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Patrick Swayze was here

Patrick Swayze has sadly died. Very sorry to here that around these parts. He is yet another film star who graced our humble shores here filming the rom/com "Keeping Mom" on the island. He described my island as "a magical place with magical people". Now who am I to disagree with a Hollywood Icon? Also chuffed to say he was to be seen doing a spot of the old " dirty dancing" at the legendary nightspot Nightlife, the image you see above.

Some of you may know the alternative names of "Fightlife" or no can't say that one. Put it this way it begins with SH.. Nonetheless it remains as Ramsey's most premier, iconic nightclub. Perhaps premier is manipulating the truth somewhat, but iconic it certainly is. Ramsey only has one nightclub you see. That sort of makes it legendary and iconic. It's a real throwback to a bygone era of sticking to sodden beery carpet twirling lights and people behaving like a whirring dervish. It attracts absolutely all comers. Age, musical taste, locals, tourists, fairy folk, witches, wizards, Frank the rabbit and of course iconic film stars when in town. You will find the population of Ramsey, who haven't stayed in or still standing after the pubs close, doing there own version of dirty dancing into the small hours. Be warned no trainers, but otherwise, if you the entrance fee and a pulse you are most certainly welcome and no one will put you in the corner.


Sorry for the really horrid, poor quality image. Not my usual standard at all. Only one of nightlife I had to hand. For other abc's see here

CANNES YOU BELIEVE BABOOSHKA WAS NOT INVITED!

Click image it's huge.

Well now I hope that title got your attention. A scandal has befallen these shores. I will be seeking solace in a strong black coffee and trying to stay calm. Why you ask well read on.



You all know how I just love the South of France, the Riviera. You have read of my wish to be that away. Well I am hyperventilating at the scandalous news. A yacht was hired and certain people to represent the Isle of Man film industry at the Cannes Film Festival...... paid for by the tax payer to the tune of... a helluva lot of pennies. Now this has caused lots of letters of disgust to the papers and mumblings of "waste of money" etc. Surely though this is not the burning issue? Surely the burning issue is the fact that I was not invited on said yacht to jolly there. Hello look at the blog you idiots, just how many images do you want to show you what a splendiferous film location this is and your cinematographer is here waiting for you. Tour guide at your service! Besides all that.... I missed out on no.

As you can see I have taken the news well. Not a yacht but a boat bobbing on the water, Sorry folks. We don't get many of those luxury yachts here.

WHERE ARE THE WATCHMEN?

Another one bites the space dust!

Just when you thought you were safe to to view the blog again after the One Year Anniversary, I hit you with this. Not the poster for the Watchmen film at the cinema that's for sure. What part of Ramsey would this be then? For those that know from previous posts this would be my house. No, really. I don't mean I reside with aliens in an inter galactic state, although..... My other half(who out there said better?) is an illustrator, you know the one that was the Political Cartoonist for the BBC Politics Show. He created this image, Captain Pluton. Looks like a film poster or graphic novel doesn't it?


So to illustrate my post about the Watchmen I utilise this image. Crafty, I mean inventive eh!


It's simple, one question? Are we getting the film The Watchmen or not on the Isle of Man? Not complicated is it? Actually is seems to be. Rumours abound we're getting late night screenings only at the one and only cinema in Douglas. The cinema though has other ideas. Well at least the website does as it's not showing The Watchman in it's coming soon section. Look this may surprise you, but not all females want to see chick flicks. Some of us actually can't wait for Star Trek. I want options. Hello it's called the "Isle of Man" for pity's sake! Would that not be a teensy clue as to roughly the sex of half the population here. Duh! You know the ones who traditionally, in a stereotypical way of course, are graphic novel ( no not comic) sci fi nuts and don't want to see films about girl buy shoes, girl lose boy, girl bore me to tears with your tedious pink world. We need/ want choice. So the campaign to get the Watchman screened on the Isle Of Man starts here. People I need ya. Don't let me down. I will have no Quantum of Solace until we get it. So can we boldly go (split infinitives abound) to the final frontier - a film I actually want to drag my sorry ass all the way to Douglas to see. Don't even think about not showing Star Trek. Phasers set to stun, but Captain Pluton will shoot to kill if we don't get the Watchman.


