The Epic Compendium

Barbed

The images from Barbed are part of a continuing series exploring the disconnect I feel from my environment since moving to Dorset nearly 19 years ago. I used to live on the outskirts of London in a place called Northwood; I suppose the name suggests what the environment was like! I had access to various…

Simple Lumen Prints

How to Create a Lumen Print For this you will need: Darkroom black and white photographic paper; I’m using Ilford multigrade resin coated* Photographic fixer; I’m using Ilford Rapid Fixer Sunshine or UV light Running water to rinse Glass and board to put it all on, or a contact frame Plant material or something to…

Cyanotype: Taking it Further

My guide to creating a cyanotype. I decided to try a few experiments to work out how various additions to a wet cyanotype can effect the outcome, and then to tone these experiments. If you’re particularly interested in this I’d recommend you follow the blog as I intend to do a lot more of these…

Epic Top 10 Free Image Sites

My list includes sites that specialise in photography, as well as some more unusual image resources for something a bit different. It’s not in order of preference as these are all great sites. 1 Unsplash Unsplash calls itself ‘the internet’s source of freely-usable images’. It provides free images (photography) for both commercial and non-commercial use….

Chicken Stew

British Jewish Penicillin with an Asian Twist This is great for using up any leftovers from a roast, is budget friendly and healthy. This post is more of a guide than a recipe. My version bears only a passing resemblance to the stew my grandmother made in that it contains chicken and carrots – I…

Life in Lockdown

It’s March 2021. We’re approaching the point where this time last year, the UK went into its first lockdown. It feels like a good moment to reflect on what’s happened this last year, and what might happen in the next few months. For the first time in a long time, I feel hope as well…

Transfer Images to Plaster

How to Transfer an Image onto Plaster This post will show you how to transfer a laser printed image onto plaster. Keep in mind that this technique probably won’t give you a perfect result. For me, part of the reason for this process is the introduction of slight imperfections that add character to the final…

How I Dealt With My Dog’s Separation Anxiety

I have a rescue dog, Jasper, who has always hated being left alone. I’d had two other dogs before Jasper, worked in a kennel as a teenager, grew up with dogs and have done volunteer work as a home checker for a dog charity. So I had quite a bit of experience with dogs but…

Make Challah for Shabbat

Despite my lack of religious belief I recognise that there is a power in the routine and structure of keeping Shabbat. It’s a difficult acknowledgement for me because I seem to fight both routine and structure at a visceral level, but Friday night was an important part of my childhood and I kept that desire…

Happiness and Gratitude

If you’re feeling down a good idea is to write down at least three things you’re grateful for as a daily habit. I started to do this some time ago and quickly saw an improvement in my mood along with a more positive general mindset and a greater sense of self-worth. I began this as…

If You Feel Depressed, Do This Now

Feel Better Now My partner is a psychologist, so when I saw a talk with Martin Seligman and Richard Layard advertised I told him about it straight away. I watched about 2 minutes of it with him and I learnt something that might be useful to share on this blog, where part of what I…

Feeling Anxious? Try CBD Oil

Four Great Reasons For Using CBD Oil I’ve been using CBD oil daily for a couple of years. It has had a lot of positive effects on both my mental and physical health that I’d like to share. Pain Relief 1 I initially tried CBD oil because I’m allergic to Paracetamol and I began showing…