In town!

I’m used to seeing furniture hanging around suburbia, but it’s a real treat to spot these in town. They look quite corporate and formal, even in the way they have been placed. I think they are probably left out by the university for council collection. Note to self: Start building muscles and looking for a job in council furniture collection. Both are unrealistic for different reasons, especially the idea that there are jobs available within local councils under this horrendous* coalition government!

*I couldn’t find a strong enough word to use.

Wear and Tear

This year I have started a new collection of photographs of wear and tear that I find whilst on walks. With this and my discarded furniture habit, I am constantly on the hunt! I think worn paintwork can be so beautifully detailed and intricate. Some of the images that are created by photographing close up look like abstract paintings. Here are my top twelve:

I am yet to work out how I would like to display this ever growing collection. I like the way they look together and that I photograph what catches my eye. It’s a very simple project.

It’s all in the presentation

The biggest thing on my mind at the moment is how to present my furniture photographs. I have huge amounts now and would love for them to be seen, I’m just trying to figure out the best way. I see the photographs as documentary. I have previously displayed them in a handmade book with a cardboard cover. These took ages to make and I think the finished aesthetic may have taken away from the photographs themselves. When I got my furniture photos printed, it was automatically turned into a book. I decided a couple of weeks later to get a book printed and I was really pleased with the result.

I felt it was a really good way to view the photos as the book was so simple that there was no distraction. I am unsure how or where a book like this may exist and am still considering other methods of presentation.

Sofa’s abroad

One of my best furniture spotters, Caroline has sent me an absolute corker, a Spanish sofa and a pair of armchairs! I was so happy to see that there are similar sights to spot across the sea.

Tassels in the wind

I had to capture the wind making the tassels on this sofa dance! I like the idea of making videos of the furniture. It makes them feel more sculptural and animates them. A video of an abandoned sofa in the pouring rain would be so sad but I think strangely beautiful.

Happy accident

One of the things I do at work is send out and label boxes. When I was preparing a few boxes to be sent I started to collect the waste scraps of tape and paper that was left behind. They were made by a happy accident (the previous labels had to be removed and these were the edges of those labels). I thought they deserved more than being thrown away with peoples banana skins and boots meal deal left overs. I really like the shapes, colours and textures that have been created. It also made the task much more enjoyable too!

If you click on an image you can view a larger version.

Photography Expedition

At the end of February Amy, Haydn and I went on an expedition to take photos. It was such a great Sunday afternoon activity! We went to Rufford Park and I was taught how to use depth of field. I have used this in the past but I have always struggled to retain the information (anything with numbers falls out of my head!). The weather was a bit bleak and we were very chilly, but we perserved and had good fun! Here are my favourite photographs:

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Afterwards we sat down in the warmth of the cafe and had well deserved treats. I had a cup of tea and a blueberry muffin.

Monday morning procrastination

Last Monday I went into work later than usual so the day before I had spotted a chair that needed further investigation. I only saw our our of the corner of my eye, so was feeling apprehensive about whether it could have been a mirage. It was such a sunny day and the chair was sighted not very far from my house. I began meandering down the road when I spied a painting on the wall. I love the colours.

Once I had photographed that, I continued on my merry way in searched on a new chair for my collection. When I saw it there wedged between the wall and bins with what looked like a hat on, I thought ‘what a character’.

Then when I finally got to work I noticed that a tatty looking office chair had been abandoned in the post room to dwell next to the reams of paper forever more.

Great morning!

Everyone’s at it

I’ve been receiving some incredible furniture photos recently! There’s nothing like a text from friends and family with an attachment of some discarded furniture. Going to start categorising them and grouping them in smaller collections. Think I’ll start by getting them all printed.

Furniture frenzy

Today has been crazy bonkers! I have saw an amazing amount of discarded furniture within the space of half an hour. I made me so happy! It was so windy and so they became more like animated sculptures.