Model-making over the bleak midwinter.

As mentioned in the previous post, the photography work tends to quieten down somewhat over winter due to the weather, the Day Jobs, and real life getting in the way. That said, we don't exactly sit around doing nowt, and indeed the commissioned works for the hobby mags have somewhat kicked up a gear over the last few months.

British Railway Modelling continues to be the main focus for Ben- two pieces in the most recent issue!

This was a fun one, combining a bit of illustration work with the model-making.

Hallie ('Robot Girl From The Future!') continues her recent trend of sneaking into projects, whilst ideas are developed for a possible kids-book featuring her.

And then there's the quarterly work for Hornby. These tend to be much bigger articles, and have been a bit of a struggle to fit in over a very busy winter, but nevertheless, it's a nice regular gig.

And then there's the shared work we do for Garden Rail.

This is a lovely, steady little gig, an excuse for photography trips out, and forces us to do bits of model-making even when we're otherwise busy. Which is good, because losing yourself in a project for a little bit every day is a marvellous way to relax. 

So yeah, just because the blog is quiet, it's not that we've given up on being creative. There's plenty more info on the model-making blog, accessible from the list on the right-hand side if anyone's interested.

 

A rare sunny Jan day, on the Worth Valley

The winter is always a quiet time for us, photography-wise. This winter more than most, as it seems to have been perpetually dull and rainy.

One of the exceptions, luckily, was early in Jan where we paid one of our visits to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.

Since we moved from Ingrow to a bigger house down the valley, we don't spend nearly as much time on the KWVR as we'd perhaps like, so it's nice to pop over and just spend a bit of time riding the trains when we get chance.

The opportunities for photography were a little limited, in spite of the nice weather, mainly because we were busily riding the trains for a family day out. but still managed a few shots around the stations.

This was actually the first of two visits we squeezed-in during January, and so a second post should appear soon. And if this weather starts to vaguely improve at some point, hopefully some more (and more varied) pics should start appearing on the blog and insta feeds again.

 

Winter Clockwork Trains

Not been doing much photography lately (combination of awful weather, and us both being hideously busy at work). That said, here's something Christmas-y with clockwork trains, that Ben shot at the start of the month.

There's a bit more about this on the model-making blog, accessible via the links on the right.

A nice little project over a couple of evenings, a distraction from the main freelance work, but nice to do something every now and then that isn't linked to paid commissions.

Behind-the-scenes shot.

 

Hardwicke House

Gosh, it's been a dull Autumn for taking pictures, hasn't it?

Still, tried to make the best of the seemingly never-ending gloomy times, and went to Hardwick to meet up with some old friends.

Not my (Ben's) first visit here, I came ages ago on a works conference but never got chance to see the house.

Very taken with this room. Would love something like this to organise the arts, crafts, and model-making.

The place was full of nice little details and decorative touches.

Absolutely loved this games and hobbies table, with the inlaid detailing. I remember trying to do something like this whilst a DT Tech at Grange years ago.

Bit of experimenting with different lens settings- all phone shots, it had been too wet and gloomy to bother with the SLR.

A nice house to have finally visited- will have to make the effort to come back again on a nicer day.

 

A rainy Autumn day out on the Keighley and Worth Valley

At the risk of going all "Railway Children", it's been such a long time since we've been to the railway... We took a return visit to the Keighley and Worth Valley with my (Ben's) parents during late October, for a bit of a ride.

The Rail 200 Inspiration Train was there, but we weren't bothered about a visit (though had toyed with the Scout group going, but left it too late to organise).

It was a somewhat gloomy day, reminding us of why we've done relatively little photography the last few months.

An attempt to cope with the Tuppaware Sky; shooting monochrome.

Nice to go back there; might have to make the effort to do another visit, when the light and the weather is a little better.