Ooh that felt good. Image today courtesy and copyrighted to Barker, of (click) Gary Barker Illustration and Design otherwise known as the one is using my living room as his personal office space. Yes folks back in business, busier than ever. Regular magazine slot, private work and a hush hush campaign I can't wait to tell you about but can't yet.


This superhero needs her bed and has to wash her superhero suit. Dry clean! Don't be stoooopid and reveal I'm Babooshka handing it it at the Dry cleaners.

Live long and prosper.



WF9

THE MATRIX- (OR WHY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY ARE PRETENTIOUS)

What lies beneath?

Down on the waterfront, it could have a contender for the "Cult of Babooshka's Ramsey Swing Bridge" but nah it's an offer I could refuse. Today we have instead an image that has perplexed me possibly as much as it will you. Why the hell did I take this. Simply an exercise in colour, light, texture and geometry.

It's taken of course on the edge of the harbour walkway, looking directly underneath The Ramsey Swing Bridge entrance. The first thing that struck me was the colour of the metalwork. It's a faded red and matt compared to the images you've seen before above which are deep red gloss paint. The bolsters underneath are covered in verdigris and rusting creating these green, gold orange tints. The moored boats blue and white bounce the light hitting the other side of the bridge rendering a slight purple tinge to the water in the right hand corner against the the true colour of the water in the top left corner which is barely blue. The criss crossing metal work creating form a strange matrix of lines encircling the cylindrical bolster. Each of those sections created by the grid of lines has caught it's own level of light and enhanced, trapped or obscured light to cast differing colours onto the water. No two sections therefore are the same colour. The swan bright white caught centrally has a ring of light water around it due to the light bouncing off him.

The image is a curio, a passing image that could only be taken at that angle due to the walkway edge. Always look above and below so much going on. Like the Matrix the reality on a cold grey day, poor light would be flat, lifeless and real. On a sunny day, at the tight angle the colours and reality are heightened. Use your illusion.

It's not a wall hanging image. I doubt I would tender for sale or commission for use. However if I did this is the kind of pretentious nonsense above that would sell it. It's all true, but does it need saying? Sometimes you just like an image, sometimes you don't. I do because I like the quirkiness. The reality of photography is this month I should have been photographing corporate images of new registration cars for a dealership. Your bog standard side on, head on shots. Got the text today to say that people aren't buying new cars in droves this month. The shoot is postponed until they do. The reality of photography for most photographers is the next shoot, mundane or creative not long drawn out discussions on the virtue of an image. That doesn't pay the bills. So maybe you understand why I make light of this strange way to make a living and sometimes want to blog about anything but photography!

So how was your day?

IS THIS THE MODDEY DOO OR A WIZARD? - CRITTERS SUNDAY

Is this the Moddey Doo, the strange mythical dog that legend has it scared a soldier to death and haunts Peel Castle? No it can't be! I don't think the Moddey Doo ever visits Ramsey. I know someone magical who is though!

The Moddey Doo was covered in a post earlier in the week. In a nutshell it's a mythical black dog that scared a soldier to death and haunts Peel Castle. If you put the words " Moddey Doo in the search box at the top of the page it will take you to the post for the full story. I just couldn't resist posting this image as the poor low light intensified the black coat, and merged his featured making him look a little haunting. Don't know who's it is but it's gorgeous.

So who or what is in or about to be in Ramsey? The escaped wallaby possibly and Manx fairies always in hiding, so no not them. Apparently we do have a film crew and a wizard though. Well an actor who played a Wizard. Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter film series will be in the up coming film WILD TARGET . The Isle of Man I have mentioned before is often used as a film location. For a full list of films see the ISLE OF MAN FILM INDUSTRY . See how many films you've seen that you never knew had an Isle Of Man Connection.

If anyone decides to make a film about the Moddey Doo can they contact me first. I know the perfect dog to cast! I've already taken his portfolio photo.

For more wonderful camera critters see MISTY DAWN Camera critters and be sure to leave a nice comment for Misty' s own outstanding posts.