Cat Ashton's Photoblog

Pink Tentacle

Recently I’ve been knitting toys - little toys. I’ve also been making my own patterns up. The patterns are going to be made available at somepoint.

May I introduce Pink Tentacle (they will be renamed I’m sure by the final owner!) - this is the only Pink Tentacle.

This tentacle took a few hours to make. I’m quite proud of this one - the wool isn’t the easiest to work with and its much finer double knit than I’m used to working with.

These suckers are just fantastic if I do say so myself!

I hope that Pink Tentacle is happy in their new home after the 25th December.

Contact Theatre Project - #follow_me

A couple of weeks ago I was at Barcamp Manchester 2. We were wonderfully hosted by Contact Theatre. Since BCMan2 they have started a project for a new show #follow_me.

To quote @contactmcr

“Are you going to join in? You need your face,paper,pen&camera”

I think that everyone should get involved - Contact are a great venue and wonderful people. Its also a very simple project to get involved with.

This is my offering

The rest of the photographs are on Flickr.

Food :: Cooking and Photography

Recently I’ve been on a bit of a splurge on cooking real food. Kian’s dad took me to Wing Yip’s Manchester store just before university term started. I picked up many things including stuff to make wontons.

If you fancy some let me know - I’m happy to make more here at Tentacle Tower.

I’ve started a gallery for Food photography. I’ve been doing much of it lately. I seem to be enjoying cooking and the photography that goes with it.

Lactose Free* Hot Chocolate

For months I’ve been trying to find something I could claim as a “Cat Safe” Hot Chocolate. Now, most cafes pile on cream, most powder versions have enough skimmed milk powder in them to trigger my intolerance and most chocolate bars I have to consume in moderation so I can’t use it to make a Hot Chocolate. Well that changed when I found that I could eat Aero - I somewhat love Aero. Somewhat hate Nestle, but I can’t do much about that.

Dried Skimmed Milk itself doesn’t seem to affect me much.

Ingredients for “Cat Safe” Hot Chocolate
Aero 4 mini treat size bars (around 40g) (of which is ~6g milk solids of that between 0.12g and 0.48g may be lactose)
a mug full of full-fat milk (lactofree or normal)
a tiny grating of nutmeg
a handful of marshmallows

Method

1. Heat the milk and chocolate over a gentle heat - DO NOT BOIL! Keep on heat until all the chocolate is melted in.
2. Once the chocolate is combined with the milk grate in as much nutmeg as you like (you can leave it out if you don’t like it!)
3. Pour into mug (for preference a Large Mug).
4. Cut up some marshmallows and top. (May need a spoon to consume this awesome drink/dessert.. )

*It may not be strictly Lactose Free, but it hasn’t upset my body so I’m happy to say I can make it again for me.

Manchester Geek Up October 2009

Last night was this month’s GeekUp Manchester. Due to a few issues with the venue (including GeekUp being double booked, shifted around at a drop of a hat, and last night being told as we arrived that they had a private party until 10:30pm!) we’ve moved to Pitcher & Piano, Deansgate Locks. That’s right, we’ve moved next door. Better WiFi, nicer snug, better lighting and less music!

I’ve put a selection of my photographs from last night.

ScottyGu :: The Guathon

Firstly, I would like to thank Phil Winstanley and Mike Taulty for hosting and arranging today’s showcase and pubbing (with a big thank you to Phil for letting me know about it and letting me come along with cameras in tow!).

So, at the Printworks Odeon, Manchester today I went to Guathon. I was there to see a showcasing of ASP.NET MVC2, Visual Studio 2010, .Net 4.0 and SilverLight 3 given by ScottGu. Honestly, I’ll leave folks with much more knowledge and with interesting things to say discuss those (although there seemed to be a few cool things that are coming in the new shinies)- I went along to photograph the event.

After the showcase I managed to get a quick photoshoot in (around Scott answering further questions about his various projects…).

Scott Gu
Single strobe (Canon Speedlite 580EXII with built in fill card used) camera left ~1-2ft off subject on the desk set @ 1/32th power.

The rest of the gallery from the Guathon.

Last Of My Kitties My Flash

Just after dinner this evening Apollo came in from the cold. Thankfully I had some chicken leftover and he was quite happy to pose for the chicken.

Apollo (aged 4 years 3 months)

My Kitties My Flash

In recent weeks I realised that I had no up to date photographs of the cats. Recently we got some “Yongnuo” CTR-301P Wireless Flash Trigger, which frankly they are the best set of triggers I’ve had my hands on.

So I’ve been playing with the new triggers and off camera flash. At the moment I’m only playing with a single flash gun (although I can up to a second thanks to the Vivitar 285HV working happily with the triggers).

In no particular order

Hannah (aged 12 years)

Hathor (aged 6 years)

Henery (aged 8 years)

Seti (aged 6 years)

Squeaker (aged 4 years)

Walnut (aged 16 months)

That’s all the cats, bar Apollo (aged 4 years) who hasn’t been around to photograph for a few days. I’ll be getting a photograph of him as soon as I possibly can.

Each of these photographs was taken in the cat’s favoured place. Hannah being in bed, Seti near my dad in the living room, Walnut on the stairs, Henery on top of the fridge, Hathor under the bed and Squeaker at the top of the stairs (well he likes to hide..). So I hope you like them.

New SelfPortrait

Next week I start my third year of degree at Manchester Metropolitan University. This afternoon I got my hair cut, ready for the beginning of 3rd year. Been told to update my twitter icon. Here it is.

So yes, there it much talk of what I’m planning for the next 8 months. I have a 5000 word essay due in January 2010 (which I need to get the first 1000 words written by the 30th September). I’m going to be writing about the value of a photograph. Not just “oh I want you to pay me £foo for this photograph”, but also discuss the value to others sentimentally or the value to a collector. Beyond that I’m not too sure what my photographic work is going to be this year - just yet at least - but I’m sure I’ll let you lot know as it happens!

I have some cute photos of my cats and those that live with my parents to show you lot later!

A few changes

Over the last 24 hours I’ve been changing things around on here and in the gallery. I now have a running colour scheme throughout and typeface. The gallery now works relatively close to what I wanted 18months ago…

In addition to the redesign stuff I’ve added a Print Sale where I’ve chosen my favourite images and more (go have a read for details!). I also have updated the gallery with a wedding section from the recent wedding work I’ve been doing (now taking bookings for the remainder of 2009 and throughout 2010).

Reminder:
I’m available for events, portraits, fine art commissions, weddings, food and product shots. Email or phone me for a chat about anything you’d like me to help you with.