Art Deco Garage, East Preston

In the sleepy village of East Preston, just along from Worthing, lies a little hidden gem I'd heard of. My manager had told me about a little garage that had been let to rot for many many years, but had recently been rescued by a redevelopement plan.

I couldn't find any pictures of what it looked like when it was first finished back in the day, but stumbled across this one before we headed over to explore. What a sorry sorry sight this was:

Now I don't normally like what redevelopers do with Art Deco buildings along the south coast. Far too many have been left to rot away, then get knocked down and turned into more boring high rise blocks. But not this time. These designers were real geniuses. They have kept the front facade as it was, and have cleverly extended backwards, to provide multiple flats in this now restored garage.

I LOVE IT! Now all I need to do is win the lottery to live here.....

We couldn't resist a few poses with the car. The people who live opposite found it highly amusing while they did their gardening!

Let's see more of this on the coast please! I have my heart set on them restoring the old Art Deco Odeon on the Level in Brighton next. Now that's a place I'd pay good money to live in.

Much Love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx

1930's Hair Style

I recently met up with my old college chum Kristy Hobden last week to have another mini-shoot at mine. As it's been quite some time since I've had any proper photos taken, I actually made the effort to set my hair properly for the first time this year (I have been very very lazy in that department) and actually ended up going into work the day of the shoot with curlers still in, hair pins holding it all in place, and a big head scarf to wrap it up...and nobody even noticed! Good news for me, because it means I might actually do this a bit more often.

Anyway, on to the results. Kristy kindly took one or two hair shots for the blogs, and has promised to send me a few of the final ones later this week, can't wait to see what they've turned out like :)

I was quite chuffed with this, haven't done finger waves in the front before. What do you think? ny tips for future adventures in hair setting?



All curled up at the back:

And the wave at the front:

Look forward to posting up some of the finals in the next few days.

Much Love from Brighton,

L.J.

xxx

KRISTY HOBDEN
Freelance Live Music & Portrait Photographer

www.kristyhobden.com

www.twitter.com/kristy_hobden

Brighton 1st SmugMug Event

I was asked to attend Brighton's very 1st SMUG photographic meet-up, and to play around being the model for the very talented Mr Ian Pack.

The SMUG meet-ups are designed to be an open-forum for photographers looking to learn new skills, and also as a networking event.

The 1st one was based on the idea of having a tutorial for studio lighting and using different lights and equipment. We started off with NO added lighting, and Ian gradually introduced a range of effects, gels and light positions to demonstrate their effect.

I really enjoyed myself, and picked up lots of hints and tips as well as meeting many many photographers and making new connections too!

I'm rather pleased with Ian's skills, and having seen how he managed to create them with just white, and later black backdrops, and the changes in mood depending on the colour of the gels.

Ian is hatching some plans for some collaborations in the not so distant future, and so far we have a pile of different shoots to get through, but we'll get there! What with house hunting and work, things have been rather hectic, but he is being ever patient with me and I trust in the coming weeks, once everything has settled again, that we will be able to crack on with it. Cannot wait to show you!

Looking forward to joining in future SMUG meets! If you are a photographer of any experience, professional or a hobbiest, get in touch with them. They hold meetings all over the world, and SMUG is actually also a very VERY useful tool for those who have a huge collection of digital photo's, as they offer unlimited storage for the fraction of other professional providers!

Thanks again to Ian and Kirstie Black over at Eclectia Studios in the Marina, who organised and hosted the event!

Much Love from Brighton

L.J.

xxx

Kristy Devine Photography - Part 2

Popped down to the beach with Kristy the other day as promised. More drinking and chatting was done than photo's, but she's been kind enough to send me this as a little taster:

Dress - Beyond Retro, Brighton

Parasol - Lewes Flea Market

Flower - some car show 3 years ago

Sunnies - Primark

Still resting up so this has to be all for now.

Much love from Brighton and hope to be back in action soon

L.J.

xxx

Kristy Devine Photography

I've been trying to get back in contact with some long neglected friends, and recently met up with my old college buddy Kristy.

Now, unlike myself, she has kept up with her photography, and my word, I wished I'd done too, judging but her blossoming talents.

I invited her round to my place last week to do a couple of test shots for her recent project, and below are the outcomes!

I love them and cannot wait to head down to the beach with her when the sun decides to come back out again (pray for the weekend!). No idea what she has in stall next but lets find out!

It was so good to finally have a catch up, although I suspect the beach will be even more fun, fuelled by a drink or two, or three!

If you want to check out some more of her work, she has a flickr account HERE. I'm trying to persuade her to have a go at take some pics of Tilly too, and I hear she may be doing a spot of Burlesque portraits in the coming future too! Yes Please!

Looking forward to seeing her again for more than just a cup of tea this time! So if you see a couple of giggling girlies on the beach this Sunday, you know who it is ; )

Much Love from grizzly Brighton,

L.J.

xxx