there we are. He emailed the publishers there and then and says they'll have it corrected for the next print run.

After that, he signed the book and then there was nothing left to do but pally up and have a picture taken!..

Oh, he signed it "Thanks for the tip" ..

#culchethstudio
www.studiofivefour.com

Old growlers ..

Children and animals! I don't know why they say you shouldn't work with either, 'cos we had a blast yesterday shooting Lucy and Molly and that furry ball of energy they call Fergus! The key is to work fast! As in .. I got about ten frames before the dog'd had enough, and set to barking for Britain until we took him outside! (Actually, maybe I do know why they say that about animals!) Some lovely shots, though, and I'm pleased that my first studio shot with a pet went well. Really looking forward to Mum coming back for her viewing, now!

Bass players! I don't know why they say you shouldn't work with them 'cos .. Only joking! The old PR hat goes back on again this afternoon and guess who I've got to photograph .. me old mate Hooky, that's who! Let's see what he moans about this time! (Still joking, Hooky, honest!) I'll fill you in on the detail tomorrow.

PS: The photograph today is of Fergus .. not Hooky!
Just making that clear !!
Don't hit me, Hooky!
Down, boy!
Aaagh!..

#culchethstudio
www.studiofivefour.com

The write stuff..

Jeez, I never realised bass players were so bad at spelling! I'm 'mentioned in dispatches' in Peter Hook's new book about Joy Division, but bizarrely he calls me Martin Ocomin!!! (He also says he "kicked me up the arse" when I got up onto the stage at their Bowdon Vale gig, which is totally untrue but hey, artistic licence and all that!) He does, though - rather annoyingly - say, in the same paragraph, "Photographers, they think they're it" which is a bit of an unnecessary dig I think, but I hold no grudge against a musician from one of my mostest ever favourite bands! Peace and love, Hooky, peace and love...