Group Assignment 3D work

I decided to include some 3D elements into our game... this was a bit selfish on my part.  If I am to criticise our degree at all, it is simply that we do not spend enough time in one area or on any particular software.

We have only studied 3D once and I am nervous that the next time we have to use it (possibly in our final year) I will have forgotten how to use the software and as often happens, will have to start from scratch.

It isn't as if we have time to practice in our 'free time'.  In that we are part time students, many of us are working full time and have a family to take care of. So our 'free time' is used working on our current assignments.

So here I got back into Google Sketchup (now Trimble) to create a 3D model of a digital SLR camera.

The idea was that this would sit within the tutorial part of the game.  Players could rotate around this and learn about the functions of the camera.

In the end I simply didn't have the time to stitch the parts together for the user navigation functions.  Instead I did a walk around film.  I didn't have time to lay a voice over either.

Reading this blog you may think I was a lazy student, 'not having time'.  In fact this was the assignment that I was working on when I gave birth prematurely slap bang in the middle of it!

For those of you who may need enlightening, this required hospital stays and then of course the 'newborn' phase is prolonged, so rather than perhaps 3 months of life draining days and nights, we had 6.  So less than empathetic people may suggest that I had all the time in the world to complete this assignment.... well they can get knotted.

Fortunately I was able to critique the work effectivley and describe how the product would have been developed if the unexpected arrival hadn't taken place.

Here is the video:


Final Marks:

Development Report: 67 = 2:1
Evaluation Report: 70 = First

I am ecstatic with these marks as I was convinced that I would fail, there had been many a tear shed over this... not in vain.

Happy Friday, it's a good one!

New facebook timeline/page cover dimensions

More of a reminder for me, if I write things down they stick in my head.

The new dimensions for the facebook timeline cover image is:

W: 850px
H: 315px

The Avatar/ Profile image is:

W: 180px
H: 180px

If this comes in useful for anyone else, do please give me a like.... :) link to the right xx

Blood Wedding at Trinity High, Manchester.... not a review!!

Today saw me back in school.  After nearly five months out of the classroom I have to say I had almost forgotten how envigorating I find it!

I wasn't at my home from home, Bowland High, instead I was at my sister Sophie's work, Trinity Church of England High in Manchester.

The school's Drama department are performing Blood Wedding, a Spanish tragedy by Federico Garcia Lorca.  I was invited to photograph the technical rehearsals.  The play is quite heavy for such lively youths but they executed it marvellously (In my humble opinion, not being an expert/ critic).  The whole thing is drenched in guilt and punishment.  Dark, heavy, almost adult but certainly captivating; and what a professional outfit!  Mr Wells and Ms Pierce (picture to follow) will certainly be made proud.  Opening night is tomorrow (22 Mar).

But this isn't a review, I wouldn't dream of it, but if it were my child up there, well I'd be gushing with pride! Anyway, just wanted to thank Tom, Rachel, the cast & crew of the Trinity Drama department for having me and Sophie for suggesting me as their photographer!

I'm not posting pictures of the kids here as I have waived all my rights, so much easier for schools in terms of consent etc.  That being said, the school hosts perfomance photos on their website so you can view them there.

I've asked Tom to select a few favourites of the teaching staff and they will be posted here shortly.

Thanks again Trinity, it has been a pleasure!

Portraits for Brighter Business Solutions

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of photographing the ladies at BBS in Ramsbottom for their website portraits.

I have posted my favourites here, but have a look at BBS' website to see what they selected as their favourites.